THE HAT SQUAD 2024 - ACTORS & PERSONALITIES

ACTORS & PERSONALITIES

ACTORS
Mickey Cottrell ('Star Trek: The Next Generation', 'Star Trek: Voyager', 'The Practice')
Lillian Crombie ('Double Trouble', 'Faraway Downs', 'Heartland', 'Ring of Scorpio')
Glynis Johns ('Glynis', 'Coming of Age', 'The Crime of Ovide Plouffe', 'Batman')
Christian Oliver ('Alarm fur Cobra 11 - Die Autobahpolizei', 'Saved By The Bell')
David Soul ('Starsky & Hutch', 'Here Come The Brides',  'Salem's Lot', 'The Yellow Rose', 'Casablanca', 'Owen Marshall, Counsellor at Law')
Alec Musser ('All My Children', 'Desperate Housewives')
Adan Canto ('Designated Survivor', 'Cleaning Lady', 'Blood & Oil', 'Narcos')
Maria Pavan ('Ryan's Hope', 'The Money-Changers', 'Combat!', 'Naked City', 'The Rockford Files', 'Hawaii Five-0', 'Switch', 'Wonder Woman', '77 Sunset Strip'. Twin sister of Pier Angeli, Oscar nominee for "The Rose Tattoo")
Bill Hayes ('Days Of Our Lives', 'Matlock', 'Frasier', 'Cop Rock', 'Hooperman')
Amanda Davies ('One Life To Live' She played Young Vicki in flashbacks.  Victoria Lord was played by Erica Slezak... her mother.)
Joyce Randolph ('The Honeymooners', 'The Jackie Gleason Show' )
Peter Crombie ('Seinfeld', 'L.A. Firefighters', 'House of Frankenstein')
David Gail ('Port Charles', 'Savannah', 'Robin's Hoods', 'Beverly Hills 90210')
Dexter Scott King (Son of Martin Luther & Coretta Scott King, "The Rosa Parks Story", 'King', "Our Friend Martin", '1-800-MISSING')
Gary Graham ('Alien Nation', 'Star Trek: Enterprise', 'JAG', 'Star Trek: Renegades' TVXOHOF)
Chita Rivera ('The New Dick Van Dyke Show', 'Will & Grace', 'Dora the Explorer')
Sandra Milo ('Gigolo per Caso', 'Sabato sera dalle nove alle dieci') 
Don Murray ('Knots Landing', 'Twin Peaks', 'The Outcasts', 'Sons & Daughters') 
Carl Weathers ('The Mandalorian', 'Chicago' - 'Justice'/'Fire'/P.D.'&'L&O: SVU' TVXOHOF)
Hinton Battle ('Buffy The Vampire Slayer', 'Quantum Leap', 'Smash', 'Early Edition')
Ewen MacIntosh ('The Office' [UK], 'Navelgazng Presents', 'Lockdown Lifeline')
Pamela Salem ('Doctor Who', 'EastEnders', 'French Fields', 'The West Wing', 'Buccaneer', 'Into The Labyrinth') 
John Savident ('Coronation Street', '1990', 'Yes, Minister', 'Jane', 'Tightrope')
Micheline Presle ('Le Saintes Cherie', 'The Count of Monte Christo', 'Lulu')
Chris Gauthier ('Eureka', 'Once Upon A Time', 'Health Nutz', 'Harper's Island')
Richard Lewis ('Anything But Love', 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', 'Hiller and Diller', 'Rude Awakening', 'Daddy Dearest', '7th Heaven', 'Blunt Talk', ''Til Death')
Anne Whitfield ('Emergency!', 'Adam-12', 'Ironside', 'Perry Mason', 'Hawaiian Eye')
Kenneth Mitchell ('Jericho', 'Switched at Birth', 'Ghost Whisperer', 'Star Trek Discovery', 'Odyssey 5', 'The Astronaut Wives Club', 'Frequency', 'Nancy Drew')
Jean Allison ('Emergency!', 'The Whirlybirds', '77 Sunset Strip', 'Adam-12')
Malachy McCourt ('Search For Tomorrow', 'Ryan's Hope', 'The Dain Curse', 'Oz')
Michael Culver ('Cadfael', 'Game, Set, and Match', 'Squadron', 'Secret Army', 'The Adventures of Black Beauty', 'Befriender', "The Empire Strikes Back")
Mark Dodson ('Darkwing Duck', "Ewoks: The Battle For Endor", "Return of the Jedi")
Marcia Richwine ('a.k.a. Pablo'', 'Sin Verguenza', 'Three's Company')
Robyn Bernard ('General Hospital', 'Simon&Simon', 'Whiz Kids', 'The Facts of Life')
Ron Harper ('Generations', 'Planet of the Apes', 'Land of the Lost', 'Wendy and Me', 'Garrison's Guerillas', '87th Precinct', 'Another World', 'Capitol')
M. Emmett Walsh ('Pound Puppies','The Sandy Duncan Show', 'Sneaky Pete', 'The Civil War', 'Unsub', 'Nichols', 'Damages', 'East of Eden',  'Julia', 'The Flash(1)', 'Baretta', 'Mary Hartman2x', 'Starsky and Hutch' 'Rockford Files', 'Bob Newhart Show', 'Amazing Stories', 'AfterMASH', 'Tales From The Crypt')
Lou Gossett, Jr. ('Roots'+ "Roots: The Gift", 'Gideon Oliver', 'The Powers of Matthew Star', 'The Young Rebels', 'Watchmen', 'Hap & Leonard', 'Stargate SG-!', 'Return To Lonesome Dove', 'Sadat', 'The Lazarus Syndrome', 'Backstairs At The White House', "Don't Look Back" (Satchel Paige), 'Extant', 'The Rockford Files', 'Petrocelli', 'Cowboy In Africa', 'The Good Fight', 'Madam Secretary', 'Psych', 'ER', 'Family Guy', 'Picket Fences', 'Bonanza', 'Daktari', 'Longstreet', 'McCoud', 'Psych')
Christian Rodska ('Follyfoot', 'The Stars Look Down', 'This Year Next Year', 'Eagle Of The Ninth', '55 Degrees North', 'The Nesbitts Are Coming', 'Z Cars', 'Oliver Twist')
Daniel Balaji  ('Chithhi', 'Alaigal')
Chance Perdomo ('Gen V', 'The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina', 'The Cipher')
Barbara Rush ('Peyton Place', 'The New Dick Van Dyke Show', 'All My Children', 'Flamingo Road', '7th Heaven', 'Saints & Sinners', 'Fantasy Island', 'Batman')
Joe Flaherty ('SCTV, 'Freaks and Geeks', 'Maniac Mansion', 'Police Academy: The Series', 'The King of Queens', 'The Legend of Tarzan', 'Go Fish', 'Dinosaurs')
Cole Brings Plenty ('Yellowstone: 1923', 'Into The Wild Frontier')
OJ Simpson ('1st & Ten', 'Here's Lucy', 'Roots', 'Ironside', 'Dragnet' TVXOHOF)
Adrian Schiller ('The Last Kingdom', 'Victoria', 'Being Human', 'Silk', 'Genius')
Samantha Burroughs Davis ('Through The Dragon's Eye', Warwick Davis' wife)
Terry Carter ('McCloud', 'Battlestar Galactica', 'The Phil Silvers Show')
Marla Adams ('The Young & The Restless', 'Days Of Our Lives', 'Generations')
Brian McCardie ('Waterfront Beat', 'Lilies', 'M.I. High', 'Taggart', 'Moscow Noir')
Barbarao [Barbara O. Jones] ('Wonder Woman', 'Lou Grant', 'Laverne & Shirley')
Bernard Hill ('I, Claudius', 'Wolf Hall', 'Boys From The Blackstuff', "Titanic" & LOTR)
Susan Buckner ('When The Whistle Blows', 'The Brady Bunch Variety Hour')
Ian Gelder ('Game of Thrones', 'Torchwood', 'Snatch', 'I Thought You'd Gone')
Brian Wenzel ('A Country Practice', 'Certain Women', 'Division 4', 'Cop Shop')
Rochelle Oliver ('Law & Order', 'All My Children', 'Ryan's Hope')
Ron Thompson ('Baretta', 'Armstrong Circle Theatre', 'Ironside'/'Amy Prentiss') 
Jacques Lussier ('Cormoran', 'Le Negociateur', 'Toute la Verite', 'Monsieur le Ministre')
Mary Law ('Deadline Midnight', 'The Lost Planet', 'Emergency Ward-10')
Alex Hassilev ('Run For Your Life', 'Get Smart', member of the Limeliters)
Margaret Lee ('The Protectors')
Zack Norman ('The Nanny', 'The A-Team', 'Baywatch', 'The Flash')
Jeannie Epper (ACTRESS - 'Charmed', 'Monk', 'Medical Center', 'Tales From 
The Crypt', STUNTS - 'Big Valley', 'Dynasty', 'Charlie's Angels', 'Bionic Woman') 
Mark Damon ('Zorro', 'Hawaiian Eye', 'The Protectors', 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents')
David Sanborn ('Magnum P.I.', 'The Advocate', 'Saturday Night Live', 'The Sanborn Sessions', 'Late Night'/'Late Show with David Letterman', 'Wheel of Fortune')
Gloria Stroock ('McMillan & Wife', 'Studio One', 'Operation Petticoat', 'Baretta')
Dabney Coleman ('Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman'/'Forever Fernwood'/'Fernwood 2Nite', 'Buffalo Bill', 'The Slap Maxwell Story', 'The Guardian', 'Drexell's Class', 'Madman Of The People', 'Boardwalk Empire', 'Recess', 'Fresno', 'Apple Pie', 'That Girl', 'Yellowstone', 'Columbo' TVXOHOF)
Richard Foronjy ('Under Suspicion', 'The Gangster Chronicles', 'Amen', 'Serpico')
Johnny Wactor ('It's Always Jan', 'General Hospital', 'Barbee Rehab', 'Siberia', 'Hollywood Girl')
Janis Paige ('Santa Barbara', 'General Hospital', 'Trapper John MD', 'Gun Shy', 'Baby Makes Five',  'Lanigan's Rabbi', 'Eight Is Enough', 'Bret Maverick', 'All In The Family', 'All's Fair', 'Columbo')
William Russell ('Doctor Who', 'The Adventures of Sir Lancelot', 'Harriet's Back In Town', 'Coronation Street', 'Nicholas Nickleby', 'St. Ives',  'Mackenzie', 'Breaking Point', 'Hamlet', 'Triton', 'This Man Craig', 'The Doll', 'Jane Eyre', 'Poirot', 'Blackadder' TVXOHOF)
Jeannette Charles (Professional Queen Elizabeth II impersonator)
Erich Anderson ('Felicity', 'NYPD Blue', 'THIRTYsomething', 'Bay City Blues', 'Bosch', 'Close To Home', 'Boomtown', 'Major Crimes') 
Seven ('The Walking Dead' a Belgian Malinois)
Tom Bower ('The Waltons', 'The Dain Curse', 'The Rockford Files', 'Lucky Hank')
Tony Lo Bianco ('Hidden Faces', 'Love of Life', 'Palace Guard', 'Jessie', 'Police Story', 'Jesus of Nazareth', 'Marco Polo', 'Murder, She Wrote', 'Law & Order')
Anouk Aimee ('Solomon', 'Cuckoo', 'Festival', 'Piazza Navona')
Donald Sutherland ('Crossing Lines', 'Dirty Sexy Money', 'Commander-in-Chief', 'Trust', 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves', 'The Pillars of the Earth', 'The Undoing', 'Swimming with Sharks', 'Ice', 'Moby Dick', 'Treasure Island', 'Frankenstein', 'Salem's Lot', 'The Simpsons', 'Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All', 'The Champions', 'The Saint', 'The Avengers', 'Man In A Suitcase', 'The Name of the Game')
Taylor Wiley ('Hawaii Five-0', 'Magnum P.I.' [BOTH], 'MacGyver', 'Marker' TVXOHOF)
Hiram Kasten ('Seinfeld', 'It's Like, You Know', '7th Heaven')
Spencer Milligan ('Land of the Lost', 'General Hospital', 'Quincy M.E., 'Gunsmoke')
Bill Cobb ('The Slap Maxwell Story', 'I'll Fly Away', 'Homeroom', 'The Gregory Hines Show', 'The Others', 'Go On', 'The Drew Carey Show', 'The Michael Richards Show', 'Dino Dana', 'Greenleaf', 'Rake', 'JAG')
Martin Mull ('Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman'/'Fernwood Tonight'/'America 2-Night' [TVXOHOF], 'Sabrina The Teenage Witch', 'Roseanne', 'The Cool Kids', 'The Jackie Thomas Show', 'Dads', 'The Ranch', 'The Ellen Show', 'Til Death', 'American Dad!', 'Two and a Half Men', 'I'm Sorry', 'Arrested Development', 'Teamo Supremo', 'Veep', 'Life In Pieces', 'Family Dog', 'Danny Phantom', 'Domestic Life', 'The Simpsons', and for a second TVXOHOF induction: 'It's Garry Shandling's Show'/'The Nanny'/'The Drew Carey Show'/'The Larry Sanders Show'/'D.C. Follies' as Himself.)
Renauld White ('Guiding Light', "Gun Hill", 'Fashion')
Mike Heslin ('The Influencers', 'Lioness', "The Holiday Proposal Plan")
Doug Sheehan ('Knots Landing', 'Day By Day', 'General Hospital', 'Clueless')
Pat Colbert ('Dallas', 'Benson', 'The Fall Guy')

Benji Gregory ('Alf', 'Back To The Future', 'Fantastic Max', 'Punky Brewster')
Shannen Doherty ('Beverly Hills 90210'/'90210', 'Charmed', 'Our House', 'Little House On The Prairie', 'North Shore')
James B. Sikking ('Hill Street Blues', 'Doogie Howser, M.D.')
Bob Newhart ('The Bob Newhart Show', 'The Bob Newhart Show'/'Newhart', 'Bob!', TVXOHOF member)
Este TerBlanche ('All My Children', 'Spin City')
Whitney Rydbeck (Larry Crash-Test Dummy, 'Simon & Simon', 'Murder, She Wrote')
Pei-Pei Cheng ('The Sleeping Beauty', 'Far Away Love', 'Ice Fantasy')
Noriko Ohara('Doraemon', 'Yattaman', 'Time Bokan', 'Space Emperor God Sigma') 
Sally Bliss ('The Mickey Rooney Show', 'The Adventures of Fu Manchu', 'Lassie')
Yvonne Furneaux ('Hereward The Wake', Secret Agent', 'The Baron')
Ysanne Churchman ('Doctor Who', 'Planet Patrol', 'Sara and Hoppity')
Charles Cyphers ('Nick reno: Licensed Teacher', 'The Betty White Show', 'Six Million Dollar Man', 'The George Carlin Show', 'Murder One', 'Roc')
Patty Yasutake ('Star Trek: The Next Generation', 'Gung Ho', 'Beef', 'The Closer')
Connie Chiume ('Rhythm City', 'Housekeepers', 'Home Affairs', 'Yizo Yizo')
Erica Ash ('Survivor's Remorse', 'Mad TV', 'In Contempt', 'Legacies')
Angel Salazar ('On Our Own', 'The New $treetz Seriez', 'Heart Of The City')
Gena Rowlands ('Peyton Place', '87th Precinct', 'Columbo', "An Early Frost", "The Betty Ford Story", 'The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.', 'Burke's Law', 'Bonanza', 'The Virginian', 'Johnny Staccato', 'Studio One', 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents/Hour', '77 Sunset Strip', 'Dr. Kildare')
Alain Delon ('Frank Riva', 'Fabio Montale', 'Cinema')
Perry Kurtz ('Partners In Crime', 'Wait Crimes', 'Sketchers Comedy Special')
Mitzi McCall ('Alright Already', 'Silk Stalkings', 'Chuck', 'Port Charles', '7th Heaven')
James Earl Jones ('Gabriel's Fire', 'Paris', 'Jesus of Nazareth', 'Me and Mom', 'Under One Roof', 'Mathnet', 'Everwood', 'Signs and Wonders', 'Dr. Kildare', 'Faerie Tale Theatre', 'Roots: The Next Generation', 'Guiding Light', 'As The World Turns', 'Pros & Cons', 'The Simpsons', 'Square One Television', 'The Atlanta Child Murders', 'L.A. Law', 'Agent X', 'Homicide: Life On The Street', 'Law & Order', 'Picket Fences', 'Lois & Clark', 'The Defenders', 'Tarzan', N.Y.P.D.', 'East Side/West Side', 'Channing', 'Highway To Heaven', 'House' - Yeah, he deserved this.)
Chad McQueen ('Jesse Hawkes', 'V'. Son of Steve McQueen)
Kathryn Crosby ("The Initiation of Sarah", 'Ben Casey', 'The Bing Crosby Show')
Maggie Smith ('Downton Abbey', 'David Copperfield', 'Aggie', 'ITV Play of the Week', 'The Carol Burnett Show')
John Ashton ('Hardball', 'Dallas', 'Brookside', 'Columbo', 'EastEnders', 'Kojak')
Ken Page ('Adventures In Wonderland', 'South Central', 'Sable', 'Charmed')
Gavin Creel ('Rapunzel's Tangled Adventures', 'American Horror Show')
John Amos ('Roots', 'Good Times', 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show', 'The West Wing', 'Men In Trees', 'All About The Andersons', 'The District', 'In The House', '704 Hauser', 'Hunter', 'Future Cop', 'The Tim Conway Comedy Hour', 'Maude')
Jay J. Armes ('Hawaii Five-0' - Private eye who lost both his hands at age 13.)
Michel Blanc (Merci, Bernard', 'The Dominici Case', 'Palace', 'Piazza Navona')
Nicholas Pryor ('Port Charles', 'Beverly Hills 90210', 'The Bronx Zoo', 'Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing', 'The Nurses', 'Another World', 'The Secret Storm', 'Young Doctor Malone', 'The Brighter Day', 'Washington: Behind Closed Doors', 'Dallas')
Nobuyo Oyama ('Doraemon', 'Hustle Punch', 'Danganronpa: The Animation')
Bob Yerkes (Stunts - 'The Stand', 'Twin Peaks', 'Little House', 'Dukes of Hazzard')
Christine Boisson ('Reporters', 'A Swedish Woman In Paris', 'Black Sequence')
Ron Ely ('Tarzan', 'The Aquanauts', 'Sea Hunt', 'Face The Music', 'Fantasy Island')
Mimi Hines ('Frasier', 'Love, American Style', 'The Bobby Darin Show')
David Harris ('NYPD Blue', 'North & South: Book 1", 'Law & Order', 'Kojak')
Teri Garr ('Batman Beyond', 'Women of the House', 'Good Advice', 'Good & Evil', 'Fresno', 'Adventures In Wonderland', 'The Sonny & Cher Show', 'The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour', 'The Burns & Schreiber Show', 'The Ken Berry Wow Show', 'McCloud', 'Friends', 'The Girl With Something Extra', 'The Bob Newhart Show', 'It Takes A Thief', 'That Girl', 'M*A*S*H', 'Sesame Street', 'Star Trek', "Prime Suspect" - TV movie, not the series)
Alan Rachins ('L.A. Law', 'Dharma & Greg')
Jonathan Haze ('Dragnet', '77 Sunset Strip', 'Highway Patrol', 'Navy Log')
Elwood Edwards ('Arli$$', 'The Simpsons', THE Voice of AOL!)
Tony Todd ('The Young & The Restless', 'Chuck', 'Splatter', '24', 'ST: TNG')
Timothy West ('Edward the King', 'EastEnders', 'Brass', 'Gentleman Jack', 'Bedtime',  'The Big Knights', 'Bleak House', 'Coronation Street', 'Mop and Smiff')
Polly March ('Sinbad', 'Caesar', "Mystery of Britannic", 'Dispatches')
Jon Kenny ('The Fitz', 'Father Ted', "A Song For Europe", "Mrs. Brown's Boys: D'movie")
Earl Holliman ('Police Woman', 'Hotel de Paree', 'NightMan', 'Delta', 'P.S. I Luv U', 'Wide Country', 'Alias Smith and Jones', 'The Twilight Zone', "The Tribe") 
Miho Nakayama ('Love Story', 'Home & Away', 'Love 2000', 'Nemureru Mori')
Sylvia Pinal ('Mi Marida Tiene Familia', 'Soy Tu Duena', 'Mujer, Casos de la Vida Real')
Michael Cole ('The Mod Squad', 'General Hospital', 'It', 'Evening In Byzantium')
Wayne Northrup ('Days Of Our Lives', 'Port Charles', 'Dynasty', 'L.A, Law')
Maria Socas ('Mujere de Nadie', 'Grecia', 'El Precio del Poder', 'Husband To Go')
Jill Jacobson ('Falcon Crest', 'The New Gidget', 'Newhart', 'Days of Our Lives')
Marisa Paredes ('Novela', 'Estudio 1', 'El Olivar de Atocha', 'Cervantes')
Diane Delano ('Popular', 'Northern Exposure', 'Days Of Our Lives', 'L.A. Law')
Waymond Lee ('Workaholics', 'Pair of Kings', 'Kali Karate', 'Parks & Recreation') 
Geoffrey Deuel ('The FBI', 'Mannix', 'Streets of San Francisco', 'Insight', 'Ironside')
Dayle Haddon ('Max Headroom, 'The Hitchhiker', 'Coup de Foudre')
Olivia Hussey ('Jesus of Nazareth', 'It', 'The Bastard', 'Lonesome Dove: The Series')
Linda Lavin ('Alice', 'B Positive', '9JKL', 'Yvette Slosch, Agent', 'Sean Saves The World', 'Conrad Bloom', 'Courage The Cowardly Dog', 'Room For Two', 'Barney Miller')

PERSONALITIES

Brian Barczyk ('Venom Hunters')
Peter Schickele ('Evening at Pops', 'The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson', 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Show', 'Captain & Tenille', 'ABC Comedy News')

Roni Stoneman ('Hee Haw', 'Tony Orlando and Dawn', "Johnny Cash and The Country Girls")
Robin Windsor ('Strictly Come Dancing')
Charlie Griffin ('Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks')
Larry H. Parker (LA injury lawyer known for his commercials.  "I'll fight for you!")
Jerry Grote ('Everybody Loves Raymond')
Lori & George Schappell, cojoined twins (Povich, Springer & other talk shows, plus fictional characters in an episode of 'Nip/Tuck')
Sean Garinger ('16 and Pregnant')
Garrison Brown ('Sister Wives')
Mandisa [Hundley] ('American Idol', 'GMA')
Roman Gabriel ('Perry Mason', 'Wonder Woman', 'Ironside', 'Laugh-In')
Sonja Christopher ('Survivor', 'Diagnosis Murder')
Bernard Pivot (French TV host 'Apostrophes', 'Boullion de culture', 'Double je')
Alf McCarthy (Irish presenter 'PM Live', 'Live at 3')
Stephanie Sparks ('The Big Break', 'Golf with Style', 'Playing Lessons from the Pros')
James Laurenson ('Boney', 'Jackanory', 'The Crown', 'Sharpe', 'Space: 1999')
Dolores "Roxanne" Rosedale ('Beat The Clock', 'Winner Take All', also 'Crime Photographer')
Dr. Ric Gordon ('Today')
Dr. Michael Moseley ('Just One Thing', 'The One Show',  'Trust Me, I'm A Doctor',  'Horizon', 'This Morning')
Nick Mavar ('The Deadliest Catch', 'The Deadliest Catch: The Bait')
Johnny Canales ('The Johnny Canales
Willie Mays ('Bewitched', 'The Donna Reed Show', 'Ironside', 'My Two Dads', 'What's My Line?')
Sarah Becker ('The Real World')
Shifty Shellshock [Seth Binzer] ('Celebrity Rehab', 'Sober House')
Lizzy Musi ('Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings') 
Keke Jabbar ('Love & Marriage: Huntsville')
Dawn Hollyoak ('Great British Baking Show')
Dr. Ruth Westheimer ('Quantum Leap', 'Ally McBeal', 'Love Boat: The Next Wave', TVXOHOF)
Richard Simmons ('General Hospital', 'Arrested Development', 'Fame' TVXOHOF)
Harry Savage ('Hunted')
Naomi Pomeroy ('Top Chef', 'Top Chef Masters', 'Iron Chef America')
Autumn Crittendon ('16 And Pregnant')
Kim Johnson ('Survivor', 'Hollywood Squares', 'Late Show with David Letterman')
Lorenza de' Medici ('The de' Medici Kitchen')
Hailey Merkt ('The Bachelor')
Silvio Santos ('Programa Silvio Santos' 2X, 'Carmem', 'Pigmaliao 70', 'Teleton')
Rudy Franchi ('Antiques Roadshow' appraiser)
Caterina Valente ('Bon Soir, Kathrin', 'The Entertainers', 'Die Katerina Valente Show', 'Music Hall', 'The Dean Martin Show', 'Hollywood Palace')
Frank Fritz ('American Pickers', 'American Dad!', 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire')
Pete Rose ('Good Sports', 'Arli$$', 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air', 'Veronica's Closet')
Mitzi Gaynor ('Mitzi'... 'Zings Into Spring', '& 100 Guys', 'The First Time')
Chuck Woolery ('Love Connection', 'Wheel of Fortune', 'Chuck Woolery Show') 
Emily Gold ('America's Got Talent' dance contestant)
Nikki Giovanni ('Soul!', 'Muhammed Ali', 'Love Life', 'American Masters')
"The Amazing Kreskn" (George Kresge, Jr. mentalist 'The Mike Douglas Show', 'Tonight with Johnny Carson', 'The Merv Griffin Show', 'The Joey Bishop Show')
Dick Capri ('The Merv Griffin Show', 'The Ed Sullivan Show', 'The Mike Douglas Show', 'Talent Scouts', "Now That's Funny!", "Friars Club Roast of Drew Carey")
Anita Bryant (Singer, Florida Orange Juice Spokesperson, Anti-Gay firebrand)

NEWS & SPORTS

Ruth Ashton Taylor (First female TV newscaster on the West Coast, lifetime achievement Emmy winner, star on the Walk of Fame)

Charles Osgood ('CBS Sunday Morning', "Horton Hears A Who", 'CBS This Morning', 'A Science Odyssey', 'Universe')
David Culhane (CBS reporter, 'CBS Sunday Morning')
Chris Mortensen (ESPN, 'SportsCenter'. 'Sunday N.F.L. Countdown')
Bill Jorgenson (WNEW, WPIX)
Robert MacNeil ('The MacNeil-Lehrer Report' on PBS)
Peter Oosterhuis ('International Pro-Celebrity Golf', 'The Rolf Harris Show')
Rick Sallinger (CBS reporter, mostly in Colorado - Columbine, Aurora, JonBenet)
Sam Rubin (KTLA entertainment reporter)
Alice Stewart (CNN right wing political commentator)
Bill Walton (ESPN College Basketball, 'Less Than Perfect', 'The Sentinel', 'Inside Schwartz', 'One On One', 'Less Than Perfect', 'Pacific Blue', 'American Dad!') 
Ben White (CNBC financial reporter)
Howard Fineman ('Hardball with Chris Matthews', 'The Chris Matthews Show', 'The Beat with Ari Melber')
Lou Dobbs ('Lou Dobbs Tonight', 'Managing with Lou Dobbs', 'The Good Wife')
Tom Fenton (CBS News)
Peter Dykstra (CNN climate journalist)
Phil Jones (CBS reporter)
Warren Wilson (KTLA reporter, KNBC, NBC News, 'Arrest and Trial')
Tom Jarriel (ABC News - '20/20' correspondent, weekend anchor, 19 Emmys)
Ana Orsini (KOLD-13 anchor)
Greg Gumbel (CBS & NBC Sports, TVXOHOF - League of Themselves)
Aaron Brown (CNN)

THE HAT SQUAD 2022 - IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS

THE HAT SQUAD 2022
IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA

ACTORS
George Rossi ('The Bill', 'Roughnecks', 'The Singing Detective', 'Whitechapel')
Barbara Chilcott ('Folio', 'ITV Play Of The Week', 'Festival', 'Encounter', 'The Twilight Zone')
Sidney Poitier ('Separate But Equal', 'Children Of The Dust', "To Sir With Love II")
Joan Copeland ('Love Of Life', 'Search For Tomorrow', 'One Life To Live', 'How To Survive A Marriage', 'Law & Order', 'Armstrong Circle Theatre', [Arthur Miller's sister])
Dwayne Hickman ('The Many Loves Of Dobie Gillis', 'The Bob Cummings Show', 'Clueless')
Bob Saget ('Full House & 'Fuller House', 'America' Funniest Home Videos', 'How I Met Your Mother')
Max Julien ('The Name Of The Game', 'One On One', 'The Bold Ones: The Protectors')
Nicholas Donnelly ('Dixon Of Dock Green', 'Grange Hill', 'The Saint')
Gary Waldhorn ('The Vicar of Dibley', 'Brush Strokes', 'Brideshead Revisited', 'All At Number 20', 'Campaign', 'Edward & Mrs. Simpson', 'Rumpole of the Bailey', 'Lovejoy', 'Space: 1999')
Hardy Kruger ('War and Remembrance', 
Yvette Mimieux ('The Most Deadly Game', 'Berrenger's', 'Lady Boss', "Hit Lady" - which she also wrote)
Carol Speed ('Tenafly', 'Julia', 'The Paul Lynde Show', 'Sanford and Son', 'The New Centurions')
Gaspard Ulliel ('Moon Knight', 'Twice Upon A Time', 'Navarro')
Meat Loaf AKA Marvin Lee Aday ('Ghost Wars', 'Lightning Force', 'Elementary', 'Tales From The Crypt', 'Glee', 'Monk', 'Masters of Horror', 'The Outer Limits', 'The Equalizer', 'South Park', 'Monsters', 'The Rebellious Jukebox', 'Nash Bridges', 'House', MANY music videos)
Louie Anderson ('Baskets', 'Life With Louie', 'The Louie Show', 'Search Party', 'Family Feud')
Ian Alexander, Jr. ('Yo Gabba Gabba', 'The Snowy Day', son of Regina King)
Howard Hesseman ('WKRP in Cincinnati'2X, 'Head Of The Class', 'One Day At A Time', 'Soap', 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman', 'The Bob Newhart Show', 'That 70s Show' )
Donald May ('The Edge Of Night', 'The Roaring 20s', 'Texas', 'West Point',  'Colt .45')
Moses J. Mosely ('The Walking Dead', 'Watchmen', 'Queen Of The South')
Carleton Carpenter ('Men of Annapolis', 'Luke and the Tenderfoot', 'The Ropers', 'McHale's Navy', 'Perry Mason')
Monica Vitti ('Mont-Orial', "L'alfiere", "Le Notti Bianche", 'Le Fables de La Fontaine', "Il Cilindro", "La fuggiDiva")
Jo Kendall ('Emmerdale Farm', 'I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again', 'At Last The 1948 Show', 'Broaden Your Mind', 'I'm Sorry, I haven't A Clue')
Kathryn Kates ('Seinfeld', 'Shades of Blue', 'Law&Order: SVU', 'Orange Is The New Black')
Lindsey Pearlman ('Chicago Justice', 'Haus of Vicious', 'The Ms. Pat Show')
Stewart Bevan ('Doctor Who', 'Emmerdale Farm', 'Shoestring', 'The Brief', 'Shalom, Salaam')
Jack Smethurst ('Love Thy Neighbor' (In Australia'), 'Coronation Street', 'For The Love Of Ada', 'Hilary', 'Casualty', 'Wreckers At Dead-Eye')
Lev Mailer ('Stat Trek', 'The Lucy Show', 'Mannix', 'Star Wars Holiday Special')
Ralph Ahn ('New Girl', 'The Golden Girls', 'Shannon's Deal', 'Gilmore Girls', 'The Good Life')
Ned Eisenberg ('Little Voice', 'Mare of Easttown', 'L&O: SVU', 'The Fanelli Boys', 'L&O')
Anna Karen ('EastEnders', 'On The Buses', 'The Rag Trade')
Sally Kellerman ('Centennial', 'Decker', 'Maron', 'The Young and The Restless', 'Unsupervised', 'Chemistry', '12 O'Clock High', ONE-SHOTS:  'Diagnosis Murder', 'Coronet Blue', 'Dream On', and 'Columbo') 
Veronica Carlson ('Spyder's Web', 'The Saint', 'Department S', Hammer films)
Tim Considine ('My Three Sons', 'Spin and Marty', 'Annette', 'The Hardy Boys', 'The Swamp Fox', 'Gunsmoke')
Farrah Forke ('Wings', 'Mr. Rhodes', 'Dweebs, 'Lois & Clarke', 'Party of Five')
Kirk Baily ('Salute Your Shorts', 'Carried By The Wind', 'Ghost In The Shell')
Mitchell Ryan ('Dark Shadows', 'Dharma & Greg', 'Santa Barbara', 'Chase')
Lynda Baron ('Open All Hours' & 'Still Open All Hours', 'Come Outside', 'Fimbles', 'Fat Friends', 'Doctors', 'EastEnders', 'Doctor Who')
Conrad Janis ('Mork & Mindy', 'Quark', 'Suspense', 'Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour', 'St. Elsewhere', 'Murder, She Wrote', 'Frasier', "Addams Family Reunion")
Laurel Goodwin (''Stat Trek', 'The Beverly Hillbillies', 'Mannix', 'Get Smart', 'The Dain Curse'.  Last cast member of the original 'Star Trek' pilot "The Cage" which was re-edited into later episode "The Menagerie")
Emilio Delgado ('Sesame Street' & many specials, 'Lou Grant', 3 'Law & Order' series, 'The Bravest Knight')
William Hurt ('Damages', 'Goliath', 'Condor', 'Beowulf', 'Humans', 'Dune', 'Moby Dick', 'Pantheon', 'Kojak' [first role], MCU movies, Oscar winner)
Peter Bowles ('To The Manor Born', 'The Irish RM', 'Rumpole of the Bailey', 'Only When I Laugh', 'The Prisoner', 'The Avengers', 'The Saint', 'Victoria', 'The Perfect Scoundrels', 'Executive Stress', 'Lytton's Diary', 'The Bounder', 
Oksana Schwets ('Dom s Liliyami', 'Tayno <Svtatogo Patrika>' Killed by Putin's war crimes)
Paul Herman ('The Sopranos', 'Entourage', 'Miami Vice', 'The Equalizer', 'SNL')
Denise Coffey ('Merry-Go-Round', 'The Tomorrow People', 'Dark Towers', 'End Of Part One', 'Do Not Adjust Your Set', 'Girls About Town', 'The Stanley Baxter Show')
John Stahl ('Game Of Thrones', 'High Road', 'Resort To Murder', 'Being Human')
Nehemiah Persoff ('Gunsmoke', 'Hawaii Five-0', 'Naked City', 'The Untouchables', 'United States Steel Hour', 'Playhouse 90', 'Mission: Impossible', 'Barney Miller', 'The Wild, Wild West', 'Burke's Law', 'Philco Television Hour', 'Kraft Theatre', 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', 'Columbo')
Read Morgan ('The Deputy', 'The Twilight Zone', 'Gunsmoke')
Estelle Harris ('Seinfeld', "Toy Story" franchise, 'Greetings From Home', 'The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody', 'Dave The Barbarian', 'Good Advice', 'Night Court', 'Sunset Beach')
Barrie Youngfellow ('It's A Living', 'A.E.S. Hudson Street', 'Barney Miller', 'Fernwood Tonight')
June Brown ('EastEnders', 'Gormenghast', 'Now And Then', 'Play For Today')
Rae Allen ('The Sopranos', 'The Fearing Mind', 'Soap', 'All In The Family', 'Vampire Mob', 'Equal Justice', 'Seinfeld')
Ralph Riach ('Hamish Macbeth', 'Fortitude', 'Brotherly Love', 'Doctor Finlay', 'Chancer', 'Taggart', 'Young James Herriot')
Kathryn Hays ('As The World Turns' & 'One Life To Live', 'The Road West', 'Guiding Light', 'Star Trek' - "The Empath") 
Maggie Fox ('Coronation Street', 'The Forsyte Saga', 'Soul Music')
Jennifer Wilson ('The Brothers', 'Compact', 'Special Branch', 'Z Cars', 'Nicholas Nickleby')
Gilbert Gottfried ('Cyberchase', 'Aladdin' & 'House of Mouse', AFLAC, 'Saturday Night Live', 'Duckman: Private Dick, Family Man', 'Problem Child', 'Night Court', 'Wings', 'Critters: A New Binge', 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles', 'Crank Yankers', 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver')
Michel Bouquet ("L'avare", "Pour demain", 'Mozart', 'La camera explore le temps', 'Tartuffe')
Liz Sheridan ('Seinfeld', 
Robert Morse ('That's Life', 'Mad Men', 'Teen Titans Go!', 'American Crime Story', 'City of Angels', 'Pound Puppies', 'Secret Storm', 'ProStars', "Tru")
Kenneth Tsang ('Racing Peak', 'The Teochew Family', 'Unbeatables', 'Parental Guidance') 
Joanna Barnes ('The Trials of O'Brien', '21 Beacon Street', 'Maverick', 'Executive Suite')
Jossara Jinero ('Passions', 'I Am Th....',  'Viva Vegas!', American Family', 'East Los High')
Jerry verDorn ('Guiding Light', 'One Life To Live')
David Birney ('Bridget Loves Birney', 'St. Elsewhwere', ' Live Shot', 'Serpico', 'Testimony of Two Men', 'The Adams Chronicles', 'Glitter', 'Seal Morning', 'Murder, She Wrote')
Mike Hagerty ('The George Carlin Show', 'Somebody, Somewhere', 'Friends', 'Lucky Louie', 'The Home Court', 'Mob City', 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine')
Ken Welsh ('Twin Peaks', 'Lodge 49', 'The Divide', 'The Best Laid Plans', 'Empire Inc.', 'Shoestring Theatre', 'Due South', 'D.C.', 'The Practice', 'Charmed', )
Dennis Waterman ('New Tricks', 'The Minder', 'The Sweeney', 'Stay Lucky', 'On The Up', 'Tube Mice', 'Fair Exchange', 'The Barnstormers', 'The Knock', 'Moses Jones')
Jack Kehler ('Murder One', 'The Man In The High Castle', 'The E-Ring', 'Fresno')
James Olson ('Maude', 'Hawaii Five-0', 'Streets Of San Francisco', 'Barnaby Jones')
Ann Davies ('Doctor Who', 'Family Solicitor', 'Paradise Postponed', 'Z Cars', Mrs. R Briers)
Bruce MacVittie ('Waterfront', 'As The World Turns', 'The Sopranos', 'Law & Order')
Fred Ward ('Dice', 'Invasion Earth', 'ER', 'True Detective', 'Quincy M.E.')
Maggie Petersen ('The Andy Griffith Show' & "Return To Mayberry", 'The Bill Dana Show')
John Aylward ('ER', 'The West Wing', 'Briarpatch', 'Nobodies', 'The Others', 'Family Law')
Marie Schulenberg ('As The World Turns', 'One Life To Live', 'Tainted Dreams', 'City On A Hill')
Ray Liotta ('Shades of Blue', 'Black Bird', 'Hanna', 'Texas Rising', 'Smith', 'Our Family Honor', 'Casablanca', 'Another World', TVXOHOF member as himself)
Bo Hopkins ('Dynasty', 'The Rockford Files', 'Doc Elliot',)
Charles Siebert ('Trapper John, M.D.', ' One Day At A Time', 'Husbands, Wives, & Lovers')
Brad Johnson ('Soldier of Fortune, Inc.', 'Courthouse', 'Ned Blessing', 'Melrose Place', 'CSI')
Billy Kametz ('Boruto: Naruto The Next Generation', 'Vinland Saga', 'The Rise Of The Shield Hero', 'Attack On Titan', 'Monkie Kid', 'Pokemon', 'The Seven Deadly Sins', 'Beastars')
Philip Baker Hall ('The Loop', 'Michael Hayes', 'Falcon Crest', 'Messiah', 'Ruth & Erica', 'Mariah', 'Second Chance', 'Pasadena', 'Modern Family', 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', 'Seinfeld')
Jean Louis Trintignant ('Le Train Bleu S'arrete 13 Fois', "La Controverse de Vallodolid", "Julie de Carneilhan", "Pour Un Oui Ou Pour Un Non")
Tyler Sanders ('Just Add Magic: Magic City', 'Fear The Walking Dead', 'The Rookie')
Frank Williams ('Dad's Army', 'The Army Game', 'You Rang, M'Lord?', 'It's Tarbuck')
Mary Mara ('Nash Bridges', 'ER', 'Ray Donovan', 'Dexter', 'Lost', 'Shameless', 'Star Trek: Enterprise')
Joseph Turkel ('The Untouchables', 'Bonanza', 'Miami Vice', 'Kojak')
Gregory Itzin ('24', 'Something Wilder', 'The Nutt House', 'Murder One', 'Strip Mall', 'Profiler', 'Big Love', 'Cover Affairs', 'The Mentalist', 'Mob City')
Mona Hammond ('EastEnders', 'Desmond's', 'Pig', 'Us Girls', 'Wolcott', 'The Crouches')
James Caan ('Las Vegas', 'Back In The Game', 'The Godfather Saga', 'Magic City', 'Les uns et les autres', 'Get Smart', "Lathe of Heaven")
Larry Storch ('F Troop', 'The Queen And I', 'Tennessee Tuxedo and his Tales', 'The Ghost Busters', 'The Brady Kids', 'The Doris Day Show', 'Out Of The Inkwell', 'Car 54, Where Are You?')
Lenny Von Dohlen ('Twin Peaks', 'Picket Fences', 'The Pretender', 'Grand')
Adam Wade ('The Super Globetrotters', 'Good Times', 'Search For Tomorrow')
Tony Sirico ('The Sopranos', 'Family Guy', 'Lillyhammer')
L.Q. Jones ('The Virginian', 'Yellow Rose', 'Renegade', 'Cheyenne', many Westerns)
Taurean Blacque ('Hill Street Blues', 'Generations', 'Savannah')
Dani Deette ('The Falcon And The Winter Soldier', 'The Sinner', 'Ambitions', 'Ozark')
Rebecca Balding ('Soap', 'Lou Grant', 'Makin' It', 'Charmed') O'Bservation: a crush of mine
Sonny Barger ('Sons of Anarchy')
Brian Jackson ('Send For Dithers', 'Smuggler's Bay', "The Man From Del Monte")
Edward Meeks ('Les Globe-Trotters', 'The Seawolf', 'Carla Rubens')
David Warner ('Masada' [Emmy winner], 'Conviction', 'Men In Black', 'Spiderman: The Animated Series', 'Freakazoid'/'Go Teen Titans, Go!', 'Hold The Back Page', 'Marco Polo', 'Holocaust', 'The Wars Of The Roses', 'The American Revolution', 'Nancy Astor', 'Charlie', 'Twin Peaks', "Perry Mason: The Case Of The Poisoned Pen', 'Wild Palms', 'The Legend Of Prince Valiant', 'Toonsylvania', 'Doctor Who: Dreamland', 'Wallander', 'The Amazing World of Gumball', so much more and that's not even touching his films!)
Paul Sorvino ('Law & Order', 'That's Life', 'Godfather of Harlem', 'Bad Blood', 'Bert D'Angelo, Superstar', 'We'll Get By', 'The Oldest Rookie') 
Yoko Shimada ('Shogun', 'We Are Youth', 'Kamen Rider')
Bernard Cribbins ('Jackanory', 'The Wombles', 'Coronation Street', "The Railway Children", 'Doctor Who', 'Old Jack's Boat'/'Salty's Waggy Tales'/'Ol Jack's Boat: Rockpool Tales', 'Cribbins', 'David Copperfield', 'Cuffy', 'Moschops', 'Langley Bottom', 'High & Dry')
Faye Marlowe ('Conrad Nagel Theater')
Mary Alice ('A Different World', 'I'll Fly Away', 'Cosby', 'All My Children')
Nichelle Nichols ('Star Trek' franchise, 'Heroes', 'Young & The Restless', 'Futurama')
Pat Carroll  ('Make Room For Daddy', 'Bustin' Loose', 'Getting Together', 'Too Close For Comfort', 'She's The Sheriff', 'Pound Puppies', 'Foofur', "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella")
George Bardenieff ('Law & Order'/'Criminal Intent', 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', '30 Rock', 'Ray Donovan', 'Rescue Me', 'Elementary', 'The Blacklist', 'American Masters', 'Crime Story')
Clu Gulager ('The Tall Man', 'The Virginian', 'The MacKenzies of Paradise Cove', 'San Francisco International Airport', 'Once An Eagle', 'North & South Book 2: Love & War')
Olivia Newton John ('Sordid Lives: The Series', 'Snowy River: The McGregor Saga', many music videos)
Roger E. Mosley ('Magnum P.I.', 'Rude Awakening', 'Hangin' With Mr. Cooper', 'FCU: Fact Checkers Unit') 
Robyn Griggs ('One Life To Live', 'Another World', 'Rated K')
Anne Heche ('Another World', 'Men In Trees', 'Hung', 'The Brave', 'Everwood', 'Chicago P.D.', 'Aftermath', 'Dig',  'Ally McBeal', 'Save Me', 'All Rise', 'The Michael J. Fox', 'The Idol')
Gene LeBell ('The Fall Guy', 'Reno 911!', 'The Six Million Dollar Man', 'Taxi', also stunt man)
Josephine Tewson ('Keeping Up Appearances', 'Last Of The Summer Wine', 'Clarence')
Duggie Brown ('The Comedians', 'The Glamour Girls', 'Take My Wife...', 'Brookside')
Bruce Montague ('Butterflies', 'Whoops, Apocalypse', 'Sharon and Elsie', 'Fair Ground', 'Crane', 'The Link Men')
Joe E. Tata ('Beverly Hills 90210'/'90210', 'The Rockford Files', 'Batman', 'No Time For Sergeants', 'Lost In Space', 'Gomer Pyle, USMC') 
Richard Roate ('The Doctors', 'Generation', 'Days Of Our Lives')
Robert Lupone ('Search For Tomorrow', 'Loving', 'Guiding Light', 'The Sopranos', 'Ryan's Hope')
Jack Ging ('The A-Team', 'The Eleventh Hour', 'Tales of Wells Fargo', 'Riptide', 'Mannix')
Marsha Hunt ('Peck's Bad Girl', 'Laramie', 'Zane Grey Theatre', 'Police Story', 'Ironside', 'The Twilight Zone', 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', She was 105!)
Uncle Jack Charles ('Ben Hall', 'Preppers', 'Black Comedy', 'The Gods of Wheat Street')
Irene Papas ('Odissea', 'Moses the Lawgiver', 'Ocean')
Mark Miller ('Please Don't Eat The Daisies', 'Guestward Ho!', 'The Name of the Game', 'Days Of Our Lives', 'Bright Promise', Father of Penelope Ann Miller)
Henry Silva ('Buck Rogers In The 25th Century', 'The Untouchables', 'Wagon Train', 'The F.B.I.', 'The Outer Limits', many villains)
Jeff Weiss ('Law & Order', 'The Equalizer', "Our Town", "Judgment")
Coolio ('Futurama', 'Charmed', 'Star-ving', 'The Nanny', 'Space: Above and Beyond')
Rita Gardner ('The Doctors', 'Little Voice', 'Law & Order' + 'SVU' + 'Criminal Intent')
Robert Brown ('Here Come The Brides', 'Primus', 'Perry Mason', 'Star Trek', 'Columbo')
Gunter Lamprecht ('Berlin Alexanderplatz', 'Tatort', 'Ron & Tanja', 'Roncalli', 'Das Boot') 
Kitten Natividad ('The New Adventures Of Beans Baxter')
Eileen Ryan ('Bonanza', 'The Twilight Zone', mother of Sean, Chris & Michael Penn)
Angela Lansbury ('Murder, She Wrote'/'Magnum P.I.'/four TV movies, 'Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street', 'The Man From UNCLE', 'The Trials of O'Brien', 'Climax!', "Little Gloria... Happy At Last", "Mrs. Santa Claus", 'Little Women', 'L&O: "Trial By Jury" & "Special Victims Unit", 'The Eleventh Hour', 'Lace', 'The First Olympics: Athens 1896', 'Newhart')
Michael Callan ('Occasional Wife', 'Superboy', 'Fantasy Island', 'Love, American Style', 'Blind Ambition', 'Murder, She Wrote', 'One Life To Live', 'The F.B.I.')
Ann Flood ('The Edge Of Night', 'From These Roots', 'One Life To Live', 'Search For Tomorrow')
Robbie Coltrane ('Cracker', 'Murderland', 'Frasier', the Harry Potter franchise)
Ted White ('The X-Files', 'Maverick', 'Bonanza', 'Lawman', 'Mannix')
Leslie Jordan ('Will & Grace', 'Call Me, Kat', 'American Horror Story', 'Hearts Afire', 'Bodies of Evidence', 'The Cool Kids', 'Living The Dream', 'Sordid Lives', 'Boston Legal', 'Reasonable Doubts', 'The People Next Door')
Aaron Carter ('7th Heaven', 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch', 'Lizzie McGuire', 'Liberty's Kids')
Tom Owen ('The Last Of The Summer Wine', 'Freewheelers', 'Hawkmoor')
Bill Treacher ('EastEnders', 'Sykes And A....', 'The Bill', 'The Bright Side')
Leslie Phillips (Sorting Hat, 'Chancer', 'Revolver', 'Love On A Branch Line', 'Casanova '73')
John Aniston ('Days Of Our Lives', 'Search For Tomorrow', 'Kojak', 'Combat!', 'West Wing')
Robert Clary ('Hogan's Heroes', 'Days Of Our Lives', 'The Bold And The Beautiful', 'The Young & The Restless')
Rosalyn Singleton ('America's Got Talent', 'Black Love')
David English ('Emmerdale Farm', 'The Bunbury Tails', 'The One Game')
Irene Cara ('The Electric Company', 'Love Of Life', 'Roots: The Next Generation')
Jason David Frank (The 'Power Rangers' franchise)
Nicki Aycox ('Dark Blue', 'Cold Case', 'Over There', 'Ed', 'Supernatural')
Brad William Henke ('Orange Is The New Black', 'Lost', 'Justified')
Cliff Emmich ('Police Woman', 'CHiPs', 'Happy Days', 'Trapper John M.D.')
Bob McGrath ('Sesame Street' franchise)
Al Strobel ('Twin Peaks' franchise)
Kirstie Alley ('Cheers', 'Veronica's Closet', 'Fat Actress', 'Masquerade', 'Kirstie')
June Blair ('The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet', 'Two Faces West', 'Sea Hunt')
Stuart Margolin ('The Rockford Files', 'Bret Maverick', 'Nichols', 'Love, American Style')
Diane McBain ('Surfside 6', 'Batman', 'Maverick')
Ruth Madoc ('Hi De Hi!', 'Hunters Walk', 'Animal Ark')
Franco Harris (Football star, 'Charlie Harris', 'Monsters')
Gary Friedkin ('Happy Days', 'Chicago Hope', 'The Practice', 'The Twilight Zone')
Ronan Vibert ('Rome', 'Hex', 'The Scarlet Pimpernel', 'The Buccaneers', 'The Bill', 'The Borgias', 'The Jury')

PERSONALITIES
Grichka & Igor Bogdanoff (French twins who died within days of each other, hosted 'Temps X')

Ralph Emery ('The Ralph Emery Show', 'Pop! Goes The Country', 'Nashville Now', "Country Gold")
Chelsie Kryst ('Extra', Miss USA 2019)
Bamber Gascoigne ('University Challenge')
P.J. O'Rourke (Conservative satirist)
Traci Braxton ('Braxton Family Values')
Chris Madden ('Interiors By Design', 'The Oprah Winfrey Show')
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright ('Gilmore Girls', 'Parks & Recreation', 'Madam Secretary')
Bobby Rydell ('The Milton Berle Show', 'The Facts Of Life', also 'The Danny Thomas Show' and 'Combat!') 
Christopher Coover (Book Appraiser on 'Antiques Roadshow')
Kailia Posey ('Toddlers & Tiaras')
Gloria Parker (Played musical glasses)
Clay Jordan ('Survivor 5')
Song Hae (Host, 'National Singing Contest', 'The Age Of Destiny')
Hilary Devey ('Dragons' Den')
Tony Siragusa ('Man Caves', 'NFL On Fox', 'Cubed', 'Arli$$', 'Ace Of Cakes' & 'The Sopranos')
Nolan Neal ('America's Got Talent', 'The Voice', 'Big Bad BBQ Brawl')
Ivana Trump ('Celebrity Big Brother', 'Pau Tau', 'Big Brother's Little Brother', 'The View', On SNL, she was played by Jan Hooks & Scarlett Johansson.) 
Mickey Rooney, Jr. ('Shindig', 'The Mickey Mouse Club')
Melanie Rauscher ('Naked And Afraid', 'Naked And Afraid XL')
Bill Turnbull ('Breakfast', 'Dalziel and Pascoe', 'Taking The Flak', Doctor Who')
Mavis Nicholson ('A Plus 4', 'Medical Express', 'French & Saunders')
Angel Casas (Spanish talk show host)
Loretta Lynn ('The Muppet Show', 'Roseanne', 'Hollywood Squares', 'Fantasy Island')
Yusuf al-Qaradawi (Muslim scholar with his own series)
Sacheen Littlefeather (Marlon Brando spokeswoman when he turned down the Oscar)
Judy Tenuta (Accordion-wielding comedienne)
Sara Lee ('Tough Enough', "Breaking Ground")
Andy Detwiler (Armless farmer & YouTube star)
Willie Spence ('American Idol')
Joanna Simon ('MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour', 'What's My Line?', the last episode of 'The Ed Sullivan Show'.  Oldest sister of Lucy and Carly; she died one day before Lucy)
Craig Zuri ('America's Got Talent')
Budd Friedman ('An Evening At The Improv', host & producer)
Gallagher (Watermelon-smashing comedian)
Wilko Johnson (70s pub/rock guitarist, plus role in 'Game of Thrones')
Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac composer and singer) 
Stephen "tWitch" Boss ('The Ellen DeGeneres Show', 'So You Think You Can Dance')
Pele (Greatest soccer player ever, acted in 'The Clone' & 'O Salvador da Pátria' as himself)


NEWS & SPORTS
Bob Halloran (CBS Sports)
Gary Burgess (ITV Channel Television)
Tim Van Galder (KMOV)
Gloria Rojas (WABC News)
Bob Beckel (liberal talking head on Fox - 'The Five', 'Hannity', 'The Factor', 'Red Eye', '24')
Elsa Klensch (Fashion journalist CNN)
Brent Renaud (Journalist and Documentarian)
Renee Poussaint (ABC, CBS News)
Aleksandra Kuvshynova (FOX News contributor)
Pierre Zakrzewski (FOX News cameramen)
Jim Hartz ('Today' show host)
Richard Wagner (CBS News correspondent)
Ken Screven (WRGB News)
James McManus (WTHI, WFBM[WRTV], CBS news correspondent)
Ken Bode ('Washington Week' host)
Mark Shields ('PBS News Hour')
Hank Goldberg (sport handicapper, ESPN Sports Center, ESPN SportsCentury)
Michael Barrett ('Nationwide', 'Personal Choice', 'Farming', 'Panorama', 'The Goodies')
Vin Scully ("The Voice Of The Dodgers", 'Brooklyn Bridge', 'The Fugitive', 'Mr. Ed', 'Highway To Heaven', 'The X-Files', 'The Joey Bishop Show', 'Laugh-In')
Uma Pemmaraju (an original FOX News anchor)
Neena Pacholke (ABC affiliate WAOW in Wausau)
Bernard Shaw (CNN head anchorman)
Bill Plante (CBS reporter and anchorman)
Jed Duvall (CBS/ABC news correspondent)
Al Primo (created the concept of "Eyewitness News")
Roger Welsch ('CBS Sunday Morning')
Fred Hickman ('Sports Tonight', 'This Week In The NBA', 'ESPN 25: Who's Number One')
Grant Wahl ('Good Rivals', various sports programs)
Drew Griffin (CNN Investigative Reporter)
Barbara Walters ('Today', ABC News, '20/20', 'The View'.  Played by Gilda Radner and Cheri Oteri)

FRIDAY HALL OF FAMERS, 08/24/2020 - "GUNSMOKE"

 
Last Friday of the month and as is our custom (this year), I’m inducting a TV show which has its own televersion in the main Toobworld.  No consideration for the alternate Toobworlds, like Skitlandia, the Tooniverse, or even Nosferatoob.  In this case, with August being the month for Westerns, there are enough other shows which verify the existence of…..

From Wikipedia:
‘Gunsmoke’ is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The central character is lawman Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad on radio and James Arness on television. When aired in the United Kingdom, the television series was initially titled ‘Gun Law’, later reverting to ‘Gunsmoke’.

The radio series ran from 1952 to 1961. John Dunning wrote that among radio drama enthusiasts, "’Gunsmoke’ is routinely placed among the best shows of any kind and any time." The television series ran for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975, and lasted for 635 episodes. At the end of its run in 1975, Los Angeles Times columnist Cecil Smith wrote: "Gunsmoke was the dramatization of the American epic legend of the west. Our own ‘Iliad’ and ‘Odyssey’, created from standard elements of the dime novel and the pulp Western as romanticized by [Ned] Buntline, [Bret] Harte, and [Mark] Twain. It was ever the stuff of legend."

And that legend was recounted over and over again by those who watched it.

The show ran twenty years, yet only spawned one spin-off.  But it did have several sequel movies.

THE SPIN-OFF

Dirty Sally (1974)
Sally Fergus is introduced on ‘Gunsmoke’: “Pike: Part 1” (1971) & ‘Gunsmoke’: “Pike: Part 2” (1971).

THE SEQUEL MOVIES

• Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987)
• Gunsmoke: The Last Apache (1990)
• Gunsmoke: To the Last Man (1992)
• Gunsmoke: The Long Ride (1993)
• Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994)

So that give the historical events of ‘Gunsmoke’ a solid base in the “Reality” of Earth Prime-Time; plenty to work with in making the idea of a TV series based on that history believable.

There is no Zonk in other TV shows mentioning ‘Gunsmoke’ as a TV show.  On the Toobworld timeline, it took place during the mid-1800s and into the early 20th Century of Earth Prime-Time and would be considered History by “modern-day” Toobworlders. It would be the perfect candidate for a TV series.

Every mention of the TV series, every time a character is referenced or imitated, every imitation of the series serves as a qualification for the Toobworld version of the TV show to be inducted into the TVXOHOF.

Here are the examples of TV shows in which it could easily be treated as both History and a TV series.

The Phil Silvers Show:
Bilko's TV Pilot (1958)
While watching another show, Rizik recognizes a bad guy from "Gunsmoke".

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet:
Top Gun (1958)
While wearing cowboy hats and western-style vests, Dave introduces a limping Rick as "Chester".

Hancock's Half Hour:
The Set That Failed (1959)
Hancock acts out a scene from this show.

The Larkins:
All the Answers (1960)
Eddy likes this show

The Danny Thomas Show:
Everything Happens to Me (1961)
One of four western series from which Rusty wants autographs from everyone.

Dennis the Menace:
The School Play (1961)
Dennis's school play is a takeoff on Gunsmoke. It includes characters such as Marshal Mellon and his limping sidekick, Lester.

The Danny Thomas Show:
The P.T.A. Bash (1962)
Danny mentions the show, while performing a comedy routine for the P.T.A.

Car 54, Where Are You?:
No More Pickpockets (1962)
Wearing a cowboy hat, while working undercover, Muldoon is mistaken for Marshal Dillon.

Mister Ed:
Ed the Beachcomber (1962)
Mister Ed mentions Matt Dillon.

Stoney Burke:
Child of Luxury (1962)
Stoney is told he'll ride in "like Marshal Dillon."

The Andy Griffith Show:
 Lawman Barney (1962)
Barney is called Marshall Dillon.

Dennis the Menace:
Wilson's Second Childhood (1962)
While the neighborhood kids are playing cowboys and Indians, Mrs. Wilson calls her husband "Matt", and Mr. Wilson calls his wife "Miss Kitty".

O’Bservation – Sorry to sully your childhood memories, but could this have led to a little “afternoon delight” role-playing upstairs?

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis:
Will the Real Santa Claus Please Come Down the Chimney? (1962)
Maynard says that even though he's never actually seen him, he believes in Marshal Dillon (but he's not so sure about Chester).

The Andy Griffith Show:
Aunt Bee's Medicine Man (1963)
Aunt Bee calls Andy "Sheriff Matt Dillon" and asks "Where's Chester?"

The Dick Van Dyke Show:
Racy Tracy Rattigan (1963)
Sally limps out of the office calling for Mr. Dillon

Dennis the Menace:
A Man Among Men (1963)
Dennis mentions Sheriff Matt Dillon, and then he starts to limp.

Gilligan's Island:
The Sound of Quacking (1964)
In the "Marshal Gilligan" dream sequence, which also features limping deputy Skipper and barmaid "Miss Ginger"

The Andy Griffith Show:
Fun Girls (1964)
Gomer says Goober can walk just like Chester on "Marshall Dillon", which was the title for the half-hour episodes of "Gunsmoke" when the series was expanded to a full hour.

Password:
Lucille Ball & Gary Morton vs. Luci Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. (1964)
When the password is COWBOY, Gary's clue is GUNSMOKE, to which Desi Jr.'s reply is CHESTER. That is the first name of a central character played by Dennis Weaver on the TV show.

O’Bservation – I included this since ‘Password’ has its own televersion thanks to ‘The Odd Couple’.

My Favorite Martian:
The Time Machine Is Waking Up That Old Gang of Mine (1965)
Mistakenly believing that Tim and Martin are claiming to be Frank and Jesse James, the railroad detective sarcastically introduces himself as Marshal Dillon.

Gilligan's Island:
The Postman Cometh (1966)
The Skipper pretends to be Marshal Dillon

Green Acres:
The Deputy (1966)
When Oliver becomes deputy sheriff, Eb calls him 'Mr. Dillon'

The Monkees:
Monkees in a Ghost Town (1966)
Davy calls up Chester who tells him Marshal Dillon is absent.

O'Bservation - It's the Monkees; I'm not going to throw my back out trying to splain that away!

Gilligan's Island:
Gilligan Goes Gung-Ho (1966)
Newly appointed Deputy Gilligan limps and calls the Skipper, "Mr. Dillon"

The Monkees:
Monkees in Texas (1967)
referenced in musical cues

Petticoat Junction:
One of Our Chickens Is Missing (1969)
Buck refers to Orrin as Marshal Dillon.

All in the Family:
Flashback - Mike and Gloria's Wedding: Part 2 (1972)
Mentioned by Archie

The Bob Newhart Show:
Last TV Show (1973)
Mentioned several times, including Mrs. Bakerman claiming she hasn't missed it in seventeen years.

All in the Family:
Archie the Gambler (1973)
Archie says Edith whips out a pencil like Matt Dillon.

Here's Lucy:
The Carters Meets Frankie Avalon (1973)
In their comic banter as Sonny and Cher, Avalon (Sonny) mentions being cast in "Gunsmoke"

O'Bservation - I'd have to see the actual quote.  But I don't see evidence either Bono or Avalon were actually on 'Gunsmke'.  If the quote asserts one of them was a guest star, then Toobworld has a fictional episode of the Western.

Q & Q:
Ding dong!!! (1976)
Title mentioned by Yvonne

Sanford and Son:
The TV Addict (1976)
Fred says he's in love with Miss Kitty.

The Muppet Show:
Juliet Prowse (1977)
"Cowboy Time" sketch spoofs Gunsmoke

CHiPs:
High Explosive (1978)
Grossman compares Jon to Matt Dillon

The Twilight Zone:
Gramma/Personal Demons/Cold Reading (1986)
Rockne S. O'Bannon wrote for the series.

The A-Team:
The Say U.N.C.L.E. Affair (1986)
Mentioned by Tour Guide

Night Court:
The New Judge (1986)
Characters referenced

Night Court:
Contempt of Courting (1986)
"Let's go, Ms. Kitty."

The Golden Girls:
Long Day's Journey Into Marinara (1987)
Sophia says that Angela still tries to watch Gunsmoke on Sunday nights.

O'Bservation -'Gunsmoke' first aired on Saturdays before moving to Mondays.  So that quote probably questioned Angela's mental state - not ony trying to watch it on Sundays, but because the show had been off the air for twelve years. 

The Golden Girls:
A Piece of Cake (1987)
Sophia mentions by name.

Cheers:
The Crane Mutiny (1987)
Carla calls Woody "Festus".

It's Garry Shandling's Show:
No Baby, No Show (1987)
Expectant-couple mistakes Bob Dylan for Marshal Matt Dillon.

Wiseguy:
Last Rites for Lucci (1987)
Referred to.

Miami Vice:
The Cows of October (1988)
Izzy says "Get out of Casablanca", which he was bumbling the quote "Get out of Dodge", heard in one manner or another on the old series set in Dodge City.

Quantum Leap:
How the Tess Was Won - August 5, 1956 (1989)
Sam sarcastically quips, "Aw, gee shucks, Mr. Dillon."

Hey Dude:
Amnesia (1990)
Title is referenced

Quantum Leap:
Rebel Without a Clue - September 1, 1958 (1990)
Sam jokingly refers to Dillon as "Marshal Dillon."

The Gambler Returns:
The Luck of the Draw (1991)
 (TV Movie)
action takes place in the Longbranch Saloon

The Larry Sanders Show:
Hey Now (1992)
Larry tells Hank that he looks like Kitty from Gunsmoke

Baywatch:
A Matter of Life and Death (1993)
When Hobie mentions actor Matt Dillon from “The Flamingo Kid”, Mitch's dad thinks it's the James Arness character.

Married... with Children:
Get Outta Dodge (1994)
Reference to "Get the hell out of Dodge [City]"

Friends:
The One with the Breast Milk (1995)
Chandler tells Joey to go see Miss Kitty who will fix him up with a nice hooker.

3rd Rock from the Sun:
Dickmalion (1997)
The show is on when Dick turns on Mary's new TV.

Law & Order:
Castoff (1998)
Congressman Maxwell refers to the series.

Nash Bridges:
Skin Deep (1998)
A tattoo artist looks at Evan's old-time sheriff badge he bought and says he must be Miss Kitty. Though Kitty was not an officer of the law or deputized.

3rd Rock from the Sun:
Dr. Solomon's Traveling Alien Show (1998)
Mary tells Don that she and Dick have a game based on the show.

Nash Bridges:
Shoot the Moon (1999)
Joe tells Nash, "Come on, Chester" while helping him walk after being shot in the butt and having trouble. This refers to a deputy named Chester who walked with a limp.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer:
This Year's Girl (2000)
"I tell you, if I were her, I'd get out of Dodge post hasty." This phrase originated on Gunsmoke

American Dreams:
The One (2003)
Roxanne refers to the series.

Monk:
Mr. Monk and Little Monk (2005)
"Gunsmoke" lunchbox in Young Sherry's locker.

Veronica Mars:
Debasement Tapes (2007)
Marshal Dillon mentioned.

Chuck:
Chuck Versus the Predator (2009)
Emmett, comparing the situation to a Western, says, "It was a lawless town: Shane, Marshal Dillon, Clint Eastwood."

Justified:
Riverbrook (2010)
Mentioned in dialogue

iCarly:
iSam's Mom (2010)
Name of the overly macho bodyguard protecting Freddie

Sam & Cat:
#BlooperEpisode (2014)
Two fans mention some of Maree Cheatham's past work

Cocaine Cowboys:
Reloaded (2014)
The Matt Dillon character is mentioned.

Masters of Sex:
Kyrie Eleison (2014)
Dr. Greathouse says that Dr. Masters has a bigger following than "Gunsmoke".

Masters of Sex:
Story of My Life (2014)
mentioned by Lester

This Is Us:
Moonshadow (2017)
Darryl mentions the show to Jack.

Endeavour:
Pylon (2019) 
Mrs Thursday was watching this on television.

Inspector Fred Thursday:
'Gunsmoke', is it?
Win Thursday:
I don't know. Something....

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit:
I'm Going To Make You a Star (2019)
short clip of unidentified black-and-white episode seen on TV.

And so the televersion of another TV series has been added to the Television Crossover Hall of Fame.  It’s 635 episodes and five TV movies probably guarantee its place as the member series with most viewing hours.

Get outta Dodge, ‘Gunsmoke’, and into the TVXOHOF!

BIG SCREEN TV - "HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER"

Every so often, Toobworld Central takes a look at the movies which are real here in Earth Prime and which have counterparts in Earth Prime-Time.  Sometimes there are Zonks which have to be splained away – like how can a movie in our world be a movie there in Toobworld and yet have a televersion counterpart with characters who could theoretically interact with TV characters from other shows.  Examples include “M*A*S*H”, “Nine To Five”, “The Exorcist”.  My favorite is “Casablanca”.  There are three televersions, one starring Paul Douglas in a Borderland, another in the main Toobworld with Charles McGraw, and in Toobworld2 with David Soul as Rick.  And yet the movie is quoted often and Mitchell of ‘Being Human’ acted in the movie (although he couldn’t be seen in the prints due to being a vampire.)

I chose “High Plains Drifter” because it was being shown as an establishing shot in an episode of ‘Columbo’.  There aren’t many TV shows which cite it and it’s almost Zonk-free.

"HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER"

August 22, 1973

A gun-fighting stranger comes to the small settlement of Lago and is hired to bring the townsfolk together in an attempt to hold off three outlaws who are on their way.

My buddy Michael Kelley and I went to see this movie in our last year of high school and just before we shipped out to college.  I really liked it, mainly for all of the great character actors and because Verna Bloom had quite the effect on this teenage lad.  Plus it had Billy Curtis – the Mayor of Munchkin City!

In November of last year, I saw it in that ‘Columbo’ episode and decided to use it during our TV Western showcase in August.

The A-Team:
When You Comin' Back, Range Rider?: Part 1 (1983)
 

Stryker:
"What are you gonna do about these guys we told you about, Bus?"

Bus Carter:

"Who, that bunch of masked yahoos riding around
like the high plains drifters or somebody?"

Veronica Mars:
The Rapes of Graff (2006)
A reference to "high plains drifters"

Hemlock Grove:
Hello, Handsome (2013) 

Letha Godfrey:
"You do know we're in high school and not a Clint Eastwood movie."

Peter Rumancek:
"You ever seen 'High Plains Drifter'?"

I saved the first two references for the last because they pose the possible Zonk.

First, the ‘Columbo’ reference:

Columbo:
Double Exposure
(1973)
The film is being shown at the Magnolia Theater when Dr. Kepple kills Roger White.

Big mistake for Roger to tell Kepple where he could be found at night!

The movie came out early in 1973 and the episode was first broadcast in December of that year.  It’s doubtful that any movie – unless it’s something like the first “Star Wars” or “Titanic” - would have such an extended run in the theatres.  So it’s pozz’ble, just pozz’ble, that either the Toobworld version of the movie opened later in the year or the episode took place far earlier than in December.  (There was nothing very seasonal about it, in effect making it timeless save for the technological advances since it was broadcast.)  But such an alteration to the Toobworld timeline could cause more problems than it would be worth, both within the world of ‘Columbo’ and for the dimension of Earth Prime-Time at large.  I think it best to declare that in Toobworld, “High Plains Drifter” opened during the summer.  (In a way, it had a summer release feel to it.)

Now here’s the reference that causes several Zonkish problems…..

Baretta: 

The Ninja
(1976)
The title appears on the Magnolia Theatre marquee.

It’s never specifically stated as to where ‘Baretta’ actually took place.  I’ve seen references online which state that it was in New York City; others saying that it was set in New Jersey like its predecessor ‘Toma’.  Whenever I looked in on an episode back in the day (It was never really of interest to me.), I always thought it was to be found in the seamier areas of Los Angeles.  (Probably the same place where Columbo visited that soup kitchen in “Negative Reaction”.)

But as you can see from the two marquee shots, they were both filmed at the same Magnolia Theater.

From the IMDb:
Magnolia Theater
4403 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, California

The people seen buying tickets are different in each shot, but even so, it’s likely these were excerpts from stock footage filmed at the same time.  So no matter where ‘Baretta’ takes place, the question remains: Why would a 1973 movie still be shown in that movie theater three years later?  And how come theaters on both coasts not only shared the same name but looked exactly the same.

I’m going to go for the easiest splainins.  The two Magnolia theaters were owned by the same corporation and the original owner of that chain insisted that all of his theaters should look always the same in order to cement the franchise in people’s minds.

Easy Peasy.

THE MYTHOGRAPHY OF GILES FRENCH

As noted in the previous post, our latest honorary inductee into the TVXOHOF is Giles French of ‘Family Affair,’ to mark the centenary of Sebastian Cabot.

We offered up all the official qualifications for his membership.  Now we get to the fun stuff - the hypothetical connections to other shows for Giles French!

“What kind of man is Mr. French?”

Cissy Davis
‘Family Affair’

From Wikipedia:
When Sebastian Cabot unexpectedly became ill during the first season, he was replaced by John Williams. It was explained that Giles French was summoned to England by the Queen, and his brother Niles filled in at the Davis' doorstep.

(O'Bservation: The IMDb lists John Williams' character of the brother as Nigel "Niles" French.)

There were hundreds of valets in Great Britain back in 1967, maybe more.  There must have been at least a hundred members of the royal retinue of butlers, valets, footmen, etc. serving the House of Windsor spread out among the various castles around the country.  So why would the Queen have needed the service of one particular butler who was now ensconced in New York City?  

Maybe she didn't need the service of French the butler.  Perhaps it was a request for Mr. French to be on Her Majesty’s Secret Service?

To me, it makes sense.  But we all know about my tenuous grasp of Reality......

In order to honor the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sebastian Cabot, I’m going to come up with theoretical links to other TV shows for French, Master of Espionage.  

My lawyer reminds me that I should mention that this is all conjecture. of course, of course. 

THE FRENCH FAMILY HOUSE
ON BATTLE STREET, SILVERHILL
NOW ABANDONED
[Giles French was born in here, 1918]

In Silverhill, just to the north of Hastings, Giles French was born in 1918, just before the end of the Great War.  (It would not be known as World War One until it became necessary to number them.)  

Several of his uncles on both sides of his family died in battle – as a matter of fact, one was shot in the back the minute after the Christmas truce ended.  Giles' own father, Nigel French, left his family behind in order to avenge their loss.  But early in 1917, he lost his arm at the Battle of Poictesme and was shipped home to his family in Silverhill, after a period of convalescence in Yorkshire.  

NIGEL FRENCH, SR. @ DOWNTON ABBEY

When it was time to be discharged both from that convalescence and from military service, Nigel French's wife and young children traveled up to the village of Downton in order to escort him from the local manor house which had been turned into a military hospital for the duration of the war.

It was during this brief sojourn before their return to the Hastings area that Mrs. French became pregnant with Giles.  This was unplanned, a late-in-life baby; they already had two children, a boy and a girl.  The eldest son of the Frenches, born in 1903, was named after his father, Nigel, but everyone called him “Niles” as a diminutive nickname.  (When Niles turned fifteen, just before the birth of his brother, he ran away from home to join the war effort.  He lied about his age in order to enlist, only to be thwarted by the declaration of armistice on November 11th.)

Mrs. French was insistent that her new son should be named “Giles” after her brother who perished in 1914 at the battle of Ypres.  (She also thought it was cute to have sons known as “Niles” and “Giles”.)

Giles showed great promise at school and was offered the opportunity to attend Eton College in Berkshire.  However, his parents did not have the means to afford such a privileged education and so they refused the invitation, especially not after scraping all they could spare to send Niles to Brendan.  However, a mysterious but affable - if mildly distracted - stranger (Giles’s sister considered him “tweedy”), who introduced himself to them as “The Professor”, revealed to them that his life had been saved at Ypres by the sacrifice of Mrs. French’s brother, a chaplain known to the squad as “Padre”.  When asked his name, the Professor deflected the question by revealing that the Padre knew him as “Kipper”.

YPRES 1914

From a position he now held in London, the Professor had been able to observe the life of Giles French from afar and as a gesture of respect to the family of the man who saved his life, he offered to at least pay the tuition and living expenses for the lad at Devington, a minor public school In Midsomer Parva.  Devington was of some repute as a training ground for those with a future in the diplomatic service.  That it would not be as toney as Eton at least smoothed the ruffled dignity of French, Senior, and so he allowed Giles to enroll at the age of thirteen.  (That would be in 1931.)

While he was away at school, his older sister believed that she had brought shame upon the family.  She had been working as a server at the Royal Oak in Hastings since before Giles left home.  But during his first term, she met Emile, a foreign seaman who originally hailed from the Duchy of Trent.  Something about his brooding demeanor appealed to her and she soon gave in to temptation.  But while it was rapturous love for Miss French, it had only been a passing fancy in another port for the sailor.  His ship embarked before the break of day and she never saw him again. 

But he did leave her with a memento of their night together….

Realizing she was pregnant with his child, Miss French quickly packed her things and took her savings in order to book passage to America.  There she would give birth to her child in anonymity to spare her family’s honour.

In the tenements of New York City she gave birth to a son whom she named Andrew.  She had already disguised her origins at Ellis Island by proclaiming that her surname was “Paris” – a private little game of the name to remind her of who she really was. 

Andrew Paris would grow up to become not only a master illusionist, but also an operative for a government agency under the purview of the Secretary of State.  He would one day get to impersonate his own father during a mission in the Duchy of Trent, with neither being the wiser as to their blood relation to each other.

Having shown excellence in all subjects while at Devington, Giles was offered a full scholarship to Oxford.  As he felt that he gained that honour on his own merits without any intervention by “Tweedy” AKA ‘The Professor, Giles accepted the scholarship and enrolled in Lonsdale College. 

One late evening in the spring of 1940, with his country at war with Germany since the Nazi invasion of Poland the previous September, Giles was stumbling back to his room after a night at the Eagle and Child.  Hearing a strange scraping of an engine, he espied a police box at the far end of the Lonsdale College commons.  There must have been mist that night, he thought, for Giles could have sworn the police box wasn’t there but a moment before.  Its door opened and a small man stepped out and began crossing the commons toward Giles.  Two other people stood in the doorway and watched him as he left their company.  One was a man dressed in Victorian garb as though he was going to a fancy dress party, while the other was a young woman of chestnut hair and a sweet comeliness highlighted by the bright idealism enlarging her eyes.  Her clothes were just as foreign to Giles, even shocking as her dress ended high up her thigh and the wild pattern seemed almost futuristic to him.

Satisfied that their friend was safely on his way, they reentered the police box and closed the door.

As the man got closer, Giles recognized him as his mysterious benefactor, the man whom he only knew as “the Professor”.  But he remembered his older sister’s cheeky nickname for the old duffer.

“Professor Kipper,” he called out.  “Is that you?”

“You remember!” smiled the older man cheerfully.  “Although 'Kipper' was just a nickname by which your uncle once knew me,”

“I know you never did tell my parents your real name….”

The prompting by Giles was recognized by the Professor.

With a nod of acquiescence, he replied, “Safer for them that they didn’t know it.  And my current position in the war effort precludes me from revealing my name to you.  But I’m hoping there will be a long association between the two of us, Master French; therefore, you may address me as Mr. W., but I would prefer if you continue addressing me as the Professor.”

Mr. W. quickly mapped out his plans for Giles’ future: as he was in his final weeks at Oxford, the Professor was giving him the opportunity to serve King and Country against “the Hun”.  At first Giles demurred, fearing that it would be some desk-bound service of a type in which the Professor himself looked to be proficient.  Probably some dusty archive, at best trying to crack codes, if not toiling away in some underground archives, filing.  Giles would rather be in the thick of it as his brother Niles was – even if Niles was stationed so far away from the action with his regiment near Mayapore, India.

That is what you are supposed to think, the Professor confided to Giles.  The King’s Own South Oxfordshire Infantry was currently advancing on the village of Villenueve in hopes of taking it as their stronghold in the heart of German-occupied France.  That was the type of thing Giles longed for, but he was afraid his schooling at Devington had doomed him to a career in the diplomatic corps. 

Mr. W. clasped his hand on Giles’ back and urged him to return to the police box with him.  “I’d like you to meet a friend of mine.  He’s known as the Doctor….”

French scoffed at that.  “Of course.  The Doctor.  The Professor.  And who was that fetching young woman with the Doctor?  What do you call her?  Matron?”

“Miss Johnson is a teacher.  But currently she is on hiatus from a Los Angeles high school where she is employed so that she might travel with the Doctor.”

Getting closer to the police box, Giles whispered confidentially, “Are they a couple, Mr. W.?  Would I have any chance should I ask her -#”

“I’m not sure you could handle the age difference, French.”

“She doesn’t look too much older than me, Sir.  I believe I would be able to acquit myself with an older woman….”

“Older?” the Professor chuckled.  “My dear boy, you’re looking at it from the wrong perspective!  She’s younger than you!  As a matter of fact, Alice won’t even be born until 1947!”

The door of the police box opened and W. gestured for French to enter.  “I’ll explain all once you join us inside.  We have a small wager on what you’ll say once you enter, and I’d like to see if I won….”

After Giles finished his schooling, the Professor mentored him through training to join the war effort via the Double-Cross System as utilized by the espionage branch known as M9.  But he was eager to do more and pestered the Professor to be sent on undercover missions.

Although the Professor resisted, the matter was taken out of his hands when it was discovered that French bore an uncanny resemblance to a Moroccan sheikh known as the Caid.  As they needed someone to get into Casablanca to contact some members of the French Resistance at the Blue Parrot Cafe, French was finally able to undertake a mission and all because he had an evil twin.

His support team, including a young man named Phelps, abducted the Caid to keep him hidden away until the mission was completed.  (You can imagine the sheikh's surprise when he was confronted with his "identical cousin"!)

But before French could extricate himself from Casablanca, the Caid escaped and raised the alarm.  Needing to get quickly out of Morocco but now saddled with a disguise that no longer protected him, French did some quick thinking - he rifled the office of the Blue Parrot's owner and stole his identification papers.  Armed with a letter of transit procured by Phelps, French slipped out of the country while passing himself off as Signor Ferrari.....

(That resemblance to the Caid would lead to an awkward encounter years later once he was living in New York.  While at the business office of a New York paper to place an ad for his employer, he ran into the newspaper's proof-reader.  His name was Holliday and as with many newspaper employees of that time, he was mild-mannered. Back in the mid-1950s,  had once tangled with the Caid himself.)

Satisfied that French could handle himself in a tight spot, Mr. W. sent him undercover many times during the war.  Although he never actually fought as a soldier, there were times when he was dispatched to the front lines for missiona of the highest secrecy.  During his many missions, Giles French came into contact with other spies like the Fox and the Elephant, otherwise known as Stephen Halliday and Thomas Devon, and with embedded reporters like "Deadline" Norris of the New York Record. 

Norris was going through a mid-life crisis as the editor at the Record and felt like his life needed some kind of a shake-up; something that would make him feel alive again like he did back during Prohibition.  That's why he volunteered to go back to being a reporter on the front lines.

French even met with diplomats of the highest order like Howard Paige (through whom French was reunited with the Detective Chief Superintendent of Hastings.  The detective had once threatened to jail Giles as a boy for nicking an apple when the French family had gone there for a beach day.)  

THE DETECTIVE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT
[from Giles French's perspective as a boy]

But he also made fast friends among the members of the armed forces, from the foot soldiers to the officers, even American troops.  In fact, it was the King Company's King Two squadron that picked him up outside the village of Villenueve when French parachuted in from a secret flight that began at Archbury Field.

It was a flight of such priority Brigadier General Frank Savage himself flew the plane instead of the previously assigned Major Roger Crittenden.

While there in Villenueve, Giles was reunited with his brother Niles who was the batman for his commanding officer.  It was only a short visit as Giles had to return to England as quickly as possible.  But both of the French brothers were heartened by the reunion during which Niles revealed that once the war was over, he would be seeking a career as a valet, similar to his duties as a batman.

Deadline Norris happened to be in the village that day and wanted to cover their reunion as a human interest story.  The French brothers reluctantly agreed, but forced Norris to give their surname as "Felix" for security sake.

The story was never filed as Norris was shot while trying to make it back to England.  He died in French's arms.....
In the years following World War II,

(O'Bservation: For any who might think that French's WWII exploits sound too far-fetched for a man of his girth, remember "Family Affair" took place twenty years later.  As Giles French once said, back then he was younger and slimmer.)

Giles French played a role in the early days of the "Circus", but soon became disillusioned with the cause as he saw the corruption seeping in.

But it finally came to a head with the murder of a former undercover agent with whom he worked on several missions behind the lines in France.  He only knew her as Aimee and he knew that was an alias, but then again, he also was using an alias - "Mr. Felix".  Nevertheless, he was entranced with her devil-may-care whims. 

However, there was a darkness in her as well, triggered by her capture by the Gestapo who tortured her mercilessly.  (Luckily for her, they never learned that she was Jewish or they would have killed her on the spot.)  ”Aimee” was eventually rescued by some of her friends, albeit with some loss of life and freedom among her rescuers.  Still there were more blows to her spirit – when she returned to England, “Aimee’ found that her mother had committed suicide.

French didn’t begin working with her until after she returned to the fieldwork, although she no longer worked with her associates from before her capture.  She had new associates, like Giles French, and new superiors back home.
“Aimee” confided to French that she believed that she had been betrayed by someone in that first team whom she should have trusted.  She feared that another attempt on her life would occur. 

With a near fatal “accident” during one mission, “Aimee” disappeared and French never learned what happened to her.  That is, not until after he had joined the intelligence community, when she showed up at his London flat with the revelation that she finally discovered who had betrayed her to the Nazis during the war.  French was the only person she felt she could trust anymore and that's why she came to hiim.  It did take a few years however, since she only knew him by his alias "Mr. Felix".

French kept her hidden away at his place while he went on a previously scheduled meeting with his superior George, but when he came back to the flat, she was gone.

The body of “Aimee” was found floating in the Thames the next morning and the agency pulled strings to have it chalked up as a suicide like her mother.  But French knew better and he resigned on the spot.  Luckily for him, everyone knew why he resigned so he wasn’t “vanished” to the sort of place where warders sought information… information… information, and usually got it by hook or by crook.

Despite Control's entreaties for him to reconsider, and refusing the offer of Mr. W.'s invitation to join him at the newly emerging organization at the United Nations dealing with the command of law enforcement, Giles French chose to enter service – butling service, that is, just as his brother Niles did after the war.

Realizing there would be no dissuading him, Mr. W. suggested to French that should he ever seek employ in the United States, he should request the advice of a valet who once had been his compatriot back during the First World War, one Alfred Pennyworth.  Pennyworth was now in service in America, at stately Wayne Manor on the outskirts of Gotham City but had also come to the service of the King during the war with his skills in archery and swordsmanship.

Giles followed his brother’s example by enrolling at The Butler & Gentleman's Gentleman Association as the place to go for training in the art of butling.  (Their motto was "Better, Brighter, More Beautiful Butling.)  Graduating with honors from that school, French was snapped up to be a footman at the great manor on the outskirts of Downton in Yorkshire.

It amused him that he was now employed near the small inn where he had been conceived.  There he began his career in service as second footman and showed such promise that it was suggested he might one day be the personal valet for one of the next generation of the family.  (None of whom would inherit the estate, being the children of their mother’s second marriage.)

At one point, his former skills with that early version of MI5 proved to be still with him as he assisted a renowned Belgian sleuth in the solution of a murder in the library of the Abbey.  (The little detective had been disabled by several strokes and so French had been assigned to be on call for him through his stay.)  That investigation was in January of 1950, one month before the esteemed Belgian detective died.

French's service there at the manor became legen- wait for it -dary, and word soon spread among the wealthy associates of the family regarding his stellar talents as a butler.   It didn't take more than a few years before Giles French was poached by Lord Glenmore to be the head butler of his own household.

Unfortunately, Mr. French left the service of Lord Glenmore only a few years later under a cloud of suspicion.  Rumour had it that he was a married bounder who was hoping to extort money from the Glenmore estate.  However, this was a scheme cooked up by Lord Glenmore and French.

Apparently Glenmore’s daughter Evelyn had come to believe she was in love with him after their long conversations about books.  French agreed that it put him in an untenable position and that he should leave.  But he wanted to make sure that it was a clean break so that Evelyn wouldn’t be left behind, pining for him.  Thus, the story.

However, such news spread quickly in English society, both upstairs and downstairs, and French couldn’t find employ anywhere in the United Kingdom.  So he turned his sights to America.  And with the help of an old friend of his from back in the war, Stephen Halliday, he got a meeting with Halliday’s identical cousin, Bill Davis.

Davis was the president of Davis & Gaynor Construction Company and lived at 600 East 62nd Street in Manhattan, Apartment 27A.  It was a large apartment, perhaps bigger than a single man needed, but French assured Davis that he could handle anything that came his way. 

That would be an assertion which would be eventually put to the test, not that either of them knew that at that moment.

Pressed for time to catch a flight so that he could begin a new construction project in South America, Davis hired French on the spot with no concern about checking his references.  If his cousin Stephen vouched for him, that was good enough

When he returned from his time in Santo Marco, Davis marveled at how spotless the place now looked and since it didn’t appear that anything of value was missing, that was good enough for him.  And that was the beginning of their long association.

During that time while Mr. Davis was away, French didn’t squander his time after cleaning the entire apartment.  He locked in the best estimate for the delivery of the mail and he checked into the background of the paperboy who delivered the New York Chronicle in the morning and the New York Ledger in the afternoon.  And he put his old skills to use by investigating all of Davis’ neighbors to make sure his new master would never be in jeopardy.

A "SAINTLY" NEIGHBOR'S APARTMENT

Only one other resident raised French’s alarms – a man reputed to be a philanthropist but a pirate as well.  His name was known internationally, and being a globe-trotting adventurer was his stock in trade.  French felt confident that -- whether or not he deserved a halo along with accolades - the neighbor wouldn’t be much of a hindrance to the serenity of the Davis household.  (Although there was that one time in 1962 when his apartment was nearly blown up by a crooked union leader.) 

In 1966, Bill Davis’ brother and sister-in-law were killed in a car crash, leaving their three children orphaned: fifteen year old Catherine (known as “Cissy”), and the fraternal twins Buffy and Jody who were were around ten years of age.  The children were shipped off to other relatives but they couldn’t take care of them.  In order to keep the children together, Bill Davis reluctantly agreed to take them in and raise them himself. 

This was a shock to Giles French, of course.  He had seen his life as valet to Bill Davis as being his version of a cloistered life; and this new intrusion of children was something not even all of his training with the Professor could have prepared him for.  It didn’t take long, however, for him to fall under the sway of their charms. 

January of 1967
Several months after the arrival of the children, French’s past reached out for him – he was summoned back to England, commanded by the Queen herself!  So assured were they that he would answer her summons, they sent his brother Niles to replace him in the Davis household, since Niles had already retired from his service.

To his surprise, Giles French found himself sharing Oceanic Airways flight 423 with Alfred Pennyworth.  There were no other passengers and the crew could not (or would not) answer their question.  As there seemed no way to discover the truth, they decided to let the matter rest for the duration of the flight and instead they ordered a round of McCutcheon on ice….

They arrived at Heathrow and were greeted by Scotland Yard Chief Superintendent Durk who quickly hustled them both into a waiting limousine which had a police escort.

The procession brought them out of London, beyond the town of Marbury, to a manor house in the village of Grantleigh.  The owners of the manor and their staff had vacated the premises for its use by the British government.  (Their only request?  That those who would be staying in their manor should refrain from using their towels monogrammed with a florid "ff-H".)

THE SECLUDED TRAINING CENTER

CS Durk led French and Pennyworth inside where a small group of men who had that distinctive bearing of the quintessential valet were already assembled.  At the forefront was a man named Raleigh who identified himself as the top professional in charge of this top secret mission.  French knew who he was, for he made Raleigh’s acquaintance briefly during his short career with the Circus, but he went by a code name back then, something of an equine nature – Colt, perhaps?  Stallion?  French couldn’t remember.

With Raleigh now in control, CS Durk took his leave of his charges and his team of Metro police departed the premises.  But the property was still patrolled by UNIT troops.  (And for that seemingly insignificant service to the Crown, Durk found himself on the fast track for promotion.)

Raleigh introduced the other butlers to each other.  Along with French and Pennyworth, there were several old duffers – one who had to be in his 90s, but still reflecting the tough demeanor he displayed during his service as a batman during the First World War.  Even so, he had cast off many of the formalities of their profession and told the others that they should call him "Buntie".

"BUNTIE" IN HIS GLORY DAYS

The other, in his mid-70s, was unwilling to identify himself and so Raleigh intervened and named him as Thom, no last name offered.  Hidden beneath the many scars on his face, French could tell there had once been quite a handsome visage, almost beautiful.  It wasn’t the only physical damage he had suffered – Thom tried to hide it, but his left hand was gloved as though it might have been damaged in some way.

ONCE UPON A THOM....

Whatever had happened to the older fellow, it had hardened him - Thom was surly and apparently not one to be welcoming the newcomers.  Raleigh apologized for his behaviour, pointing out that Thom had been a guest of Her Majesty’s government since the Second World War, staying in such “resorts” as Farnleigh, Crown Hill, Redford, Slade, and Teddington.

Another valet from the back of the group sniped, “More of a batty man than a batman, more bufter than butler, if you know what I mean, nudge nudge wink wink.”

RAYMOND BERATES HIGGINS

“Stanley!” Another older butler chided the cat-caller before turning back to the new arrivals. “You’ll have to forgive our man Stanley; he’s spent a few years too many working for Americans.”

Thanks to their own ingrained breeding, French and Pennyworth didn’t show umbrage at the unknowing slight.

“I’m rather partial to the prospect of working with Americans,” beamed another butler whom Raleigh had earlier introduced as Lynn Belvedere.  “I assume there would be less stress involved than I had serving Mr. Churchill or even Mr. Gandhi!”

“I still don’t believe that story,” scoffed the other butler. 

“Yeah, you’re full of hot air, Tubby,” sneered the one named Thom as he lit the cigarette in his mysteriously gloved hand.  “Not surprising, I suppose, by the look of you.  Do they float you in their parade come their Day of Thanks?”

“Haven’t we met before?” Pennyworth intruded, puzzled by how familiar the stranger looked. 

“The name is Helmsley.  Raymond Helmsley.  I’m afraid you have the better of me, Sir.  I don’t think we’ve met.”

Realization dawned on Raymond’s face.  “Oh dear.  I’m afraid you may have mistaken me for my brother Maurice Helmsley. He also is in the service as it were; he works for a mystery writer named Wallace.  But while I am addressed as ‘Raymond’ by my employer, Dr. Willis, my brother uses only our family name.”

But Pennyworth shook his head. “I was thinking of one of my employer’s… shall we say, adversaries.  But I think he’s of Canadian descent.  Still, it’s amazing how much you resemble each other.  Quite the puzzler!”

Raleigh finished up the introductions and then led them into the study which had already been swept for surveillance devices.

“Well then!” Raleigh began cheerily.  “I’m sure you all have questions as to why Her Majesty has summoned you here.”

“Who cares?” snarled Thom.  “Got me out of Farnleigh, that’s all I care about!”

Ignoring him, Raleigh continued.  “On February 6th, just a few weeks from now, Soviet  Premier Alexei Kosygin will be arriving in Great Britain for a series of private conferences with our Prime Minister.  Three days later there will be a reception with Her Majesty in his honour at Buckingham Palace.  It will be a relatively small reception, no more than about sixty guests.  And per the Premier, the men will be in business suits and the women in simple dresses and not ballroom gowns or tuxedoes.”

“Why exactly did you need us then?” asked Old Bunter.  “Not that I’m not grateful for getting sprung from the Bayview Retirement Home, mind!  But there are plenty of butlers and footmen at Buckingham Palace!”

“And they’re most certainly younger than we are and with better honed skills,” added Raymond.

“Each of you have skills in your background that will come in handy should a crisis arise.  And the regular staff would be ill-equipped to handle such crises.”

“So why not get M9 or UNIT to work undercover as the butlers?” Higgins demanded.

Raleigh shook his head.  They’d be able to nip any problem should it arise, nip it in the bud.  Unfortunately, they lack the finesse to pass themselves off as seasoned valets.  And with the best butling school in the country shut down due to infiltration by a spy network, there’s no place and indeed, no tie to get them the training they need to avoid being noticed in a moment.  No, they’ll be available should the need arise, but you gentlemen will be the first best line of defense.”

“You really think the Russkie will try to attack the Queen?”

Raleigh shrugged.  “One of our operatives in M9 had been looking into this for us, but for some reason he recently, inexplicably resigned before we could debrief him.  And now he’s disappeared.

“But we have had reports that a third party is planning something devious against both Her Majesty and the Premier.  Such an attack would throw the Free World into chaos, not to mention how the Soviet Union would view the situation!

“So we’ve gathered all of you to be that first line of defense.  Those skills which you excel, in both as operatives and as valets, we know they will come back easily to you.  We’re more concerned in making sure you blend together seamlessly as a team so that it looks as though you’ve been working with each other at Buckingham Palace for years.

“I have it in mind to forge you all into a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’s Gentlemen!”

The situation did seem dire and the butlers accepted the request to serve Queen and Country.

Those last three weeks before Kosygin’s visit went quickly but smoothly as the disparate butlers meshed perfectly as one.  As Raleigh anticipated, they were a team of superlatives. 

February 9th, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’s Gentlemen were on edge but they knew their duty and performed their functions flawlessly.  Among the guests were Prime Minister Wilson, the American Ambassador, several knighted celebrities, and mystery novelist Dame Abigail Austin.  Light entertainment was provided by a wandering ventriloquist and his dummy Maykl the Clown.

As the evening wore on, it became a bit wearing on the older members of the team but still they remained sharp.  In fact, it was 90-year-old Buntie who spotted that not all was in place – he spotted a maid coming down the stairs who should not have been seen by the guests.  But more shocking than that breach of etiquette was the fact that she summoned memories of a maid he once knew and courted decades before.  And yet she had not aged a day from how he remembered her.

“Rose?” he quavered in a whisper as he approached her.  “Rose?  Could it be possible?”

She turned to face him and he noticed right away the lifeless sheen of her eyes and his gasp of alarm caught the attention of Raleigh.  As he had past experience with such cybernauts, Raleigh quickly summoned the team to advance on her before she could attack either Kosygin or the Queen.

Raleigh commanded Buntie and Raymond to take charge of shepherding the guests to safety as the Queen’s security gave her and Kosygin top priority.

“Alicia!” cried the ventriloquist’s dummy.  “Detonate!”

Raleigh turned in time to see the ventriloquist pull a small pistol from his cummerbund; how it got past the security checkpoints would have to be explored later.  The important thing now was to disarm him. 

But before he could engage the anarchist, the ventriloquist was struck in the neck by a spinning serving tray flung by Thom.  As the ventriloquist crumpled to the ground, Pennyworth put his swordsmanship skills to the test with a skewer and swung wide.  The ventriloquist’s head toppled off, accompanied by sparks.  He had been an android just like the maid. 

As the ventriloquist was falling, the dummy leapt out of its arms onto a wheeled serving table which carried him out of the reception hall to make good his escape.  Giles and Lynn gave chase and as they entered the gardens, they were the ones who were apprehended by the UNIT soldiers.  As they struggled with their captors and tried to reason with them, Lynn noticed the blank stare in their eyes.  “French!  They’re androids too!”

Suddenly they heard a loud explosion inside and the androids froze in place as if there was some sort of connection between them and the detonation.  French and Belvedere extricated themselves from the androids’ grip and rushed back inside to find Thom placing royal linen over a body.

“There’s been a death in the family,” Raymond reported with some measure of sorrow. 

Thom grimly nodded.  “It was apparent that Alicia fembot was about to explode, so our man Higgins leapt on her and brought her down.  He took the full brunt of the blast.”

Buntie shook his head.  "The robot's payload was a load of buckshot.  Morbidly fitting, considering the last name of whom I thought she was...."

Despite the loss of their teammate, Raleigh quickly debriefed them.  “The ventriloquist’s dummy had to be a midget.  I think it likely it was the leader of an evil spy organization in the States who calls himself ‘Mr. Big’.”

“I came across reports of him during the War,” French added.  “There were unconfirmed reports that he had been operating since the American Civil War; he claimed to be a doctor back then.”

Thom scoffed at that.  “And he’s still around a century later?  Pull the other one!” 

French shrugged.  He wasn’t about to argue about it. 
Publicly, the assault was covered up with no official coverage in the newspapers, and there was no longer any reason to keep the team together.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’s Gentlemen disbanded, their work done.  But they gathered one last time for the internment ceremony with honors for Stanley Higgins.

“Someone will have to tell that family back in the States,” sighed Raymond.  “As I’m going back to Los Angeles, I’ll deliver the news, although I don’t know who he worked for or where he lived.”

“The MacRobertses.”  Raleigh gave him the state and city and the address at Kimberley Terrace Apartments.

As they made their farewells at the gravesite, Raleigh led Thom aside and handed him an envelope sealed in wax with the royal imprint.  “Your pardon, Thom, in thanks for your service.  Your prison record for all these years has been expunged.  And if you can just forbear from – well, the type of behavior that got you in trouble all those years ago, at least until July, then you’ll have no need to fear what people think of your… interests.  At least in England and Wales for the time being.”

“Maybe I won’t want to hang around to wait,” Thom grumbled. “America’s looking good; land of opportunity and all that.”

Raleigh wasn’t so sure.  “I don’t think they’re anywhere as close to recognizing basic private rights,” he warned.  “And I haven’t heard anything encouraging about the way  'Numbers’ are treated in stir.”

“I think I can find some work there, even at my age,” Thom shrugged.  “Isn’t there a family who’ll be needing a new butler over there?”

Raleigh smiled.  After a moment he called over his shoulder, “Mr. Helmsley?  I think Thom here will be making that trip to the Kimberley Terrace Apartments to give the MacRobertses the news…..”
"It will be good to get back to Los Angeles and to my wife Alma," sighed Raymond as they left the cemetery. 

"I suppose the old dear misses you," Buntie mused.

Raymond chuckled.  "Old?  She's 42 years younger than I am!"  He showed them a picture of his wife.  They were all astounded to see the pretty young blonde.

Ever blunt, Thom wanted to know old an old codger like him landed such a young bird, but he waved off the question.  "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

When they continued to pester him, he finally said, "Very well then.  I met a warlock.  And he cast a spell which made me irresistible to her."

"Of course you did.  And why would he do that for you?"

"I think he liked the way I looked." Raymond shrugged.  "I looked exactly like him!  And he had the same name as my brother...."

All but French had departed the gravesite, waiting for his chance to speak to Raleigh alone.  He offered his help in tracking down this “Mr. Big” before he could escape the kingdom.  “I found the archived material about that diabolical dwarf and his attempts to take California for himself back in the last century to be fascinating reading.  I thought it was pure fantasy, but if he really is still around, perhaps I’m now the one man to be able to profile him.”

And so Giles French extended his stay to work with M9 in tracking down “Mr. Big”.  During that time he served as a mentor for a promising and talented amateur named Tara, preparing her for the “Circus” as one of the “friends”.  And by the next year, she was ready to be partnered with Raleigh himself, still working under his equine code name.

Near the end of February 1967, French finally gained his first real lead in tracking down “Mr. Big”.  He was reportedly seen skulking about the ports, making contact with a man named P.N. Gwynne.  French also discovered that he had entered the country under the alias of “Michael Little”.

At the end of February, “Mr. Big” made his attempt to escape via P.N. Gwynne’s experimental submarine which resembled an aquatic bird from the southern hemisphere.

But Mr. French was quick to follow.  On February 25th, French boarded HMS Renown, Britain’s second Polaris submarine, for its maiden voyage, with the mission revised to overtake that other submarine as its priority.

The chase back and forth across the Atlantic brought French back to New York City by early March and both “Mr. Big” and his monocled associate (sometimes known as the Foul-Weathered Fowl) were apprehended.  He took his leave of the Renown and returned to the Davis household to resume his duties.

As usual with the great villains of Toobworld, “Mr. Big” and Gwynne quickly escaped and a year later “Mr. Big” sought revenge of Mr. French by falsifying his records to insinuate that he was an international jewel thief.  This would get French in trouble when he and the twins traveled to Rome, Italy, and he was arrested at the airport.  Luckily a man named Endicott was able to set the record straight.

Life for Giles French otherwise continued without any major incident, working for Bill Davis and helping rear the three children until they became adults and left to lead their own lives.  Once they were no longer living under the same roof, Mr. French decided to invest his time in the restaurant he opened called Our Mister French’s and so gave his notice to Bill Davis.

And finally being his own gentleman, French proposed to Miss Favisham, the nanny who was his constant companion in Central Park all those years.

All three of the Davis children still live in Toobworld, despite the sad events in the Real World for one of the actors.  But both Bill Davis and Giles French have departed the realm of Earth Prime-Time some years ago.

I’d rather not dwell on that and so I’ll bring this mythography of Giles French to a close……

I hope you enjoyed it.

BCnU!