Last month, "Kong: Skull Island" opened in theaters to mixed reviews. It's the latest in a line of remakes of the original movie, the legendary "King Kong". That classic may have been made back in the early days of sound movies, but its technological prowess for the times has kept it as the definitive "Kong" movie and at least on a par with "Godzilla" for the sub-genre of "Kaiju" films. (And a lot of that has to do with the special effects mastery of "Great Uncle Willis"!*)
The power that the original "King Kong" still holds today understandably is reflected in the greater TV Universe as well - not just in Earth Prime-Time, the main Toobworld, but also in so many alternate TV Landscapes.
Most of those times, they are just references to the original movie, usually as quick in-jokes - especially of the type which poke fun at some other character. Fred Sanford had something of a cottage industry in this, using "King Kong" as a comparison to his sister-in-law Aunt Esther. (By my reckoning, he and Grady took turns using this insult against Esther.)
But they weren't the only ones to tag other people as King Kong as an insult. Sgt. Bilko did so to Private Doberman in what could be the first Toobworld reference of the great ape. It was one of Sawyer's pet nicknames for Hurley while they were 'Lost' on the Island. I'm sure there must be others.
Most of the references are definitely in connection to the movie. Posters can be seen in some shows; a couple of characters are seen actually watching it, or at least talking about the movie. Grandpa Amos McCoy even had the chance to tell Fay Wray about how much he enjoyed seeing her in the movie. (Ms. Wray was cited in several of the references, acknowledging further the existence of her televersion in Toobworld. And so even though she was seen only once as herself in that TV dimension, she still has enough credits to be considered for membership in the TV Crossover Hall of Fame.)
But there are a few times when the reference could go either way - was the character talking about the movie "King Kong"... or about the actual giant ape?
It has long been a practice for Ye Olde Faithful Curator of Toobworld that any reference by a TV character to another fictional character, even those found in other meta-fictional universe like BookWorld or the Cineverse, should be considered as a reference to the actual person rather than to some fictional depiction elsewhere. Treated as being "real" in the TV Universe does not negate their presence in movies and books, however. (For the most part, I find I call upon this maneuver more often when it comes to Batman; I don't know why.)
King Kong may seem like an extreme case for this tactic, but we do have "proof" that King Kong existed in Toobworld. This means that Fay Wray was in fact playing the role of the "real life" Ann Darrow and that the 1933 movie was based on actual events which played out in Earth Prime-Time... but unfortunately not visible to the viewing audience at home in the Trueniverse.
Such a claim does not mean that I think the events surrounding the life (and death?) of King Kong's televersion played out exactly as seen in the movie. When have we ever seen a movie do that? There could be some question as to the actual size of Kong - I would think he was still a gigantic ape, but not the colossus as animated in stop motion photography by "Uncle Willis"*.
Ten feet tops, I'm thinking. And that's mostly due to the citizenry of Toobworld being more familiar with how he was portrayed in the movie, based on the majority of references from TV shows about the film than to the actual event. The fiction eventually supplanted the facts. Anything bigger? Oh yeah, they should have remembered that! But here in the real world, I would say that the majority of the "informed" public doesn't even know about the small plane that crashed into the Empire State Building back in the 1940s.
Even the production of the 1933 movie couldn't keep straight what the dimensions were for their fictional Kong. Look at that picture at the top. Everything is out of proportion.
But in the end, TV's Kong was an ape of unusual size; he did abscond with Ann Darrow and climbed to the top of the Empire State Building with her. Who knows? Maybe the movie even took liberties with that detail; maybe they took the stairs when they climbed to the top! At any rate, I think he died up there and although it was an exciting story, it just wasn't enough as it was for a Hollywood movie without being goosed by the screenplay conceived by Merian C. Cooper and written by James Creelman and Ruth Rose.
Afterwards, as each year passed and as the movie gained in stature, the people came to believe not only that King Kong was a colossus, but also that he was a fictional creation. (I don't think UNReel, the shadow ops group in Toobworld tasked with convincing the general public that certain people and events were fictional, had much to do in this case. The movie already was being produced and did the work for them.)
At least one TV character accepted the mass delusion that King Kong wasn't real....
Leave It to Beaver:
Mother's Day Composition (1960)
Larry Mondello tells Beaver that it's easy to tell when things are make-believe, just like "King Kong" in the movie theater.
But there were those who would always remember....
Sanford and Son:
The Director (1976)
Elroy asks whether King Kong could beat Foreman in a fight.
Elroy asks whether King Kong could beat Foreman in a fight.
M*A*S*H:
The Abduction of Margaret Houlihan (1976)
B.J. says, "Suppose King Kong got her."
B.J. says, "Suppose King Kong got her."
And my reasoning also depends on the claims made about the grandfather of Tracy, one of 'The Ghost Busters' along with Jake Kong and Eddie Spenser. If what Kong said was true, and I have no reason to doubt him, Tracy's grandfather had experience in climbing the Empire State building, where he had an "unfortunate occurrence." (I think Jake Kong was just being polite in mentioning the sad fate of the ape.)
Since biplanes were made obsolete by the late 1930s (according to Wikipedia), I think the events of the 1933 film actually took place in Toobworld a few years earlier, perhaps even in the late 1920s. (Which might mean that Jake Kong had Tracy's family tree wrong, that he was talking about Tracy's great-grandfather instead.)
If it did occur in the 1920s, we have very few TV shows to worry about which took place in New York City and in which one might expect characters should have mentioned the giant ape on the Empire State Building. (Not that it's a given that that should happen - the TV show '100 Centre Street' never acknowledged the tragedy of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center... which happened only blocks away during the time of the filming!)
I would have to say the best bet would be 'The Roaring 20s'.
So let's take a look at some of the references to "King Kong" in the greater TV Universe, starting with the alternate TV dimensions. (This list was compiled from the IMDb and is probably not complete.)
We'll begin with one of the slightest of TV dimensions - Skitlandia, built upon the comedy sketches from talk shows, variety programs, even some online content like from "Funny Or Die".
SKITLANDIA
- Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
- The Tony Hancock Special
- The Day Today
- Mad
- Particka
THE TOONIVERSE
- Jonny Quest
- Scooby Doo, Where Are You!
- Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour
- Danger Mouse
- Muppet Babies
- The Transformers
- G.I. Joe
- Galaxy High School
- The Real Ghostbusters
- Garfield and Friends
- U.S. Acres
- Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers
- Tiny Toon Adventures
- The Simpsons
- Sailor Moon
- Rugrats
- Animaniacs
- The Critic
- The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries
- Jackie Chan Adventures
- Justice League
- King of the Hill
- Freakazoid!
- Saban's Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation
- The Fairly OddParents
- My Life as a Teenage Robot
- Duck Dodgers
- The Boondocks
- Futurama
- Family Guy
- Bob's Burgers
- Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
- Class of 3000
OTHER ALT-TOOBWORLDS
- Hawaii Five-0 (Land O' Remakes)
- Being Human (NosferaToob)
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (A Comix Toobworld-DC2)
- Smallville (Comix Toobworld-DC3)
- Agent Carter (Comix Toobworld-Marvel)
- Daredevil (Comix Toobword-Marvel)
- The Flash (Comix Toobworld-DC1)
- Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens (Disaster Toobworld)
- Robot Chicken (Claymation Toobworld)
EARTH PRIME-TIME
This is the main Toobworld, where the attempt is made to hold as many TV shows as possible. And it is here where the real King Kong was mentioned, about whom the mythic King Kong was immortalized in the movie.
The Ghost Busters:
The Vikings Have Landed (1975)
Jake Kong notes that Tracy's grandfather has experience climbing on the Empire State Building.
Jake Kong notes that Tracy's grandfather has experience climbing on the Empire State Building.
The Ghost Busters:
Dr. Whatsisname (1975)
Kong notes that Tracy's grandfather had an unfortunate occurrence at the Empire State Building.
Kong notes that Tracy's grandfather had an unfortunate occurrence at the Empire State Building.
As stated above, the real King Kong was the forefather of Ghost Buster Tracy and while his fate played out mostly just as it does in the movie (he may not have died), I'm not sure his name was actually "King Kong". I'm exercising the right as Curator of Toobworld to keep that option open. Just in case we learn there was a giant ape by another name to be found in some long-lost episode of a TV show in the early days of the medium. So it could be another case of artistic license......
First let me just list the TV shows with simple mentions of "King Kong"......
Dennis the Menace:
Dennis Creates a Hero (1960)
My Favorite Martian:
Uncle Martin's Wisdom Tooth (1964)
Gilligan's Island:
Diamonds Are an Ape's Best Friend (1965)
The Munsters:
Will Success Spoil Herman Munster? (1965)
That Girl:
It's So Nice to Have a Mouse Around the House (1969)
The Brady Bunch:
Sergeant Emma (1972)
Greg's Triangle (1972)
Greg's Triangle (1972)
Adam-12:
Northeast Division (1973)
All in the Family:
Gloria and Mike's House Guests (1976)
Sanford and Son:
The Will (1977)
All in the Family:
Archie and the KKK: Part 2 (1977)
Archie Bunker's Place:
Archie and the Oldest Profession (1979)
Gimme a Break!:
Grandma Fools Around (1982)
Silver Spoons:
Evelyn Returns (1982)
The A-Team:
Mexican Slayride (1983)
The Out-of-Towners (1983)
The Out-of-Towners (1983)
Webster:
Be It Ever So Humble (1985)
The Golden Girls:
Sick and Tired: Part 1 (1989)
Saved by the Bell: The College Years:
Teacher's Pet (1993)
ER:
24 Hours (1994)
Men Behaving Badly:
Testing, Testing (1997)
Boy Meets World:
Torn between Two Lovers (Feeling Like a Fool) (1998)
Lukas:
Der Brieffreund (1998)
Twice in a Lifetime:
The Trouble with Harry (2000)
Wind at My Back:
All This and Heaven Too (2000)
Enter Eddie Jackson (2001)
O'BSERVATION - This series took place during the Depression, so Pritchard, Rebecca and Grace could have been talking about the movie or the historical news story, both of which happened during their life times.
O'BSERVATION - This series took place during the Depression, so Pritchard, Rebecca and Grace could have been talking about the movie or the historical news story, both of which happened during their life times.
Monk:
Mr. Monk and the Candidate: Part 2 (2002)
American Dreams:
American Dreams:
Soldier Boy (2002)
Reno 911!:
The Prefect of Wanganui (2005)
Entourage:
One Day in the Valley (2006)
Adios, Amigos (2007)
Weeds:
Yeah, Like Tomatoes (2006)
In Treatment:
Laura: Week Three (2008)
Psych:
An Evening with Mr. Yang (2009)
The Inbetweeners:
Camping Trip (2010)
Terriers:
Missing Persons (2010)
Southland:
Cop or Not (2011)
Justified:
The Life Inside (2011)
Raising Hope:
Kidnapped (2011)
Mad Men:
Field Trip (2014)
How I Met Your Mother:
The Final Page: Part Two (2012)
Bones:
The Geek in the Guck (2014)
The Skywalker Incursion (2015)
Stan Against Evil:
Know, Know, Know Your Goat (2016)
Here are more detailed references to King Kong.
The Phil Silvers Show:
His Highness Doberman (1957)
Bilko tells Doberman that he's supposed to carry himself as a king - not King Kong.
The Phil Silvers Show:
Bilko tells Doberman that he's supposed to carry himself as a king - not King Kong.
The Phil Silvers Show:
Bilko's Hollywood Romance (1959)
Monica Malamar complains that the last one to use her hotel room must have been King Kong.
Monica Malamar complains that the last one to use her hotel room must have been King Kong.
Make Room for Daddy:
Tonoose, the Matchmaker (1959)
Pat Harrigan makes a joke about King Kong's hair.
Car 54, Where Are You?:
Pat Harrigan makes a joke about King Kong's hair.
Car 54, Where Are You?:
A Star Is Born in the Bronx (1962)
Lucille prepares a meal of coconuts, boiled bananas, and mashed mangos, so Toody asks whether she's expecting King Kong for dinner.
Mister Ed:
Lucille prepares a meal of coconuts, boiled bananas, and mashed mangos, so Toody asks whether she's expecting King Kong for dinner.
Mister Ed:
Don't Laugh at Horses (1963)
When questioned on what costume she'll wear to the party, Kay Addison responds that maybe she'll skip her beauty parlor appointment and go as King Kong.
When questioned on what costume she'll wear to the party, Kay Addison responds that maybe she'll skip her beauty parlor appointment and go as King Kong.
The Dick Van Dyke Show:
I'd Rather Be Bald Than Have No Head at All (1964)
Buddy thinks Sally's amount of yarn indicates her readiness to knit something for King Kong
The Outer Limits:
Buddy thinks Sally's amount of yarn indicates her readiness to knit something for King Kong
The Outer Limits:
Soldier (1964)
Paul Tanner describes Tom Kagan's interaction with the soldier as "playing ABCs with King Kong".
Paul Tanner describes Tom Kagan's interaction with the soldier as "playing ABCs with King Kong".
Hazel:
The Perfect Boss (1966)
Clara says the contest holders are "looking for the perfect boss, not a successor to King Kong".
Clara says the contest holders are "looking for the perfect boss, not a successor to King Kong".
Sanford and Son:
The Masquerade Party (1975)
Wearing a gorilla suit, Fred refers to himself as King Kong.
Wearing a gorilla suit, Fred refers to himself as King Kong.
O'BSERVATION - It could be that this masquerade party took place on January 31st - designated in 1963 by the great Don Martin as National Gorilla Suit Day. Fred may have known of this and that's why he chose the costume.
Kojak:
Unwanted Partners (1975)
Capt. McNeil jokingly asks Kojak if he has King Kong on the Empire State Building
Capt. McNeil jokingly asks Kojak if he has King Kong on the Empire State Building
Charlie's Angels:
The Big Tap-Out (1977)
McMasters says Roy has a monkey on his back the size of King Kong.
The Six Million Dollar Man:
Bigfoot V (1977)
Bounty hunters speak of selling the creature to a movie company, researcher Hope Langston speaks of a net strong enough to hold King Kong, etc.
Bounty hunters speak of selling the creature to a movie company, researcher Hope Langston speaks of a net strong enough to hold King Kong, etc.
The Amazing Spider-Man:
Escort to Danger (1978)
Captain Barbera says he'll put out an A.P.B. on King Kong
Captain Barbera says he'll put out an A.P.B. on King Kong
The Muppet Show:
Alice Cooper (1978)
Miss Piggy says, "It's like King Kong!"
Miss Piggy says, "It's like King Kong!"
Mork & Mindy:
Mork, the Monkey's Uncle (1980)
Mork asks Fred to bring over some toys, but when Fred sees they're for a chimp, Mork says, "That's the child that Faye Wray never talks about."
Mork asks Fred to bring over some toys, but when Fred sees they're for a chimp, Mork says, "That's the child that Faye Wray never talks about."
Lovejoy:
Pig in a Poke (1993)
Eric mentions a girl who had the ape tatooed on her derriere.
Eric mentions a girl who had the ape tatooed on her derriere.
Red Dwarf: Psirens (1993) (TV Episode)
"There's a meteor bigger than King Kong's first dump of the day, and it's screaming straight towards us."
Lovejoy:
Fair Exchange (1994)
The large J. Arthur Rank gong is referred to as "King Gong."
The large J. Arthur Rank gong is referred to as "King Gong."
Sliders:
Double Cross (1996)
Commenting on the over-sized bathrobe, Rembrandt quips to Monique, "Baby King Kong been sleepin' over?"
Commenting on the over-sized bathrobe, Rembrandt quips to Monique, "Baby King Kong been sleepin' over?"
Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
Halloween (1997)
Cordelia gets attacked by a "King Kong"
Friends:
The One Where Rachel Tells... (2001)
There is a magna doodle picture of Kong.
There is a magna doodle picture of Kong.
Veronica Mars:
Credit Where Credit's Due (2004)
"King Kong ain't got nothing on you"
"King Kong ain't got nothing on you"
Peep Show:
Quantocking (2005)
Super Hans, suffering withdrawal symptoms, says he has a monkey on his back the size of King Kong.
Super Hans, suffering withdrawal symptoms, says he has a monkey on his back the size of King Kong.
Extras:
Daniel Radcliffe (2006)
The agent talks about how he could reach into a midget's house and grab him like in King Kong.
The agent talks about how he could reach into a midget's house and grab him like in King Kong.
Corner Gas:
Buzz Driver (2007)
Karen says Davis' shutting of the file cabinet drawer resembles the way Kong would do it.
Karen says Davis' shutting of the file cabinet drawer resembles the way Kong would do it.
Ugly Betty:
The Passion of the Betty (2010)
At the gallery, Betty mentions a painting where she is climbing the Empire State Building, holding Matt in her "hairy hand" - just like King Kong.
At the gallery, Betty mentions a painting where she is climbing the Empire State Building, holding Matt in her "hairy hand" - just like King Kong.
I'm just going to assume that most of those people were all talking about the movie version. But sometimes you get somebody who may be talking about the real thing....
Tremors:
The Sounds of Silence (2003)
Larry tells Jodi he's always felt like he's someplace else, like on Skull Island.
Larry tells Jodi he's always felt like he's someplace else, like on Skull Island.
Everybody Hates Chris:
Everybody Hates Superstition (2006)
Chris mentions King Kong failing to defeat the planes in his class presentation.
Chris mentions King Kong failing to defeat the planes in his class presentation.
As I mentioned before, Fred Sanford and his buddy Grady got a lot of mileage out of comparing Fred's sister-in-law to King Kong.
Sanford and Son:
Aunt Esther and Uncle Woodrow Pfftt... (1974)
Grady refers to Esther as King Kong
Grady refers to Esther as King Kong
Sanford and Son:
A Little Extra Security (1974)
Grady makes a reference to this film in relation to Aunt Esther.
Grady makes a reference to this film in relation to Aunt Esther.
Sanford and Son: Strange Bedfellows (1975)
Fred likens Aunt Esther to King Kong.
Sanford and Son: My Fair Esther (1975)
Fred calls Esther "Queen Kong."
Fred calls Esther "Queen Kong."
Sanford and Son: Ebenezer Sanford (1975)
Fred calls Aunt Esther "Queen Kong."
Fred calls Aunt Esther "Queen Kong."
Sanford and Son:
Aunt Esther Meets Her Son (1976)
Fred says standing next to Esther would make King Kong look like John-Boy from 'The Waltons'.
Fred says standing next to Esther would make King Kong look like John-Boy from 'The Waltons'.
Sanford and Son:
When John Comes Marching Home (1977)
Fred recalls the band at Esther's wedding playing the love theme from this film.
Fred recalls the band at Esther's wedding playing the love theme from this film.
But he wasn't the only character who knew somebody like the great ape......
Leave It to Beaver:
Tennis, Anyone (1962)
Beaver refers to Lumpy as the title character.
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour:
Beaver refers to Lumpy as the title character.
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour:
Memo from Purgatory (1964)
Jay Shaw refers to Candle as "King Kong".
My Favorite Martian:
Jay Shaw refers to Candle as "King Kong".
My Favorite Martian:
Time Out for Martin (1965)
Tim refers to Basil as "King Kong".
Gomer Pyle: USMC:
Tim refers to Basil as "King Kong".
Gomer Pyle: USMC:
Duke Slater, Night Club Comic (1966)
Duke says the guys in his platoon refer to Sgt. Carter as King Kong.
Duke says the guys in his platoon refer to Sgt. Carter as King Kong.
M*A*S*H:
Dear Dad, Again (1973)
Pierce refers to Frank Burns and Hot Lips as the The King Kong and Fay Wray of the MASH 4077
Pierce refers to Frank Burns and Hot Lips as the The King Kong and Fay Wray of the MASH 4077
Partners in Crime:
The Crackler (1984)
Tommy says that the security man at the gambling house looks like the giant ape.
Knight Rider: Halloween Knight (1984) (TV Episode)
Denise thinks Michael would make a great King Kong
Denise thinks Michael would make a great King Kong
Night Court: Bull Gets a Kid (1984) (TV Episode)
Harry says, "I think I now where that big ape is going." when he looks at a model of a building and then heads his way to the roof.
(I'm pretty sure it was Bull Shannon whom the Judge was thinking of.)
ALF:
Take a Look at Me Now (1987)
Raquel says that ALF looks like King Kong.
Raquel says that ALF looks like King Kong.
Last of the Summer Wine:
Dancing Feet (1988)
Gossiping with Ivy about an amply endowed woman who crams her body into a yellow jumpsuit, Nora Batty describes the woman as looking like King Kong holding a banana.
Gossiping with Ivy about an amply endowed woman who crams her body into a yellow jumpsuit, Nora Batty describes the woman as looking like King Kong holding a banana.
Quantum Leap:
The Leap Home: Part 1 - November 25, 1969 (1990)
While Tom is wearing a gorilla mask, Coach Donnelly refers to him as "Kong."
I, Lovett:
The Marrow (1993)
"Dirk Kong!"
"Dirk Kong!"
The Wonder Years:
Hulk Arnold (1993)
Chuck says, "He's like the King Kong of wrestling."
Chuck says, "He's like the King Kong of wrestling."
Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge:
Episode #1.3 (1994)
One of Lawrence Knowles's nicknames is "King Kong".
One of Lawrence Knowles's nicknames is "King Kong".
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air:
Not, I Barbecue (1995)
Will says to a big dude: "Shouldn't you be climbing the Empire State Building?"
Will says to a big dude: "Shouldn't you be climbing the Empire State Building?"
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers:
A Chimp in Charge (1995)
When Finister is chasing the monkey Finster says "Don't you want to be a big strong gorilla like king what's his name?"
When Finister is chasing the monkey Finster says "Don't you want to be a big strong gorilla like king what's his name?"
Homicide: Life on the Street:
I've Got a Secret (1996)
Mike refers to Peter Wolsky as "King Kong."
Weird Science:
Men in Tights (1996)
King Kong Bundy took his ring name from the film.
King Kong Bundy took his ring name from the film.
Caroline in the City:
Caroline and the Free Cable (1997)
Caroline calls Del "King Kong".
Caroline calls Del "King Kong".
Last of the Summer Wine:
The Suit That Attracts Blondes (1998)
Truly refers to Babs as King Kong.
Truly refers to Babs as King Kong.
Psych:
S.E.I.Z.E. the Day (2014)
V-Mac describes the person who shot him as "the King Kong of losers."
V-Mac describes the person who shot him as "the King Kong of losers."
Pushing Daisies: Girth (2007)
Pinky McCoy refers to Emerson as the title ape.
Pinky McCoy refers to Emerson as the title ape.
Monk:
Mr. Monk and the Panic Room (2004)
During one scene, Captain Stottlemeyer sarcastically refers to Darwin the Chimp as "King Kong".
During one scene, Captain Stottlemeyer sarcastically refers to Darwin the Chimp as "King Kong".
Veronica Mars:
Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang (2005) (TV Episode)
When her father beats his chest Veronica says: "Sit down, King Kong."
The Bold and the Beautiful:
Episode #1.5446 (2008)
Eric, looking at Halloween pictures: "Thorne is King Kong."
Eric, looking at Halloween pictures: "Thorne is King Kong."
And just so there's no mistaking it, being called "King Kong" isn't supposed to be a term of endearment.....
Lost:
Dave (2006)
Hurley mentions (King) Kong is an obesity slur
Hurley mentions (King) Kong is an obesity slur
But there was one TV character who accepted the nickname:
Parker Lewis Can't Lose:
- Operation Kubiak (1990)
- Teacher, Teacher (1990)
Kubiac and McDonald's fight is advertised as "King Kong vs. Godzilla" in the Santo Domingo school paper.
Kubiac and McDonald's fight is advertised as "King Kong vs. Godzilla" in the Santo Domingo school paper.
- Citizen Kube (1991)
The "Portraits of the Big & Wealthy" narrator refers to Larry as Larry "King Kong" Kubiac.
The "Portraits of the Big & Wealthy" narrator refers to Larry as Larry "King Kong" Kubiac.
Enough of that.
Let's talk about the movie itself!
There were quite a few references to the actual movie of 1933 over the years.....
Green Acres:
Never Trust a Little Old Lady (1966)
Lisa watches the movie on the Pixley TV station.
Gomer Pyle: USMC:
Lisa watches the movie on the Pixley TV station.
Gomer Pyle: USMC:
The Better Man (1967)
Gomer and Lou-Ann Poovie discuss the movie.
Sanford and Son:
An Idiot Abroad:
Sanford and Son:
Hi-de-Hi!:
St. Elsewhere:
Ghostwriter:
Gomer and Lou-Ann Poovie discuss the movie.
M*A*S*H:
The Price of Tomato Juice (1975)
Hawkeye and B.J. discuss this movie.
Hawkeye and B.J. discuss this movie.
M*A*S*H:
The Colonel's Horse (1976)
Colonel Potter tells Radar about this movie.
Colonel Potter tells Radar about this movie.
Wonder Woman:
Wonder Woman vs Gargantua (1976)
General Blankenship feels the situation is "like some King Kong movie".
General Blankenship feels the situation is "like some King Kong movie".
O'BSERVATION - There was a sequel to the original movie called "Son Of Kong". So the General knew that there was more than one. But the next film wouldn't be until the 1970s.
Rhoda:
Nick Lobo, Superstar (1977)
Gary says that the new King Kong and the old King Kong are playing on a double bill.
Gary says that the new King Kong and the old King Kong are playing on a double bill.
Sanford and Son:
The Lucky Streak (1977)
Fred describes a movie in which Godzilla and King Kong's children get married.
O'BSERVATION - I'm not sure if this was wish-craft on the part of Fred or if he was describing an actual movie, one that would only be found in Toobworld.
Melissa & Joey:
Toledo's Next Top Model (2011)
Holly references the movie, but mistakes the Eiffel Tower for the Empire State Building.
Holly references the movie, but mistakes the Eiffel Tower for the Empire State Building.
An Idiot Abroad:
Swim with Dolphins (2011)
Karl mentions the title character climbing the Empire State Building.
Sanford and Son:
School Daze (1977)
Fred says Bubba's aunt's appendix ruptured while watching this movie.
Fred says Bubba's aunt's appendix ruptured while watching this movie.
The Scarlett O'Hara War (1980)
Mentioned by David O. Selznick's assistant.
Hi-de-Hi!:
Eruptions (1982)
Ted: "King Kong? That was 1933 in that old film!"
Ted: "King Kong? That was 1933 in that old film!"
St. Elsewhere:
Craig in Love (1983)
The final line in King Kong is the answer to Ehrlich's Trivial Pursuit question.
Reba:
Red Alert (2006)
Van thinks this is a romantic movie.
Van thinks this is a romantic movie.
A Touch of Frost:
Endangered Species (2006)
Julie says she fell asleep watching it the night before.
Forever Knight:
False Witness (1992)
Nick and Natalie watch the film together.
Nick and Natalie watch the film together.
The Wonder Years:
Alice in Autoland (1993)
Scenes are shown.
Scenes are shown.
Parks and Recreation:
Swing Vote (2013)
Leslie says, "'Twas Leslie killed the beast."
Leslie says, "'Twas Leslie killed the beast."
And in connection to the movie, there were of course the posters to advertise it - always a good collector's item for one's bedroom wall....
The Wonder Years:
- Swingers (1988)
- My Father's Office (1988)
- Just Between Me and You and Kirk and Paul and Carla and Becky (1989)
- Hiroshima, Mon Frere (1989)
A poster can be seen at Kevin's room in those episodes.
A poster can be seen at Kevin's room in those episodes.
Columbo:
How to Dial a Murder (1978)
Movie poster on wall in Dr. Mason's house
Movie poster on wall in Dr. Mason's house
Ghostwriter:
Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?: Part 1 (1992)
Poster in store
Poster in store
Mad Love:
The Kate Gatsby (2011)
Ben first gets a vintage King Kong poster as birthday present for Kate.
Ben first gets a vintage King Kong poster as birthday present for Kate.
Of course, there are other mementos to be found in tie-in merchandise....
Growing Pains:
Some Enchanted Evening (1987)
At the Empire State Building, Jason Seaver says, "Okay, who wants a King Kong souvenir?"
Community:
Queer Studies & Advanced Waxing (2015)
Abed wears a hoodie with Godzilla and King Kong on the front.
Abed wears a hoodie with Godzilla and King Kong on the front.
Pee-wee's Playhouse:
Playhouse Day (1990)
The picture-phone backdrop Pee-wee uses features King Kong atop the Empire State Building, complete with planes flying around.
The picture-phone backdrop Pee-wee uses features King Kong atop the Empire State Building, complete with planes flying around.
And then there's the studio tour.....
Out of This World:
Evie Goes to Hollywood (1989)
While Evie Garland and Lindsay Selkirk are lost in Universal Srudios, they come across the King Kong Encounter.
The Jim Henson Hour:
The Ratings Game - Miss Piggy's Hollywood (1989)
The backlot studio tour version of King Kong appears during Miss Piggy's visit to Universal Studios.
The backlot studio tour version of King Kong appears during Miss Piggy's visit to Universal Studios.
The Real McCoys:
Theatre in the Barn (1961)
Grandpa tells Fay Wray that he saw her in King Kong (1933).M*A*S*H:
Dear Dad, Again (1973)
Pierce refers to Frank Burns and Hot Lips as the The King Kong and Fay Wray of the Mash 4077
Pierce refers to Frank Burns and Hot Lips as the The King Kong and Fay Wray of the Mash 4077
T.J. Hooker:
Thieves' Highway (1982)
Romano mentions Fay Wray and King Kong to Venus the Orangutan
Romano mentions Fay Wray and King Kong to Venus the Orangutan
Wind at My Back:
Moonshine Struck (1997)
Grace mentions the movie by name and actress Fay Wray.
Grace mentions the movie by name and actress Fay Wray.
Boston Legal:
Truly, Madly, Deeply (2005)
Denise Bauer mentions the film and it's star Fay Wray in court during the bestiality case.
Denise Bauer mentions the film and it's star Fay Wray in court during the bestiality case.
Oblivion: The Series:
Blueprint for Joy (2009)
Joy's VO mentions Fay was named after Fay Wray and given the surname Darrow after Wray's character in King Kong.
Joy's VO mentions Fay was named after Fay Wray and given the surname Darrow after Wray's character in King Kong.
Now, this causes some problems......
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch:
Silent Movie (1999)
Kong appears at the end of the episode with Fay Wray to give Sabrina another clue about the family secret.
Kong appears at the end of the episode with Fay Wray to give Sabrina another clue about the family secret.
First off, that wasn't Fay Wray. As Kong was reaching out from some magical dimension, I think it could be splained away as a simulacrum of Fay Wray, crafted to pass itself off as the actress for the clue. She may even be one of those living mannequins like we saw in 'The Twilight Zone'.
As for Kong, Sabrina's aunts claimed that he was related to them. If that was true, then I don't think that was his original form. Like Salem, he was probably magically transformed into a giant ape as a curse, It could be that after so many years under this spell, he had gained the nickname of Kong, based on the original from Earth Prime-Time, of course.
BCnU!
* Didn't you know? All O'Briens are related.....
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