A LIST OF JUST A FEW – COUNT 'EM, IF YOU LIKE – THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT TV
By JOHN YOUNGREN
[Editor's Note: New Year, New "Pop Stew." Finally, I'll admit.]
Quick explanation: A few weeks ago, TV Guide columnist Matt Roush wrote a list of the 50 or so things he'll always love about TV. Not being shy in this area myself, I decided to put together my own such list, presented here in no particular order.
So, without further ado (it's been too long since the last "Stew" anyway, don't you agree), it's my "Things I Love About TV," taking into consideration past, present and future…
--Katie's legs.
--When that bus with her face on the side splashes water all over Sarah Jessica Parker in the beginning of "Sex & The City."
--Starsky's red Ford Torino with the white stripe down the side.
--Starsky's red Torino ripping down that alley.
--"Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts."
--When Hawkeye wears the red robe around camp.
--The werewolf howling sound at the beginning of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
--When the full cast is walking toward the camera at the beginning of "The Practice."
--The monumental swell of music that signals the start of the "West Wing."
--Josh and Donna.
--Dr. Greene with a life on the line (though not his own).
--Letterman making something out of nothing.
--Conan's self-deprecating stream-of-consciousness.
--Sam and Diane. "Have a nice life."
--The original "Star Trek" communicator opening sound.
--"Kirk to Enterprise."
--"Oh, Mr. Grant."
--"…when Behind the Music continues…"
--"This is only an exhibition, this is not a competition. Please, no wagering."
--Col. Wilma Deering, as played by Erin Gray.
--"Live from New York…"
--"The Larry Sanders Show."
--Buffy's boots.
--Buffy and Angel.
--"Mulder, it's me."
--Scully and Mulder.
--The "Friends" opening titles.
--Ross and Rachel.
--"Once upon a time, there were three little girls…"
--Costas on cue.
--Joe Buck baseball.
--"Are you ready for some football?"
--Tom Brokaw's speech impediment on the "n" sound.
--Rockford's phone messages.
--"And remember … let's be careful out there."
--The pulse and drum beat of the theme from "L.A. Law."
--Fonzie hitting the jukebox.
--Caruso's first year on "NYPD Blue."
--Johnny's golf swing.
--Ed and Carol.
--"Angels in Chains."
--"Ladies and gentlemen … the Beatles!"
--"Live, from Hollywood…"
--"This ball may go!"
--The NBC Saturday "Game of the Week."
--J.B., Terry, Howie and Jimmy.
--Kuzak and Grace.
--"M*A*S*H" in syndication, forever.
--The drum beat and horn blare beginning of "Hogan's Heroes."
--The late Robert Urich nodding in knowing identification with Larry Bird at the Boston Garden in the opening credits of the old "Spenser: For Hire."
--Paula Marshall in anything.
--"Love's Labor Lost."
--Sydney Bristow.
--Sydney and Vaughan.
--The "Mannix" theme.
--Jennifer and Courteney, Schwimmer and Kudrow, Perry and LeBlanc.
--Alan Alda's cynical delivery.
--Frasier's fussiness.
--Just Jack.
--Brent, Irv and Jayne.
--"America's first family, today on NBC."
There's more, obviously. I'll think of some. Just wanted to list a few -- to say, "Happy New Year."
Write if you find work.
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That's it for this time. Tune in again soon for another exciting edition of the one and only, award-winning "Pop Stew!" Or, direct your comments to johnyoungren@earthlink.net
