TV's Greatest Icons List

[huedell]

No, Anthony, I don't know---"James Garner (The Rockford Files), James Arness (Gunsmoke)"
or Phil Silvers (Sgt. Bilko)----not my generation exactly---and I haven't recognized those shows
on TV all that much comapred to other shows since the late 70s-----
icons should be more familliar than that in my estimation

Actually---your post on the whole makes me think EW did a half-decent job from
your point of view---I mean no ONE list isn't going to be perfect to all people

Hue,
You are being fed a meal that a company wants you to see.
Us old timers have seen it for ourselves and don't agree with their crap list.

The "meal" as you call it is something I recognize---and therefore accept as being legit

Also, "Old timers" don't count for much on this list--

-what counts is the 2007 populace as a whole and who is recognizable as icons in 2007
...because it's not "this guy is a legend, so he automatically deserves inclusion on any
list regarding TV history" thinking going on here
I would say the definition of icon has mostly to do with "recognizability" (if that's a
word) which is why John Ritter deserves to be rated so high no questions asked

You might find out THERE's MORE out there than TV Lands current corporate picks.

Regardless of your intent to educate me Mike, your point is idealistic and doesn't play
into what this list is about.

[huedell]

My vote for biggest overlooked icon?

Florence Henderson

[The Toyroom]

No, Anthony, I don't know---"James Garner (The Rockford Files)----not my generation exactly---and I haven't recognized those shows
on TV all that much comapred to other shows since the late 70s-----
icons should be more familliar than that in my estimation

Actually, The Rockford Files IS part of your generation (mine too). And James Garner wasn't just Jim Rockford, he was Bret Maverick too, further solidifying ICON status.

Actually---your post on the whole makes me think EW did a half-decent job from
your point of view---I mean no ONE list isn't going to be perfect to all people

Half right also means it's half-wrong. I expected a better list from TV Land and Entertainment Weekly, considering they're supposed experts on the media.

But I bet we here at the Mego Museum could've come up with a more defining list than theirs, crossing all generations.

Also, "Old timers" don't count for much on this list--

Yeah why don't we add any old flavor of the week on the list then...

what counts is the 2007 populace as a whole and who is recognizable as icons in 2007
...because it's not "this guy is a legend, so he automatically deserves inclusion on any
list regarding TV history" thinking going on here
I would say the definition of icon has mostly to do with "recognizability" (if that's a
word)

'Cause I'm sure more people recognize Jimmy Smits around the world than Abmac's example of Bugs Bunny? Jeez Hugh, to quote Bugs Bunny, "Whatta maroon!". But wait..let me guess, you've never heard of him either.

[huedell]

Actually, The Rockford Files IS part of your generation (mine too). And James Garner wasn't just Jim Rockford, he was Bret Maverick too, further solidifying ICON status.

That doesn't help the fact that me or my crowd that I grew up with have no idea who he IS
---same with Phil Silvers----(who? I know he's IMPORTANT, but he's no icon in my
world of iconic TV)

But I bet we here at the Mego Museum could've come up with a more defining list than theirs, crossing all generations.

I bet the group here could do a LOT of things that focused on our niche/demographic
---but that doesn't mean anything regarding this list---what's importnat is that everyone in 2007
knows the person reference, plain and simple

Yeah why don't we add any old flavor of the week on the list then...

That would be stupid...and I never suggested that---so what gives Anthony?

'Cause I'm sure more people recognize Jimmy Smits around the world than Abmac's example of Bugs Bunny? Jeez Hugh, to quote Bugs Bunny, "Whatta maroon!". But wait..let me guess, you've never heard of him either.

Maroon? I resent that---like I really would say that more people would recognize
Smits than Bugs Bunny----gimme a break--- and ---why would you say that anyway
about my logic when you know that's not the case?

Bottom line---lists aren't perfect and I think you guys are being too tough on EW's
choices especially when you don't seem to be defining "icon" correctly in a lot
of these cases

Some of these picks you made---I agree with a lot----Don Knotts? They probably
nixed him in favor of having Andy Griffith's presence be "enough" is that right?--- no.
But no list is perfect and yes---stupid choices will be made regardless of any
careful choosing

[Mikey]

Bud,
If you think Phil Silvers is no TV icon and have never heard of him.........
Than I suggest you just sit happily and watch Cheers, Family Ties and Cosby Show on TV Land.
Maybe the Jeffersons too.
Happily disregard anything that ever happened before 1980.

It was all nothing and worthless anyway--- said sarcastically.

[Werewolf]

The glorious Shatner is only number 18!? Beaten out by the likes of Rosanne and Oprah!?! Sacrilege!! Heresy!! This list is total garbage and is dead to me.

[Hulk]

Besides pointing out the fact that this list is doing EXACTLY what it is supposed to do (generate buzz and debate), I'd like to point out that there are 3 Megos, one CTVT, and lots of customs on the list.

[jwyblejr]

Why no Bob Hope? And Lorne Greene gets snubbed too?

[huedell]

Bud,
If you think Phil Silvers is no TV icon and have never heard of him.........
Than I suggest you just sit happily and watch Cheers, Family Ties and Cosby Show on TV Land.
Maybe the Jeffersons too.
Happily disregard anything that ever happened before 1980.

It was all nothing and worthless anyway--- said sarcastically.

"Bud?" C'mon Mike what is this about?

I take offense that you're implying that because I've found Silvers
to be pretty unrecognizable comparitively to others we've been discussing
---that now I am "disregarding" everything from before 1980----

I'm sure Phil Silvers is a great icon "of sorts". But the facts are that
not many know who he is.

Jackie Gleason...Milton Berle... icons....HUGE
Those guys were around WAY before 1980---from experience I've
found that Phil Silvers is nothing in comparison with them when
it comes recognizability in television

Mike its okay to herald "great television" and your attempts at educating
me on who the "real TV stars" are is admirable (if heavy handed)---okay--
-its okay to be passionate----but I don't think it has much anything to do
with who gets chosen for a list like this

Heck----show the average teen today a picture of Florence Henderson and
a picture of Phil Silvers and the results will speak for themselves on what
being an icon is really about---Flo might not have a HUGE response
---but guaranteed, she will kick Silvers' backside in recognizability on the
whole

Where's Florence Henderson on the list!!

[Johnny]

One of the greatest characters and televison shows ever, period.

As for the list. It seems very imbalanced with new versus old. I agree with Mike that the demo that submitted the bulk of the votes must be quite young.

[huedell]

http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adu...lko/bilko4.jpg

One of the greatest characters and televison shows ever, period.

He may be...but that's the first time I've ever known what the heck he looks
like---and I was a TV junkie from 1975-99

He's small potatoes compared to the majority of other icons mentioned here

As for the list. It seems very imbalanced with new versus old. I agree with Mike that the demo that submitted the bulk of the votes must be quite young

I don't belive that MEANS anything----YOUNG people are SUPPOSED to
recognize the older icons on the whole (as opposed to old people---who
are better suited to know who the older icons are by the obvious fact that they are...um.. "old")---that's the point of having an icon list

Will young people recognize Milton Berle or Jackie Gleason???---not in huge
amounts, but a LOT moreso than Bilko up there
Same goes for OLDER people---most will know Gleason and Berle WAY more
than Silvers

Sorry to pick on Silvers repeatedly, but he is a great example of why I think
many on this thread are mising the point of what this list really was
trying to nail down---as sloppy as it is---its still better than you're making
it out to be

Its nice to be a passionate fan...but don't let that skew your perspective of
reality

Even I admitted how lowly (my hero) DAVID LEE ROTH was on the
pop culture totem pole for YEARS (that is until the recent tour where he's shot up a few rungs)

[huedell]

The glorious Shatner is only number 18!? Beaten out by the likes of Rosanne and Oprah!?! Sacrilege!! Heresy!! This list is total garbage and is dead to me.

On a side note---I was thinking that certain stars---if they had a significant success story on the silver screen that they might be voted differently as
they are spread between the two genres in media popularity

Shat sure did tear up the TV screen though---on so many significant shows

Surely on an overall "Hollywood icon" list he'd BURY Oprah and certainly Roseanne

[The Toyroom]

Hugh,
No where is it mentioned anywhere that the list was decided based on recognizability by today's audience...you seem to be under the impression that to be on the list someone say the age of 25 has to be able to readily identify them at the drop of hat when they're shown an 8x10 glossy of said icon.
To ME, "Icon" is someone who has transcended the media across it's 60 plus years/many genres and has undoubtedly left his or her mark for future generations.Just because it doesn't pop up on TV Land or a DVD set doesn't diminish the impact.
And if you're such a "TV junkie from 1975-99" as you say you are I have a hard time believing you haven't come across the works of the aforementioned slightly folks at least once. Maybe you should do your homework instead of commenting on a list you obviously don't fully understand.


I can't believe I let myself get caught up in another episode of the long-winded, quote filled "Huedell Show". Maybe someday you'll be an ICON for your performances and added to the list.

[Mikey]

Oh, i'll be the first to admit to turning the channel to the Hue Show.

I knew using the term "Bud" would inspire some good reactions out of our host

Remember that people.
If you wanna push buttons--- "Bud" is always the best way to begin

I've said enough ---- Bud

m

[Johnny]

I don't belive that MEANS anything----YOUNG people are SUPPOSED to
recognize the older icons on the whole (as opposed to old people---who
are better suited to know who the older icons are by the obvious fact that they are...um.. "old")---that's the point of having an icon list

Your logic is flawed at best. The heading is "TV's Greatest Icons List" not newest or most recognizable by younger people.

Obviously people who were not around when Jackie Gleason was on television will be less likely to be aware of him or the impact he had. It in no way reduces his status as a television icon.

Using your logic Babe Ruth would probably be excluded from an all time baseball icons list due to the fact that more people would be aware of Arod than the "Sultan Of Swat".

The list is poorly conceived, as most of these types of lists are. It is full of glaring omissions as well as many inaccurate rankings.

"How did I get pulled down the rabbit hole into another Huedell maze of the verbose and the inane?"