TVXOHOF: FEBRUARY, 2025 - DETECTIVE FRANK PEMBERTON

Every year, the Television Crossover Hall of Fame celebrates the Black History Month of February with a TV Character (or a League of Themselves member) of Color is welcomed into the Hall. 

This year is no different....

DETECTIVE FRANK PEMBLETON

From Wikipedia:
Francis Xavier "Frank" Pembleton is a fictional homicide detective on the television drama series Homicide: Life on the Street portrayed by Emmy Award–winning actor Andre Braugher. He is a primary character of the show through the first six seasons. Although the show featured an ensemble cast, Pembleton would become the fan favorite and is often identified as the show's signature character.

He is based on Baltimore Police Department Detective Harry Edgerton, who, like Pembleton, was an eccentric New York–born African American detective in the BPD homicide unit featured in David Simon's book "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets". The character also appeared in the 'Law & Order' episode "Charm City".

Pembleton was born into a Catholic family in New York City on July 1, 1961. It was implied that he had siblings, but they never appear on the show. He was educated first in a Catholic elementary school and then in a Jesuit high school, a reference to Braugher attending a Jesuit school, St. Ignatius College Prep, in Chicago. Frank later said that "the Jesuits taught me how to think," which comes up on the show from time to time.

He knows Latin and Greek and is well-versed in Catholic theology. He met his future wife, Mary, on the Great Lawn in Central Park shortly after graduating from the police academy when he was 24. He claims that he knew as soon as he met her that she was "the one." They were married in 1986.

In October 1988, Frank and Mary moved to Baltimore because Frank wanted to be a detective and felt there was no room for advancement in the NYPD. The move caused a permanent rift between him and his in-laws, since he had moved "their little girl" so far from home. He loved working in Baltimore, however, and Mary got a job as a lobbyist and often took trips to Washington, D.C. where her family lives.

He had become a homicide detective by 1989.

Frank and Mary, once settled in their careers, decided to have a family. They were forced to see a variety of fertility specialists before Mary was able to become pregnant. They had two children, a daughter Olivia (born 1996) and a son, Frank Jr.

Frank was the only detective to maintain a marriage — the others either never married, had their spouses die, or got divorced. Frank and Mary's did go through some rough times, owing to Frank's incredible drive for work. Even after marriage counseling, Mary felt that he had become too detached from his family. She was also bothered when he lost his faith, especially when he denied Olivia a baptism for many months. Mary left for a couple of months while pregnant with Frank, Jr. but eventually came back. She was happy that he quit the force in the Season 6 finale.

From the first episode right through to the movie finale, references are made to Pembleton's reputation as a "legend" in terms of his skills as a detective; he is especially skilled in interrogation, and he is depicted as a master of getting confessions from suspects in "the Box." Through a mixture of sympathy, confusion and fear, Pembleton almost always gets a suspect to crack. At the same time, he often fails to endear himself to his fellow detectives, who resent his black-and-white attitude toward the job and his arrogant demeanor.

These are the three separate appearances which guaranteed Pembleton membership in the TVXOHOF:

HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET
100 Episodes (1993-98)

LAW & ORDER
CHARM CITY (1996)

HOMICIDE: THE MOVIE (2000)

The World lost Andre Braugher just over a year ago. 

Many times, it has been the position of Toobworld Central that even if the actor passed away, their character(s) would live on in Toobworld.  (Unless of course that character lived in the past or had otherwise already died.)  I would have considered Tony Soprano to still be alive had it not been that James Gandolfini had died.  I doubt anybody could see Tony Soprano be recast in modern times.  

The same holds true with Frank Pembleton and Andre Braugher.  I have no problem thinking that Pembleton died after a relapse with another stroke and heart attack.  Sadly, there was no hope to have seen the detective again with Braugher gone.  And I can't be the only one who would reject any other actor assaying the role.

So these 101 episodes and a TV movie would be the only collection of Pembleton's appearances in Earth Prime-Time.  And luckily that collection is made of three segments, making him qualified for membership in the Hall.

Welcome to the TVXOHOF, Detective Pembleton.

TVXOHOF TRIBUTE - BOB UECKER DOESN'T MISS THE TAG

Bob Uecker:

“Remember, fans.

This exciting moment is brought to you by Month Old Franks.

The hot dogs with experience.”

From WTMJ4:
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers and broadcasting legend Bob Uecker passed away Thursday at the age of 90, the Brewers announced.

“Today, we take on the heaviest of burdens. Today, we say goodbye to our beloved friend, Bob Uecker," a statement from the Brewers said.

“Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss. He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin and a dear friend. Bob loved people; his presence warmed every room and he had a way of welcoming all of us into his world as if we were lifelong friends.

“Saying goodbye to Bob shakes us all. He was so much more than a Milwaukee Brewers icon. He was a national treasure. Bob entertained us with his words and storytelling, so it is no surprise that his passing now leaves us at a loss for our own words.

“There is no describing the impact Ueck had on so many, and no words for how much he was loved. We are left with a giant void in our hearts, but also remember the laughter and joy he brought to our lives throughout the years.”

It would have been just a matter of time for “Ueck” to enter the Television Crossover Hall Of Fame; eventually he would have been a lock for an April berth.  I’m sorry it was spurred by his passing.

BOB UECKER

From Wikipedia:
Robert George Uecker (January 26, 1934 – January 16, 2025), better known as Bob Uecker, was an American professional baseball catcher and sportscaster who served as the primary broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB) for 54 seasons.

Uecker signed with his hometown Milwaukee Braves in 1956, spending several years in the minor leagues with various affiliate clubs before making his major league debut in 1962.

As a backup catcher, he played for the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves from 1962 to 1967. He won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1964.

After retiring, Uecker started a broadcasting career and served as a play-by-play announcer for Milwaukee Brewers radio broadcasts from 1971. Uecker became known for his self-deprecating wit and became a regular fixture on late night talk shows in the 1970s and 1980s, facetiously dubbed "Mr. Baseball" by TV talk show host Johnny Carson.

He hosted several sports blooper shows and had an acting career that included his role as George Owens on the television program 'Mr. Belvedere' and as play-by-play announcer Harry Doyle in the film "Major League" and its two sequels.

Uecker was honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame with its 2003 Ford C. Frick Award in recognition of his broadcasting career.

After retiring as a player, Uecker became a broadcaster, starting with WSB-TV in Atlanta. In 1971, he began calling play-by-play for the Milwaukee Brewers' radio broadcasts. Uecker's tenure as a Brewers broadcaster (54 seasons) was the second-longest continuous tenure with one team among active Major League Baseball announcers prior to his death, trailing only Kansas City Royals broadcaster Denny Matthews (1969–present).

During his Brewers tenure, Uecker mentored Pat Hughes, Jim Powell, Cory Provus and Joe Block, all of whom became primary radio announcers for other MLB teams. For several years he also served as a color commentator for network television broadcasts of Major League Baseball, helping call games for ABC in the 1970s and early 1980s and NBC (teaming with Bob Costas and Joe Morgan) in the 1990s. During that time, he was a commentator for several League Championship Series and World Series. He also called the 1982 World Series locally for the Brewers on WISN in Milwaukee.

He made some 100 guest appearances on Johnny Carson's 'Tonight' Show. Most of his wisecracks poked fun at himself. He once quipped, "Sporting goods companies would pay me not to endorse their products."

Uecker hosted 'Saturday Night Live' on October 13, 1984. The episode also featured musical performances by Peter Wolf.

Uecker appeared in a series of Miller Lite commercials starting in the 1980s. In one commercial from that decade, Uecker was seen preparing to watch a baseball game when an usher informs him he is in the wrong seat. Uecker pompously remarks, "I must be in the front row", which became another of his catchphrases. The punch line was that Uecker's seat was actually in the nosebleed section.

Since then, the farthest seats from the action in some arenas and stadiums have been jokingly called "Uecker seats". There is a section of $1 seating called the "Uecker seats" at American Family Field, which is an obstructed-view area in the upper grandstand above home plate where the stadium's roof pivot comes together (in reference to one of his Miller Lite commercials).

Another of Uecker's catchphrases from the aforementioned Miller Lite 'front row' commercial is, "He missed the tag!" which he yells with confidence from his seat in the top row of the upper deck of the stadium, far away from the action.

He made cameo appearances as himself in episodes of the sitcoms 'Who's the Boss?', 'D.C. Follies', and 'LateLine'. He was the voice of the "head of Bob Uecker" in the 'Futurama' episode "A Leela of Her Own".

Here are the shows which qualify Mr. Baseball as a member of the TVXOHOF as a multidimensional League of Themselves member:

According to IMDb, Uecker made at least five appearances in Miller Lite blipverts, which rocketed him to prominence as a League of Themselves member.

MILLER LITE
[TASTES GREAT, LESS FILLING]

O'Bservation:
In one of these commercials, Bob got to work with an actor with whom I became friends late in his life, John Finnegan (appearing as the usher.  Mr. Finnegan certainly knew how to work those red jackets and caps, as seen in these screencaps from 'McCloud' and 'The Adventures of Ellery Queen' respectively.) 

That was more exciting for this Toobworld Curator than the fact that Uecker got to work with John Goodman in one of his earliest roles.

[Goodman's the guy in the red sweater]

• BOB UECKER (1982)
• SOFTBALL GAME (1983)
• FIRST LITE BEER CAMPING TRIP (1985)
• THE FIRST LITE BEER OPEN (1986)
• THE CASE OF THE MISSING CASE (1986)

O’Bservation:

In that last commercial, Rodney Dangerfield peels off his mask to reveal he is really Bob Uecker, who thought he was at a costume party.

VARIOUS WRESTLING EVENTS (1980S)

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (October 13, 1984)
(Musical guest – Peter Wolf)

O’Bservation:
As with any episode of ‘Saturday Night Live’, any sketches in which Uecker appeared as fictional characters (The Little League Coach, The Police Officer) became part of Skitlandia.  But as himself, as the host of the episode, Uecker adds to his tally for membership.  

One thing which helped in that regard is that he was the anchor for Weekend News Update, rather than a cast member.

HOLLYWOOD SQUARES (1986)

WHO’S THE BOSS?
THE UNNATURAL (1986)

O’Bservation:
Uecker showed up to watch the game, but he got forced to sit at the top of the stands.  He looked for the silver lining though – he said if the field had been moved, he'd be in the front row.

D.C. FOLLIES
OLLIE NORTH RAISES MONEY WITH “ADOPT-A-CONTRA” SCHEME (1987)

Bob Uecker wanted to run for President.

O’Bservation:
This is not an alternate Toobworld.  Puppets are alive.  They are spirits which inhabit shells of various forms and they take on qualities of that puppet shell.

LATELINE
PEARCE’S NEW BUDDY (1998)

Ueker to Mike Dukakis:
“Mike, if you don’t want to be considered a loser, I’d 86 the shirt.”
“But hey!  What’s wrong with being a loser?  It got me a big house.”

Meanwhile, over in the Tooniverse….

FUTURAMA
A LEELA OF HER OWN (2002)

Trivia from IMDb:
When Bob Uecker is announcing the Red Sox / Mets game, he states "and that's with three E's". The Red Sox famously lost Game Six of the 1986 World Series to the NY Mets on an error when a ground ball went between first baseman Bill Buckner's legs. That play meant the game was concluded with the Red Sox having 3 errors (abbreviated 3 E).

Hank Aaron was reluctant to be in this episode, but agreed when he found out Bob Uecker had agreed.

Bob Uecker says "I've never seen anything this bizarre, and I've seen Mr. Belvedere naked! Woo!" Bob Uecker was an actor in a show called 'Mr. Belvedere'.

PUPPY DOG PALS
TAKE ME OUT TO THE PUG GAME (2017)

O’Bservation:
Uecker was the voice of the announcer at the local ball park who introduces the legendary Teddy Peppercorn to the crowd.  

The announcer wasn’t named, but why couldn’t it have been Uecker appearing as himself?  If Teddy Peppercorn was that much of a baseball legend, shouldn’t he be presented by somebody worthy of the job?

TEEN TITANS GO!
BBRBDAY (2017)

Robin isn't invited to Beast Boy's birthday party, so he decides to throw his own party with special guest Bob Uecker.

THE BORDERLANDS

SPRINGFIELD OF DREAMS:
THE LEGEND OF HOMER SIMPSON (2017)

O’Bservation:
In a dimension straddling the Tooniverse and some live-action Toobworld, this is chronicled.

Bob Uecker died on January 16th.  I could have posted this tribute to the Inner Toob at any point since then, even on that day.  But as his birthday was just ten days later, I decided to share it today.  Everybody deserves to get something for their birthday, even if it is just a little tip of the baseball cap like this “honorific.”

Welcome to the Hall, Mr. Uecker.  Feel free to sit in the front row.  The TVXOHOF is a concept of the mind, so every seat can be in the front row.