TV's Greatest Icons List

[huedell]

Okay for the last time. I purposely used Jackie Gleason because it was one of the people you considered a true icon. My point was that many young people would not be aware of him thus skewing any icon list they voted on to lean heavily on more comtemporay figures.

Yes, but what you're missing is that "YOUNG PEOPLE COUNT TOO" just as much as older
people----everybody counts equally in these things----so the list SHOULD be skewed--
-it's 2007 NOT 1977

Still, I appreciate the deeper explanation of the "Gleason thing"----I am totally sincere
about this by the way -----it beats you throwing insults

As far as your advice about my social skills and therapy----I think you're
overblowing things here----if someone wants to talk rationally to me about my board
ettiquette, I'm all ears----I just tune out with the insults flying

[huedell]

How can Barney Fife get greatest TV character ever in a "list" a few years back, but Don Knotts NOT make this list.

I think the inclusion of Andy Griffith and John Ritter may have had something
to do with the great Knotts being overshadowed (Knotts being penalized
in exchange for his castmates inclusion)

Shouldn'ta happened in my opinion, but that's inaccurate lists for ya---

The truth is, TV icons ain't what they used to be. There are more than 3 channels now. The commonality of TV is gone. So many of the icons who first appeared after say 1990 or so, I find highly suspect.

Excellent point--and a good way to phrase the scenario Chris----

The post-1990 icons are going to be more wobbly for sure BUT that's
the deal these days---

That's been a big part of my argument throughout this thread guys---it
may not be pretty---you may not agree with it---you may not like it---
but that's reality

The OTHER point I've been trying to make is because some of 2007 TVs
older icons are being phased out by new TV programming---they simply
aren't the huge icons they used to be. This "phasing out" couldn't have
happened so easily "pre-cable" TV during the time Chris pointed that there
was more "commonality" in TV icons----again---you may not like that---
but they are disappearing out of pop culture---its that simple

[ScottA]

No list will please everyone. Were the people who made the list twenty-somethings or people in their 40's-50's? What are they using as criteria for being an "icon"? Who knows. I don't agree with several on the list as well. But the list did manage to spark a discussion.

Speaking of TV I've been watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire each evening, which is having TV Week. All questions are TV related and are from now to back in the days. I've been doing pretty well. I've answered most without having to use a lifeline. Do you know who the green alien was in Star Trek, who Lee Stetson was or the name of the candy shop Lucy and Ethel were working at wrapping those chocolates? No one has gotten past the $100,000 question yet but I would have. I knew the $250,000 question last night but the guy bailed.

[Mikey]

Actually, I don't blame Hue one bit for his comments.

Hue --- like the whole new generation was raised with a cable company telling them what's "classic TV" and what's not.

The only prob, this "cable company" has their own agenda.

It's quite sad........

TV Land is NOT classic TV personified.
They're just like any other money making organization.
They promote ONLY what they have their grubby fingers on.
Everything else is inconsequential and doesn't exist.

[Comic Book Geek]

The truth is, TV icons ain't what they used to be. There are more than 3 channels now. The commonality of TV is gone. So many of the icons who first appeared after say 1990 or so, I find highly suspect.

This is a great point. Everyone watching TV when we were young had seen brady Bunch, Happy Days etc...

I've never seen an episode of Sex in the City or Sopranos

[huedell]

Actually, I don't blame Hue one bit for his comments.

Hue --- like the whole new generation was raised with a cable company telling them what's "classic TV" and what's not.

The only prob, this "cable company" has their own agenda.

It's quite sad........

TV Land is NOT classic TV personified.
They're just like any other money making organization.
They promote ONLY what they have their grubby fingers on.
Everything else is inconsequential and doesn't exist.

We're on the same page Mike...

It's simply outta my hands what people like myself have had pumped
into their brains by the media

Even you making me out to be a "feel sorry for" drone doesn't come off
as malicious because I know you really mean it in a sympathetic way because
of your passion for the stuff you love that passed me by

Would I be better off with having more exposure to the icons you
brought up (and I criticized as being less visible)???
Possibly----but that wasn't my point...in this thread (see past posts)

As far as the media and newfangled cable stations messing with pop culture's
potential as the years have gone on----I think the best example of this is
what's happened to MTV over the years--
--they squandered SO much potential the channel had to better
the rock music landsacpe---I guess their "more music oriented" programming
of VH-1 is a consolation, but I think its a small one

[Adam West]

Well getting back to the main topic Bob Barker and Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) are missing from the list and I would venture to guess that even most the younger generation know who these two are.

[huedell]

Well getting back to the main topic Bob Barker and Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) are missing from the list and I would venture to guess that even most the younger generation know who these two are.

Bob Barker is actually included at #34 and, yes, Mr. Rogers and Barker are
good examples---even though Rogers has passed on---its relatively recently
he retired---and maybe they even still show reruns?

[Adam West]

Bob Barker is actually included at #34 and, yes, Mr. Rogers and Barker are
good examples---even though Rogers has passed on---its relatively recently
he retired---and maybe they even still show reruns?

There are quite a few people on the list who have passed on. I am trying to look at it objectively and I agree that there are quite a few on the list that don't seem to belong or if they do belong, their ranking seems awful high.

The most glaring ones in my eyes are Homer Simpson (if they are including cartoon characters, I think there are icons that have weathered the test of time longer) and Sarah Michelle Gellar...did she do anything besides Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which I don't think scorched up the ratings charts) and a brief stint on a Soap Opera?

If they are choosing stars based on shows with long runs, Ted Danson has to be on that list. That show was on for 10 or 11 years and the #1 show for I don't know how long.

[huedell]

There are quite a few people on the list who have passed on.

You don't say

It might have looked otherwise, but I was agreeing---and asking a question at the same time

My point was---now that MR. ROGERS (specifically) is dead/retired who knows how
his icon status would diminish IF (and I stress "if") there were no reruns---I asked im my last
post IF they WERE showing reruns---anyone have an answer?

[huedell]

If they are choosing stars based on shows with long runs, Ted Danson has to be on that list. That show was on for 10 or 11 years and the #1 show for I don't know how long.

Following that logic wouldn't it be more of an oversight that Kelsey Grammer
wasn't on that list---he too was on a show (FRASIER, obviously) for about
a decade that was just as popular as CHEERS---and on top of that he
was in Cheers with Danson too for about half its run

[Adam West]

You don't say

It might have looked otherwise, but I was agreeing---and asking a question at the same time

My point was---now that MR. ROGERS (specifically) is dead/retired who knows how
his icon status would diminish IF (and I stress "if") there were no reruns---I asked im my last
post IF they WERE showing reruns---anyone have an answer?

Yes, his show is still playing on PBS. His Red Sweater is hanging in the Smithsonian Institution in the Museum of American History Pop Culture section. Henry Winkler's leather jacket is there as well as one of Jim Henson's original Kermit's. I don't know how much more of an icon it gets than that.

[Adam West]

Following that logic wouldn't it be more of an oversight that Kelsey Grammer
wasn't on that list---he too was on a show (FRASIER, obviously) for about
a decade that was just as popular as CHEERS---and on top of that he
was in Cheers with Danson too for about half its run

I don't think so. His role did not play a prevalent part for most of the Cheers series until near the end. Using the logic above, Robin Williams should be on the list since he was on Happy Days and the spinoff Mork & Mindy but I don't think he should make the cut.

Speaking of which, Ron Howard is another one who seems like he should be on the list. I have to think Opie Taylor and Richie Cunningham are more recognizable to more people than Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Maybe because some of the actors like Ted Danson and Ron Howard broke it big into movies, they lost some of their TV icon status but then again George Clooney is on the list so again some of the choices don't seem to make sense to me anyway.

I guarantee if you were to show a picture of Bugs Bunny to 100 people at random, regardless of age, Bugs Bunny would be more recognizable than Homer Simpson.

[huedell]

Yes, his show is still playing on PBS. His Red Sweater is hanging in the Smithsonian Institution in the Museum of American History Pop Culture section. Henry Winkler's leather jacket is there as well as one of Jim Henson's original Kermit's. I don't know how much more of an icon it gets than that.

and I don't know how much more I can say I'm NOT contesting you
than this

Seriously, though...I was just curious what the scoop was on his current
popularity----nothing more----he surely has been a major force in TV with
children up until a few scant years ago--that mean a LOT of visibility--and
with reruns that may continue for a long, long time

[jwyblejr]

I can understand why people are up in arms over Silvers being snubbed. How many shysters have been on cartoons that have copied Phil? They even try to copy his voice.