JANUARY SIX - REMEMBERING SHERLOCK HOLMES ON HIS BIRTHDAY (COMIC BOOK UNIVERSE)

For several years now, Toobworld Central has celebrated Sherlock Holmes on what many Sherlockians/Holmesians consider to be his birthday.  (Although there is some disagreement - click here.)  

And because I count myself among that original (and more respectable) group of January Sixers, the TVXOHOF continues that tradition today....

From the FB page, “The Crossover Universe” (April 25, 2025)
By Jess Nevins:

I'm more than a little surprised that nobody ever caught this one, from the Zatara story in ACTION COMICS #21 (on-sale date Dec 24, 1939).

(Holmes' name doesn't come up in the rest of the story, and nothing more is made of Zatara being in Holmes' old stomping grounds).

There have been many movie and TV appearances by Sherlock Holmes over the last century, and unless they are played by the same actor, each of those productions need to be shuttled off to separate fictional universes.

New pastiches of the Holmes Mythos appear weekly in story form, whether as short stories or novels, and for the most part they can be treated as existing in the same universe.  (There are a few tales too outlandish to be reconciled with the established canon.)  

As they all exist in the mind of the reader, it is their imagination which blends the portrayals together.  (And while Sir Arthur Conan Doyle defined the appearance of Holmes with words, it was Sidney Paget who first provided the artistic template upon which every fan builds their mental vision of the Great Detective.

The overall comic book universe is not my bailiwick; I’m a Toobworld Curator (mostly retired).  But it’s my contention that for the most part, any Sherlock Holmes story illustrated for comic books belongs in the same dimension as the others, no matter the different styles of artwork.  It’s the story which remains key; the artwork merely illustrated that story for the reader.

What I especially liked about this fleeting mention of Holmes in a story about Zatara is that it can be shared by so many Sherlock Holmes stories in comic books, no matter if their storyline is too contradictory to the greater output of stories.  Most of that is due primarily to Holmes only being mentioned, and the statement about him is probably considered to be an established fact by many fans.

So, what Jess Nevins has brought up is not only a damned good crossover (I will have to check my books by Win Scott Eckert and Sean Lee Levin to see if Zatara is considered part of the Wold Newton Universe.  I’ll get back to you before this is posted; I’m writing it in April of 2025), but it could be a nexus point for so many Sherlock Holmes stories in the Greater Metafictional Universe for all media, including Toobworld.

THE HAT SQUAD 2025 - ACTORS & PERSONALITIES

ACTORS & PERSONALITIES

ACTORS
Julien Poulin ('True North', 'Leo', 'Bob Gratton, My Life')
Emilio Echevarrio ('Mozart In The Jungle', 'Sexo y Otros Secretos')
Dale Wilson ('Dragon Ball Z', 'Martin Mystery', 'G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero')
Billy Byrge ('Hey Vern, It's Ernest!')
Claude Jarman, Jr. ('Centennial', 'Wagon Train', 'The Best of the Post')
Kim Yaroshevskaya ('Passe-Partout', 'Fanfreluche', 'Home Fires')
James McEachin ('Tenafly', 'Matlock', 'Perry Mason Mysteries', 'Columbo')
Leslie Charleson ('General Hospital', 'Port Charles', 'GH: Night Shift', TVXOHOF)
Jack De Mave ('Lassie', 'Days Of Our Lives', 'The Bold & The Beautiful')
Robert Machray ('Cheers', 'Thanks', 'Roseanne', 'Titus', 'Parks & Recreation')
Tony Slattery ('Whose Line Is It Anyway?', 'Kingdom', 'Gems', 'This Is David Harper', 'Coronation Street', 'Jackanory', 'Behind The Bike Sheds', 'Just A Gigolo')
Diane Langton ('HollyOaks', 'EastEnders', 'Only Fools And Horses')
Christopher Benjamin ('Poldark', 'Doctor Who', 'The Prisoner', 'The Avengers') 
Francisco San Martin ('The Bold and The Beautiful', 'Days Of Our Lives', 'Jane the Virgin') 
Jan Shepard ('Clear Horizon', 'Dr. Christian', 'Perry Mason')
Joan Plowright ('Encore! Encore!', "Driving Miss Daisy", "The Diary of Anne Frank", "Scrooge and Marley", "Back To The Secret Garden", 'Wagner')
Ze'ev Revach ('Papa', 'State Rules', 'Dani VeGil', 'Smachot', 'The Truck')
Joyce Piven ('Entourage', 'The Untouchables', mother of Jeremy Piven)
Chuck Sochowski ('Hoolihan & Big Chuck Show', 'Big Chuck & Li'l John Show')
Leila Hayes ('Sons & Daughters', 'Division 4', 'Twenty Good Years', 'Homicide')
Yogesh Mahajan ('Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman', 'Devan Ke Dev, Mahadev')
Nicholas Eadie ('Cop Shop', 'Vietnam', "Fragments of War: The Story of Damien Parer")
Mara Corday (''The Adventures of Kit Carson', 'Craig Kennedy, Criminologist')
Horst Janson ('Storm of Love', 'Der Bastien', 'Salto Mortale', 'For Heaven's Sake')
Merle Louise ('Law & Order', "Into The Woods", 4 Sondheim original roles)
Brian Murphy ('Last of the Summer Wine', 'Man About The House'/'George and Mildred'/'The English Programme', 'Lame Ducks', 'Pond Life', 'Brookside', 'Not So Much A Programme, More A Way Of Life',  'L For Lester', 'Incredible Mr. Tanner')
Tony Roberts ('The Four Seasons', 'Rosetti and Ryan', 'The Thorns', 'The Lucie Arnaz Show', 'Law & Order', 'All My Children', 'The Carol Burnett Show', 'The Love Boat', 'The Edge Of Night', 'Trials of O'Brien', 'The Love Boat', 'Matlock', 'Hotel')
Peter Navy Tuiasopo ('Hawaii', 'Danger Theatre', 'Down The Shore', 'Y&R')
Barbie Hsu ('Meteor Garden', 'Summer Desire', 'Corner With Love', 'Mars')
Olga James ('The Bill Cosby Show', 'SeaLab 2020')
Paquito la del Barrio ('Maria Mercedes', 'La Familia P. Luche', 'Velo de Novia')
Peter Jason ('Deadwood', 'Gunsmoke', 'Baskets', 'Mike Hammer, Private Eye')

Lynne Marie Stewart ('PeeWee's Playhouse', 'It's Always Sunny', 'M*A*S*H')
Alice Hirson (The Edge of Night', 'Somerset', 'One Life To Live', 'Another World', 'Dallas', 'Ellen', '7th Heaven', 'General Hospital')
Michelle Trachtenberg ('Buffy The Vampire Slayer', 'Gossip Girl', 'Meego', 'Mercy')
Gene Hackman ('Brenner', 'United States Steel Hour', 'The Defenders', 'Naked City', 'Route 66', 'The Trials Of O'Brien', 'I Spy', 'East Side/West Side, 'Laugh-In', 'The Invaders', 'The F.B.I.', 'Iron Horse', 'Hawk', 'Insight', 'Tallahassee 7000', 'Look Up And Live', 'DuPont Show Of The Week', 'CBS Playhouse'.  This being a salute to people who expanded the TV Universe, I'll leave his incredible body of work in the Cineverse to others.  But I will mention "The Poseidon Adventure" because it is in the TV Universe, although it has a separate identity from the movie.)
David Johansen ('Oz', 'Centaurworld', 'The Equalizer', 'Miami Vice', 'Cupid', 'Deadline', 'Saturday Night Live' [as Buster Poindexter])
Craig Richard Nelson ('Friends & Lovers', 'Fernwood Tonight', 'Mary Hartman')
Katherine Apanowicz ('EastEnders', 'Angels', 'Calendar')
George Lowe ('Robot Chicken', 'Aqua Teen Hunger Force', 'Space Ghost C2C')
Simon Fisher-Becker ('Doctor Who', 'Waterside', 'Puppy Love', '3some', 'Vicious')
Dave Mallow ('Mighty Morphin Power Rangers', 'Eyeshield 21', 'Kyo kara Mao')
Pamela Bach ('Baywatch', 'Sirens', 'The Young & The Restless', 'Knight Rider')
Rob de Nijs ('Hamelen', 'Oebele', Prikkebeen')
Emilie Dequenne (L'ecole de la vie', 'An Ordinary Man', 'Anee Zero')
Armando Aguirre ('El Cor de la Ciutat', 'Estudio 1')
Antonio Gasalla ('Susana Gimenez', Gasalla en la Tele', 'Los Vecinas en guerra')
Lenny Schultz ('Laugh-In', 'Ball Four', 'Late Summer Early Fall Bert Convy Show')
Clive Revill ('Snorks', 'Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future', 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures', 'Midnight Patrol Adventures in the Dream Zone', 'Dragon's Lair', 'Alvin and the Chipmunks', 'My Little Pony', 'Wizards and Warriors', 'Centennial',  'George Washington', 'Batman', 'Murder, She Wrote', 'Faerie Tale Theatre', 'Dynasty', 'Columbo', 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', 'Murphy Brown', 'Newhart', "Masterpiece of Murder")
Sian Barbara Allen ('Gunsmoke', 'The Waltons', "Scream, Pretty Peggy", 'Ironside', "The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case", 'Captains and the Kings', 'Columbo', "Eric")
Dennis Arndt ('Picket Fences', 'Annie McGuire', 'L.A. Law', 'Providence, 'Brothers & Sisters', 'The Practice', 'The Home Court', 'Columbo')
Richard Chamberlain ('Dr. Kildare', 'Centennial', 'Shogun', 'The Thorn Birds', 'Island Son', 'The Bourne Identity', 'Leverage', 'The Drew Carey Show', 'Blackbeard, 'Twin Peaks')
Lee Montague ('Seconds Out', 'Bergerac', 'Feet First', 'Joe', 'Jesus of Nazareth')
Patty Maloney ('Star Wars Holiday Special', 'Far Out Space Nuts', 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman', 'The Little Rascals', 'Dumbo's Circus', 'AJ's Time Travelers')
Val Kilmer ('Knight Rider', "The Murders In The Rue Morgue", "The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains', 'Psych', 'Entourage', 'Comanche Moon', 'Numb3rs', 'The Spoils of Babylon', 'Life's Too Shirt', 'Ghost Ghirls")
Bruce Glover ('The Good Guys', 'Gunsmoke', 'Switch', '$6,000,000 Man')
Jay North ('Dennis The Menace', 'Maya', 'The Pebbles & Bamm-Bamm Show', 'Arabian Knights', 'Here Comes The Grump', 'The Banana Splits Adventure Hour')
Robert Trebor ('Hercules: The Legendary Journeys', 'Xena: Warrior Princess')
John Saint Ryan ('Roar', 'Coronation Street', 'EZ Streets', 'MacGyver', 'Babylon 5')
Gordon Faith ('Crossroads', 'Doctor Who', 'When The Boat Comes In', 'Freewheelers'
Paul Karo ('The Box', 'Prisoner', 'Homicide', 'Division 4', 'Cop Shop', 'Carson's Law')
Colin Fox ('Nero Wolfe Mysteries', 'Psi Factor', 'Shirley Holmes', 'Babar', 'Strange Paradise', 'Atomic Betty', 'Bolts & Blips', 'Henry's World', 'Beetlejuice', 'Rupert')
Joey D. Vieira ('Lassie', 'The Pride Of The Family', 'Hank', 'Moonlighting', 'Ohara')
Brandyn Barbara Artis ('Man From Atlantis', 'General Hospital', 'The White Shadow')
Mel Novak ('Mannix', 'The FBI', 'Ark II', 'Baretta', 'The Blue Knight')
Mike Berry ('Are You Being Served?', 'Worzel Gummidge', The Parkies', )
Jean Marsh ('Upstairs, Downstairs' & sequel, 'Nine to Five', 'The Informer', 'The Ghost Hunter', 'The Tomorrow People', 'All New Alexei Sayle Show', 'No Strings', 'Sensitive Skin', 'The Saint', 'The Twilight Zone', 'Doctor Who', 'I Spy', 'The Persuaders!', 'Willow', 'Grantchester', 'The Waltons', 'Hawaii Five-O', 'Love Boat')
Sophie Nyweide ('Law & Order', 'What Would You Do?')
Nicky Katt ('Herbie the Love Bug', 'King of the Hill', 'The Get Along Gang', 'V')
Patrick Adiarte ('M*A*S*H', 'The Brady Bunch', 'Kojak', 'Ironside', 'Bonanza')
Gerard Kennedy ('Division 4', 'Hunter', 'Thunderstone', 'Skyways')
Will Hutchins ('Sugarfoot' [TVXOHOF member], 'Blondie', 'Hey, Landlord') 
Lar Park Lincoln ('Knots Landing', 'City of Justice', 'Murder, She Wrote')
Priscilla Pointer ('Dallas', 'Call To Glory', 'L.A. Law', 'Hemingway', 'The Flash')
Ruth Buzzi ('Laugh-In', 'Sesame Street', 'The Lost Saucer', 'The Savage Dragon', 'The Pink Panther', 'Cro', 'Pound Puppies', 'That Girl', 'Paw Paws')
Joan O'Brien ('Perry Mason', 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.', 'The Dick Van Dyke Show', 'Bachelor Father', 'Bat Masterson', 'Wagon Train', 'Rawhide', 'Surfside 6')
Kirk Medas ('Everybody Hates Kyle')
Charley Scalies ('The Wire', 'The Sopranos', 'Law & Order' & 'SVU', 'Cold Case')
Joe Don Baker ('Eischeid', 'In The Heat Of The Night', 'Edge of Darkness', 'Lancer')
Kathleen Hughes ('Bracken's World', 'The Ghost & Mrs. Muir', 'Bachelor Father')
George Wendt ('Cheers'/'Wings'/'Family Guy'/'The Simpsons'/'St. Elsewhere' - TVXOHOF, 'Clipped', 'Saturday Night Live', 'Naked Truth', 'Sabrina The Teenaged Witch', 'Making the Grade', 'Modern Men', 'Fancy Nancy', 'Madigan Men', 'Taxi', 'Alice', 'Soap', 'Roc', 'Spin City', 'Columbo', 'The George Wendt Show')
Michael McStay ('No Hiding Place', 'Coronation Street', 'The Black Arrow', 'Doctor Who', 'The Passenger', 'The Avengers', 'The Persuaders!', 'Z Cars', 'The Bill', 'Bust')
Loretta Swit ('M*A*S*H', 'The Love Boat', 'Hawaii Five-0', 'Gunsmoke')
Denise Alexander ('General Hospital', 'Days of Our Lives', 'Clear Horizons', 'Another World', 'Sunset Beach', 'The Inn', 'Pretty The Series', 'Tom Corbett, Space Cadet')
Valerie Mahaffey ('The Doctors', 'Northern Exposure', 'The Powers That Be', 'Glee', 'Young Sheldon', 'Fresno', 'United States of Tara', 'Desperate Housewives', 'Women of the House', 'Big Sky', 'ER', 'Dead To Me', 'Devious Maids', 'Monday Mornings', 'The Client', 'Wings', 'Hart of Dixie', 'Echo 3', 'Seinfeld', 'Dream On', 'West Wing')
Renee Victor ('Weeds', 'Snowpiercer', 'With Love', 'The Addams Family' cartoon)
Jonathan Joss ('King of the Hill', 'Parks & Recreation', 'Walker, Texas Ranger')
Harris Yulin ('WIOU', 'Ozark', '24', 'Billions', 'Divorce', 'Nikita', 'Mr. Sterling')
Chris Robinson ('General Hospital', 'The Bold & The Beautiful', '12 O'Clock High')
David Hekili Kenui Bell ('Magnum P.I.', 'Hawaii Five-0')
Lynn Hamilton ('Generations', 'Sanford & Son', 'Dangerous Women', 'Waltons')
Gunilla Knudson (Noxzema Shaving Cream commercials, "Gidget Grows Up")
Joe Marinelli ('Santa Barbara', 'The Morning Show', 'General Hospital')
Michael Madsen ('Vengeance Unlimited', 'Powers', 'Big Time In Hollywood, Fl.', '24', 'Big Apple', 'Our Family Honor')
Julian McMahon ('nip/tuck', 'Charmed', 'FBI: Most Wanted')
James Carter Cathcart ('Pokemon' franchise, 'Yu-Gi-Oh', 'The Slayers'
Joanna Bacon ('Breeders', 'Berkeley Square', 'The Bill', 'Him & Her', 'EastEnders')
Judy Loe ('Ace of Wands', 'Space Island One', 'Revelations', Kate Beckinsale's Ma)
Kenneth Colley ('I Remember Nelson', 'Return To Treasure Island', 'Moving Story', 'EastEnders', 'The Danedyke Mysteries', 'Pennies From Heaven', 'The Bill', 'The Queen', "Wallenberg", 'The Nine Tailors', 'Ripping Yarns', "Star Wars" Admiral Piett)
Tom Troupe ('Star Trek', "The Alpha Cooper", 'Who's The Boss', 'MH, MH')
Eileen Fulton ('As The World Turns', 'Our Private World', 'True Story', 'Nero Wolfe')
Malcolm-Jamal Warner ('The Cosby Show', 'The Resident', 'Malcolm & Eddie',  'The Magic School Bus', 'Jeremiah', 'Reed Between The Lines',  'Listen Up', 'Major Crimes',  'Here and Now', 'Not All Hood', 'Sherri', '10 Days in the Valley', 'Suits')
Jimmy Hunt (1940s movie child actor - 'Firesign Theatre')
Harry Standjofski ('Yakari', 'Mumble Bumble', 'Winx Club', 'Alice In Borderland')
Alon Aboutboul ('Snowfall', '3Below: Tales of Acadia', 'Sirens', 'The German')
Loni Anderson ('WKRP In Cincinnati', 'My Sister Is So Gay', 'Nurses', 'Easy Street')
Kelley Mack ('The Walking Dead', 'Coventry', 'The College Tapes', 'Chicago Med')
Danielle Harris ('What's Happening!!'/'What's Happening Now!'/'Brady Bunch Variety Hour', 'Days Of Our Lives', 'NBC Special Treat')
Tristan Rogers ('General Hospital'/'GH: Night Shift', 'The Young & The Restless', 'The Bay', 'The Bold & The Beautiful', 'Fast Track', 'Perry Mason Mystery: TCOT Lethal Lifestyle')
Terence Stamp ('His Dark Materials'2x, 'Smallville', 'The Hunger', 'Chessgame')
David Ketchum ('Get Smart', 'Camp Runamuck', 'I'm Dickens, He's Fenster')
Graham Greene ('Defiance', 'The Red Green Show', 'The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon', 'Longmire', 'Goliath', 'Wolf Lake', 'Northern Exposure', 'Echo')
Jacques Charrier ('Salut Champion', "L'affaire Lourdes", "Ozraceni", [Bardot Ex])
Polly Holliday ('Alice', 'Flo', 'The Client', 'Home Improvement', 'Search For Tomorrow')
June Wilkinson ('Batman', '77 Sunset Strip', 'The Doris Day Show', 'Grand Jury')
Paula Shaw ('Mr. Young', 'Cedar Cove', 'Y&R', 'Barney Miller', LOTS of Hallmark!)
Brad Everett Young ('Felicity', 'Numb3rs', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Boy Meets World')
Claudia Cardinale ('Jesus of Nazareth', 'Princess Daisy', 'History', 'Naso di Cane')
Patricia Routledge ('Keeping Up Appearances', 'Hetty Wainthrop Investigates')
Kimberly Hebert Gregory ('Craig of the Creek', 'Vice Principals', 'Kevin (Probably) Saves The World', 'Genius')
John Woodvine ('Z Cars', 'New Scotland Yard', 'Runaway Bay', 'Knights of God', 'Coronation Street', 'Doctor Who', 'The Crown', 'Emmerdale Farm', 'The Bill', 'Finney', 'The Prisoner of Zenda', 'Elizabeth R', 'The Further Adventures of the Musketeers', 'The Avengers', 'Danger Man', 'Secret Agent', 'The Dustbinmen')
Tony Adams ('Crossroads', 'Crossroads II', 'General Hospital', 'Doctor Who')
Nabil Shaban ('Doctor Who', "Age of Treason", "Sorry About Last Night")
Diane Keaton ('The Godfather Saga', 'Green Eggs & Ham', 'The Young Pope') 
Tony Caunter ('EastEnders')
June Lockhart  ('Lassie', 'Lost In Space', 'General Hospital', 'Petticoat Junction', 'These Are The Days', 'Robert Montgomery Presents', 'Studio One')
Prunella Scales ('Fawlty Towers', 'Mapp and Lucia', 'The Marriage Lines', 'After Henry', 'The Big Knights', 'Mop & Smiff', 'Jackanory', 'Mr. Big', 'Coronation Street')
Tcheky Karyo ('The Missing', 'Women at War', 'Baptiste', 'The Name Of The Rose')
Maria Riva ('Studio One', 'Danger', 'The Web', 'Suspense', Dietrich's Daughter)
Danny Seagren ('Electric Company', 'Sesame Street', 'Spidey Super Stories')
Joost Prinsen ('Die Stratermakeropzeeshow', 'Het Klokhuis')
Diane Ladd ('Alice', 'Secret Storm', 'Chesapeake Shores', 'Enlightened', 'Kingdom Hospital', 'Gunsmoke', 'Perry Mason', 'Naked City', 'Hazel', 'The Fugitive', 'Daniel Boone', 'Big Valley', 'Ironside', 'Love Boat', 'L.A. Law', 'ER', 'Young Sheldon') 
Pauline Collins ('Upstairs, Downstairs', 'Forever Green', 'Dickensian', 'Mount Pleasant', 'Bleak Cards', 'The Ambassador', 'Little Miss', 'Thomas and Sarah', 'Wodehouse Playhouse', 'No, Honestly', 'Doctor Who', 'Three Musketeers', 'Saint')
Tatsuya Nakadai ('Hideyoshi', 'The Trusted Confidant', 'Burst', 'Sinner', 'Cold Case')
Sally Kirkland ('Valley of the Dolls', 'Days Of Our Lives', 'Agency', 'Felicity', 'Kojak')
Elizabeth Franz ('Another World', 'Roseanne', 'As The World Turns', 'Equalizer')
Houmayoun Ershadi ('Mannequin', 'Aspirin', 'Wound', 'Last Days of Being Happy')
Andria Lawrence ('Coronation Street', 'On The Buses', 'Man About The House')
Carl Ciarfallo ('Sledge Hammer!, 'Falcon Crest', 'Walker, 'Texas Ranger')
Udo Kier ('4 against Z', 'Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated' 'The Kingdom', 'Hunters', 'Joseph Balsamo', 'The Borgias', 'Berlin Alexanderplatz', 'Nash Bridges')
Dharmendra (Bollywood Superstar, 'Taj: Divided By Blood', 306 movies!)
John Eimen ('McKeever and the Colonel', 'The Twilight Zone'', 'Have Gun, Will Travel', 'Petticoat Junction', 'Leave It To Beaver', 'Wagon Train', 'The Untouchables')
Biyouna ('Nass Mlah City', 'Nsibti Laaziza', 'Al Hariq')
Bob Burns ('Ghost Busters')
Betty Harford ('Dynasty', 'The Paper Chase', 'The Gumby Show', 'Hitchcock Hour')
Walter Maslow ('Wyatt Earp', '26 Men', 'Colt .45', 'Daniel Boone', 'Johnny Staccato')
Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa ('The Man In The Hugh Castle', 'Nash Bridges', 'Lost In Space', 'Blue Eye Samurai', 'Revenge', 'Hawaii', 'Heroes', 'Alien Nation')
Jim Ward ('Fairly Oddparents', 'According To Jim', 'Ben 10', 'Biker Mice From Mars')
Wenne Alton Davis ('Rescue Me', 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel', 'Blindspot')
Beatrice Picard (French Marge Simpson, 'Brilliant', 'Grandpa', 'Earthly Paradise')
Jeffrey Garcia ('Jimmy Neutron', 'Back At The Barnyard', 'Planet Sheen') 
Peter Greene ('The Black Donnellys', 'For Life', 'Life On Mars', 'Chicago P.D.')
Stanley Baxter ('Mr. Majeika', 'The Stanley Baxter Show', 'Baxter On...', 'On The Bright Side', the last Bing Crosby Christmas special)
Rachel Carpani ('MacLeod's Daughters', 'Against The Wall', 'Home and Away')
Anthony Geary ('General Hospital'+spin-offs, 'Murder, She Wrote', "Perry Mason: The Case of the Murdered Madam", 'Bright Promise', 'All In The Family')
Gil Gerard ('Buck Rogers in the 25th Century', 'Sidekicks', 'Star Trek: The New Voyages')
James Ransone ('The Wire', 'Treme', 'Bosch', 'Seal Team', 'The First')
May Britt ('Mission Impossible', 'The Danny Thomas Hour', 'The Partners', 'Probe')
Brigitte Bardot (International sex symbol, 'The Ed Sullivan Show')
Melanie Watson ('Diff'rent Strokes')
Isaiah Whitlock, Jr. ('The Wire', 'Veep', 'Your Honor', 'The Good Cop')
Mohammed Bakri ('Those About To Die', 'Of Kings And Prophets', 'Homeland', 'Adama')
Candida Raymond ('Number 96', 'The Sullivans', 'Prisoner')

PERSONALITIES
The Vivienne ('RuPaul's Drag Race UK', 'RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars', 'Dancing on Ice')
Rick Harris AKA Black Bart (Various wrestling shows)
Nathalie Dupree
Simon Townsend ('Simon Townsend's Wonder World', 'TVTV')
Linda Nolan ('The Nolans')
Manuela Kemp ('Eigen Huis & Tuin')
Lynn Ban ('Bling Empire: New York')
Leif "Loket" Olsson ('Binglotto', 'Svenska Idrottsgalan', 'Tre Kronor')
Max Schautzer ('Westdeutscher Rundfunk')
Roberta Flack ('New York Undercover', 'Another World', 'Loving', 'Guiding Light')
Henry Kelly ('Going For Gold', 'Game For A Laugh')
Daniel Bisogno ('Ventaneando', 'Tempranito', 'Ellos vs. Ellas')
Monta Mino ('Sashinomi', 'Kurenai', 'Quiz $ Millionaire')
Pat Ingoldsby ('Pat's Hat', 'Pat's Chat', 'Pat's Pals')
Judy Johnson [Betty Bonney] ('Your Show of Shows', 'The Arthur Murray Dance Party', 'Judge For Yourself')
Alice Tan Ridley ('America's Got Talent')
Suzanne Rand (part of Monteith and Rand, 'Tonight Show', 'Monkhouse')
Lucy Markovic ('Australia's Next Top Model')
Lulu Roman ('Hee Haw', 'Hee Haw Honeys', 'The Love Boat')
Terry Brunke AKA Sabu (Wrestler)
Phil Robertson ('Duck Dynasty', 'Duck Commander', 'In The Woods With Phil')
Philippe Labro ('L'Essential Chez Labro', 'L'Invite', 'C a vous', 'Un jour, un destin')
Brian Wilson ('Baywatch', 'Full House', "The Return of Bruno", 'Duck Dodgers')
Ananda Lewis ('The Ananda Lewis Show', 'Hollywood Squares', 'The Mole', MTV)
Betsy Gay ("Our Rascal" shorts, 'Squeakin' Deacon's Country Store', 'Polka Show')
Anne Burrell ('Worst Cooks in America', 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef', 'Iron Chef') 
Kim Woodburn ('I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!', 'How Clean Is Your House')
Rebekah Del Rio ('Twin Peaks')
Ozzy Osbourne ('The Conners', 'CSI', 'Parker Lewis Can't Lose' TVXOHOF)
James Whale ('The James Whale Show' 3X, 'Celebrity Big Brother', 'Whale On')
Skye Gyngell ('Saturday Kitchen', 'Taste')
Mickey Lee ('Big Brother')
Karen Johannsen (News 3 Now's "Green Gardener" in Wisconsin)


NEWS & SPORTS
Donal Kelly (RTÉ News)
Colm Connelly (RTÉ News, BBC News)
Derrick Ward (WRC)
Neil Zurcher (WJW)
Catherine Laborde (TF1 weather presenter)
Mauricio Funes (Channel 12, CNN en Espanol, former President of El Salvador)
Shawn Simpson ('TSN 2000')
Adan Manzano (Telemundo Kansas City)
Al Trautwig (ABC & NBC all-round sports reporter, appeared as self in 'L&O: SVU')
Dave Frankel (Anchorman/weatherman WPVI-TV, KYW-TV)
Ryeu Keun-chan (KBS News 9 in Korea)
Mike Patrick (ESPN college basketball play-by-play)
Kenneth Walker (ABC News)
Gary England (KWTV Weatherman, appeared as himself in "Twister")
Bill Moyers ('Bill Moyers' Journal', 'Moyers & Company', 'Now on PBS', 'In Search of the Constitution', 'Joseph Campbell And The Power Of Myth', 'A World Of Ideas')
Sandy Gall (British reporter)
David Gergen (Advised presidents, political pundit, spoke at Leah's QU graduation)
Peter Ryan (Australian business reporter, 'ABC News Breakfast', 'The Project')
Ken Dryden (Fmr Montreal Canadiens goalie, 3 Winter Olympics commentator, and "Miracle On Ice" commentator)
Belva Davis (1st Black woman to become a TV reporter on West Coast, 8 Emmys, KPIX, KRON, KQED)
Bob Trumpy (NBC football analyst)
Jim Avila (ABC Law & Justice reporter)
Colleen Jones (CTV & CBC, Winter Olympics reporter, curling champion)
Ed Rabel (Correspondent for CBS & NBC)

THE HAT SQUAD 2025 - BEHIND THE SCENES

 

BEHIND THE SCENES

DIRECTORS
Manjul Sinha ('Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi', 'Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan')
Jeannot Swarc ('Grey's Anatomy', 'Bones', 'Smallville', 'JAG', 'The Practice', 'Kojak', 'Night Gallery', 'Without A Trace', 'Heroes', 'Columbo', 'Cold Case', 'Fringe')
Carlos Diegues ("Os Filhos do Medo", 'Brasil que Vale', 'Material Bruto')
Marty Callner ('On Location', 'Standing Room Only', many comedy/music specials)
Rick Levine (Commercials - Diet Pepsi, Wells Fargo....)
James Foley ('House of Cards', 'Billions', 'Twin Peaks', 'Hannibal', "Red Zone")
William Cran ('Frontline' documentarian)
Diane Martel ('Dropout', music videos for Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Robin Thicke)
Dave Roberts (WTVR CBS-6 studio director)


WRITERS
Jules Feiffer ('Faerie Tale Theatre', 'Great Performance', 'Quest', 'Comedy Zone')
David Steven Cohen ('Courage the Cowardly Dog', 'Parker Lewis Can't Lose')
L.J. Smith (Author of 7 books in the "Vampire Diaries" series.)
Peter David ('Space Cases', 'Babylon 5', 'Ben 10: Alien Force/Ultimate Alien')
Martin Cruz Smith ("The Art of Crime")
Rose Leiman Goldemberg ("Burning Bed", "The Stone Pillow", "Letters Home")
Steve Hayden (1984 Apple commercial, 'Welcome Back, Kotter', "Hello, Moto")
Alfa-Betty Olsen ('The Great American Dream Machine', 'Dick Cavett Show')
Stephen Downing ('Dragnet', 'Adam-12', Showrunner for 'MacGyver', LAPD cop)
D.L. Coburn (Pulitzer winner for "The Gin Game" - five TV versions, three of them foreign versions.  First American version featured married couple Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy.  The last American TV movie had Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore.)

PRODUCERS
Allyce Ozarski ('SMILF', 'GOLF', 'Super Pumped', 'Baskets', 'The L Word: Generation Q', 'I Love That For You', 'I Love You, America' [Emmy nominated]) 
Roberto Orci ('Fringe', 'Hawaii Five-0'B, 'Scorpion', 'Sleepy Hollow', 'Alias', 'Matador', 'Limitless', 'Transformers Prime', 'Jack Of All Trades')
Peter Engel ('Saved By The Bell' franchise, 'City Guys', 'USA High', 'Hang Time', 'Malibu, Ca', 'California Dreams', 'How To Survive A Marriage', 'Sirota's Court', 'The Ice Palace', 'One World', 'Last Comic Standing')
Bill Dare ('Spitting Image', 'Dead Ringers', 'The Now Show')
Stanley R. Jaffe ('Fatal Attraction')
John Brenkus ('Science Live!', 'Sport Science', 'Car Warriors', 'Known Universe') 
Joseph Lovett (CBS & ABC TV specials about AIDS)
Jim McLaughlin (CBS 'Sunday Morning')
John Masius ('St. Elsewhere', 'Providence', 'Touched By Angel')
Jerry Mazza (CBS News)

MUSIC
Garth Hudson (Last of The Band, "Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band", 'Saturday Night Live', "Woodstock Diary", "Love For Levon", 'Classic Albums')
Alf Clausen ('The Simpsons', 'Moonlighting', 'ALF', 'The Critic', 'Bette')
Lalo Schifrin ('Mission: Impossible', 'Medical Center', 'Mannix', 'Starsky and Hutch', 'Petrocelli', 'Blue Light', 'The Young Lawyers', 'Planet of the Apes', 'The Partners', 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.', 'Most Wanted', 'Bronk', 'Glitter', 'T.H.E. Cat', 'A.D.') 
Mark Snow ('The X-Files', 'Blue Bloods', 'Smallville', 'Ghost Whisperer', 'Hart To Hart', 'Falcon Crest', 'Millennium', 'Dark Justice', 'Nowhere Man',  'The Twilight Zone 2002', ' 'One Tree Hill', 'Starsky & Hutch', 'Family') 
Alan Bergman ('Alice', 'In The Heat Of The Night', 'Good Times', 'Maude')
Sonny Curtis ('The Mary Tyler Moore Show', 'The Mary Tyler Moore Hour', & 'Evening Shade' themes, "I Fought The Law" - used in 'EastEnders', 'The Simpsons', 'Miami Vice', 'Cheers', 'The Wonder Years', 'Hawaii Five-0', many others)
Cleto Escobedo III (Leader of The Cletones for his childhood friend Jimmy Kimmel)

ANIMATION
Jim Smith ('Ren & Stimpy', 'Samurai Jack', co-founder of SpumCo)

CAMERA
David Dorsett ('The Late Show with David Letterman' - 8 emmys)|

EDITOR
Seth Fox (CBS Evening News)


ART DIRECTOR
Ron Travisano (Meow Mix, Joe Isuzu, Pan Am, Reagan Campaign, NY Mets)
Renato Casaro (Artist who made posters for Italian release of episodes from TV Western 'Stories Of The Century')
Drew Struzan (Posters for 'Mob City', '80th Academy Awards')

SET DESIGN
John Conklin ("Carmen", "In The Penal Colony", "I Lombardi", "Lizzie Borden")

COSTUMES
Phyllis Dalton ("The Scarlet Pimpernel", "The Plot To Kill Hitler", "The Last Days of Patton", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Magic Moments", "Arthur the King")
Theodore Pistek ('The Visitors', 'Dune', 'Children of Dune', 'Arabela', 'Pan Tau')

MAKEUP & HAIR
Greg Cannom ("Gleason", 'Tales From The Crypt', 'Werewolf', 'Any Day Now', "Thriller") 

STAGE MANAGER
Lisa Treadwell (CBS News stage manager)

PUPPETRY

THE HAT SQUAD 2025 - HYPHENATES & OTHERS

 

THE HAT SQUAD 2025 -
HYPHENATES & OTHERS

HYPHENATES
Wayne Osmond (ACTOR - 'The Travels of Jamie McPheeters', "It Nearly Wasn't Christmas", SELF - 'The Osmond Family Show', 'The Andy Williams Show',  'Donny and Marie', PRODUCER - "The Gift of Love")
Peter Yarrow (COMPOSER - "Puff and the Incredible Mr. Nobody", COMPOSER & ACTOR - "Puff the Magic Dragon", "Puff the Magic Dragon in the Land of Living Lies", ACTOR - "Matthew and Ophelia's Wonderful World of Fun")
Barbara Clegg (ACTRESS - 'Emergency Ward 10', 'Strange Concealments', WRITER - 'Doctor Who', 'Coronation 'Street')
David Lynch (DIRECTOR/WRITER/ACTOR - 'Twin Peaks', 'The Weather Report', WRITER - 'On The Air', ACTOR - 'The Cleveland Show', 'Louie')
Barry Michael Cooper (PRODUCER/WRITER - 'She's Gotta Have It', WRITER - "Private Times", PRODUCER - 'American Gangster')
Marianne Faithfull (ACTRESS - 'Absolutely Fabulous', SELF - 'FM', 'Top of The Pops', 'Saturday Night Live',  EITHER/OR - 'Screen Two')
Dick Button (SELF - Figure Skater [2 Gold medals], 'Animaniacs', Sports Commentator [1 Emmy],  'The Ed Sullivan Show', ACTOR - 'Beverly Hills 90210', SPOOFED - Played by Phil Hartman, 'Saturday Night Live')
Joseph Wambaugh (CREATOR/WRITER/ACTOR - 'Police Story', 'The Blue Knight', WRITER - "The Glitter Dome", "Echoes In The Darkness",  REFERENCED - "Columbo')
Athol Fugard (WRITER - "Master Harold... and the Boys", "Oya", ACTOR - 'One Life To Live')
Wink Martindale ('High Rollers', 'What's This Song?', 'Gambit', 'Tic Tac Dough', 'Headline Chasers' ACTOR - 'Mars Patrol', 'Hilton Head Island', 'Bold & Beautiful')
Don Mischer (13 Primetime Emmy Awards, DIRECTOR - Oscars, Super Bowl half-time shows, the Obama Inauguration celebration, Kennedy Center honors, 'Murder, She Wrote', 'It's Garry Shandling's Show' PRODUCER - Emmy Award shows, White House Correspondents' Dinner, Tony Awards, Super Bowls, music specials
Jill Sobule (SELF - 'The West Wing', 'Treme', 'The Simpsons' [TVXOHOF] MUSIC - 'In-Laws',  'Unfabulous')
Terry Louise Fischer (PRODUCER/WRITER - 'LA Law', 'Cagney & Lacey')
Bobby Sherman (ACTOR - 'Here Come The Brides', 'Getting Together'/'The Partridge Family', 'Sanchez of Bel-Air', SELF - 'Shindig', 'Frasier', "Old Faithful")
Gailard Sartain (ACTOR - 'Hey, Vern! It's Ernest!', 'Arli$$', 'The Simpsons', SELF - 'Hee Haw', 'The Sonny & Cher Show', 'Hee Haw Honeys', 'Keep On Truckin'')
Jane Stanton Hitchcock (WRITER - "Trick of the Eye", SELF - 'The Name's The Same')
Jimmy Swaggart (SELF - Televangelist, PLAYED BY - Jonah Lees, 'Sun Records', Phil Hartman, 'Saturday Night Live')
Connie Francis (ACTRESS - "The Sister and the Savage" PLAYED BY - LeAnn Rimes, 'American Dreams')
Charles Augin (ACTOR - 'Blake's 7', 'Alas Smith and Jones', 'Capital City', "Treasure Island" CHOREOGRAPHER - "Porgy & Bess", "Billy's Christmas Angels", 'The Hot Shoe Show' BOTH - 'Red Dwarf', 'In Exile') 
Chuck Mangione (SELF - 'King of the Hill', ACTOR - 'Magnum, P.I.')
Hulk Hogan (SELF - 'The Love Boat', 'The A-Team', 'The Goldbergs', 'Search For Tomorrow', 'Suddenly, Susan', 'American Dad!', TVXOHOF, ACTOR - "Goldie And The Bears", 'Baywatch', 'Thunder In Paradise', 'China, Il.', 'Walker, Texas Ranger')
Cleo Laine (ACTRESS - "The Last of the Blonde Bombshells", "The Three Princes" SELF - 'The Muppet Show', 'Tonight with Johnny Carson', 'Mike Douglas Show')
Gary Smith (PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/WRITER - Many AFI TV specials)
Jane Morgan (ACTRESS - 'Peter Gunn', 'It Takes A Thief', SELF - 'The Ed Sullivan Show', 'Tonight with Johnny Carson', 'The Merv Griffin Show', 'Password', 'American Bandstand', 'Person To Person', 'What's My Line', 'Kraft Music Hall')
Joel DeMott (DIRECTOR - "Seventeen", CINEMATOGRAPHER - "Energy War")
Ronnie Rondell, Jr. (ACTOR - 'Laramie', 'The Virginian', 'Fantasy Island' STUNTMAN - 'Hart To Hart', 'Dynasty', ''Charlie's Angels', 'SWAT')
Jerry Adler (ACTOR - 'The Sopranos', 'Rescue Me', 'The Good Wife/Fight', 'Mad About You', 'Raising Dad', 'Alright Already', 'Hudson Street', STAGE MANAGER -  'Santa Barbara', 'Search For Tomorrow', "Night of 100 Stars II', "39th Annual Tony Awards")
Frank Price (WRITER - 'Westinghouse Studio One', 'The Web', 'Suspense', STUDIO HEAD - Universal TV, developed the made for TV movie concept and the 90 minute TV series format)
Bobby Hart (COMPOSER - 'The Days Of Our Lives' theme, music for 'The Monkees' SELF - 'Bewitched', 'I Dream Of Jeannie', 'The Flying Nun')
Robert Redford (ACTOR - 'The Twilight Zone', 'Perry Mason', 'Maverick', 'Tanner on Tanner', PRODUCER - 'Dark Winds', 'Death Row Stories', 'Iconoclasts', 'The American West', 'Chicagoland', 'Ocean Warriors')
Henry Jaglom (movie director who started as an actor 'Gidget', 'The Flying Nun')
Joan Kennedy (SELF - 'The $64,000.00 Question', Maxwell House coffee commercial, PORTRAYED BY - Former wife of Senator Edward Kennedy, portrayed by Leslie Stefanson in "Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot")
Rob Reiner (ACTOR - 'All In The Family', 'New Girl', 'The Bear', 'Gomer Pyle', 'The Partridge Family', 'That Girl' WRITER - 'The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour', 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour', 'The Super' , "Million Dollar Infield", "More Than Friends"  DIRECTOR -  "8", "Everyday Life", "Sonny Boy"  COMBOS - 'Morton & Hayes', 'Free Country') 
Kevin Arkadie (WRITER/PRODUCER - 'New York Undercover', 'Chicago Hope', 'NYPD Blue', 'The Shield', 'Ambitions', 'Sacrifice')
John Mulrooney (SELF - 'Comic Strip Live', 'The New Hollywood Squares', 'The Late Show' ACTOR - 'Ellen', 'Hardball', '1st & Ten')
Bob Broder (ACTOR - 'Cheers', HEALTH & SAFETY DEPT. - 'Madoff')

OTHERS
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston (Memoir "Farewell to Manzanar," about life in WWII internment  camp, became the basis for a TV movie by the same name)
Ron Nessen, Ford's press secretary ('Saturday Night Live', 'Bicentennial Minute')
Gene Winfield (Vehicle Fabricator - Built the Galileo shuttlecraft 'Star Trek', the Piranha for 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.', the Reactor was used in 'Bewitched', 'Mission Impossible', 'Batman', & Star Trek')
Pope Francis (Played by Jonathan Pryce and Juan Minujin [as young Jorge Mario Bergoglio] in "The Two Popes", and by Kyle Mooney on 'Saturday Night Live' 2x)
David Lazer (Former IBM exec who hired Jim Henson's Muppets to appear in corporate films and then later was hired by Henson to run the Muppet empire.)
Dame Jillian Sackler (Philanthropist and defender of the evil pharmaceutical empire.  Portrayed by Catherine Tait in "Painkiller".)
Sonia "Sunny" Jacobs (Was sentenced to death but commuted to life in prison for her participation in police murders in Florida.  Reversed on appeal. Played by Susan Sarandon in "Exonerated".)
"Papa Jake" Larson (TikTok star, 102, survivor of D-Day, Emmy winner for Amanpour talk)
Leonard Tow (SVP TelePrompTer, founded Century Communications, CableVision)
Robert Barnett (High-powered Washington lawyer, husband of CBS' Rita Braver
Leo Hindery, Jr. (Ran the Yankees YES network)
Paul Ekman ("Face Reader", inspired the main character of the series 'Lie To Me')

ON THE PROFESSOR'S BIRTHDAY

Today, Toobworld Central is remembering
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
on the 134th anniversary of his birth.

In the greater TV Universe, J.R.R. Tolkien and his writings are represented in several alternate Toobworlds.  “The Hobbit” and “The Return Of The King” were both animated and are considered part of the Tooniverse.  Gollum and Frodo showed up in sketches on ‘Saturday Night Live’, thus placing them in Skitlandia.  

And a TV movie based on his early adult life could be considered part of the man Toobworld – Earth Prime-Time – but it’s definitely part of the TV dimensions which is comprised of made-for-TV movies.

He also exists in the alternate dimension of Toobworld DC (‘Legends of Tomorrow’ and in an as-yet-unnamed TV dimension in which Tolkien’s faith was examined (‘A Question of God’).    

'Legends of Tomorrow'

O’Bservation: During RTD’s first tenure as the showrunner of ‘Doctor Who’, the Time Lord met a series of writers – Christie, Shakespeare, Dickens, Mary Shelley, King James 1, HG Wells, and Bracebridge Hemyng.  (Look him up!)

Tolkien as seen in
"CS Lewis: Beyond Narnia"

(My fanfic fantasy involved the Doctor and Tolkien in an adventure, with Tolkien inspired to create the Ents after meeting the humanoid trees from the Forest of Cheem.)

I’ve only seen one episode of “The Rings of Power” so I can’t make a qualified assessment as to whether or not it belongs in Earth Prime-Time.  I’m tempted to add yet another TV dimension called “Middle-Earth Prime-Time”.  (O’Bservation: I didn’t care for that first episode; I found it boring.)

As far as references to his world of Middle-Earth go, I think it’s a safe bet that most of the mentions by TV characters deal with the Peter Jackson movies.

The Tolkien Televersion ('Columbo')
&
The Professor His Own Self

O’Bservation: I even posited a theory that Tolkien was actually seen in the main Toobworld, and Lt. Columbo sat right next to him!

In the latest episode of ‘Harry Wild’ (a special movie entitled “You Are Cordially Invited To An Assassination”), the topic of the movie adaptations versus the original books comes up near the beginning….

I accept that ‘Harry Wild’ is part of Earth Prime-Time.  So if “Rings of Power” does get absorbed into the main Toobworld, there will have to be a splainin to do to reconcile the books and the adaptation (plus the references to the movies) all being in the same TV dimension.

And I think I have one….

The televersion of J.R.R. Tolkien wrote the novels, but they were actually based on the historical record set down in the Red Book of Westmarch.  And so if ‘Rings Of Power’ is accepted as part of the main Toobworld, the adaptations of his account, which was already diluted by his use of more common names and other words instead of the original Shire-speak, should be considered TV adaptations within the TV Universe and not as the actual, factual, historical depictions.  

If there be scenes which were created specifically for the series, then we could assume the Red Book of Westmarch, as well as “The Lord Of The Rings,’ is different from the books we know here in the Trueniverse, Earth Prime.  They include chapters which don’t exist in our world, making the trilogy even heftier!

Well, that’s my splainin to do, anyway.

Here’s to you, Professor…. 

TVXOHOF, JANUARY 2026 - REMEMBERING DENNIS MITCHELL

Every January, the Television Crossover Hall of Fame kicks off another year of inductions into the Hall with a classic TV character.  This year is no different, but I never would have guessed this entry would be so sad.  And so soon.

DENNIS MITCHELL

From The Hollywood Reporter:
Jay North, who starred as the young mischief maker with the characteristic blond cowlick on the 1959-63 CBS comedy 'Dennis the Menace', has died. He was 73.

On Sunday, 04/07/2025, Jay North died at his home in Lake Butler, Florida, after years of battling colon cancer, according to Jeannie Russell, who played Margaret Wade on his show, told The Hollywood Reporter. She called him her “otherworldly brother.”

Here are the credits which qualified him for membership in the Hall....

DENNIS THE MENACE
149 EPISODES (1959-1963)

From the IMDb:
The live-action adaptation of the Hank Ketcham comic strip of the same name. Dennis Mitchell was a loveable young boy, dressed in overalls and carrying a slingshot in his pocket. Everywhere he went, Dennis' wide-eyed curiosity, well-meaning attempts to help out, and his simply being a normal, red-blooded American boy growing up always seemed to lead to trouble. Usually on the receiving end was Dennis' next-door neighbor, retired business machine salesman George Wilson.

Dennis worshiped Mr. Wilson, but he usually displayed a less-than-cordial attitude around the young lad. Mr. Wilson's wife, Martha, adored Dennis and saw him as a surrogate grandson (since the Wilsons never had any children). Dennis' long-suffering parents were Henry (an engineer) and Alice (a stay-at-home mother).

Episodes revolved around Dennis' adventures and the trouble that usually followed. Also involved in the fun were Dennis' friends Tommy, Margaret, and Seymour. During the final year of the show, Mr. Wilson's brother, John, moved in after George and Martha left the neighborhood (due to the death of Joseph Kearns). The live-action "Dennis the Menace" ran for years in syndication; an animated series showed up in the 1980s.—Brian Rathjen

THE DONNA REED SHOW
DONNA DECORATES (1960)

From the IMDb:
Donna has her kitchen remodeled and new appliances installed.

While crossover appearances are not uncommon in television shows (it is an easy way to promote a second show), this particular instance was unusual. Even though the two shows were produced by the same studio (Columbia), they were broadcast by different networks. Donna's show was on ABC while Dennis' show was on CBS.

Jay North and Joseph Kearns reprise their roles from the CBS series "Dennis the Menace" in this episode, which aired on ABC. This marks one of the earliest times in TV history that two scripted series on different networks cooperated on a multi-network crossover, not counting variety shows.

SKITLANDIA

THE RED SKELTON HOUR
FREDDIE'S MILLIONS (1960)

From the IMDb:
Just as he's about to apply for unemployment insurance, Freddie the Freeloader finds himself a multimillionaire, but has to contend with small boys, newspapers, bureaucrats and police.

O'Bservation:
North plays Dennis in this episode.  Two seasons later, he returns, playing himself.  So Freddie is one of those rare TV characters to meet both the actor and the character he played.)

COMMERCIALS
FOR RICE KRISPIES, BOSCO'S, BEST FOOD MAYONNAISE, SKIPPY PEANUT BUTTER

O’Bservations:
I can only vouch for the Skippy and Rice Krispies commercials that North appeared as Dennis.  Both can be found online.

Because he also appeared in the commercial for Skippy, George Wilson (as played by Joseph Kearns) will one day be inducted into the TVXOHOF as well.  (That's Gale Gordon as George's brother John in the Rice Krispies picture above.)

As Red Skelton would say, “Good night and may God bless.”
Welcome to the TVXOHOF, Dennis….

THE POWER OF DONNA

 

Donna showed that she had power even before she became "Doctor/Donna".  She understood her self-worth and was not afraid to show that.

ACTORS IN BOTH 'DOCTOR WHO' & THE 'HARRY POTTER' FRANCHISE

 

THE INCARNATIONS Q&A - "ARE YOU A WOKE WARRIOR?"

 

AGE OF THE DOCTOR

 

Here's a theory from Facebook (February, 2025):

Simple - pre-Time war the doctor uses Gallifreyan years.

Post-Time War it's Earth years.
- Sean Mills

RACY LINE OF THOUGHT....

 

A TWO-BEATER TOOBIT

From "DOCTOR WHO FANS UNITE":

At the time of filming her regeneration scene, Jodie Whittaker was pregnant.

This makes her the first actor playing the Doctor to officially have two hearts in her body.

PRESENTED WITHOUT O'BSERVATION

 

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

 

FANFIC, FIT TO A TEE

This was posted on the Classic Television Shows FB page back in January:

I happened to notice this anachronism on ‘Have Gun Will Travel’ this morning. The episode is “The Kid” (Seaon 5 Episode 15.)

Paladin is wearing a V-neck T-shirt, which did not exist in the 1870s and 1880s. During that time, men typically wore full undershirts made of wool or cotton, often with high, round necklines or buttons at the chest. The V-neck T-shirt as we know it today was not introduced until the mid-20th century, as a variation of the basic crewneck T-shirt.
[Alan DeCampli]

I think we know, as Whovians, the Time Lord responsible for this pollution of the timeline….

The Meddling Monk, of course.

I have no idea why he felt it was an important anachronism, however.

That is the stuff fanfic is for.

Care to give it a whirl? 

WHOOBY DOO, WHERE ARE YOU?

 
Well, it's not Saturday morning this year, but it's time for a cartoon anyway....

From Phillip Kelley:
This post is with thanks to Paul Burley who was a designer and held the position of art editor for Doctor Who Magazine from issues 319 to 334.

This artwork has my own favorite period of Doctor Who being the Tom Baker years. This also features Elizabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith and Ian Smith as Harry Sullivan in 1975 to 1976. It coincides with the time of Scooby Doo in the seventies. Tom Baker played the Doctor for seven years.

"I would have gotten away with it, if it weren't for you meddling time travelers!"
- the Cyberman.

DOCTOR WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

 
Before we get started, here’s a chance to review all of the incarnations of the Doctor who took part in adventures seen in the television series.  (Not seen are the supposed incarnations who were seen in the Fourth Incarnation’s memories during his mental battle with Morbius in “The Brain of Morbius”.)  They are not seen in any ordered sequence, at least not in any which I can discern.  But I think it’s better this way – rather in a linear fashion, like chronological order, they appear in a timey-wimey jumble.

Hopefully, I will have some kind of blog post showcasing each one individually over the next 24 hours.

2026 "WHO'S ON FIRST" BLOG-A-THON KICKS OFF!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everybody had a great New Year's Eve?

Welcome to the 18^th anniversary edition of the "Who's On First?" blogAthon.  For the next 24 hours, there will (hopefully) be twenty-four posts about 'Doctor Who', one every hour.

I wrote this WELL in advance:
This round-the-clock celebration of 'Doctor Who' began somewhat modestly - there were only seven "episodes" for that first outing.  But it has grown to the point where for the last couple of years we have tried to present a new blog post about the universe of the Doctor every half hour.   That may not be the case this year.  We'll at least try to get one in every hour.

And I always amaze myself that I find enough topics each year.  But then, I have yet to see every episode of the 61 year old series.

Because of their time-sensitive nature, there were a few posts I published earlier in the year.  Some are just mentions of the Doctor, most of them dealt with the breaking news about the show.  If so, I'll re-post them early in the day's schedule (when it's the middle of the night for most visitors.)

This edition will hopefully be special.  (I'm setting up this post in January, 2025!)  And I see this as the perfect moment to thank everybody who came up with the wonderful memes and artwork which I hope is okay to share.  (If not, I'll replace it.)

So here it is - the kick-off to the 2026 edition of 'Who's On First'!  And as always, we begin with the frame grab from 'Robot Chicken' which has become our mascot....