TVXOHOF, AUGUST BIRTHDAY SALUTE - TONY BENNETT AT 90

We've already inducted our August TV Western member into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame, and in keeping with the year's theme he is also a member of the League of Themselves - John Hart, who played the Lone Ranger in Toobworld's TV.  But we have another member of the League of Themselves we want to recognize today - the legendary singer Tony Bennett who is marking his 90th birthday.

I don't think he really needs any introduction even to the "Millennials", especially since he's performed with Lady Gaga (and can be seen doing so in TV commercials to boot - and those are part of his membership tally.)  But just in case....

From Wikipedia:

Anthony Dominick Benedetto (born August 3, 1926), known professionally by his stage name Tony Bennett, is an American singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes, and jazz. He is also a painter, having created works under the name Anthony Benedetto that are on permanent public display in several institutions. He is the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York.

Born and raised in Astoria to an Italian-American family, Bennett began singing at an early age. He fought in the final stages of World War II as a U.S. Army infantryman in the European Theater. Afterward, he developed his singing technique, signed with Columbia Records and had his first number-one popular song with "Because of You" in 1951. Several top hits such as "Rags to Riches" followed in the early 1950s. He then refined his approach to encompass jazz singing. He reached an artistic peak in the late 1950s with albums such as The Beat of My Heart and Basie Swings, Bennett Sings. In 1962, Bennett recorded his signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". His career and his personal life experienced an extended downturn during the height of the rock music era.

Bennett staged a comeback in the late 1980s and 1990s, putting out gold record albums again and expanding his reach to the MTV Generation while keeping his musical style intact. He has won 19 Grammy Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in 2001) and two Emmy Awards, and was named an NEA Jazz Master and a Kennedy Center Honoree. He has sold over 50 million records worldwide.

Over the last forty years, Tony Bennett has firmly established his televersion by appearing in the following TV series:

'30 ROCK'

"Mazel Tov, Dummies!"Tony sang at Liz Lemon's wedding:

'ENTOURAGE'

"Unlike A Virgin"

'COSBY'
"The First Gentleman"

While Ruth's away, Hilton frets she'll play---and not just in the casinos at a convention she's attending in Atlantic City. Tony Bennett has a cameo.

The picture is from an interview about the Newport Jazz Festival.  Mr. Bennett probably would like to remove this credit from his resume now.....

'CYBILL'
"Zing!"

'THE DORIS DAY SHOW'
"Tony Bennett Is Eating Here"

Doris admits that she is star-struck by the prospect of interviewing Tony Bennett. When she arrives for the interview, he places her so much at ease that she even literally forgets that she is supposed to be conducting an interview. But what Doris is feeling is nothing compared to Angie when she learns that Bennett, who is lamenting not being able to find a good simple home cooked Italian meal in San Francisco without going to busy restaurants where he has been mobbed by autograph hounds, is coming to the restaurant tonight on Doris' recommendation and with Doris as his guest. Doris makes Angie and Louie swear that they will not tell anyone about Bennett's visit to ensure that his dinner is as quiet and relaxed as he is hoping. But Angie's promise to Doris goes out the window, and with it perhaps Bennett's much wanted quiet dinner and the goodwill that Doris has built with him. 

'SESAME STREET'
Episode #29.64 (1998)
Slimey is on his way to the moon in the WASA spacecraft Wiggleprise. Although Oscar is very proud of his little worm, and keeps a scrapbook of his day to day achievements, he misses Slimey terribly. Still, he won't admit his feelings to Gina or Elmo. But when Slimey's sister Sloppy comes to visit, she and Oscar bond. 

I would not be surprised to find out that Mr. Bennett sang "Fly Me To The Moon" for the occasion.  But he did sing "Little Things"...

'SUDDENLY SUSAN'

"A Kiss Before Dying - On Stage"

'MUPPETS TONITE!'

"Tony Bennett"

'REMINGTON STEELE'

"Steele Trying"
Remington invents a case as a ruse to whisk Laura off to romantic San Francisco, but the trip turns treacherous when they witness a murder. 

A romantic trip to San Francisco?  How much do you want to bet he sang his signature song near the end of the episode?

'SCTV NETWORK'

"The Great White North Palace"

Guy Caballero hires Tony Bennett to appear in Bob and Doug MacKenzie's TV special.

'KING'

This mini-series could be part of Earth Prime-Time or instead be found in one of the thousands of alternate TV dimensions, due to the recasting of several major historical figures.

'MR. ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD'

Episode #1446

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Tony Bennett sings on MGR-TV and does a sketch of Lady Elaine. 

Other dimensions:

THE WEST WING DIMENSION

'BLUE BLOODS'
"Mercy"

From the CBS promo:
Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood, pictured with Bridget Moynahan and Tom Selleck, will guest star on the Season Two Premiere of 'Blue Bloods'.

THE TOONIVERSE

'THE SIMPSONS'
"Dancin' Homer"

"Bart vs. Lisa vs. The Third Grade"
"Whiskey Business"

And in connecting to that dimension.....

'SPACE GHOST: COAST TO COAST'

"Joshua"

SKITLANDIA

On 'Saturday Night Live', Alec Baldwin has portrayed him several times.  He's seen here with Vice President Dick Cheney.

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/tony-bennett/n12079

Meanwhile... in a whole 'nother universe....

THE CINEVERSE

"BRUCE ALMIGHTY"

"THE SCOUT"

And here are a few more pictures of Tony Bennett's life in Toobworld:

Both Kermit and Elmo are also members of the TVXOHOF.......

(Except for the 'Cosby' summary which is from TV Guide, all plot descriptions are from the IMDb.)

Happy birthday, Tony Bennett.  All the best to you on your 90th from all of me at Toobworld Central....