TVXOHOF, MARCH 2025 - HERCULES (AKA KEVIN SORBO)

With March, the Television Crossover Hall of Fame gets at least one member of the League of Themselves into its ranks.

This year, it's a little bit different - the character was the real person and the League of Themselves member was the fictional character, not just the fictional television of a real-world person.

HERCULES

AKA

KEVIN SORBO

From Wikipedia:
Kevin David Sorbo (born September 24, 1958) is an American actor. He had a starring role in two television series: as Hercules in 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys' (1995–1999.)

In 1993, Sorbo received his breakthrough leading role as the ancient greek demigod Hercules in a series of five television films that aired as part of Universal Television's Action Pack.

The first film to premiere was "Hercules and the Amazon Women", which aired in April 1994, the others following later in the year. The ratings success of the films paved the way for the commission of the television series 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys', which started airing in syndication from January 1995 and ran for six seasons. The series made Sorbo an international star and was one of the highest rated syndicated television shows at the time.  The show was filmed in New Zealand.

The success of the show spawned the popular spin-off series 'Xena: Warrior Princess' starring Lucy Lawless, who was introduced in a three-episode arc in the first season of Hercules. This allowed several characters from both shows to make crossover appearances. In 1998, a spin-off direct-to-video, animated film titled "Hercules and Xena – The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus" was released with both Sorbo and Lawless voicing the characters.

'Hercules' was canceled midway through the filming of Season Six, of which only eight episodes were produced. The final episode aired in November 1999.  Although it was not revealed at the time, health issues reduced Sorbo's abilities to perform the physically demanding role during the later seasons. Sorbo made his final appearance as Hercules on 'Xena', in the Season Five episode "God Fearing Child", which aired in February 2000.

Here are the reasons why Hercules (aka Kevin Sorbo) is now in the TVXOHOF.  Usually a list like this is in broadcast order, and for the most part, it is.  However, this list should be seen also as a timeline in the honoree's life, the first half in the Age of Legend and the second part in the last few years of the 20th Century onward into the new millennium.

HERCULES AND THE AMAZON WOMEN (1994)

From the IMDb:
Hercules and Iolaus take time out from Iolaus' wedding preparations, to help a distant village under attack from "monsters". When they reach their destination, they find the monsters are in fact Amazonian women who are controlled by Hera.

HERCULES AND THE LOST KINGDOM (1994)

From the IMDb:
Hercules comes to the aid of a young woman who is seeking the lost city of Troy. He leads her to a camp of refugees from the city, which has been taken over by Hera's Blue Priests. Hercules helps the refugees take back the city.

HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
- HERCULES AND THE CIRCLE OF FIRE (1994)

From the IMDb:
Hercules and Deianeira go in search of fire to save the world from cold. All the world's fires are fast going out. Hercules' father, Zeus, is on hand to help (and sometimes hinder) the two.

HERCULES IN THE UNDERWORLD (1994)

From the IMDb:
A woman asks Hercules for his help because a hole leading to the underworld has opened up in her village. Hercules wants to help her, despite knowing that she comes from a group of women notorious for leading men to their doom.

HERCULES IN THE MAZE OF THE MINOTAUR (1994)

From the IMDb:
Hercules has settled down with his wife and children, but misses the good old days travelling around having exciting adventures. One day, he is persuaded out of his farming retirement to help a distant village which is being attacked.

HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
111 EPISODES (1995-1999)

From the IMDb:
Hercules is half-man, half-god and a hero of fantastic strength. After his malevolent stepmother, Hera, kills his wife and children, he wanders about Earth with mortal best friend Iolaus, fighting evil and trying to overcome his loss.

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
PROMETHEUS (1998)

From the IMDb:
Prometheus is chained by Hera and humanity loses all the gifts that received from the titan, including the fire and the ability to heal. Xena and Gabrielle join forces with Hercules and Iolaus to free Prometheus, but Xena and Hercules know it is a suicide mission: the one who uses the only sword that can break Prometheus' chains will instantly die. Mission accomplished. Xena and Hercules exchange a kiss as do Iolaus and Gabrielle.

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
GOD FEARING CHILD (2000)

From the IMDb:
When Zeus learns that Xena's unborn child is part of a prophecy that foretells Zeus's demise, he launches an attack against the pregnant warrior princess, prompting Hercules to fly to her rescue.

O'Bservation:
The following episode of 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys' explains why we're celebrating Hercules and Kevin Sorbo as one person....

HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A HERCULES (1998)

From the IMDb:
Kevin Sorbo doesn't show up for filming in New Zealand after an earthquake hits Los Angeles, and the rest of the staff frantically tries to either locate him or find a replacement.

From the "Hercules" wiki:
Strife says Ares' idea to cause the earthquake was "a stroke of genius." Ares says he knew his brother would not put the show above saving innocent lives. Ares says that his brother's "legendary journeys" will soon be over and he can watch Millennium in peace. They hear a voice from the doorway and look to see Hercules in a suit. Ares says he is pathetic for pretending to be a mortal called "Kevin Sorbo". He mentions that his father, Zeus, thinks poorly of actors, with Hercules asking him when he cared about what Zeus thinks. He then says, "The world isn't ready for the truth." Ares swears they will meet again and he and Strife vanish.

Hercules unfreezes everyone and they are glad to see him, he tells them he was stuck in traffic, because "after all I'm only human." As everyone leaves to get the show in production, a news report by Mary Contrary states that an unknown figure has prevented a lot of casualties in the earthquake that happened.

CHEERS
LICENSE TO HILL (1992)

O'Bservation:
Mostly, unknown at the time, Sorbo appeared as a bar patron.  But nothing says that he couldn't have been the televersion of Kevin Sorbo (the human alias for Hercules.)

DON'T TRUST THE B IN APARTMENT 23
THE WEDDING... (2012)

From the IMDb:
Even Chloe is impressed by model pupil June's progress after lessons in New York-styled assertive attitude, but now feels somewhat threatened when June steps into the limelight with James. However, the cocky act shrivels when June is invited to her former fiancé Steven's wedding. James agrees to play along after Chloe gets them in at the arm of Hercules star Kevin Sorbo, whom she made believe it's a benefit for his mother's disease, MS.

And that's all I have to say about Mr. Sorbo. 

TVXOHOF - FEBRUARY FRIDAY FAREWELL FOR ROBERTA FLACK

We’re closing out Black History Month with a sad tribute, a memorial induction….

From Billboard:
Roberta Flack, the beloved, Grammy-winning 1970s singer best known for such hits as “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly” died on Monday (Feb. 24, 2025) at 88. At press time a statement from Flack’s spokesperson revealed that she died peacefully, with no official cause of death available.

“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, Feb. 24, 2025,” read the statement. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”

A master of the “quiet storm” style, Flack’s effortless, soothing vocals soon became a staple of R&B and pop radio, leading to a two-decade run of chart hits.

An activist and philanthropist, Flack remained a teacher at heart. She established the Roberta Flack Foundation in 2010 to help young people fulfill their dreams through education and mentorship.

ROBERTA FLACK

From Wikipedia:
Roberta Cleopatra Flack (February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025) was an American singer and pianist known for her emotive, genre-blending ballads that spanned R&B, jazz, folk, and pop and contributed to the birth of quiet storm. Her commercial success included the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping singles "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly with His Song", and "Feel Like Makin' Love". She became the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in consecutive years.

Flack frequently collaborated with Donny Hathaway, with whom she recorded several hit duets, including "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You". As one of the defining voices of 1970s popular music, she remained active in the industry, later finding success with duets such as "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" with Peabo Bryson (1983) and "Set the Night to Music" with Maxi Priest (1991). Across her decades-long career, she interpreted works by songwriters such as Leonard Cohen and members of the Beatles. In 2020, Flack received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

O’Bservation:
I can’t say if I would have thought of checking her credits on IMDb had she not died.  But it would likely have happened because I’m always afraid I won’t have enough candidates for the February Induction berth in years to come (which hopefully I have.)  At the same time, she probably would have come to mind because she fits the kind of cameo appearance of a celebrity in soap operas – a singer who comes to whatever fictional town which is the location of the series, in order to perform at some kind of gala.

Here are the appearances which qualified her inclusion into the TVXOHOF.  I’m sorry I didn’t think of inducting her while she was still here, not that I’m deluding myself that any of the actors & celebrities honored here ever learn of it.

We’ll start this off with an appearance she made on THE late night talk show, one which is a member of the TVXOHOF.

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON
(Seen here July, 1978)

O'Bservation:
Between 1970-1984, Ms. Flack appeared on the talk show nine times.

ANOTHER WORLD
1] EPISODE NOVEMBER 17 (1983)

Louise Mandrell & Roberta Flack entertain at a fund-raiser for Abel Marsh's eye clinic held at the Warehouse Club.

“Making Love”
Written by Carole Bayer Sager, Burt Bacharach and Bruce Roberts
Performed by Roberta Flack

2] EPISODE NOVEMBER 18 (1983)

Conclusion of Louise Mandrell & Roberta Flack entertaining at a fund-raiser for Abel Marsh's eye clinic.

“I'm the One”
Written by William Eaton, Ralph MacDonald and William Salter
Performed by Roberta Flack

THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE (1988)

From the Macy's Parade Wiki:
Flack sang "Oasis" from her first solo album at the 62nd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while riding Macy's own Watering Can.

O’Bservation:
I’m adding this because the parade will be inducted later this year….

GUIDING LIGHT
EPISODE MAY 1, 1992 (1992)

“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
Written by Ewan MacColl
Performed by Roberta Flack

LOVING
EPISODE 1.2516 (1993)

NEW YORK UNDERCOVER

CHECKMATE (1996)

A mob hit man's widow poses as a police officer to carry out a murder of a fellow crook in Williams and Torres' precinct.

“Killing Me Softly”
Music by Charles Fox and lyrics by Norman Gimbel
Performed by Roberta Flack

Good night and may God bless, Ms. Flack.

TVXOHOF - AL TRAUTWIG [A BIRTHDAY MEMORIAL TRIBUTE]

Normally, sports reporters wouldn’t make it into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame just for doing their job.  But if an excerpt of their onscreen reporting is seen on a television set belonging to a fictional character, even if it’s a fictional sports event, that would count as part of the sportscaster’s qualifications to be inducted into the Hall.  (This was the case for Vin Scully.)  If they appear just as a regular member of the League of Themselves in an “ordinary” slice of life (like Bob Uecker), then they could become a Hall member as well.

But this may be a special situation….

From ESPN:
Al Trautwig, one of the most recognizable sports broadcasters in New York and a fixture at numerous international sporting events for more than three decades, has died. He was 68.

Trautwig's son, Alex, told The Associated Press his father died Sunday at his home on Long Island from complications of cancer.

Trautwig was part of MSG pre- and postgame broadcasts of the NBA's Knicks, NHL's Rangers and Major League Baseball's Yankees. He also worked 16 Olympics, the Indianapolis 500, the Tour de France and the US Open tennis tournament and won four national Emmy Awards and more than 30 in New York.

"Al was a staple on MSG Networks' Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable," MSG said in a statement. "He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al's family and friends."

For many fans watching games on TV in New York, Trautwig's voice was often the first they heard. With a natural storytelling style, he used his pregame introductions to make big games at Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium feel even bigger, while rarely needing to raise the level of his voice.

MSG Networks studio analyst Alan Hahn, who called Trautwig a friend, mentor and a career resource of support, said the accomplished sportscaster "was a skilled host who knew how to make every game feel like something you don't want to miss."

"We lost a legendary voice in sports. But we lost a lot more than that," Hahn wrote in a series of social media posts. "Al Trautwig had an amazing voice and knew how to use it the way a tenor could bring depth and intensity to a song. ... He loved sports and had incredible versatility from baseball to basketball and hockey. And that's not even counting his incredible work at the Olympics."

Trautwig only had one appearance as his fictional televersion.  But even though that cameo was only in one episode, it was in a powerhouse series in the foundation of the TV Universe, with plenty of other shows in that franchise linked to it.  I think that with the “Empire of the Wolf” behind him, it is enough to bring several of his of sportscasting appearances along for the ride.  Along with a movie!

It’s likely that it could be argued that many of his appearances in so many sports presentations could be included, even if there isn’t any evidence that he showed up in fictional TV shows to back that claim up.  But the odds are likely that there are a few TV characters who watched those sporting events during which Trautwig appeared – Oscar Madison of ‘The Odd Couple’ and Arliss Michaels from ‘Arli$$’ to name just two. Both men might have even known his televersion.

But I still have enough verified televersions of some of those sporting events for which he would have appeared on TV sets in Toobworld.  And so we’re honoring him today.  An important day, as it turns out….

AL TRAUTWIG

From Wikipedia:
Alan "Al" Trautwig (February 26, 1956 – February 23, 2025) was an American sports commentator who worked with MSG Network, ABC, NBC, NBC Sports Network, and USA Network. He most recently did pre-game and post-game shows for the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, as well as fill-in play-by-play for both teams.

From Caleb Bouchy on X:
If you watched Arena Football during our NBC era in the early 2000s, you definitely saw his face. Al was the lead studio host for the AFL on NBC from 2003-2006. One of the best to ever do it.

The following screencaps are from a video produced by USA Today:

Here are the shows which qualify him for membership in the TVXOHOF:

In 1994, Trautwig hosted his own eponymous talk show, so I’m including that in his tally.

THE AL TRAUTWIG SHOW (1994 -?)

Here is that one appearance by his fictional televersion….

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
AMERICAN DISGRACE (2014)

From the IMDb:
A basketball legend is accused of raping multiple women, but exactly what role did the powerful CEO of the sports apparel company who had a contract with him play in the situation?

Basketball superstar Shakir "The Shark" Wilkins announces his partnership with the Orion Bay clothing line, owned by billionaire Orion Bauer and his daughter Cordelia. But the SVU intervenes when Orion press rep Carla Cannon tells reporters she was raped by Wilkins. When more women come forward, Benson and Detective Carisi disagree on the authenticity of each woman's story, and Barba takes a shaky case to court. Meanwhile, the case takes Rollins to her former precinct in Atlanta, where ex-colleagues bring up old memories.

From a 'Law & Order' Wiki:
Over the course of his career, Trautwig won four national Emmy Awards, 28 New York Emmys and a New York State Sportscaster of the Year Award.

He covered 16 Olympic games for NBC, ABC and CBS and began his career calling New York Apollo soccer games in 1978 for Adelphi's student-run radio station WBAU before broadcasting their matches on WMCA radio after graduating.

VANCOUVER 2010: XXI OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
CONNECTION:
30 ROCK
In one episode, Jack Donahy mentioned that NBC would be covering that event. 

O'Bservation:
So, in this case, it was a projection of Trautwig appearing on Toobworld TVs in that near future.

CALGARY 1988: XV OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
CONNECTION:
MONDAY NIGHT MAYHEM
One of the characters mentioned the Olympics for that year.

O’Bservation:
This would suggest that Al Trautwig was a multidimensional.  “Monday Night Mayhem” can be found in the alt-Toobworld dimension of Toobworld-Toobworld, which is founded on the TV movies and certain TV show episodes which show the behind the scenes activities which would lead to the production of TV shows.

But the 1988 Winter Olympics still has a presence in the main Toobworld.  However, TV characters had to go to the movie theaters to make its presence legitimate.  

There is a movie which gave the 1988 Jamaican bobsled team a “Cineversion” in the main Toobworld – similar to televersions, but these are real world people who are seen as movie characters.

COOL RUNNINGS (1993)

This movie will not be absorbed into Earth Prime-Time, as the real world version already existed there, as seen on TV.  But even so, this is a movie which qualifies for membership in the TV Crossover Hall of Fame… as a movie, in much the same way as "The Wizard of Oz" and "It's A Wonderful Life" have.

And with these shows, there are characters within them who have seen that movie, in which Al Trautwig appeared as himself:

• 30 ROCK
• KING OF QUEENS
• NYPD BLUE
• NIGHT COURT
• ONE TREE HILL
• DERRY GIRLS
• SUBURGATORY
• AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS
• ALMOST ROYAL

So having seen the movie, they've seen Trautwig.  As far as I'm concerned, that's like an unspoken reference.  So that counts as nine more connections.  

Al Trautwig died three days before his birthday.  Today is that day.  So I’m offering up this tribute as a remembrance for that occasion.

Good night, Mr. Trautwig, and may God bless.