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Podcasts Off-Ramp
5-9-1961: Newton Minow asks TV to do better in Vast Wasteland speech
Off-Ramp with John Rabe Hero Image
(
Dan Carino
)
May 7, 2011
Listen • 10:51
5-9-1961: Newton Minow asks TV to do better in Vast Wasteland speech
Fifty years ago Monday, the fresh young head of the Federal Communications Commission told a group of TV broacasters to their face that what they were putting on the air was 99% rubbish, and that they risked their licenses if they didn't shape up. Newton Minow's speech was formally titled "Television and the Public Interest," but it immediately became known as the "Vast Wasteland" speech. Off-Ramp host John Rabe talked with Newton Minow, now 85, about the speech and its impact ... and about being immortalized on "Gilligan's Island." Yes, he's the namesake for the SS Minnow.
Newton Minow, in his office in Chicago. March, 2011.
Newton Minow, in his office in Chicago. March, 2011.
(
Samuel Vega for Off-Ramp
)

Fifty years ago Monday, the fresh young head of the Federal Communications Commission told a group of TV broacasters to their face that what they were putting on the air was 99% rubbish, and that they risked their licenses if they didn't shape up. Newton Minow's speech was formally titled "Television and the Public Interest," but it immediately became known as the "Vast Wasteland" speech. Off-Ramp host John Rabe talked with Newton Minow, now 85, about the speech and its impact ... and about being immortalized on "Gilligan's Island." Yes, he's the namesake for the SS Minnow.

Fifty years ago Monday, the fresh young head of the Federal Communications Commission told a group of TV broacasters to their face that what they were putting on the air was 99% rubbish, and that they risked their licenses if they didn't shape up. Newton Minow's speech was formally titled "Television and the Public Interest," but it immediately became known as the "Vast Wasteland" speech.

Off-Ramp host John Rabe talked with Newton Minow, now 85, about the speech and its impact ... and about being immortalized on "Gilligan's Island." Yes, he's the namesake for the SS Minnow.