Friday, February 15, 2019

FRIDAY HALL OF FAMER - SMOKEY ROBINSON


Danger, Will Robinson!

You’re about to enter the TVXOHOF!


Oh.  Not THAT Will Robinson…..

SMOKEY ROBINSON 

From Wikipedia:
William "Smokey" Robinson Jr.(born February 19, 1940) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson was the founder and front man of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief songwriter and producer. Robinson led the group from its 1955 origins as the Five Chimes until 1972 when he announced a retirement from the group to focus on his role as Motown's vice president.

However, Robinson returned to the music industry as a solo artist the following year. Following the sale of Motown Records in 1988, Robinson left the company in 1990. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Robinson was awarded the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for his lifetime contributions to popular music.


Mr. Robinson is being inducted into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame as a member of the League of Themselves.

Here are his main credits for qualification:



 Sesame Street 
- Episode #19.8
(1987)

- Episode #19.51 (1988)
- Episode #20.129 (1989) 

From the Muppet Wiki:

He appeared on Sesame Street with a letter U, singing "U Really Got a Hold on Me," a spoof of his 1962 song "You've Really Got a Hold on Me." He also appeared in a segment with Telly to sing "It Takes Time."



The Jim Henson Hour 
- Health and Fitness (1989) 


From The Muppet Wiki:
Robinson guest starred in episode 107 of The Jim Henson Hour, where he sang "Just to See Her" and "Jump (For My Love)" with the Muppet cast.


The Young and the Restless 
- Episode #1.7837
(2004) 


According to Mental Floss, Smokey gave advice on the music industry to one of the characters (see below), but they don’t identify the resident of Genoa City, Wisconsin.

Days of Our Lives 
- Episode #1.10444
(2006) 


From Access:
BURBANK (October 6, 2006) — Smokey Robinson will play a stranger with an ax on an upcoming story line on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives.”

He plays a nice guy, not a murderer. The story has Marlena Black lost in the snow and she runs into Robinson, who happens to be vacationing at a secluded cabin nearby. He rescues her from the cold and calls authorities.

When John tracks her down, Robinson gives them an impromptu performance of his new song “I Love Your Face,” from his new album, “Timeless Love.” 



From Mental Floss:
Music legend Smokey Robinson appearing on a soap opera wasn't unusual in and of itself; in 2004, he had a cameo on The Young and the Restless and gave a character advice on the music business. The nature of the storyline on his two-episode appearance on Days of Our Lives, though, was a bit stranger.

While flying to Canada to find an antidote for the poisoned Steve and Kayla, Marlena and John's plane crashed. Marlena Black got lost in the snowy wilderness after parachuting out, and was startled when a mysterious man approached her carrying an axe. That man turned out to be Smokey Robinson, in the middle of his vacation. Robinson brought Marlena to his secluded cabin and called the proper authorities. To ensure his status as the World's Greatest Host, Robinson serenaded the reunited Marlena and John the next day with his 1991 song "I Love Your Face."


I was surprised to find only one Toobworld reference to Smokey Robinson and that was from the goldmine of pop culture references…..

Psych
Shawn and Gus Truck Things Up


BURTON “GUS” GUSTER
Why are people named Smokey always so shady
SHAWN SPENSER:
Smokey in “Friday”.
GUS: 
Smokey from “The PJs”
SHAWN:
Smokey Robinson.


I’m surprised that was the only one.  I would have thought he’d have been cited in shows like ‘Empire’ and ‘Star’. 


Smokey not only has a televersion in the main Toobworld, but he also is a toon over in the Tooniverse……





The Proud Family - Wedding Bell Blues (2003) 

Smokey is paid 50,000 dollars to perform at Suga Mama’s wedding.  He was paid in advance and planned to try his luck in the casino.

Welcome to the Hall, Smokey!

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