Voting Station

John Cameron Swayze

Please vote to return to collections.

Commentator

The Resume

    (April 4, 1906-August 15, 1995)
    Born in Wichita, Kansas
    Anchor of the 'Camel News Caravan' for NBC (1949-56) and 'The ABC Nightly News' (1960-62)
    Panelist on 'To Tell The Truth' (1957-60)
    Distant cousin of Patrick Swayze

Why he might be annoying:

    He planned to become an actor, but gave it up due to a lack of Broadway jobs during the Depression.
    His news show was sponsored by Camel Cigarettes, which required him to have a lit cigarette in his hand or in the ashtray on his desk throughout the broadcast.
    Camel also banned him from showing news film with 'no smoking' signs or people smoking cigars (with the exception of Winston Churchill).
    He marketed his own line of ties.
    He became better known for his 'It takes a licking and keeps on ticking' commercials for Timex than as a news anchor.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was married to Beulah Estes for 60 years until his death.
    'Broadcasting' magazine called him 'the best-dressed news commentator... whose suave handling of the news matches perfectly his handsome face and impeccable garb.'
    During those pre-teleprompter days, he relied on a photographic memory to look directly into the camera without consulting a script.
    His son noted, 'When he signed off 'Glad we could get together' he really meant it, and I think people understood he meant it.'
    He is the first of the former anchors in the montage that begins the NBC Nightly News.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 20 Votes: 35.00% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 8.33% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 25 Votes: 56.00% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 40 Votes: 42.50% Annoying