11/20/2007
Boy, talk about opening a can of worms- when I mentioned that TV Land list of the Top 50 TV Icons- and suggested that you guys come up with, perhaps, a Top 10 of local TV icons- I didn’t think it would start an avalanche of comments!
First of all, I appreciate that some of you would include me- but my whole point wasn’t just to be fishing for your favor. (What would I use for bait?!) The thing is- I guess I have the same feeling about a local list, as I have about the TV Land list- it seems to be an uneven mix, and should perhaps be broken down into different categories- say, pioneers, modern, etc.
Some of the specific nominations did kind of throw me- one being “Cuddley Dudley!” This was a puppet character on WGN (used both on Bozo and Ray Rayner), though lovably portrayed by “Cookie”- Roy Brown- it was still basically a shill for the Chicago Tribune- since the dog doll was a give-away to subscribers one year, and first appeared on TV to promote it.
Nonetheless- seriously- a TV ICON? Though it was a fun character, I’m not sure I’d agree.
One correspondent really hit the nail on the head, regarding who should be considered- he said that, granted, there are a lot of people who have managed to stay on TV for quite a long time- but, it shouldn’t be quantity of time that makes one an icon- it should be the significant contribution to the make-up of the Chicago television scene. If it were just longevity, then, perhaps Hubert the Harris Lion should be entering the hallowed halls of iconery (or, even Sean Connery.)
One of the funniest ideas was a “most hated” list (I’m sure I’d land on that one easily for some people!) Topping the list was Timmy Long. Just as quickly, someone asked, “who’s Timmy Long?” Yes, it’s been a “long” time-but; he was the obnoxious “newsboy” character who shrieked “Extra! Extra! Long Chevrolet –etc.” in the dealership commercials, and was most famous for eventually reading a headline that said “the kid gets a pie in the face”- at which point- he did! He was, I guess, a relative of one of the owners, which must be how he got the gig- I don’t think it was on the basis of his sheer acting talent, or his deft handling of a newspaper.
So- who’s been suggested to be on the Top 10 Local Icon list?
Who’s created the most controversy? Should multiple characters played by the same person qualify? Is all aspirin alike? (Sorry- that was from an old commercial…)We’ll go over the contenders tomorrow- right here!
First of all, I appreciate that some of you would include me- but my whole point wasn’t just to be fishing for your favor. (What would I use for bait?!) The thing is- I guess I have the same feeling about a local list, as I have about the TV Land list- it seems to be an uneven mix, and should perhaps be broken down into different categories- say, pioneers, modern, etc.
Some of the specific nominations did kind of throw me- one being “Cuddley Dudley!” This was a puppet character on WGN (used both on Bozo and Ray Rayner), though lovably portrayed by “Cookie”- Roy Brown- it was still basically a shill for the Chicago Tribune- since the dog doll was a give-away to subscribers one year, and first appeared on TV to promote it.
Nonetheless- seriously- a TV ICON? Though it was a fun character, I’m not sure I’d agree.
One correspondent really hit the nail on the head, regarding who should be considered- he said that, granted, there are a lot of people who have managed to stay on TV for quite a long time- but, it shouldn’t be quantity of time that makes one an icon- it should be the significant contribution to the make-up of the Chicago television scene. If it were just longevity, then, perhaps Hubert the Harris Lion should be entering the hallowed halls of iconery (or, even Sean Connery.)
One of the funniest ideas was a “most hated” list (I’m sure I’d land on that one easily for some people!) Topping the list was Timmy Long. Just as quickly, someone asked, “who’s Timmy Long?” Yes, it’s been a “long” time-but; he was the obnoxious “newsboy” character who shrieked “Extra! Extra! Long Chevrolet –etc.” in the dealership commercials, and was most famous for eventually reading a headline that said “the kid gets a pie in the face”- at which point- he did! He was, I guess, a relative of one of the owners, which must be how he got the gig- I don’t think it was on the basis of his sheer acting talent, or his deft handling of a newspaper.
So- who’s been suggested to be on the Top 10 Local Icon list?
Who’s created the most controversy? Should multiple characters played by the same person qualify? Is all aspirin alike? (Sorry- that was from an old commercial…)We’ll go over the contenders tomorrow- right here!
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