Take me to TVLand! Last night I watched the pre-taped 6th annual TVLand Awards, and I simply cannot believe this was the first year I did so. Me, a TV addict and worshipper of Nose-Talgia!I must start by being a little glib. It struck me how it's not the limos that line up for this star-studded event... it's the walkers! I never saw so many canes and escorts, as one TV legend after another went on stage to accept what seemed like a barrage of back-to-back lifetime achievement awards. Kidding aside, it really was amazing how wonderful so many of our favorite TV stars look in their 80s.
The show really honors what's old, not what's new (although "The Office" won this year's Future Classic award). Categories include "Pioneer Award" (Jonathan Winters), "Innovator Award" (Roseanne), and Icon Award (Lionel Richie). All of them present to accept, btw!
The show started out with a clever opening number. Vanessa Williams (GORGIOUS) sang a reworked version of "I'm Flying" from Peter Pan as Bernie Koppell, Gary Coleman, Jerry Mathers, Dawn Wells, Barry Williams and a bunch of other classic TV stars all flew across the theater on wires! It was quite the spectacle. Bizarre and funny all at once. See clip below.
The show started out with a clever opening number. Vanessa Williams (GORGIOUS) sang a reworked version of "I'm Flying" from Peter Pan as Bernie Koppell, Gary Coleman, Jerry Mathers, Dawn Wells, Barry Williams and a bunch of other classic TV stars all flew across the theater on wires! It was quite the spectacle. Bizarre and funny all at once. See clip below.It was also fun to see today's mega-superstars literally worship their own idols & inspirations... Robin Williams (on his game, as always) presented the Pioneer Award to comic genius Jonathan Winters with a moving, from the heart personal tribute. After looking at the clips of Winters, you can really see his influence on Williams. Then it was Justin Timberlake literally on his knees doing the whole bowing down/hand and arms thing to his new BFF, Mike Myers (who still seems surprised he's such a big star himself). And yes, the pair are endlessly promoting their new movie, "The Love Guru." If you've been under a rock and don't know just how funny, smart, engaging, charismatic and downright charming Mr. Timberlake is, then watch this show and you'll see why the rest of America is in love with this man. Oh, did I mention handsome?
Gary Marshall received this year's legend honor. A great moment for a producer whose contribution to television is unparalleled ("The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Odd Couple," "Happy Days," "Laverne & Shirley," "Mork and Mindy," just to name a few).
There was also a wonderful tribute to "The Golden Girls" and three of them were there (sadly Estelle Getty is in ill health and could not attend). Also on stage were Dick Van Dyke, Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, Lindsey Wagner, Ed Asner, William Shatner, Jack Klugman, Henry Winkler... the list goes on.
TVLand will continue airing this for the rest of the week, and much of the show can be seen on their website:
I think part of the problem with TV Land (for me) these days is that they've branched so far away from their original programming format that I sometimes forget they run old shows anymore. The award show is like the old-style TV Land -- loving TV and quite nutty. I loved the "Flying" number; I thought it was sweet and silly, and of course it's such a great old Broadway tune. Thanks for writing about this and I need to catch the show on a rerun -- I know it's on Wednesday late night, at least. And as you said, lots of clips on their website, too! Great post, Scott!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I know what you mean about TVLand straying. I wouldn't have known, or at least remembered the awards had I not seen it promo'd on another cable channel! Perhaps Harry had a Lucy episode on TVLand and that's where we saw the promo. But we set the DVR right away and got it. I think I may have caught part of this show in previoius years... like the tail end.
ReplyDeleteJust a couple of years ago, TV Land had a magnificent Awards show...with Star Trek honored, and the Andy Griffith show, etc. They have fallen considerably since then. It's sad, they have lost their way. I didn't even know that there WAS another award ceremony, until I read it here on the Nose. Thanks for the reminder Scott.
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