Voting Station

Don Carney

Please vote to return to collections.

Radio Personality

The Resume

    (April 19, 1896-January 14, 1954)
    Born in Joseph, Michigan
    Birth name was Howard Rice
    Hosted the children's radio program 'Uncle Don' on WOR in New York City (1928-47)

Why he might be annoying:

    He adopted the name Don Carney while performing stock Irishman parts in vaudeville.
    He was a children's entertainer who never had children of his own.
    He is probably best remembered for the urban legend that after his usual sign-off he exclaimed, 'There, that ought to hold the little bastards,' unaware that his mic was still live and broadcasting.
    The incident never happened, but that didn't stop Kermit Schafer from 're-creating' it for one of his blooper records.

Why he might not be annoying:

    In vaudeville, he also performed as a trick pianist who could play while standing on his head.
    Thanks to WOR's 50,000-watt tower covering seven states, he was the most widely heard children's show host of his era.
    In addition to his usual Monday to Saturday nighttime show, he would sometimes broadcast on Sunday mornings, reading newspaper cartoons to his audience.
    His announcers included Jack Barry and Henry Morgan.

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: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying