Tuesday, February 1, 2022

TVXOHOF, FEBRUARY 2022 - ROSEY GRIER


I think the Television Crossover Hall of Fame entry in February has always reflected Black History Month.  In the very first class of inductees – 1999 – Abraham Lincoln was the honoree, so while he was white, he O’Bviously played a major role in Black History.

I see no reason to stop the trend now….

ROSEY GRIER

From Wikipedia:
Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier (born July 14, 1932) is an American actor, singer, Protestant minister, and former professional football player. He was a notable college football player for Pennsylvania State University who earned a retrospective place in the National Collegiate Athletic Association 100th anniversary list of 100 most influential student athletes. As a professional player, Grier was a member of the New York Giants and the original Fearsome Foursome of the Los Angeles Rams. He played in the Pro Bowl twice.

After Grier's professional sports career, he worked as a bodyguard for Senator Robert Kennedy during the 1968 presidential campaign. Grier was guarding Ethel Kennedy when Senator Kennedy was shot. Although unable to prevent the assassination, Grier took control of the gun and subdued the shooter, Sirhan Sirhan.

Grier hosted his own Los Angeles television show and made approximately 70 guest appearances on various shows during the 1960s and 1970s.

As a singer, Grier first released singles on the A label in 1960, and over the following twenty-five years he continued to record on various labels including Liberty, Ric, MGM, and A&M. His recording of a tribute to Robert Kennedy, "People Make the World" (written by Bobby Womack), was his only chart single, peaking at No. 128 in 1968.

Grier is known for his serious pursuit of hobbies not traditionally associated with men. He has authored several books, including "Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men" in 1973. Grier became an ordained Protestant minister in 1983 and travels as an inspirational speaker. He founded American Neighborhood Enterprises, a nonprofit organization that serves inner city youth. He was also a featured speaker at the 1984 Republican National Convention; during its evening session on August 20, 1984, he endorsed President Ronald Reagan for re-election.

Okay, so nobody’s perfect.


Rosey Grier will be inducted as a member of the League of Themselves, which means he is entering as the Televersion of himself.  Fictional roles like frontiersman Gabe Cooper and bounty hunter Salathiel Harms (one of the coolest names ever in Toobworld!) do not come into play here.

These are the appearances which qualify him for TVXOHOF membership:

1962-1973
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson [This series was inducted in 2020, which is why it is included]
- Sheila MacRae, Roosevelt Grier, Carl Ballantine (1962)
- Episode dated 27 August 1971 
- Episode dated 11 June 1973

1968-1970
The Rosey Grier Show
105 episodes  


1974-75
Captain Kangaroo
- Episode dated 20 September 1974
- Episode dated 3 September 1975


1977
Chico and the Man
- Black Tie Blues
 


1978
Quincy M.E.
- Accomplice to Murder
 


1979
Sesame Street
- We are shooting a Movie
 


1980
The White Shadow
- Georgia on My Mind 
- If Your Number's Up, Get It Down 


1981-2014
Praise
6 episodes

1998
The Larry Sanders Show 
- I Buried Sid
 

And over in the Tooniverse….


1999
The Simpsons
- Sunday, Cruddy Sunday
(voice)

Welcome to the Hall, Mr. Grier.
You’ll find the Activities Room has everything you’ll need for needlepoint.

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