A TVXOHOF BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE - ROB REINER

Archie Bunker, Gloria Bunker Stivic, and Joey Stivic are all members of the Television Crossover Hall of Fame.  So are George and Louise Jefferson as well as Florence Johnston, the Jeffersons' maid. One day Edith Bunker will gain entry into the Hall, if on a technicality.  But Rob Reiner's character of Meathead, okay... Mike Stivic, doesn't make the grade.

From Wikipedia:

Robert "Rob" Reiner (born March 6, 1947) is an American actor, writer, director, producer, and activist. As an actor, Reiner first came to national prominence with the role of Meathead on 'All in the Family' (1971–79). That role earned him two Emmy Awards during the 1970s. 

As a director, Reiner was recognized by the Directors Guild of America (DGA) with nominations for the coming of age comedy-drama film "Stand by Me" (1986), the romantic comedy "When Harry Met Sally..." (1989), and the military courtroom drama "A Few Good Men" (1992). He also directed the psychological horror-thriller "Misery" (1990), the romantic comedy fantasy adventure "The Princess Bride" (1987) and the heavy metal mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap" (1984).

Reiner was able to parlay his fame for playing the Meathead into a career as a director.  And his position in Hollywood as being a name actor and famous director made him a good choice when a show needed a member of the League of Themselves for any Hollywood scenarios.  And the following credits bear that out:

'America 2-Night'
- Urban Poverty Consultant (1978)

'It's Garry Shandling's Show'
- Dial L for Laundry (1987)

- Home Sweet Home (1988)

- Save Mr. Peck's: Part 1 (1989)
- Save Mr. Peck's: Part 2 (1989)

'Morton & Hayes'

- Daffy Dicks (1991)
- The Vase Shop (1991)
- Oafs Overboard (1991)
- Society Saps (1991)
- The Bride of Mummula (1991)
- Home Buddies (1991)

'The Larry Sanders Show' 
- Doubt of the Benefit (1994) ... Rob Reiner

'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
- The Thong (2001) 

'Primetime Glick'
- Jon Lovitz/Rob Reiner (2002)

'Wizards of Waverly Place'
- Future Harper (2009) 

'Hannah Montana' 
- You Gotta Lose This Job (2009) 

'30 Rock' 
- Let's Stay Together (2010) ... Rep. Rob Reiner

'Happyish'
- Starring Vladimir Nabokov, Hippocrates and God (2015)
- Starring David Ogilvy, Anton Chekhov and Gluten Enteropathy (2015) 

As you can see, with his appearance in that episode of '30 Rock', Reiner became a member of the House of Representatives, indicating a major difference between his televersion and his true self.  (But not so major a change as with Dick Van Patten, who died in real life years after he died - and then came back as a spirit - in Toobworld.)

I'm sure many other TV dimensions have their own versions of Rob Reiner but only a few have actually been seen by the Trueniverse audience:

ALTERNATIVE DIMENSIONS

'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip'
- The Focus Group (2006)

THE TOONIVERSE

'The Simpsons'
- Million Dollar Abie (2006) 

Reiner also showed up in 'South Park', Colorado, but his voice was supplied by Trey Parker.  Stiil, it's pozz'ble, just pozz'ble that he accepts that this is one of his toonish depictions as he allegedly has autographed screencaps from the episode.....

There were other TV shows which fall into the rather broad category of "reality television" and which have a definitive presence for their fictional televersions,  Reiner appeared on those as well and probably did so as well on Earth Prime-Time.

• 'The Merv Griffin Show'
• 'Saturday Night Live'
• 'The Hollywood Squares'
• 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'

Reiner even has a "cineversion" in the Cineverse with these two movies:

• The Muse (1999)
• Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003)

But they don't count towards his entry into the TVXOHOF unless we absorb the entire movies.....

So he's definitely worthy of entry into the Hall as a member of the League of Themselves.  But why did I pick today as the day to honor him?

Today is Rob Reiner's birthday, something of a milestone.  Today is his 70th birthday,

So if you see Mr. Reiner on the street today, wish him a happy birthday for me.

But please!  Don't call him "Meathead"!

Welcome to the Hall, Mr. Reiner.......