TVXOHOF, 2015 IN MEMORIAM - FRANK GIFFORD

[Frank] Gifford, a former NFL star who made a seamless transition into sportscasting and ultimately spent 27 years with ABC’s “Monday Night Football,” died Sunday at his home in Greenwich, Conn. He was 84.

Gifford died unexpectedly from natural causes, according to a statement from his family. He was married to TV personality Kathie Lee Gifford.

For all his success as a football player, first at USC, then with the New York Giants — and that success led to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 — Gifford later became more famous for his low-key role as the even-handed play-by-play announcer, counter-balancing the pontificating Howard Cosell, the hayseedy Don Meredith, the bombastic Alex Karras and others who traipsed in and out of the ABC booth for the weekly pro football ritual.
- Mike Kupper
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

I decided a few years back that if someone deserves membership in the Television Crossover Hall Of Fame, but who dies before it can happen, then they should be inducted immediately.  My fear was that I would forget about them over time.

And so, even though this is a year in which the Hall of Fame is celebrating a "British Invasion", we're going to take the time to honor Frank Gifford. 

Here are Mr. Gifford's appearances as a member of the League Of Themselves which more than make him qualified for membership......

Captain Kangaroo 
- Episode dated 6 October 1962 

Hazel
- Hazel and the Halfback (1963)
New York Giants football star, Frank Gifford, visits with The Baxters.

The Reporter 
- How Much for a Prince? (1964)
Nick Castle [Jack Lord] is a popular baseball star and Danny's writing a series featuring him, only Castle's son is kidnapped by a crazy reader [Nick Adam].

O'Bservation: Nick Castle may be related to the Richard Castle of Earth Prime-Time.  However, only his books have been seen in the main Toobworld.  The Richard Castle of 'Castle' is in an alternate dimension.

The Six Million Dollar Man
- The Bionic Boy (1976)
In special two-hour show of "The Six Million Dollar Man", Andy Shefield has been injured in a landslide that also killed his controversial father. OSI chooses the youth to receive atomic/bionic implants that will restore his paralyzed legs. The result is superhuman strength in those legs. Andy immediately uses this new power to do what he can to restore the good name of his father. Once he gets in over his head, Colonel Steve Austin comes to his aid.

O'Bservation: According to the Bionic Wiki, "Steve claims to have played against Frank Gifford while playing college football. In order for this statement to be true, Steve would have to be about ten years older than is generally accepted for the character." I think we have to look for a different splainin. For example, maybe Frank Gifford took part in an exhibition game at Steve's college.

The San Pedro Beach Bums
- The Shortest Yard (1977) 
The Bums decide to teach a lesson in fair play to a football team that specializes in cheating and cheap shots.

Webster
- You Can't Go Home Again (1984) 
After ten years of inactivity, George gets a change to practice his favorite sport again.

O'Bservation: I wonder if Frank Gifford's televersion recognized George's resemblance to Alex Karras?

Life Goes On
- Corky Witnesses a Crime (1989)
Corky (Chris Burke) dreams that he is playing football, with Becca (Kellie Martin) serving as commentator, and he scores the winning touchdown. At breakfast, he tells his family about his dream, wishing he could play in real life. 

O'Bservation: This is a dream sequence, but it does acknowledge the existence of Gifford, Dan Dierdorfer, and Al Michaels.

The Adventures of Pete & Pete
- Rangeboy (1993)
Big Pete has to work at his father's golf course for a summer job and also has to be the mascot the day of a golf tournament.

Coach
- The Day I Met Frank Gifford (1995) ... Frank Gifford
Hayden is asked to be guest speaker for a charity featuring Luther's idol.

- The Tight End (1995) ... Frank Gifford
Hayden is desperate to win the final game of the season for his first NFL win, but Dorris has a different priority concerning Hayden's hunky back up tight end that turns into a major distraction.

- You Win Some, You Lose Some (1996) ... Frank Gifford
Hayden doesn't want to go to the playoffs because he wants to spend his Christmas with his family.

Spin City
- An Affair to Remember (1997)
For the Mayor's 50th birthday, Paul is determined to get his "old friend" George Stephanopoulos to attend the event; as Michael arranges for birthday wishes from David Letterman, Patrick Ewing, Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, Frank Gifford, Rosie O'Donnell, Larry King, and the cast of Rent. But in the midst of the planning, a scandal swirls about the Mayor's presumed affair with a staffer from the Governor's office.

O'Bservation: This episode takes place in an alternate TV dimension, the same one which houses 'Mr. President', 'Nancy', and 'Hail To The Chief'.

Psych
- Any Given Friday Night at 10PM, 9PM Central (2009)

O'Bservation: Gifford is only heard as the color commentator.

One final point: Frank Gifford is also represented in Docu-Toobworld in which he was played by Kevin Anderson in the TV movie "Monday Night Mayhem".  And he was played by Phil Hartman and Darrell Hammond in Skitlandia, thanks to Skitlandia.

Good night and may God bless, Frank Gifford.........