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Top Ten TV Characters - Part One
I'd like a dime for every hour I've sat in front of the television, including those days before color television and the remote control. I'm even a "rabbit-ears" survivor. Not that I think that time was wasted, though. In addition to providing entertainment while I enjoyed some great snacks and beverages, I was introduced to many memorable characters through the years. Some characters are so memorable that it almost seems as though they really existed. Here's my list, in reverse order, of my all-time favorite TV characters. Who would you have on your list?
#10. It's a tie! Elly May and Granny from "The Beverly Hillbillies." Very different characters, but one made me laugh and the other made me drool. No, Granny didn't make me drool. Irene Ryan was the perfect selection to play the role of Granny, and Donna Douglas as Elly May ... oh, those shirts!
#9. Maynard G. Krebs from "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis." The true star of the show Bob Denver as beatnik Maynard G. Krebs showed us what cool really was. So much so that I started using my middle initial on all my school papers.
#8. Warren Ferguson from "The Andy Griffith Show." The replacement for Barney Fife as Mayberry's deputy Warren drove Andy and the show's viewers crazy. Played by Jack Burns, who was part of a comedy duet, the character Warren Ferguson only appeared in 1965 and 1966. But some of those episodes are so memorable, like when he arrested Aunt Bea and her friends for gambling because of their church raffle.
#7. Lucy Ricardo from "I Love Lucy." Probably the funniest female ever on televison, everybody loved Lucy. Of course, Lucille Ball played Lucy Ricardo on a show that mixed fiction with non-fiction. After all, she really was married to Desi, who played the role of Ricky Ricardo. And there really was a Copacabana Club in New York City. From one scheme to the next Lucy kept me laughing, whether she was selling frozen beef steaks in the butcher shop or stomping grapes. After Lucy and Desi broke up, Lucy had some spin-off shows, but they never came close to the comedy of "I Love Lucy."
#6. Norm Peterson on "Cheers." From 1982-1993 many of us made "Cheers" our weekly stop. We wanted to go to Cheers. We wanted to be one of their regulars. Some of us actually visited Boston so we could go to the pub the show was based on. Nobody loved beer more than Norm. I know a few North Country guys who remind me of Norm, but George Wendt's portrayal of Norm was incredible. It probably wasn't real beer he was consuming during the filming, but sometimes I wondered.
Next blog: My picks of TV characters #5 to #1. Any guesses of who will be on my list?
Comments
just a quick correction on my previous remarks ... I mentioned Al Hill in my top 10 .. but certainly meant to say last but NOT least
Al Hill from channel 5's "Chiller Theater"
never missed that show on saturday nights! it was on just prior to the scary movie of the week.. (mid to late 60's) he was also great as "Captain Al"
in "Captain Al's adventure club", which used to precede the Clutch Cargo cartoon.
(Foxy's note: the carver's memory is starting to match the Old-Timer's!)
Posted by: the carver | October 25, 2006 2:40 AM
My Three Sons- "Uncle Charlie"
Seinfeld- Kramer
Posted by: rubble | October 24, 2006 8:18 PM
Foxy,
I'm predicting one of your Top Five will be Jeannie of I Dream Of Jeannie. And if you were a Charlie's Angel's fan I'm guessing you WON'T choose Bosley.
(Foxy's note: Sorry, I used to dream of Jeannie, but she didn't make my list. I liked Elly May better! I also liked Winnie on Wonder Years, but she was too young for me.)
Posted by: craig mathews | October 24, 2006 7:00 PM
I'd to throw a few choices at you....hoping they're in your top 5 and are certainly in mine: in no particular order:
Ed Norton-The Honeymooners
uncle charlie-my three sons
while on the subject of uncles, I'll throw in uncle Joe on petticoat junction ( always looked tired,probably from chasing billy jo ,bobbyjo and bettyjo!)
Festus hagen-played by ken curtis. filled in nicely for chester on Gunsmoke
buddy played by maury
Amsterdam on the Dick Van Dyke show
maxwell smart-Get Smart
gladys Kravitz, the nosey neighbor on Bewitched
Illya Kuryakin.Napoleon
Solo's sidekick on Man from Uncle
Ricky Nelson-Father knows Best
Hank Kimble- Green Acres
Kramer and /or Frank Castanza- Senfield
hate to leave out Paul Drake Perry Mason's detective, Tim Conway on The Carol Burnett Show
and Travis from The Virginian
last but certainly least:
Al Hill- channel 5's own:"Chiller Theater" Host
(Foxy's note: All great choices! Especially Hank Kimble on Green Acres and Festus from Gunsmoke)
Posted by: the carver | October 24, 2006 12:24 AM
I believe either or both of the following will be on your list: Carrol O'Connor as Archie Bunker and/or Dennis Franz as Det. Andy Sipowicz. ??
(Foxy's note: I have to admit, I might have overlooked Archie Bunker. I was a big fan of "All in the Family.")
Posted by: diane | October 23, 2006 9:25 PM
Andy Griffith Show- Earnest T. Bass- It's me , it's me it's Earnest T. - usually followed by a rock through a store front window.
(Foxy's note: Ah, this rubble person is pretty sharp, although I didn't pick Earnest T. Bass.)
Posted by: rubble | October 23, 2006 5:57 PM
Fox please choose B.A Barackus from the A-Team, played by Mr. T. I have been watching his new reality show when I get a chance to on the road, Mr. T Makes me laugh! I Pity the Fool!!
(Foxy's note: Benway, glad you still have time to read On the Sly, even though you have a busy schedule. I know Mr. T would make Erik's Top 10 list, but he didn't make mine!)
Posted by: Bryan Benway | October 23, 2006 5:30 PM
Foxy---If you are going back to the days of your youth, will any of these make your top 5?
The Long Ranger, Sgt Schultz from Hogan's Heroes, Capt. Kangaroo, Sgt. Friday from Dragnet, Sgt Preston of the Yukon, Clem Kadiddlehpooer or other greats from the Red Skelton characters. There is also Columbo and Perry Mason that seemed real each week. It seems even back then, we had our share of comedy and cops!
(Foxy's note: Excellent choices, Tom R. From your list, Sgt. Joe Friday was my favorite, but none of yours are on my Top 5 list!)
Posted by: Tom R | October 23, 2006 4:44 PM
How about Mr Kotter. Gabe Kaplan was perfect for that role, and the end of show uncle jokes were priceless. I saw his live stand-up act down in Westchester County a couple years ago. His opening line was about being spotted by a couple of old ladies walking thru the airport, one asked if he was "Mr Kotter" he replied yes he was and the other old lady reminded him that he "aint done $*** since.
A classic TV character, and you need to have at least one teacher on the list !
(Foxy's note: Good point! Mr. Kotter and any one of those students are memorable indeed!)
Posted by: Rick K | October 23, 2006 2:11 PM
Foxy:
I sure hope Larry, Darryl, and Darryl from the old Newhart show make your list. The show was based in a fictional Vermont town, but these guys reminded me of a few North Country characters I've come to know!
(Foxy's note: Good one, Vin! Yes, you might have seen Larry, Darryl and Darryl at the Fourth Ward during hockey season!)
Posted by: Vin Scully | October 23, 2006 12:51 PM