Announcer

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

An announcer is a voice actor who works in television, radio and film, usually providing narrations, news updates, station identification, or an introduction of a product in television commercials or a guest on a talk show.

Announcers usually read prepared scripts, but in some cases, they have to ad-lib commentary on the air when presenting news, sports, weather, time, and commercials. Occasionally, announcers are also involved in writing the script when one is required. Sometimes announcers also interview guests and moderate panels or discussions. Some provide commentary for the audience during sporting events, parades, and other events.

The term also applies to public address announcers, usually at sporting venues. Such announcers will give the spectators information about a player, score (such as a goal or touchdown), infraction, or the results of the event. These announcers may be specialized according to sport; for instance, an horse race announcer provides a rapid-fire second-by-second account of the race (as well as introducing the entries before the race), while a baseball announcer may simply introduce the next batter or recap the previous half-inning. Public address announcers may be notable due to their longevity, or tenure with a popular team or venue. Some, particularly in horse racing, may also be known for television or radio work.

[edit] Notable radio and television announcers

• Bern Bennett (CBS staff announcer)
• John Benson (The Eamonn Andrews Show, Sale of the Century)
• Jack Buck (St. Louis Cardinals baseball announcer)
• Harry Caray (St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs baseball announcer)
• Jack Clark (Password, Wheel of Fortune)
• Vernon Corea (A pioneer announcer of Radio Ceylon/SLBC and the BBC)
• Howard Cosell (Sports announcer)
• Anthony Davis (Entertainment announcer. The Royal Variety Performance, Comic Relief, The Commonwealth Games)
• Alan Dedicoat ("voice of the balls", BBC National Lottery Show, Dancing with the Stars)
• Peter Dickson (Family Fortunes, The Price Is Right)
• Hal Douglas (Many film trailers)
• Rich Fields (The Price Is Right, CBS Network promos, Flamingo Fortune, film and television advertising)
• Lilian Garcia (Current lead announcer for World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE's) RAW brand)
• Johnny Gilbert (Jeopardy!, The $25,000 Pyramid)
• Edd Hall (The Tonight Show)
• John Harlan (Name That Tune, People's Choice Awards, Bob Hope television specials)
• John Harvey (Double Dare)
• Ernie Harwell (Detroit Tigers announcer)
• Stuart Hibberd (early BBC Radio personality, chief BBC announcer from 1924 to 1951)
• Bob Hilton (Blockbusters, Trivia Trap, The Newlywed Game (1980s), substitute announcer on numerous game shows)
• Alan Kalter (The Late Show with David Letterman)
• Don LaFontaine (Many film trailers)
• Ed McMahon (The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson)
• Herbert Morrison (radio announcer who reported the Hindenburg disaster}
• Don Morrow (Many film trailers, Sale of the Century, Now You See It)
• John Moschitta, Jr. (Micro Machines commercials, Hollywood Squares)
• Erik Thompson (Voice of numerous television networks)
• Charlie O'Donnell (Wheel of Fortune, The $100,000 Pyramid, numerous award shows including the Academy Awards and the American Music Awards)
• Johnny Olson (The Price Is Right, Match Game, To Tell the Truth, What's My Line?)
• Gary Owens (Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In)
• Don Pardo (NBC staff announcer, as well as Saturday Night Live, Jeopardy!, The Price is Right)
• Simon Prebble (The Price Is Right)
• Burton Richardson (The Arsenio Hall Show, To Tell the Truth (1990-1991) , Family Feud (1999-present version), The Price Is Right (daytime substitute announcer, 2001-present, 1994-1995 syndicated version), Russian Roulette)
• Rod Roddy (The Price Is Right, 1986-2003, Soap, Press Your Luck)
• Vin Scully (Los Angeles Dodgers baseball announcer)
• Shadoe Stevens (Hollywood Squares)
• Jay Stewart (Let's Make a Deal, Sale of the Century)
• Ray Szmanda (Radio and television advertising, Menards)
• Beau Weaver (film and television advertising)
• Bill Wendell (Ernie Kovacs show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show, To Tell the Truth)
• Randy West (Supermarket Sweep, Trivial Pursuit, Weakest Link, Kids Choice Awards, various voiceovers/commercials, The Price is Right (substitute announcer), The Price is Right - LIVE)
• Kenny Williams (announcer) (Hollywood Squares, High Rollers)
• Gene Wood (Family Feud, Card Sharks, Classic Concentration, Password Plus, Super Password)

[edit] Notable public address announcers

• Pete Arbogast, Los Angeles Dodgers (1988-94)
• Michael Buffer, boxing
• Chic Anderson, horse racing (best known for work at Belmont Park)
• Dan Baker, Philadelphia Phillies
• Renel Brooks-Moon, San Francisco Giants
• Kelly Burnham, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Rockies
• Tom Carnegie, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1946-2006; Indiana high school basketball announcer
• Mike Carlucci, Los Angeles Dodgers (1995-2002)
• Bob Casey (baseball announcer)
• Ray Clay, Chicago Bulls
• Tim DeBacco, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Mike "The Duke" Donegan, Tennessee Titans
• Tom Durkin, horse racing
• Lilian Garcia (Leading World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) announcer currently announcing on WWE RAW)
• John Heffernan, New York Rangers and New York Knicks
• Tom Hutyler, Seattle Mariners
• Dave Johnson, horse racing
• Budd Lynch, Detroit Red Wings
• Marshall Mann, former Atlanta Braves P.A. announcer
• John Mason, Detroit Pistons
• Wayne Messmer, Chicago Cubs
• Bob Sheppard, New York Yankees and New York Giants football team
• Roy Steele, Oakland Athletics
• Lawrence Tanter, Los Angeles Lakers
• Rajesh Vedprakash (Body Building)
• Martin Glickman, (sports announcer)
• Halsey Hall, Minnesota Twins

[edit] See also

• Announcer's test
• Disc jockey
• Japanese announcer
• News anchor
• Sportscaster