MONDAY'S MEMORIAL TVXOHOF TRIBUTE - PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER

From WTVM, Georgia's ABC affiliate:

PLAINS, Ga. (WTVM) - Former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, died on Sunday at age 100.
The news was reported at 4PM Sunday afternoon by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

James Earl Carter, Jr. - 39th president of the United States - was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia.
Carter has many titles under his belt as he was the oldest living president, as well as the oldest - post-presidency. His 77-year-long marriage to Rosalynn made him the longest married president.

This day was not unexpected.  I’ve had the collection of appearances by his televersion ready to go for awhile now.  

Thanks to fictional storylines in TV series, both dramas and sitcoms, incorporating archival footage, just about every president since the middle of the 20th Century would find themselves in the Television Crossover Hall of Fame.  And more and more, they appearing in person in those shows.  

President Carter has one of those in his credits as well.

JAMES EARL “JIMMY” CARTER

39TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

From Wikipedia:
James Earl Carter Jr. (October 1, 1924 – December 29, 2024) was an American politician who served as the 39th president of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the Georgia State Senate from 1967 to 1971 and as the 76th governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975. Carter was the longest-lived president in U.S. history and the first to live to 100 years old.

Carter pardoned all Vietnam War draft evaders on his second day in office. He created a national energy policy that included conservation, price control, and new technology. Carter successfully pursued the Camp David Accords, the Panama Canal Treaties, and the second round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. He also confronted "stagflation".

His administration established the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Education. He is the only president to serve a full term without appointing a justice to the Supreme Court. The end of his presidency was marked by the Iran hostage crisis, an energy crisis, the Three Mile Island accident, the Nicaraguan Revolution, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

In response to the invasion, Carter escalated the Cold War by ending détente, imposing a grain embargo against the Soviets, enunciating the Carter Doctrine, and leading the multinational boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.

Carter defeated challenger Ted Kennedy in the 1980 Democratic Party presidential primaries but lost the general election in a landslide to Ronald Reagan, the Republican nominee.

After leaving the presidency, Carter established the Carter Center to promote and expand human rights; in 2002 he received a Nobel Peace Prize for his work in relation to it. He traveled extensively to conduct peace negotiations, monitor elections, and further the eradication of infectious diseases.

Carter was a key figure in the nonprofit housing organization Habitat for Humanity. He also wrote numerous books, ranging from political memoirs to poetry, while continuing to comment on global affairs, including two books on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Polls of historians and political scientists generally rank Carter as a below-average president, though scholars and the public more favorably view his post-presidency, which was the longest in U.S. history.

These are the appearances which confirm Jimmy Carter’s place in the TVXOHOF:

EARTH PRIME-TIME
(THE MAIN TOOBWORLD)

WHAT’S MY LINE?

GOVERNOR JIMMY CARTER and JOAN FONTAINE (1973)

O’Bservation:
Joan Fontaine was the Mystery Guest (and apparently so was Marty Feldman).  Governor Carter appeared as himself.  The panelists were Gene Shalit, Arlene Francis, Dana Valery, and Soupy Sales.  Larry Blyden was the host.

There is a televersion of 'What's My Line?' in Toobworld.  While the real episodes are included in the television's output, there could be fictional episodes which only exist in Toobworld, as is the case with any televersion of a TV show.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

EVE OF CONSTRUCTION (1994)

Tim agrees to build a house for Habitat for Humanity on his show, with famous athletes helping out, but Al and Jill challenge him by agreeing to lead a separate team (made up of women) to see who can build a house faster. (IMDb)

(I'm including the transcript just in case the video ever disappears from YouTube.  I've seen that happen too many times!)

[Tim and Jill are watching a video that Jimmy Carter sent them]
Jimmy Carter:
Hi Tim, Al, and Jill. I'd like to thank you for your participation in our Habitats for Humanity housing blitz.
Tim:
You're welcome.
Jimmy Carter:
Al and Jill, the house you built is a perfect example of what can happen when caring people band together for a common good. And Tim, well, what can I say? Crews are working round the clock to repair the house you've built. Oh yeah, Rosalynn would like a picture of Al.
Tim:
Let's tape over this.
[She grabs the remote away from him.]

O'Bservation:

Tim Allen and Richard Karn appeared on the 'Tool Time' set with Former President Carter in a PSA for Habitats For Humanity.  I don't know if they appeared as themselves or if they were in character.  So I'm not sure where it would eventually go.  But as I claim that all our TV shows have "Televersions" in Toobworld (but only if I'm forced to do so because they are seen or mentioned in other TV shows), it's possible I can leave that PSA in Earth Prime-Time along with the actual 'Home Improvement' show.

7 DAYS
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (2000)

During a backstep to prevent a train crash spilling nuclear waste into the Colorado River, sunspots cause the sphere to pick-up a stray soul; a dead woman from 1979 who materializes and endears Frank in a quest to find her daughter. (IMDb)

TANNER ON TANNER
UNKNOWN EPISODES (2004)

Edited from Wikipedia:
"Tanner On Tanner" focuses mostly on Alex Tanner, a struggling filmmaker and the daughter of onetime presidential candidate Jack Tanner.

As with the first film ('Tanner '88'), this film features many cameos by politicians, mainstream media figures, and celebrities including [President Carter.]

There were four episodes:

• "Dinner at Elaine's" (October 5, 2004)
• "Boston or Bust" (October 12, 2004)
• "Alex in Wonderland" (October 19, 2004)
• "The Awful Truth" (October 26, 2004)

But I don't know which one President Carter appeared in.

Here's the close-up:

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE

STORM FRONT PART II (2004)

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. was a 20th century Human politician who served as President of the United States of America.

An image of him was among several historical images seen by Daniels and Archer in the time stream as the timeline reorganized itself. (Memory Alpha Beta)

O'Bservation:
This took place at some point between 2151-2155.

BORDERLANDS

NOT NECESSARILY THE NEWS
EPISODE S1 E10 (1983)

O’Bservation:

At the First Annual Presidential Awards, former President Carter’s first OMB director, Bert Lance, was in the running for Best Presidential Friend, along with Frank Sinatra, friend of President Reagan.  But they both lost to President Nixon’s buddy, Bebe Rebozo.  (If Carter was up for any other awards, he lost – Nixon made a clean sweep of all seven categories.)

ALTERNATE TOOBWORLD

FOR ALL MANKIND

DON'T BE CRUEL (2021)

Jimmy Carter, full name James Earl Carter Jr., is an American politician serving as a United States senator from Georgia since 1981. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 76th Governor of Georgia.

In September 1983, when the Soviet Union admitted having shot down Korean Air Lines Flight 007, Senator Carter condemned the Soviet Union for their actions. (“For All Mankind” Wiki)

O'Bservation:
Since this never happened in the Trueniverse, and would have caused a major Zonk to the main Toobworld, it must be relegated to some other Toobworld.

THE TOONIVERSE

THE SIMPSONS

• "MARGE GETS A JOB" (Mentioned)
• "MR. PLOW" (Mentioned)
• "MARGE IN CHAINS" (Appears as a statue.)
• "ROSEBUD"
• "A STAR IS BURNS" (Mentioned)
• "TREEHOUSE OF HORROR X" (Life's a Glitch, Then You Die)
• "E-I-E-I-D'oh"
• "BEHIND THE LAUGHTER"
• "SIMPSON SAFARI" (Mentioned)
• "WEEKEND AT BURNSIE'S" (Mentioned)
• "LARGE MARGE"
• "BART STOPS TO SMELL THE ROOSEVELTS" (photo)
• "WHEN NELSON MET LISA"
• "HOMER'S ADVENTURES THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD GLASS" (opening sequence)

FUTURAMA

• "SPACE PILOT 3000"
• "A HEAD IN THE POLLS"
• "ALL THE PRESIDENTS' HEADS"
• "SATURDAY MORNING FUN PIT" (cameo, full body)

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. (October 1, 1924 - December 29, 2024) was the President of the United States. By 2999, his still living head was preserved and on display at the Head Museum in New New York City. ('Futurama' Wiki)

FAMILY GUY

EXCELLENCE IN BROADCASTING (2010)

O'Bservation:
In the musical number "Republican Town", President Carter is seen as the potential victim of the Dunk Tank.

AMERICAN DAD!

KING OF THE HILL

THE FATHER, THE SON AND J.C. (2001)

Jimmy Carter is mistaken by Bobby for Jesus Christ in this episode. This is in part due to his overalls having the same initials (J.C.), being a carpenter, and being called upon to resolve disputes. In real life, Carter has long been open about his status as a practicing Christian. Additionally, the episode is set during Christmas. ('King Of The Hill' Wiki)

SKITLANDIA

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

O'Bservations:
President Carter was played by Dan Aykroyd, Joe Piscopo, Dana Carvey, Michael McKean, and Darrell Hammond.

FRIDAYS

O'Bservations:
I don't know if anybody played President Carter in this ABC sketch comedy show, but as the show debuted with the election loss to Reagan, their news reports at least lampooned him.

And then... I just wanted to share this....

Welcome to the Television Crossover Hall of Fame, Mr. President.  It’s an honor to have you here. 

TVXOHOF, DECEMBER, 2024 - "HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!" (THE ANIMATED TV SPECIAL)

Every movie and many TV series from the Trueniverse (that is, our world, Earth Prime) has a “televersion” in Toobworld (Earth Prime-Time).  The same holds true for TV commercials as well.  This helps to limit the number of Zonks – discrepancies – which can be caused whenever said movie or TV show is seen or referenced within a TV series.

It’s really not a problem when it comes to movies.  They may have their own reality (explored in a series of books by Craig Shaw Gardner, who gave that world the name “the Cineverse” – which I see is now being used by some company), but when seen or mentioned in various TV shows, they are exactly as they exist in the real world; there is no deviation from the true version.

There is one TV dimension where this is not true, however.  In Skitlandia, alternative versions can always be found.  (My favorite example of this can be found in the ‘Saturday Night Live’ show which was hosted by William Shatner.  Speaking of Christmas themes, they presented the original, lost ending to “It’s A Wonderful Life”.)

Last year for the Christmas entry into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame, I inducted the aforementioned Frank Capra classic which starred Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, and Henry Travers.  This year, I’m going with one of my favorites of the traditional Christmas TV specials, animation division.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

From Wikipedia:
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (also known as "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!") is a 1966 American animated television special, directed and co-produced by Chuck Jones. Based on the 1957 children's book of the same name by Dr. Seuss, the special features the voice of Boris Karloff (also a narrator) as the Grinch. It tells the story of the Grinch, who tries to ruin Christmas for the townsfolk of Whoville below his mountain hideaway.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" was produced by The Cat in the Hat Productions in association with the television and animation divisions of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (the company that Jones was under contract at the time). The special completed production in a year and originally aired in the United States on CBS on Sunday, December 18, 1966. The special is considered a perennial holiday special.

PLOT SPOILERS!!!!!
The Grinch is a surly, antisocial green creature with a heart "two sizes too small" who lives alone in a snowbound cave atop Mt. Crumpit, located above the village of Whoville. He especially hates Christmas and has always been annoyed by the town's Christmas celebrations. One Christmas Eve, he finally decides to stop Christmas Day from coming to Whoville by disguising himself as Santa Claus, his dog Max as a reindeer and, in a reversal of Santa's visit, stealing all presents, decorations, and symbols of Christmas. Once loaded, he plans on dumping the bags of stolen goods. He is noticed by a girl named Cindy Lou Who, but is otherwise undetected.

As the Grinch reaches the icy summit of Mt. Crumpit, ready to dump the bags, he discovers that the citizens of Whoville, despite having no gifts or decorations, have gathered in the middle of town to sing as Christmas Day dawns. Realizing that Christmas means more than just material possessions, the Grinch's heart grows three sizes. He saves the sleigh, returns the presents and the other belongings to the Whos, and joins in the town's Christmas celebration by carving the roast beast, giving Max the first slice.

O’Bservation:
I included the synopsis, even though I can’t believe it could be unknown by this point – at least by those who would be reading the Inner Toob blog.  (And thank you for doing so!)
As it would be with movies as seen in the TV Universe, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” is exactly the same version which we watch in the Real World.  Any deviations would be relegated to either Skitlandia or the Tooniverse, depending on their presentation.

The following list of appearances and/or mentions in TV shows which qualify the cartoon’s televersion for inclusion in the TVXOHOF are of the 1966 TV special ONLY.  Either the show’s characters are actually watching it, they are discussing the TV cartoon, or they are quoting the song lyrics.

If there is some leeway of doubt as to the reference being of the original Dr. Seuss book, I will defer to the book rather than to the cartoon (which, by the way, was narrated by Crossover Hall of Famer Boris Karloff.)  That way, I have a future Christmas induction ceremony.

Any appearances by TV characters dressed as the Grinch are considered references to the book.  (Someday I might start inducting books into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame.  This would be a good first choice.  But today is not that day.]

If the reference is definitely about one of the other versions, you won’t even see it listed here at Inner Toob.

Here then are the reasons why the televersion of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” belongs in the Hall…..

ER

HOMELESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS (1996)
The family is watching this program on television

THAT '70s SHOW
THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER (1998)
The gang is watching it.

Fez:
“Nothing says Christmas like a big green Grinch ass.” 

FRIENDS
THE ONE WITH THE BUTT (1994)
Discussion of the heart-growing scene

AURORA:
Why can't we just have what we have now? Why can't we just talk, and laugh, and make love, without feeling obligated to one another... and up until tonight I thought that's what you wanted too.
CHANDLER:
Well, y'know, part of me wants that, but it's like I'm two guys, y'know? I mean, one guy's going 'Shut up! This is great!' But there's this other guy. Actually it's the same guy that wells up every time that Grinch's heart grows three sizes and breaks that measuring device... And he's saying, y'know, 'This is too hard! Get out! Get out!'

O’Bservation:
I think we all know Chandler is the type of character who would have the cartoon foremost in mind.

SPACE: ABOVE AND BEYOND
THE RIVER OF STARS (1995)
Mentioned by Lt. Vansen

3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN

HAPPY NEW DICK! (1998)
Dick, Harry, and Tommy watch it on TV.

Harry & Tommy:
♪ fah who fore-aze ♪
♪ Da who dor-aze ♪
♪ Welcome, Christmas ♪
♪ Come this way ♪
Dick:
Oh, come on!
How can they let the
Grinch carve the roast beast
After what he did?
Harry:
I think they feel bad for him
because of his enlarged heart.
Dick:
Totally unrealistic.

SIX FEET UNDER
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (2002)
It is mentioned that Julio is watching "The Grinch."

NATURALLY, SADIE
A VERY SADIE CHRISTMAS (2006)
The musical montage featuring Hal is reminiscent of Thurl Ravenscroft's song about the Grinch.

NIP/TUCK
CHAZ DARLING (2007)
"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."

THE BIG BANG THEORY
THE MATERNAL CONGRUENCE (2009)
They mention the movie.

Penny:
Oh, I always tear up when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes.
Sheldon:
Tears seem appropriate. Enlargement of the heart muscle, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is a serious disease which could lead to congestive heart failure.
Leonard (singing Deck the Halls):
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
Penny:
You really didn’t like it, Sheldon?
Sheldon:
No, on the contrary. I found the Grinch to be a relatable, engaging character, and I was really with him right up to the point that he succumbed to social convention and returned the presents and saved Christmas. What a buzz kill that was.

BIG TIME RUSH
BIG TIME CHRISTMAS (2010)
Reginald putting a slice of turkey on Katie's plate resembles the Grinch putting a slice of roast beast on the plate of Cindy Lou Who.

GLEE
A VERY GLEE CHRISTMAS (2010)
Sue dresses up like the Grinch. The students also sing "Welcome Christmas," which comes from this movie.

NCIS: LOS ANGELES
HIGHER POWER (2011)
Callen tells Sam "You're a mean one, Mr. Hanna."

THE BIG BANG THEORY
THE LAUNCH ACCELERATION (2012)
Leonard sings part of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

PSYCH: THE MOVIE (TV Movie 2017)
Shawn says, "Gus, don't be the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile."

F IS FOR FAMILY
THE MAHOGANY FORTRESS (2021)
Frank mistakenly thinks that the Grinch died at the end of this.

Hopefully, there should be at least two more inductions into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame.  Hmmmm....  I'm getting on in years, maybe I should set them up in advance.

HoHoHo!

 

MONDAY MEMORIAL TVXOHOF TRIBUTE - CHUCK WOOLERY

As Prime-Time marches on, I’m afraid the TVXOHOF will be doing more of these tributes than the regularly scheduled monthly showcases….

From the Associated Press:

Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of "Wheel of Fortune," "Love Connection" and "Scrabble" who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83.

Mark Young, Woolery's podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. "Chuck was a dear friend and brother and a tremendous man of faith, life will not be the same without him," Young wrote.

Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978.

In 1983, Woolery began an 11-year run as host of TV's "Love Connection," for which he coined the phrase, "We'll be back in two minutes and two seconds," a two-fingered signature dubbed the "2 and 2." In 1984, he hosted TV's "Scrabble," simultaneously hosting two game shows on TV until 1990.

"Love Connection," which aired long before the dawn of dating apps, had a premise that featured either a single man or single woman who would watch audition tapes of three potential mates and then pick one for a date.

From Wikipedia:

Charles Herbert Woolery (March 16, 1941 – November 23, 2024) was an American game show host, talk show host, actor, and musician.

He had long-running tenures hosting several game shows. Woolery was the original host of the original daytime 'Wheel of Fortune' (1975–1981), the original incarnation of 'Love Connection' (1983–1994), 'Scrabble' (1984–1990, and during a brief revival in 1993), 'Greed' on Fox from 1999 to 2000, and 'Lingo' on Game Show Network from 2002 to 2007.

Woolery's musical career includes several advertising jingles, a top-40 pop hit with the psychedelic pop duo The Avant-Garde, and a number of country music releases.

Here are Woolery’s credits as himself which qualified him to be inducted into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame….

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

160 episodes (1975-1981)

Daytime version of the game show in which contestants guess letters in order to complete a word, phrase or name.

Since 'Wheel of Fortune' (1975) was doing well in the daytime rating hours, host Chuck Woolery asked for parity with what Richard Dawson was making since the show was beating 'Family Feud' (1976). Merv Griffin offered to increase Woolery's salary to $400,000, however, Woolery refused to take no less than $500,000. When NBC offered to pay Woolery the other $100,000, Griffin was angered and threatened to take the show to CBS. With both parties unwilling to compromise, Griffin fired Woolery and replaced him with Pat Sajak. Woolery's last show televised on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25th, 1981.

FAMILY

THURSDAY'S CHILD (1976)
A clip from 'Wheel of Fortune' was heard in the show as Buddy and her brother Willie ate pizza while watching.  Willie pointed out that the correct answer was "DROMEDARY".

O'Bservation:
I just watched the episode, and the only game show clip I heard was for something called "You Got It".  I think the rights to use that original audio clip did not extend to syndication and so an alternate had to be created in order to fit the dialogue referencing the game on the screen.

HOLLYWOOD SQUARES

[All Incarnations]
1978
1984
1987-1988
2002-2004

CHiPs
THE GREAT 5K STAR RACE AND BOULDER WRAP PARTY PART 2 (1980)

The CHP fundraiser is a success with plenty of celebrities participating.

LOVE CONNECTION

2145 episodes (1983-1994)

This game show introduced a bachelor or bachelorette to three prospective dates, each of whom gave a self-introduction. The audience would select the partner they thought was the most compatible. If the guest agreed with the audience's selection, the show would pay for the couple's first date. Afterwards, the couple would return to the show to tell everyone whether it had been a dream date or a nightmare.

O'Bservation:
If it weren't for this show, Woolery might not have made it into the Hall.

IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW

IT'S GARRY AND ANGELICA'S SHOW
PARTS 1 & 2 (Both 1987)

Part 1: Garry as a contestant on 'Love Connection', with his date Angelica being played by Jennifer Tilly.
Part 2: 'Love Connection' is featured in a recap of the previous episode played at the top of the show.

227

A DATE TO REMEMBER (1989)

After going on 'Love Connection', Sandra endures a series of mishaps involving her date's ex-wife.

THE CHUCK WOOLERY SHOW

65 episodes (1991)

Chuck Woolery, the host of 'Love Connection', takes a dive in the talk-show waters.

MELROSE PLACE
AND THE WINNER IS... (1995)

WHAT COMES UP, MUST COME DOWN (1996)

SISTER, SISTER

DADDY'S GIRL (1996)

O'Bservation:

Added bonus - The girls' mother thought that Woolery's talk show in the dream sequence was actually 'Love Connection'.

SCRUBS

MY CAKE (2004)
Chuck Woolery appears in Turk's "Love Connection" dream. (Not seen)

While Turk was taking a nap, Chuck visited the hospital and talked with Carla and Molly. He told them that 'The Love Connection' was still being made, but wasn't on TV anymore. He told them that he made new episodes in his basement with different women from the neighborhood.  Later, when J.D. was feeling alone and sad because of his dad's death, Chuck hugged him.

DROP DEAD DIVA

DO OVER (2009)
Dream Judge/Deam Game Show Host

O'Bservation:
The dream game show was 'What's Your Verdict?'

Mr. Woolery also appeared in commercials for Blue-Emu, Lipton Sizzle & Stir, Generation America, Willow Curve, Australian Dream, Medical +DirectClub, the US Money Reserve and 1-800-COLLECT (Pictured)

And it turns out that as himself, Woolery was a multi-dimensional, appearing in the Tooniverse....

THE CLEVELAND SHOW
LOVE ROLLERCOASTER (2010)

Welcome to the Hall, Chuck.