TV Land's 50 greatest Icons

[tanquant]

Who do You Think Is #1?

I'll go with Jackie Gleason or Lucille Ball.

[gidgetgrape]

Lucille Ball gets my vote.

[Ireneparalegal]

Lucille Ball gets my vote.
Good to see ya!!! Where have you been?


Lucille Ball will be the one. ;)

[OH Nuts!]

Lucille Ball gets my vote.

Ditto Irene! REALLY nice to see you. Lucille Ball absolutely. Let's see, also Carroll O'Connor, Rod Serling, Audrey Meadows, Jackie Gleason for starters.

[Classicshowsgurl15]

Lucille Ball should totally be the number 1 Greatest Icon.

[freshprinceofLA]

I'm with all of you Lucille Ball should be #1
People like Jackie Gleason, John Ritter should get spots on this list as well

[tv star collector]

What about Andy Griffith, Michael Landon, and Dick Van Dyke? All three had
multiple long-running TV series (THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW and MATLOCK;
BONANZA, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE and HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN; and
THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW and DIAGNOSIS MURDER, respectively). It's hard
to argue with that kind of longevity in the fickle world of entertainment.

[tv star collector]

I notice that someone mentioned Rod Serling. If the list isn't restricted to
performers, besides Serling I would add Walt Disney, Gene Roddenberry and
cartoon producers Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera.

[gidgetgrape]

Good to see ya!!! Where have you been?


Lucille Ball will be the one. ;)

Watching TV. :lol:
It's nice to see you too.

[OH Nuts!]

What about Andy Griffith, Michael Landon, and Dick Van Dyke? All three had
multiple long-running TV series (THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW and MATLOCK;
BONANZA, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE and HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN; and
THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW and DIAGNOSIS MURDER, respectively). It's hard
to argue with that kind of longevity in the fickle world of entertainment.

Oh my gosh, Michael Landon. Yes, didn't mean to leave him out.

[wkomorow]

Hereare some wild ideas - Regis. He has had more tv time of any performer. Betty White - she appeared in one of the first TV broadcasts and is still going strong today. Ed Sullivan (any one who was anyone was on Sullivan), Johny Carson, Walter Cronkite, Milton Berle, Loren Greene (Ben and Adama).

[Ireneparalegal]

What about Andy Griffith, Michael Landon, and Dick Van Dyke? All three had
multiple long-running TV series (THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW and MATLOCK;
BONANZA, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE and HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN; and
THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW and DIAGNOSIS MURDER, respectively). It's hard
to argue with that kind of longevity in the fickle world of entertainment.
Yes they all had longetivity and contributed to the world of sitcoms and dramas. I say Lucille Ball for the fact whenever there is a list abt sitcoms whether it is "the greatest sitcom ever" or something like that, Lucille Ball or I Love Lucy is usually at the top. She is regarded as having a lasting impression on television more so than any other television personality.

[tanquant]

I would also like to say Norman Lear. He is definetly a tv icon. With groungbreaking shows such as Good Times, The Jeffersons, and All in the Family he should be considered as a greatest icon

[Zoneboy]

I notice that someone mentioned Rod Serling. If the list isn't restricted to
performers, besides Serling I would add Walt Disney, Gene Roddenberry and
cartoon producers Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera.

Rod Serling was ranked #85 which is a freaking joke, I'm certainly glad he made he made the top 100 but he deserved a much higher ranking than 85. He should've been in at least the top 20.

[Zoneboy]

Most of the top 100 is nothing but a farce, People that have no business on the list made it. Some that should've been on it were either overlooked or intentionally left off. Some that ranked high should've ranked lower and vice-versa. Among those who didn't make the list that should have are:


Don Adams
James Arness
Jack Benny
Bill Bixby
Mel Blanc
Raymond Burr
Sid Caesar
Joan Collins
Sherman Hemsley
Jack Klugman
Lee Majors
Elizabeth Montgomery
Ozzie Nelson
Leonard Nimoy
Tony Randall
Robert Young

2 things I can't understand, How did Isabel Sanford make the list but not Sherman Hemsley and how in the heck did they manage to overlook Elizabeth Montgomery but somehow managed to include Barbara Eden? I'm not saying that Barbara doesn't deserve to be on the list but leaving Elizabeth off was a huge blunder.

[dawsongirl]

Jennifer Aniston??!!! She makes it and Bill Bixby doesn't. In what ****ed up world does that make any sense??

[Dean Winchester]

well, with all due respect to the late Bill Bixby, everyone knows who Jennifer Aniston is, you likely won't find that many people under 30-35 who knows who Bixby is. Even those that know Incredible Hulk generally think of Lou Ferrigno before him. Aniston is overrated but she is definately a true star IMO

[Zoneboy]

well, with all due respect to the late Bill Bixby, everyone knows who Jennifer Aniston is, you likely won't find that many people under 30-35 who knows who Bixby is.

Anyone that doesn't know who Bill Bixby is has no business watching tv.

[Ireneparalegal]

Anyone that doesn't know who Bill Bixby is has no business watching tv.
:rofl: Amen!

Jennifer, what has she done for television? One hit show. Great. What else?

[Dean Winchester]

well, this list is about TV Icons, not "who logged the most time on television". For instance, in the 70's, one season of Charlie's Angels made Farrah Fawcett one of the biggest TV icons of the decade, alongside people who were working practically the entire decade. All you really need is one big show and you can be set for life, just look at Seinfeld. It's not about quantity, but how big of a mark you made with what you had. Aniston logged ten years on one of the biggest sitcoms of the past 20 years, she became a fashion icon and one of the most in-demand actresses in Hollywood. I always thought she was overrated as an actress (I liked Cox and Kudrow much better on Friends, I always thought Jennifer overacted and I hated whenever she used her whining voice), but she had that "it" appeal to her that made her the breakout superstar of the series. This list isn't who is the best, but who is the biggest. Aniston was pretty darn big IMO

[TVFactFan]

Most of the top 100 is nothing but a farce, People that have no business on the list made it. Some that should've been on it were either overlooked or intentionally left off. Some that ranked high should've ranked lower and vice-versa. Among those who didn't make the list that should have are:


Don Adams
James Arness
Jack Benny
Bill Bixby
Mel Blanc
Raymond Burr
Sid Caesar
Joan Collins
Sherman Hemsley
Jack Klugman
Lee Majors
Elizabeth Montgomery
Ozzie Nelson
Leonard Nimoy
Tony Randall
Robert Young

2 things I can't understand, How did Isabel Sanford make the list but not Sherman Hemsley and how in the heck did they manage to overlook Elizabeth Montgomery but somehow managed to include Barbara Eden? I'm not saying that Barbara doesn't deserve to be on the list but leaving Elizabeth off was a huge blunder.



Sherman Hemsley??? I didn't know he was on the list. And why would Isabel Sanford be on the list? She wasn't on that many shows after the Jeffersons

[Zoneboy]

Sherman Hemsley??? I didn't know he was on the list. And why would Isabel Sanford be on the list? She wasn't on that many shows after the Jeffersons

Sherman didn't make the top 100 but Isabel Sanford did and I have no idea why. I love The Jeffersons but like you said she didn't do much afterwards and Sherman did have another successful run on Amen.

[TVFactFan]

Sherman didn't the top 100 but Isabel Sanford did and I have no idea why. I love The Jeffersons but like you said she didn't do much afterwards and Sherman did have another successful run on Amen.


Well if she was on the top 50 I would have really been stunned

[Buffyboy323]

Jennifer, what has she done for television? One hit show. Great. What else?
Her hairstyles became a phenomenon. Her show is one of the most popular ever. And she was married to one of the most famous men in the history of entertainment. She may not be an "icon" with the likes of Lucy or Jackie Gleason, but she does deserve SOME credit...

[TVFactFan]

Her hairstyles became a phenomenon. Her show is one of the most popular ever. And she was married to one of the most famous men in the history of entertainment. She may not be an "icon" with the likes of Lucy or Jackie Gleason, but she does deserve SOME credit...


JENNIFER ANNISTON IS NOT A TV ICON!!!!!!!

[Buffyboy323]

JENNIFER ANNISTON IS NOT A TV ICON!!!!!!!
She's as much an Icon as Isabel Sanford and Farrah Fawcett!

[Zoneboy]

well, this list is about TV Icons, not "who logged the most time on television".

Correct but I'd love to know what criteria Entertainment Weekly and TV Wasteland used to determine the list of the 100 Icons. I thing longevity would be an important factor and it fits well in the case of Bob Barker who is on the list and rightfully so.

[TVFactFan]

She's as much an Icon as Isabel Sanford and Farrah Fawcett!


If jennifer Anniston is on the list, Rudy from the Cosby Show should be on there too

[Zoneboy]

Well if she was on the top 50 I would have really been stunned

I meant to say that Sherman didn't make the top 100, Got in a hurry when I posted but the original post has been edited.

[Zoneboy]

If jennifer Anniston is on the list, Rudy from the Cosby Show should be on there too

And Robbie Rist (Cousin Oliver) from The Brady Bunch. :lol:

[TVFactFan]

And Robbie Rist (Cousin Oliver) from The Brady Bunch. :lol:


Exactly-lol

[Dean Winchester]

Aniston was to the 90's what Farrah Fawcett was to the 70's. Every woman wanted her haircut in 1995. People are only disputing this because Friends is only a decade old, and not 30-40 years old. There are iconic shows from the past 20 years, Friends is one of them, as are Seinfeld, The Simpsons and arguably Sex And The City.

[Zoneboy]

Every woman wanted her haircut in 1995.

http://www.dollreference.com/images/kenner_stretch_armstrong.jpg

[Stuck In The '70's]

I wanted to be The Incredible Hulk. He was cool. :(

[Buffyboy323]

Aniston was to the 90's what Farrah Fawcett was to the 70's. Every woman wanted her haircut in 1995. People are only disputing this because Friends is only a decade old, and not 30-40 years old. There are iconic shows from the past 20 years, Friends is one of them, as are Seinfeld, The Simpsons and arguably Sex And The City.
EXACTLY! You beat me to posting that.

[Stuck In The '70's]

Where is the list? I can't find it in the thread. Maybe I skipped it.

[Zoneboy]

Where is the list? I can't find it in the thread. Maybe I skipped it.

100. Marcia Cross
99. Delta Burke
98. Meredith Baxter
97. In Living Color cast
96. Shannen Doherty
95. Richard Dawson
94. Melissa Gilbert
93. Neil Patrick Harris
92. Judge Judy
91. Dennis Franz
90. John Stamos
89. Robert Guillaume
88. Gavin MacLeod
87. Phil Hartman
86. Jerry Mathers
85. Rod Serling
84. Cartman from "South Park"
83. Isabel Sanford
82. Ted Knight
81. Dick Cavett
80. Adam West
79. Angela Landsbury
78. Art Carney
77. James Garner
76. Candice Bergen
75. Peter Falk
74. Joan Rivers
73. Tony Danza
72. Cher
71. Rosie O'Donnell
70. Bob Denver
69. Barbara Eden
68. Don Cornelius
67. Tom Selleck
66. Kelsey Grammer
65. Pamela Anderson
64. Phil Donahue
63. Ed Asner
62. Redd Foxx
61. Pee Wee Herman
60. Merv Griffin
59. Ted Danson
58. Don Knotts
57. Charlie Brown
56. Betty White
55. Fred Rogers
54. Florence Henderson
53. Ed McMahon
52. Ron Howard
51. Bob Hope
50. Larry Hagman
49. Calista Flockhart
48. Jimmy Smits
47. Simon Cowell
46. Lassie
45. Sarah Michelle Gellar
44. Susan Lucci
43. Flip Wilson
42. James Gandolfini
41. Jon Stewart
40. Sally Field
39. Jennifer Aniston
38. Bea Arthur
37. George Clooney
36. Diahann Carroll
35. Michael J. Fox
34. Bob Barker
33. Ellen DeGeneres
32. Henry Winkler
31. Sarah Jessica Parker
30. Alan Alda
29. John Ritter
28. Howard Cosell
27. Regis Philbin
26. Farrah Fawcett
25. Heather Locklear
24. Michael Landon
23. Barbara Walters
22. Milton Berle
21. Kermit
20. Carroll O'Connor
19. Andy Griffith
18. William Shatner
17. Bob Newhart
16. David Letterman
15. "Not Ready for Primetime Players"
14. Ed Sullivan
13. Jackie Gleason
12. Dick Van Dyke
11. Roseanne
10. Dick Clark
9. Homer Simpson
8. Jerry Seinfeld
7. Mary Tyler Moore
6. Carol Burnett
5. Walter Cronkite
4. Bill Cosby
3. Oprah Winfrey
2. Lucille Ball
1. Johnny Carson

[Dean Winchester]

http://www.dollreference.com/images/kenner_stretch_armstrong.jpg
well, I'm sure not every woman in the 70's wanted Farrah's hair either, but I don't see you denying that (and Friends ran double the run Charlie's Angels ran). I don't think Aniston is that great of shakes as an actress, but she doesn't deserve the bashing she gets. To compare her, someone who lead a smash series for a decade, with Cousin Oliver is a slap in the face and an insult. She is without a doubt one of the five or so biggest TV stars to emege after 1990.

If Friends began in 1964, 1974 or arguably even 1984, nobody would question this, but because it happened in the past 15 years, people don't want to believe facts. Friends was a massive show in the 90's, Aniston was without a doubt the big breakout star of the series and unlike her other co-stars (besides Cox, who is doing okay on Dirt), people are still giving her roles. Yea, some of the other shows she did before Friends flopped, but she is hardly the only "TV Icon" who only really had one major series and a number of other shows that didn't come close in popularity. Redd Foxx comes to mind, did he have any other hit shows besides Sanford And Son? I remember he had a few others that were cancelled fairly soon, but he was still an icon because of SAS

[Stuck In The '70's]

100. Marcia Cross
99. Delta Burke
98. Meredith Baxter
97. In Living Color cast
96. Shannen Doherty
95. Richard Dawson
94. Melissa Gilbert
93. Neil Patrick Harris
92. Judge Judy
91. Dennis Franz
90. John Stamos
89. Robert Guillaume
88. Gavin MacLeod
87. Phil Hartman
86. Jerry Mathers
85. Rod Serling
84. Cartman from "South Park"
83. Isabel Sanford
82. Ted Knight
81. Dick Cavett
80. Adam West
79. Angela Landsbury
78. Art Carney
77. James Garner
76. Candice Bergen
75. Peter Falk
74. Joan Rivers
73. Tony Danza
72. Cher
71. Rosie O'Donnell
70. Bob Denver
69. Barbara Eden
68. Don Cornelius
67. Tom Selleck
66. Kelsey Grammer
65. Pamela Anderson
64. Phil Donahue
63. Ed Asner
62. Redd Foxx
61. Pee Wee Herman
60. Merv Griffin
59. Ted Danson
58. Don Knotts
57. Charlie Brown
56. Betty White
55. Fred Rogers
54. Florence Henderson
53. Ed McMahon
52. Ron Howard
51. Bob Hope
50. Larry Hagman
49. Calista Flockhart
48. Jimmy Smits
47. Simon Cowell
46. Lassie
45. Sarah Michelle Gellar
44. Susan Lucci
43. Flip Wilson
42. James Gandolfini
41. Jon Stewart
40. Sally Field
39. Jennifer Aniston
38. Bea Arthur
37. George Clooney
36. Diahann Carroll
35. Michael J. Fox
34. Bob Barker
33. Ellen DeGeneres
32. Henry Winkler
31. Sarah Jessica Parker
30. Alan Alda
29. John Ritter
28. Howard Cosell
27. Regis Philbin
26. Farrah Fawcett
25. Heather Locklear
24. Michael Landon
23. Barbara Walters
22. Milton Berle
21. Kermit
20. Carroll O'Connor
19. Andy Griffith
18. William Shatner
17. Bob Newhart
16. David Letterman
15. "Not Ready for Primetime Players"
14. Ed Sullivan
13. Jackie Gleason
12. Dick Van Dyke
11. Roseanne
10. Dick Clark
9. Homer Simpson
8. Jerry Seinfeld
7. Mary Tyler Moore
6. Carol Burnett
5. Walter Cronkite
4. Bill Cosby
3. Oprah Winfrey
2. Lucille Ball
1. Johnny Carson
Thanks Charles. :)

[Stuck In The '70's]

I don't know, even some of the ones up on the list I wouldn't call icons.

[Zoneboy]

To compare her, someone who lead a smash series for a decade, with Cousin Oliver is a slap in the face and an insult.

I know and I sincerely apologize for insulting Cousin Oliver.

In all honesty though, I've never seen Friends and really don't care if Jennifer made the list or not. I'm more ticked off over Rod Serling being ranked #85. :mad:

[Ireneparalegal]

I know and I sincerely apologize for insulting Cousin Oliver.
:brent

[Stuck In The '70's]

:brent
Judge Judy made it. :D :lol:

[Ireneparalegal]

Judge Judy made it. :D :lol:
NOW SHE'S AN ICON!!! :cool: :D ;) :cheer:

[TVFactFan]

If Jennifer is on the List then I want these people below on it also

Ralph the Doorman
Mr. Bentley
Sondra from the Cosby Show
Debra messing from Will and Grace
Natalie from the Facts of Life


LOL

[Stuck In The '70's]

If Jennifer is on the List then I want these people below on it also

Ralph the Doorman
Mr. Bentley
Sondra from the Cosby Show
Debra messing from Will and Grace
Natalie from the Facts of Life


LOL
:lol: Ralph the Doorman rocks.

[Ireneparalegal]

If Jennifer is on the List then I want these people below on it also

Ralph the Doorman
Mr. Bentley
Sondra from the Cosby Show
Debra messing from Will and Grace
Natalie from the Facts of Life


LOL
:rofl:

I want to see the doorman on RHODA...we never saw him at all. :lol: Also add Wilson, the neighbor from Home Improvement.;)

[Buffyboy323]

If Jennifer is on the List then I want these people below on it also

Ralph the Doorman
Mr. Bentley
Sondra from the Cosby Show
Debra messing from Will and Grace
Natalie from the Facts of Life


LOL
What about Will Smith or George Lopez? puke:

[Ireneparalegal]

What about Will Smith or George Lopez? puke:
Will Smith has his own network - N@N- that's enough for him. :crazy:

Add these to the icon list:

Lassie
Baretta's cockatoo

[Stuck In The '70's]

Will Smith has his own network - N@N- that's enough for him. :crazy:

Add these to the icon list:

Lassie
Baretta's cockatoo
Lassie's already up there. We need Rin Tin Tin. :lol:

[Ireneparalegal]

Lassie's already up there. We need Rin Tin Tin. :lol:
Oops, I meant Rin Tin Tin.:crazy:

Add Fonzie's nephew Spike to the list. ;)

[Zoneboy]

Kermit made the list but not Miss Piggy? And where's Arnold Ziffel? ;)

[Ireneparalegal]

Kermit made the list but not Miss Piggy? :rolleyes:
Well, there it is. What a crummy list. Lucy and Johnny Carson are right where they belong but there are so many who are missing and so damn many who don't belong. :crazy:

[Dean Winchester]

I don't understand why the list seems to pick one star out of shows that were obviously ensemble pieces, yet it rates all the SNL cast members as one. A lot of these seem like they picked a random actor (or character in cases like Homer, Kermit and Cartman) to represent the show. If SNL will be counted as one large cast, then do the same for Seinfeld, Friends, Cheers, M*A*S*H, Sex And The City, Mary Tyler Moore and others that really needed the whole ensemble to work. Same with the animated shows and shows like The Muppets. Why Cartman for South Park for instance, when Butters is obviously the "star" in the past few seasons. It should just be "the South Park kids" or something instead of singling them out

[Skywalker]

With the exception of the top 20 or 30, that list is a joke. I watched that special on TV Land tonight and Larry Hagman was #50. As soon as I saw who was #49, I knew it was stupid. I mean Calista Flockhart a greater icon than Larry Hagman? Give me a break! :rolleyes: Larry should have been in at least the top 30.

[Dean Winchester]

I love both of Calista's shows but I agree that Larry Hagman should've been higher than her

[Ireneparalegal]

With the exception of the top 20 or 30, that list is a joke. I watched that special on TV Land tonight and Larry Hagman was #50. As soon as I saw who was #49, I knew it was stupid. I mean Calista Flockhart a greater icon than Larry Hagman? Give me a break! :rolleyes: Larry should have been in at least the top 30.
Exactly!!! Larry as J.R. Ewing, the biggest television villian, bad guy, etc. EVER!!!!! He deserved better. :mad:

[Stuck In The '70's]

With the exception of the top 20 or 30, that list is a joke. I watched that special on TV Land tonight and Larry Hagman was #50. As soon as I saw who was #49, I knew it was stupid. I mean Calista Flockhart a greater icon than Larry Hagman? Give me a break! :rolleyes: Larry should have been in at least the top 30.
As popular as Dallas was and as big of a star as he was, he should have been in the top 20 easily.

[dawsongirl]

well, with all due respect to the late Bill Bixby, everyone knows who Jennifer Aniston is, you likely won't find that many people under 30-35 who knows who Bixby is. Even those that know Incredible Hulk generally think of Lou Ferrigno before him. Aniston is overrated but she is definately a true star IMO
Thems fightin words.


lol...j/k

[dawsongirl]

Her hairstyles became a phenomenon. Her show is one of the most popular ever. And she was married to one of the most famous men in the history of entertainment. She may not be an "icon" with the likes of Lucy or Jackie Gleason, but she does deserve SOME credit...
Her marriage to Brad Pitt has nothing to do with TV though.

Ok, so in regards to Friends stars...Courtney Cox has been around a lot longer than Jen...but she wasn't on the list. She was on the same show....

And movies don't count, as this is a TV icons list.

I mean, anybody can agree or disagree with anyone, but I'm just telling my point.

[Dean Winchester]

I just hope everyone knows that outside of The Good Girl (where she actually played an un-Rachel like character for a change) and her appearance on South Park, I think Jennifer Aniston is an incredibly mediocre actress. I watched Friends throughout it's run but she was always near the bottom of my favorites on the show (I did like her more than Schwimmer and Leblanc, but that's not really saying anything). I just agreed with her being on the list because I do think she really did have that "it" quality about her even tho I never really understood why she was the breakout star over Cox or Kudrow.

[dawsongirl]

:rofl:

I want to see the doorman on RHODA...we never saw him at all. :lol: Also add Wilson, the neighbor from Home Improvement.;)
He was Garfield too! Now that is iconic to me. I grew up watching Garfield.

[dawsongirl]

With the exception of the top 20 or 30, that list is a joke. I watched that special on TV Land tonight and Larry Hagman was #50. As soon as I saw who was #49, I knew it was stupid. I mean Calista Flockhart a greater icon than Larry Hagman? Give me a break! :rolleyes: Larry should have been in at least the top 30.
I don't think Calista belongs in the top 300, period. Ugh.

[Zoneboy]

I don't think Calista belongs in the top 300, period. Ugh.

I couldn't agree more, She had no business in the top 50 muchless the top 100. :rolleyes:

[Dean Winchester]

I don't think Calista belongs in the top 300, period. Ugh.
Calista would both certainly be in the top 10 fattest TV stars of all time. There are no wide angle lenses big enough to actually show her entire body. She reminds me of that lady in the barn in the movie Slither that gets so big she explodes :lol: :crazy:

[dawsongirl]

At least they didn't include The Olsen Twins.

[Buffyboy323]

I don't think Calista belongs in the top 300, period. Ugh.
Ally McBeal was one of the most popular, and most loved women characters of the 1990's. You may not agree with it, but she did/does have a big fanbase. She was iconic for her time. There never really was a show like Ally McBeal on TV before.

[Dean Winchester]

Ally McBeal was one of the most popular, and most loved women characters of the 1990's. You may not agree with it, but she did/does have a big fanbase. She was iconic for her time. There never really was a show like Ally McBeal on TV before.
I agree. Ally doesn't get enough credit for singlehandedly ushering in the new wave of dramedies that is still going on today thanks to shows like Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives. It was one of the first hour long shows I can think of that was nominated in comedy catagories, not drama. And the fact that Calista is back on television with a vengeance on Brothers And Sisters helps her current standings

[tv star collector]

If I have learned anything from 50+ years of watching television and reading about it, the bottom line is this: popularity counts more than talent. Thus,
a list of "TV Icons" is going to include the most popular--who may or may not
be the most talented.

[tv star collector]

I noticed several non-human entries on the list (Homer Simpson, Kermit,
Lassie, Charlie Brown, etc.). How could they forget Howdy Doody? He
was the star of the first regular network kids' show ... one of the longest-
running (13 years) ... the first regularly broadcast color TV program ...
the first to be broadcast every day in color ... the first show to reach
2,000 episodes ... the first one to win a Peabody Award in the children's
category ... and the first TV show to have a huge mail response (12
million letters by Dec. 31, 1955). [Yes, I know it has been off the air for
47 years and--since it was live (for the most part)--it hasn't been in
syndication and only survives today on video and DVD thanks to a few
rare kinescopes--but still being a pioneer and having the longevity that it
had should count for something.]

[MikeL]

they forgot redd foxx 2 n George jefferson and others

[dawsongirl]

they forgot redd foxx 2 n George jefferson and others
Redd Foxx was in there.

[Zoneboy]

Link (http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_7465922)

Who you callin' iconic? "The 50 Greatest" is occasion for debate
By Joanne Ostrow
Denver Post Television Critic
Article Last Updated: 11/15/2007 10:58:41 PM MST

Dennis Franz played a character on ABC's "NYPD Blue," which made the "The 50 Greatest TV Icons." (ABC, Inc.| Danny Feld)

In six decades of television, hundreds of characters have come into our living rooms and left a mark, a song, a tug of the ear or a catchphrase.

You wish they'd clean up after themselves.

Television, the most personal medium, creates stars out of nobodys and, through constant exposure, makes them feel like family. Week in and week out, we've spent more time with these characters than with people we consider real-life friends.

So when someone wants to pinpoint the 50 most significant personalities in the history of the medium, you know they're asking for an argument.

It's not just arbitrary, it's personal.

For my money, Jackie Gleason was sheer brilliance while Red Skelton made funny faces. Johnny Carson was great company; Dick Cavett provided refined diversion, sometimes to the point of effeteness. "Rowan & Martin's Laugh In" was a landmark of the '60s, but Ed Sullivan was arguably more influential, touching more generations and bringing diverse talent to our homes - Beverly Sills to The Beatles. Who gets which number on a list? They gave Carson No. 1; there's room for debate.

Is Oprah more a "game-changer," in the vocabulary of the show, than Carol Burnett? Does newcomer Simon Cowell even deserve to be in the Top 100?

The argument's the thing.

That's the point of "The 50 Greatest TV Icons," a two-hour rundown tonight at 6 p.m. on TVLand (compiled in association with Entertainment Weekly). The fun lies in criticizing the producers for the names that didn't make the list.

You're telling me Rod Serling, inventor of the scariest anthology that still inspires reveries and awe, is not among the Top 50? The heavyweight "Twilight Zone" screenwriter, who had a hand in early TV dramas like "Requiem for a Heavyweight," deserves better.

You're telling me Dennis Franz, he of the famously bare butt on "NYPD Blue," the inhabiter of the soul of Detective Andy Sipowicz, is not on the master list?

What? Adam West in his Batman getup didn't make it, either?

TVLand's top 50 icons include the predictable pioneers Uncle Miltie and Lucille Ball, with enjoyable clips to support their inclusion. Carol Burnett and Andy Griffith made the cut. So did more recent figures including Kermit the Frog and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Ralph Kramden, Archie Bunker and Mary Tyler Moore are duly saluted.

But no Serling, no Franz. Barbara ("I Dream of Jeannie") Eden and Bob ("Gilligan") Denver are missing from the top of the list, too. Also not in the top 50: Art Carney, Peter Falk or James Garner.

Go figure.

Who contributed more to the modernization of the medium, Bill Cosby, (No. 4) with his breakthrough comedy about an African-American family, or Phil Donahue (not in the top 50), with his daily explorations of once-taboo topics? It's always apples and oranges in these listmaking endeavors. Everybody's right and nobody is. Sometimes the best test is a quick mental flash card - who jumps out at you as more integral to the evolution of the medium, Lassie or Rin Tin Tin?

It's a gut thing - sorry, Lassie. Even if you don't particularly share the sentiment, it's nice to hear Kermit talking about the collie "breaking barriers for nonhumans on TV."

A gut check works for some. In other cases, the rightful place of a given personality can only be determined by extended heartfelt debate. Does Angela Lansbury deserve a higher ranking than Candice Bergen, for sheer quantity, perhaps? (Neither made the top 50). Carol Burnett says longevity is key. But one could argue Lansbury's Broadway achievements overshadow her TV work. Does Bergen merit placement because of the political heat that resulted from the Murphy Brown-Dan Quayle dustup, or are external ramifications irrelevant to the screen work?

Is it fair to pit animated icons against the flesh-and-blood kind? I would submit Rocky and Bullwinkle as historic representatives of the developing medium in any poll. Yet some say cartoon folk deserve their own contest. In fact, TV Guide did a top 50 cartoon rundown not long ago, putting Bugs Bunny at No.1. The Moose and Squirrel were listed together at No.3, behind Homer Simpson. I have an issue with that.

And that's why people love to hate lists.

[MikeL]

oh good i got watch it again glad i got it taped glad jr ewing was on there

[tanquant]

Calista would both certainly be in the top 10 fattest TV stars of all time. There are no wide angle lenses big enough to actually show her entire body. She reminds me of that lady in the barn in the movie Slither that gets so big she explodes :lol: :crazy:


I thought that Calista was really, really skinny did she gain weight?

Anyway, she does not belong on that list. They forgot about Mr. Rogers. I would call him an icon.

[Zoneboy]

They forgot about Mr. Rogers. I would call him an icon.

Fred Rogers made the top 100, He was #55.

[Dean Winchester]

I caught the special last night. See, I was right, they even pointed out when discussing Aniston about how "The Rachel" was THE haircut for women to have in 95-96, but of course I was insane for thinking that, right? Even tho TV Land pointed out what most of us who were teens/20-somethings during the 90's knew twelve years ago but were supposedly "wrong", that "The Rachel" was the hottest haircut to copy for a tv star since Farrah's hair.

[Zoneboy]

I caught the special last night. See, I was right, they even pointed out when discussing Aniston about how "The Rachel" was THE haircut for women to have in 95-96, but of course I was insane for thinking that, right?

You weren't insane at all, The only problem with your original statement was that you said every woman wanted that haircut back in 95. To me, the term every woman means all women at that time and I can name several from back then who had no idea who Jennifer Aniston was muchless gave a crap about her hairstyle. :rolleyes:

[Stuck In The '70's]

You weren't insane at all, The only problem with your original statement was that you said every woman wanted that haircut back in 95. To me, the term every woman means all women at that time and I can name several from back then who had no idea who Jennifer Aniston was muchless gave a crap about her hairstyle. :rolleyes:
I think it was the media trying to make Jennifer's hair such a big thing. They even had an issue of TV Guide called the Hair Issue and it had the different types of Jennifer's hair. I never knew anybody who cared about any of that back in the 90's. I think she was very overrated.

[gidgetgrape]

To me, Jennifer's hair should be considered more of a fad than something that makes her iconic.

[dawsongirl]

I caught the special last night. See, I was right, they even pointed out when discussing Aniston about how "The Rachel" was THE haircut for women to have in 95-96, but of course I was insane for thinking that, right? Even tho TV Land pointed out what most of us who were teens/20-somethings during the 90's knew twelve years ago but were supposedly "wrong", that "The Rachel" was the hottest haircut to copy for a tv star since Farrah's hair.
But does one flash in the pan thing like a hairdo make you an icon? Personally, I think it makes you a fad. Like a Slap Bracelet.

[Classicshowsgurl15]

I really think that Lucy should have been #1 and Bob Hope should have been way higher up on the list than 51. That is like an insult. Tony Danza I think should have been higher too. Sally Field should have been higher too. She is an icon.

I don't think even half of the ones in the top 50 are really even true icons. I mean most of them are like Dick Van Dyke, Lucy, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Brunette, Milton Burle and some others.

I didn't really agree with the list. I think alot of the ones that were in 100-51 should have been in the top 50.

[Overdose]

Yay for Roseanne being at #11! :)

I didn't expect TV Land to place her so high on the list because of the un-popular later seasons (7,8, and 9). However, I'm glad they saw past that and realized Roseanne is a huge TV icon.

[Buffyboy323]

But does one flash in the pan thing like a hairdo make you an icon? Personally, I think it makes you a fad. Like a Slap Bracelet.
I'm sure there were other reasons she was on the list, aside from her hairdo. Jennifer is just as much an icon as the highly overrated Farrah Fawcett.

[mrs.gingerhinkley]

where is the complete list?

[gidgetgrape]

where is the complete list?

1-50:
http://www.tvland.com/originals/50greatesttvicons/toplist1to50.jhtml

51-100:
http://www.tvland.com/originals/50greatesttvicons/toplist.jhtml

[dawsongirl]

I'm sure there were other reasons she was on the list, aside from her hairdo. Jennifer is just as much an icon as the highly overrated Farrah Fawcett.
Farrah may be an icon, but not really a tv icon. More just a personality.