TVXOHOF, MARCH 2025 - HERCULES (AKA KEVIN SORBO)

With March, the Television Crossover Hall of Fame gets at least one member of the League of Themselves into its ranks.

This year, it's a little bit different - the character was the real person and the League of Themselves member was the fictional character, not just the fictional television of a real-world person.

HERCULES

AKA

KEVIN SORBO

From Wikipedia:
Kevin David Sorbo (born September 24, 1958) is an American actor. He had a starring role in two television series: as Hercules in 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys' (1995–1999.)

In 1993, Sorbo received his breakthrough leading role as the ancient greek demigod Hercules in a series of five television films that aired as part of Universal Television's Action Pack.

The first film to premiere was "Hercules and the Amazon Women", which aired in April 1994, the others following later in the year. The ratings success of the films paved the way for the commission of the television series 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys', which started airing in syndication from January 1995 and ran for six seasons. The series made Sorbo an international star and was one of the highest rated syndicated television shows at the time.  The show was filmed in New Zealand.

The success of the show spawned the popular spin-off series 'Xena: Warrior Princess' starring Lucy Lawless, who was introduced in a three-episode arc in the first season of Hercules. This allowed several characters from both shows to make crossover appearances. In 1998, a spin-off direct-to-video, animated film titled "Hercules and Xena – The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus" was released with both Sorbo and Lawless voicing the characters.

'Hercules' was canceled midway through the filming of Season Six, of which only eight episodes were produced. The final episode aired in November 1999.  Although it was not revealed at the time, health issues reduced Sorbo's abilities to perform the physically demanding role during the later seasons. Sorbo made his final appearance as Hercules on 'Xena', in the Season Five episode "God Fearing Child", which aired in February 2000.

Here are the reasons why Hercules (aka Kevin Sorbo) is now in the TVXOHOF.  Usually a list like this is in broadcast order, and for the most part, it is.  However, this list should be seen also as a timeline in the honoree's life, the first half in the Age of Legend and the second part in the last few years of the 20th Century onward into the new millennium.

HERCULES AND THE AMAZON WOMEN (1994)

From the IMDb:
Hercules and Iolaus take time out from Iolaus' wedding preparations, to help a distant village under attack from "monsters". When they reach their destination, they find the monsters are in fact Amazonian women who are controlled by Hera.

HERCULES AND THE LOST KINGDOM (1994)

From the IMDb:
Hercules comes to the aid of a young woman who is seeking the lost city of Troy. He leads her to a camp of refugees from the city, which has been taken over by Hera's Blue Priests. Hercules helps the refugees take back the city.

HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
- HERCULES AND THE CIRCLE OF FIRE (1994)

From the IMDb:
Hercules and Deianeira go in search of fire to save the world from cold. All the world's fires are fast going out. Hercules' father, Zeus, is on hand to help (and sometimes hinder) the two.

HERCULES IN THE UNDERWORLD (1994)

From the IMDb:
A woman asks Hercules for his help because a hole leading to the underworld has opened up in her village. Hercules wants to help her, despite knowing that she comes from a group of women notorious for leading men to their doom.

HERCULES IN THE MAZE OF THE MINOTAUR (1994)

From the IMDb:
Hercules has settled down with his wife and children, but misses the good old days travelling around having exciting adventures. One day, he is persuaded out of his farming retirement to help a distant village which is being attacked.

HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
111 EPISODES (1995-1999)

From the IMDb:
Hercules is half-man, half-god and a hero of fantastic strength. After his malevolent stepmother, Hera, kills his wife and children, he wanders about Earth with mortal best friend Iolaus, fighting evil and trying to overcome his loss.

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
PROMETHEUS (1998)

From the IMDb:
Prometheus is chained by Hera and humanity loses all the gifts that received from the titan, including the fire and the ability to heal. Xena and Gabrielle join forces with Hercules and Iolaus to free Prometheus, but Xena and Hercules know it is a suicide mission: the one who uses the only sword that can break Prometheus' chains will instantly die. Mission accomplished. Xena and Hercules exchange a kiss as do Iolaus and Gabrielle.

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
GOD FEARING CHILD (2000)

From the IMDb:
When Zeus learns that Xena's unborn child is part of a prophecy that foretells Zeus's demise, he launches an attack against the pregnant warrior princess, prompting Hercules to fly to her rescue.

O'Bservation:
The following episode of 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys' explains why we're celebrating Hercules and Kevin Sorbo as one person....

HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A HERCULES (1998)

From the IMDb:
Kevin Sorbo doesn't show up for filming in New Zealand after an earthquake hits Los Angeles, and the rest of the staff frantically tries to either locate him or find a replacement.

From the "Hercules" wiki:
Strife says Ares' idea to cause the earthquake was "a stroke of genius." Ares says he knew his brother would not put the show above saving innocent lives. Ares says that his brother's "legendary journeys" will soon be over and he can watch Millennium in peace. They hear a voice from the doorway and look to see Hercules in a suit. Ares says he is pathetic for pretending to be a mortal called "Kevin Sorbo". He mentions that his father, Zeus, thinks poorly of actors, with Hercules asking him when he cared about what Zeus thinks. He then says, "The world isn't ready for the truth." Ares swears they will meet again and he and Strife vanish.

Hercules unfreezes everyone and they are glad to see him, he tells them he was stuck in traffic, because "after all I'm only human." As everyone leaves to get the show in production, a news report by Mary Contrary states that an unknown figure has prevented a lot of casualties in the earthquake that happened.

CHEERS
LICENSE TO HILL (1992)

O'Bservation:
Mostly, unknown at the time, Sorbo appeared as a bar patron.  But nothing says that he couldn't have been the televersion of Kevin Sorbo (the human alias for Hercules.)

DON'T TRUST THE B IN APARTMENT 23
THE WEDDING... (2012)

From the IMDb:
Even Chloe is impressed by model pupil June's progress after lessons in New York-styled assertive attitude, but now feels somewhat threatened when June steps into the limelight with James. However, the cocky act shrivels when June is invited to her former fiancé Steven's wedding. James agrees to play along after Chloe gets them in at the arm of Hercules star Kevin Sorbo, whom she made believe it's a benefit for his mother's disease, MS.

And that's all I have to say about Mr. Sorbo. 

TVXOHOF - FEBRUARY FRIDAY FAREWELL FOR ROBERTA FLACK

We’re closing out Black History Month with a sad tribute, a memorial induction….

From Billboard:
Roberta Flack, the beloved, Grammy-winning 1970s singer best known for such hits as “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly” died on Monday (Feb. 24, 2025) at 88. At press time a statement from Flack’s spokesperson revealed that she died peacefully, with no official cause of death available.

“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, Feb. 24, 2025,” read the statement. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”

A master of the “quiet storm” style, Flack’s effortless, soothing vocals soon became a staple of R&B and pop radio, leading to a two-decade run of chart hits.

An activist and philanthropist, Flack remained a teacher at heart. She established the Roberta Flack Foundation in 2010 to help young people fulfill their dreams through education and mentorship.

ROBERTA FLACK

From Wikipedia:
Roberta Cleopatra Flack (February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025) was an American singer and pianist known for her emotive, genre-blending ballads that spanned R&B, jazz, folk, and pop and contributed to the birth of quiet storm. Her commercial success included the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping singles "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly with His Song", and "Feel Like Makin' Love". She became the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in consecutive years.

Flack frequently collaborated with Donny Hathaway, with whom she recorded several hit duets, including "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You". As one of the defining voices of 1970s popular music, she remained active in the industry, later finding success with duets such as "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" with Peabo Bryson (1983) and "Set the Night to Music" with Maxi Priest (1991). Across her decades-long career, she interpreted works by songwriters such as Leonard Cohen and members of the Beatles. In 2020, Flack received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

O’Bservation:
I can’t say if I would have thought of checking her credits on IMDb had she not died.  But it would likely have happened because I’m always afraid I won’t have enough candidates for the February Induction berth in years to come (which hopefully I have.)  At the same time, she probably would have come to mind because she fits the kind of cameo appearance of a celebrity in soap operas – a singer who comes to whatever fictional town which is the location of the series, in order to perform at some kind of gala.

Here are the appearances which qualified her inclusion into the TVXOHOF.  I’m sorry I didn’t think of inducting her while she was still here, not that I’m deluding myself that any of the actors & celebrities honored here ever learn of it.

We’ll start this off with an appearance she made on THE late night talk show, one which is a member of the TVXOHOF.

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON
(Seen here July, 1978)

O'Bservation:
Between 1970-1984, Ms. Flack appeared on the talk show nine times.

ANOTHER WORLD
1] EPISODE NOVEMBER 17 (1983)

Louise Mandrell & Roberta Flack entertain at a fund-raiser for Abel Marsh's eye clinic held at the Warehouse Club.

“Making Love”
Written by Carole Bayer Sager, Burt Bacharach and Bruce Roberts
Performed by Roberta Flack

2] EPISODE NOVEMBER 18 (1983)

Conclusion of Louise Mandrell & Roberta Flack entertaining at a fund-raiser for Abel Marsh's eye clinic.

“I'm the One”
Written by William Eaton, Ralph MacDonald and William Salter
Performed by Roberta Flack

THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE (1988)

From the Macy's Parade Wiki:
Flack sang "Oasis" from her first solo album at the 62nd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while riding Macy's own Watering Can.

O’Bservation:
I’m adding this because the parade will be inducted later this year….

GUIDING LIGHT
EPISODE MAY 1, 1992 (1992)

“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
Written by Ewan MacColl
Performed by Roberta Flack

LOVING
EPISODE 1.2516 (1993)

NEW YORK UNDERCOVER

CHECKMATE (1996)

A mob hit man's widow poses as a police officer to carry out a murder of a fellow crook in Williams and Torres' precinct.

“Killing Me Softly”
Music by Charles Fox and lyrics by Norman Gimbel
Performed by Roberta Flack

Good night and may God bless, Ms. Flack.

TVXOHOF - AL TRAUTWIG [A BIRTHDAY MEMORIAL TRIBUTE]

Normally, sports reporters wouldn’t make it into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame just for doing their job.  But if an excerpt of their onscreen reporting is seen on a television set belonging to a fictional character, even if it’s a fictional sports event, that would count as part of the sportscaster’s qualifications to be inducted into the Hall.  (This was the case for Vin Scully.)  If they appear just as a regular member of the League of Themselves in an “ordinary” slice of life (like Bob Uecker), then they could become a Hall member as well.

But this may be a special situation….

From ESPN:
Al Trautwig, one of the most recognizable sports broadcasters in New York and a fixture at numerous international sporting events for more than three decades, has died. He was 68.

Trautwig's son, Alex, told The Associated Press his father died Sunday at his home on Long Island from complications of cancer.

Trautwig was part of MSG pre- and postgame broadcasts of the NBA's Knicks, NHL's Rangers and Major League Baseball's Yankees. He also worked 16 Olympics, the Indianapolis 500, the Tour de France and the US Open tennis tournament and won four national Emmy Awards and more than 30 in New York.

"Al was a staple on MSG Networks' Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable," MSG said in a statement. "He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al's family and friends."

For many fans watching games on TV in New York, Trautwig's voice was often the first they heard. With a natural storytelling style, he used his pregame introductions to make big games at Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium feel even bigger, while rarely needing to raise the level of his voice.

MSG Networks studio analyst Alan Hahn, who called Trautwig a friend, mentor and a career resource of support, said the accomplished sportscaster "was a skilled host who knew how to make every game feel like something you don't want to miss."

"We lost a legendary voice in sports. But we lost a lot more than that," Hahn wrote in a series of social media posts. "Al Trautwig had an amazing voice and knew how to use it the way a tenor could bring depth and intensity to a song. ... He loved sports and had incredible versatility from baseball to basketball and hockey. And that's not even counting his incredible work at the Olympics."

Trautwig only had one appearance as his fictional televersion.  But even though that cameo was only in one episode, it was in a powerhouse series in the foundation of the TV Universe, with plenty of other shows in that franchise linked to it.  I think that with the “Empire of the Wolf” behind him, it is enough to bring several of his of sportscasting appearances along for the ride.  Along with a movie!

It’s likely that it could be argued that many of his appearances in so many sports presentations could be included, even if there isn’t any evidence that he showed up in fictional TV shows to back that claim up.  But the odds are likely that there are a few TV characters who watched those sporting events during which Trautwig appeared – Oscar Madison of ‘The Odd Couple’ and Arliss Michaels from ‘Arli$$’ to name just two. Both men might have even known his televersion.

But I still have enough verified televersions of some of those sporting events for which he would have appeared on TV sets in Toobworld.  And so we’re honoring him today.  An important day, as it turns out….

AL TRAUTWIG

From Wikipedia:
Alan "Al" Trautwig (February 26, 1956 – February 23, 2025) was an American sports commentator who worked with MSG Network, ABC, NBC, NBC Sports Network, and USA Network. He most recently did pre-game and post-game shows for the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, as well as fill-in play-by-play for both teams.

From Caleb Bouchy on X:
If you watched Arena Football during our NBC era in the early 2000s, you definitely saw his face. Al was the lead studio host for the AFL on NBC from 2003-2006. One of the best to ever do it.

The following screencaps are from a video produced by USA Today:

Here are the shows which qualify him for membership in the TVXOHOF:

In 1994, Trautwig hosted his own eponymous talk show, so I’m including that in his tally.

THE AL TRAUTWIG SHOW (1994 -?)

Here is that one appearance by his fictional televersion….

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
AMERICAN DISGRACE (2014)

From the IMDb:
A basketball legend is accused of raping multiple women, but exactly what role did the powerful CEO of the sports apparel company who had a contract with him play in the situation?

Basketball superstar Shakir "The Shark" Wilkins announces his partnership with the Orion Bay clothing line, owned by billionaire Orion Bauer and his daughter Cordelia. But the SVU intervenes when Orion press rep Carla Cannon tells reporters she was raped by Wilkins. When more women come forward, Benson and Detective Carisi disagree on the authenticity of each woman's story, and Barba takes a shaky case to court. Meanwhile, the case takes Rollins to her former precinct in Atlanta, where ex-colleagues bring up old memories.

From a 'Law & Order' Wiki:
Over the course of his career, Trautwig won four national Emmy Awards, 28 New York Emmys and a New York State Sportscaster of the Year Award.

He covered 16 Olympic games for NBC, ABC and CBS and began his career calling New York Apollo soccer games in 1978 for Adelphi's student-run radio station WBAU before broadcasting their matches on WMCA radio after graduating.

VANCOUVER 2010: XXI OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
CONNECTION:
30 ROCK
In one episode, Jack Donahy mentioned that NBC would be covering that event. 

O'Bservation:
So, in this case, it was a projection of Trautwig appearing on Toobworld TVs in that near future.

CALGARY 1988: XV OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
CONNECTION:
MONDAY NIGHT MAYHEM
One of the characters mentioned the Olympics for that year.

O’Bservation:
This would suggest that Al Trautwig was a multidimensional.  “Monday Night Mayhem” can be found in the alt-Toobworld dimension of Toobworld-Toobworld, which is founded on the TV movies and certain TV show episodes which show the behind the scenes activities which would lead to the production of TV shows.

But the 1988 Winter Olympics still has a presence in the main Toobworld.  However, TV characters had to go to the movie theaters to make its presence legitimate.  

There is a movie which gave the 1988 Jamaican bobsled team a “Cineversion” in the main Toobworld – similar to televersions, but these are real world people who are seen as movie characters.

COOL RUNNINGS (1993)

This movie will not be absorbed into Earth Prime-Time, as the real world version already existed there, as seen on TV.  But even so, this is a movie which qualifies for membership in the TV Crossover Hall of Fame… as a movie, in much the same way as "The Wizard of Oz" and "It's A Wonderful Life" have.

And with these shows, there are characters within them who have seen that movie, in which Al Trautwig appeared as himself:

• 30 ROCK
• KING OF QUEENS
• NYPD BLUE
• NIGHT COURT
• ONE TREE HILL
• DERRY GIRLS
• SUBURGATORY
• AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS
• ALMOST ROYAL

So having seen the movie, they've seen Trautwig.  As far as I'm concerned, that's like an unspoken reference.  So that counts as nine more connections.  

Al Trautwig died three days before his birthday.  Today is that day.  So I’m offering up this tribute as a remembrance for that occasion.

Good night, Mr. Trautwig, and may God bless.

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.