Dwight D. Eisenhower: Farewell Address (1961) Commentary by Scott A. G. M. Crawford, Eastern Illinois University

Audience

Eisenhower's Farewell Address was designed to reach and connect with a vast audience from all walks of life. The population of the United States in January 1961 was a little over 181 million, and with 88 percent of American households owning televisions the potential audience for the Eisenhower address was colossal. Using his 8:30–9:00 p.m. time slot, Eisenhower knew that he was reaching a very significant number of Americans. On that particular Tuesday evening, Eisenhower's address came after the following programs on ABC, CBS, and NBC, respectively: The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. One of Eisenhower's many charms was his genuine self-deprecating wit. This comment from Eisenhower can be found in the editor Janet Wasko's Companion to Television: “I can think of nothing more boring for the American people than to sit in their living rooms for a whole half hour looking at my face on their television...