TVXOHOF, DECEMBER, 2024 - "HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!" (THE ANIMATED TV SPECIAL)

Every movie and many TV series from the Trueniverse (that is, our world, Earth Prime) has a “televersion” in Toobworld (Earth Prime-Time).  The same holds true for TV commercials as well.  This helps to limit the number of Zonks – discrepancies – which can be caused whenever said movie or TV show is seen or referenced within a TV series.

It’s really not a problem when it comes to movies.  They may have their own reality (explored in a series of books by Craig Shaw Gardner, who gave that world the name “the Cineverse” – which I see is now being used by some company), but when seen or mentioned in various TV shows, they are exactly as they exist in the real world; there is no deviation from the true version.

There is one TV dimension where this is not true, however.  In Skitlandia, alternative versions can always be found.  (My favorite example of this can be found in the ‘Saturday Night Live’ show which was hosted by William Shatner.  Speaking of Christmas themes, they presented the original, lost ending to “It’s A Wonderful Life”.)

Last year for the Christmas entry into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame, I inducted the aforementioned Frank Capra classic which starred Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, and Henry Travers.  This year, I’m going with one of my favorites of the traditional Christmas TV specials, animation division.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

From Wikipedia:
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (also known as "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!") is a 1966 American animated television special, directed and co-produced by Chuck Jones. Based on the 1957 children's book of the same name by Dr. Seuss, the special features the voice of Boris Karloff (also a narrator) as the Grinch. It tells the story of the Grinch, who tries to ruin Christmas for the townsfolk of Whoville below his mountain hideaway.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" was produced by The Cat in the Hat Productions in association with the television and animation divisions of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (the company that Jones was under contract at the time). The special completed production in a year and originally aired in the United States on CBS on Sunday, December 18, 1966. The special is considered a perennial holiday special.

PLOT SPOILERS!!!!!
The Grinch is a surly, antisocial green creature with a heart "two sizes too small" who lives alone in a snowbound cave atop Mt. Crumpit, located above the village of Whoville. He especially hates Christmas and has always been annoyed by the town's Christmas celebrations. One Christmas Eve, he finally decides to stop Christmas Day from coming to Whoville by disguising himself as Santa Claus, his dog Max as a reindeer and, in a reversal of Santa's visit, stealing all presents, decorations, and symbols of Christmas. Once loaded, he plans on dumping the bags of stolen goods. He is noticed by a girl named Cindy Lou Who, but is otherwise undetected.

As the Grinch reaches the icy summit of Mt. Crumpit, ready to dump the bags, he discovers that the citizens of Whoville, despite having no gifts or decorations, have gathered in the middle of town to sing as Christmas Day dawns. Realizing that Christmas means more than just material possessions, the Grinch's heart grows three sizes. He saves the sleigh, returns the presents and the other belongings to the Whos, and joins in the town's Christmas celebration by carving the roast beast, giving Max the first slice.

O’Bservation:
I included the synopsis, even though I can’t believe it could be unknown by this point – at least by those who would be reading the Inner Toob blog.  (And thank you for doing so!)
As it would be with movies as seen in the TV Universe, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” is exactly the same version which we watch in the Real World.  Any deviations would be relegated to either Skitlandia or the Tooniverse, depending on their presentation.

The following list of appearances and/or mentions in TV shows which qualify the cartoon’s televersion for inclusion in the TVXOHOF are of the 1966 TV special ONLY.  Either the show’s characters are actually watching it, they are discussing the TV cartoon, or they are quoting the song lyrics.

If there is some leeway of doubt as to the reference being of the original Dr. Seuss book, I will defer to the book rather than to the cartoon (which, by the way, was narrated by Crossover Hall of Famer Boris Karloff.)  That way, I have a future Christmas induction ceremony.

Any appearances by TV characters dressed as the Grinch are considered references to the book.  (Someday I might start inducting books into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame.  This would be a good first choice.  But today is not that day.]

If the reference is definitely about one of the other versions, you won’t even see it listed here at Inner Toob.

Here then are the reasons why the televersion of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” belongs in the Hall…..

ER

HOMELESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS (1996)
The family is watching this program on television

THAT '70s SHOW
THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER (1998)
The gang is watching it.

Fez:
“Nothing says Christmas like a big green Grinch ass.” 

FRIENDS
THE ONE WITH THE BUTT (1994)
Discussion of the heart-growing scene

AURORA:
Why can't we just have what we have now? Why can't we just talk, and laugh, and make love, without feeling obligated to one another... and up until tonight I thought that's what you wanted too.
CHANDLER:
Well, y'know, part of me wants that, but it's like I'm two guys, y'know? I mean, one guy's going 'Shut up! This is great!' But there's this other guy. Actually it's the same guy that wells up every time that Grinch's heart grows three sizes and breaks that measuring device... And he's saying, y'know, 'This is too hard! Get out! Get out!'

O’Bservation:
I think we all know Chandler is the type of character who would have the cartoon foremost in mind.

SPACE: ABOVE AND BEYOND
THE RIVER OF STARS (1995)
Mentioned by Lt. Vansen

3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN

HAPPY NEW DICK! (1998)
Dick, Harry, and Tommy watch it on TV.

Harry & Tommy:
♪ fah who fore-aze ♪
♪ Da who dor-aze ♪
♪ Welcome, Christmas ♪
♪ Come this way ♪
Dick:
Oh, come on!
How can they let the
Grinch carve the roast beast
After what he did?
Harry:
I think they feel bad for him
because of his enlarged heart.
Dick:
Totally unrealistic.

SIX FEET UNDER
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (2002)
It is mentioned that Julio is watching "The Grinch."

NATURALLY, SADIE
A VERY SADIE CHRISTMAS (2006)
The musical montage featuring Hal is reminiscent of Thurl Ravenscroft's song about the Grinch.

NIP/TUCK
CHAZ DARLING (2007)
"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."

THE BIG BANG THEORY
THE MATERNAL CONGRUENCE (2009)
They mention the movie.

Penny:
Oh, I always tear up when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes.
Sheldon:
Tears seem appropriate. Enlargement of the heart muscle, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is a serious disease which could lead to congestive heart failure.
Leonard (singing Deck the Halls):
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
Penny:
You really didn’t like it, Sheldon?
Sheldon:
No, on the contrary. I found the Grinch to be a relatable, engaging character, and I was really with him right up to the point that he succumbed to social convention and returned the presents and saved Christmas. What a buzz kill that was.

BIG TIME RUSH
BIG TIME CHRISTMAS (2010)
Reginald putting a slice of turkey on Katie's plate resembles the Grinch putting a slice of roast beast on the plate of Cindy Lou Who.

GLEE
A VERY GLEE CHRISTMAS (2010)
Sue dresses up like the Grinch. The students also sing "Welcome Christmas," which comes from this movie.

NCIS: LOS ANGELES
HIGHER POWER (2011)
Callen tells Sam "You're a mean one, Mr. Hanna."

THE BIG BANG THEORY
THE LAUNCH ACCELERATION (2012)
Leonard sings part of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

PSYCH: THE MOVIE (TV Movie 2017)
Shawn says, "Gus, don't be the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile."

F IS FOR FAMILY
THE MAHOGANY FORTRESS (2021)
Frank mistakenly thinks that the Grinch died at the end of this.

Hopefully, there should be at least two more inductions into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame.  Hmmmm....  I'm getting on in years, maybe I should set them up in advance.

HoHoHo!

 

THE TARDIS JUKEBOX - "PRISENCOLINENSINAINCIUSOL"?

There are now two TARDISes out there in the TV Universe of Earth Prime-Time – one belonging to the 15th Incarnation and the other, newer, incarnation which the 14th Incarnation of the Doctor has at his disposal.  That is, if I’m figuring aright, the being used by Tennant’s third version of the Doctor is the new model.  (And hopefully Gatwa’s Doctor did not create a split personality by dividing up the soul of the TARDIS between the two blue boxes.  Then again, I’m sure there’s a future scriptwriter for the show out there who is already preparing his pitch that each TARDIS has a mind of its own.)

Both of them have the same screensaver running to project the holographic interior (at least for the control room.)  And – looking at the show from an outsider’s point of view as a producer keeping an eye on the purse strings – they will probably stay the same in order to cut down costs.  (Should Tennant ever return to the role of Fourteen, all they have to do is wheel that jukebox off the set and bob’s your uncle.)

Within days of the reveal of the jukebox inside the TARDIS, fans were speculating as to what music should be heard emanating from its speakers.  (Not that I had anything against some of the songs heard elsewhere in the series, but I hope they’re not all going to be in the same vein as the Britney Spears/Spice Girls/Boney M./Rogue Trader selections which we heard in the past.)

To that end, I have a song to recommend for inclusion in the Doctor’s playlist….

"PRISENCOLINENSINAINCIUSOL"

From Wikipedia:
"Prisencolinensinainciusol" is a song composed by the Italian singer Adriano Celentano, and performed by Celentano and his wife Claudia Mori. It was released as a single in 1972. Both the name of the song and its lyrics are gibberish but are intended to sound like English in an American accent.

By the 1960s, Celentano was already one of the most popular rock musicians in Italy, in large part due to his appearance at the Sanremo Music Festival in 1960 and the subsequent success of his song "24.000 baci". "Prisencolinensinainciusol" was released in 1972 and remained popular throughout the 1970s.

"Prisencolinensinainciusol" has been described as varying music genres including Europop, house music, disco, hip hop and funk. Celentano, however, did not have these styles in mind when writing the song. He composed "Prisencolinensinainciusol" by creating a loop of four drumbeats and improvising lyrics over the top of the loop in his recording studio. The song is characterised by an E flat groove in the drum and bass guitar and riff in the horn section. Between the drum loop and the looped horns, not to mention the conversational improvisational "freestyle" flow of the lyrics and the chanting chorus, the song has many elements that predate hip hop, elements later found in hip hop in the mid 1980s and 1990s, respectively.

The song is intended to sound to its Italian audience as if it is sung in English spoken with an American accent, however the lyrics are deliberately unintelligible gibberish with the exception of the words "all right". Andrew Khan, writing in The Guardian, later described the sound as reminiscent of Bob Dylan's output from the 1980s.

Celentano's intention with the song was not to create a humorous novelty song but to explore communication barriers. The intent was to demonstrate how English sounds to people who do not understand the language proficiently. "Ever since I started singing, I was very influenced by American music and everything Americans did. So at a certain point, because I like American slang—which, for a singer, is much easier to sing than Italian—I thought that I would write a song which would only have as its theme the inability to communicate. And to do this, I had to write a song where the lyrics didn't mean anything."

"Prisencolinensinainciusol" wouldn’t just have to add flavor to a scene, an opportunity for the Master to let loose with his funky self.  It could even be integrated into a plot-line for the show.  How?  What if some alien race visited Italy at some point in 1970 or ’71 and implanted that song – its tune and its lyrics – into the mind of Celentano, with the long-range goal of it triggering something dire for the world once the recorded song began to be heard throughout the world?

In recent years, "Prisencolinensinainciusol" has had a resurgence, thanks to YouTube, streaming services, and being used in the soundtracks for episodes of ‘Fargo’ and ‘Ted Lasso’.  So why not in an episode of another show ending with the letter “O”?

One thing I like about this idea is that the backdrop for the story would be Italy.  It gives me the opportunity to do a bit of research as to why aliens would have been in Italy circa 1970-71.

From Wikipedia:
The Reggio revolt occurred in Reggio Calabria, Italy, from July 1970 to February 1971. The cause of the protests was a government decision to make Catanzaro, not Reggio, regional capital of Calabria. The nomination of a regional capital was the result of a decentralization programme of the Italian government, under which 15 governmental regions were concretized and given their own administrative councils and a measure of local autonomy.

Protest in Reggio Calabria exploded in July 1970 when the much smaller town of Catanzaro (with a population of 82,000 against 160,000 in Reggio) was chosen as the regional capital of Calabria. The people of Reggio blamed their rivals' success to "the Red Barons" in Rome, a group of influential centre-left Calabrian politicians from Cosenza and Catanzaro.

Doesn’t sound like something worthy of a sci-fi show, but the genre can adapt to any event in history.

At any rate, here’s the song I want to be included on the TARDIS jukebox….

IF THE TWELFTH INCARNATION HAD HIS OWN JUKEBOX....

 

That was part of the advice provided by the Twelfth Incarnation of the Doctor to the successor who would arrive after regeneration.  It reminds me of a very moving song by a husband/wife duo who call themselves Sirsy….

I saw them open for the Adam Ezra Group in Hartford on New Year's Eve's Eve....

MARCH MADNESS - 2023 TVXOHOF INDUCTEE, SEAN LENNON

I AM SOOOO LATE WITH THIS!

SEAN LENNON

From Wikipedia:

Sean Taro Ono Lennon (born October 9, 1975) is an American–British musician, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and half-brother to Julian Lennon. Over the course of his career, he has been a member of the bands Cibo Matto, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, The Claypool Lennon Delirium and his parents' group Plastic Ono Band. He has released two solo albums: Into the Sun (1998) and Friendly Fire (2006). He has produced numerous albums for various artists, including Black Lips and the Plastic Ono Band.

Here were the TV appearances which qualified him for membership in the TVXOHOF as a member in the League of Themselves:

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER

WHEN SHE WAS BAD (1997)

O’Bservation – He is seen performing with Cibo Matto at The Bronze.

From the IMDb:
The sexy music that Buffy is seducing Xander with on the dance floor is being performed by Cibo Matto entitled "Sugar Water".

BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD
BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD DO THANKSGIVING (1997)

O'Bservation - During MTV’s coverage of the Macy’s parade, Kurt Loder cuts away from those cartoon creeps and shows various musicians talking about their Thanksgiving memories.  One of them is Sean Lennon.

MELROSE PLACE

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO MATT (1998)

O’Bservation – He was still playing as a member of the band Cibo Matto.

THE COLBERT REPORT

THE CHRISTMAS EPISODE (2012)

O'Bservations - Lennon performed with Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy with Christmas songs.

Also, since this “Stephen Colbert” was a right-wing clone, it is a fictional setting.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

MATT DAMON EPISODE (2018)

O'Bservation - He performed as one of the musical guests, backing up Miley Cyrus.

POKER FACE

THE ORPHEUS SYNDROME (2023)

O'Bservation - He and his girlfriend Charlotte Kemp Muhl attended a celebration of the life of the late special effects creator Arthur Lipton.

I apologize for being late with this.  I got caught up in building my other realm of Pooticuck.  I'll do better.

MONDAY MEMORIAL TVXOHOF TRIBUTE - DAVID CROSBY

From CNN:

David Crosby, a folk rock pioneer and one of the founding members of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, has died, his family announced Thursday.

He was 81.

“It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django,” the Crosby family said in a statement, obtained by CNN through a family spokesperson. “Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music.”

Representatives for Crosby had no comment when reached by CNN.

Crosby was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Byrds in 1991 and again with Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997, alongside Stephen Stills and Graham Nash.

“Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched,” the statement added. “We will miss him dearly.”

From Wikipedia:

David Van Cortlandt Crosby (August 14, 1941 – January 18, 2023) was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Crosby joined the Byrds in 1964. They had their first number-one hit in April 1965 with a cover of "Mr. Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan. Crosby appeared on the Byrds' first five albums and produced the original lineup's 1973 reunion album. He subsequently formed Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1968 with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash.

After the release of their debut album, CSN won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist of 1969. Neil Young joined the group for live appearances, their second concert being Woodstock, before recording their second album Déjà Vu. Meant to be a group that could collaborate freely, Crosby & Nash recorded three gold albums in the 1970s, while the core trio of CSN remained active from 1976 until 2016. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) reunions took place in each decade from the 1970s through the 2000s.

Songs Crosby wrote or co-wrote include "Lady Friend", "Everybody's Been Burned", "Why", and "Eight Miles High" with the Byrds and "Guinnevere", "Wooden Ships", "Shadow Captain", and "In My Dreams" with Crosby, Stills & Nash. He wrote "Almost Cut My Hair" and the title track "Déjà Vu" for CSNY's 1970 album of the same name. He is known for having employed alternative guitar tunings and jazz influences. He released six solo albums, five of which charted.

Additionally, he formed a jazz-influenced trio with his son James Raymond and guitarist Jeff Pevar in CPR. Crosby's work with the Byrds and CSNY has sold over 35 million albums.

Crosby was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: once for his work in the Byrds and again for his work with CSN. Five albums to which he contributed are included in Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time", three with the Byrds and two with CSN(Y). He was outspoken politically and was sometimes depicted as emblematic of the counterculture of the 1960s.

DAVID CROSBY

Crosby is being inducted now into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame as a member of the League of Themselves, and a multidimensional one at that.  Unlike many other musicians who have joined the Hall, he is not only known as playing himself.  On some series he played other characters, including ‘Flying Blind’ (Employer #4), ‘The John Larroquette Show’ (Chester), ‘Roseanne’ (Duke), and ‘Shannon’s Deal’ (Dorsey Ledbetter).

David Crosby as Chester
THE JOHN LARROQUETTE SHOW

It could be suggested that those characters purposefully chose to pattern their own appearances so that they better resembled the televersion of the iconic rocker.  Therefore, one might argue that in their own way, those characters serve as ancillary buttresses to Crosby’s presence in Earth Prime-Time.  
But I’m not going to push it.

Here are the shows which cemented Crosby’s membership in the TVXOHOF….

EARTH PRIME-TIME

THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW (1965)

The Byrds, Al Hirt, Alan King, Wayne Newton, Barbara McNair, The Swingle Singers, Tony Hendra & Nick Ullett

The Byrds perform "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn, Turn, Turn." Wayne Newton sings "Swanee" and "Melancholy Baby." Al Hirt performs "Nutty Jingle Bells" and "The Arena". Barbara McNair sings "Just in Time" and "For Once In My Life."

O’Bservation – ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ has a fictional televersion which was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the same time as Ed Sullivan.  Usually variety shows don’t figure into the TVXOHOF tallies for qualification.

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON (1987)

Episode 26.86
Mel Brooks & Crosby, Stills, and Nash

O’Bservation – ‘The Tonight Show’ has a fictional televersion.  Usually talk shows don’t figure into the TVXOHOF tallies for qualification.

ELLEN

ELLEN UNPLUGGED (1997)

On Ellen's 35th birthday, she and the gang go to the rock 'n roll music camp in Hollywood where they get to jam in a band with David Crosby, Aaron Neville, Queen Latifah, Bonnie Raitt, and the ubiquitous Sheryl Crow. But Ellen gets cold feet when she feels her singing can't compare with theirs.

HOLLYWOOD SQUARES

5 shows (1998)

From Classic Rock and Culture:
For one week in 1998, David Crosby set up shop in one of the illuminated boxes of 'Hollywood Squares.' Host Tom Bergeron made no secret of his excitement in having Crosby on the show, at one point taking a moment to declare his fandom. “It’s a pleasure to have you here, David, it really is. I’ve loved your music for years,” Bergeron joyfully explained. “Not only have your musical achievements been incredible, but in one year, you lost a liver, you gained a liver, you became a father twice and became a grandfather. Any plans to top that?” After enjoying a laugh, the rocker replied, “Starting a new band. That’s the only way I could top it,” referring to his new group CPR.

CHICAGO HOPE

THE OTHER CHEEK (1998)

O'Bservation - David Crosby was the singer of the theme song for the fictional CBS TV series ‘More Than A Miracle’ and was interviewed by the televersion of ‘Entertainment Tonight’ upon the death of the star of that show.  Besides Crosby's cameo, the episode includes appearances by Victoria Principal, Bob Goen, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros and CBS president Leslie Moonves, who used to be an actor.

From the Paley Center:

This episode is a parody in which "Entertainment Tonight," hosted by Bob Goen, reports on a scandalous event at the hospital involving a famous TV star. Wendy Walsh explains that she was filming a puff piece about Todd Landers, the star of "More Than a Miracle," on which he plays an angel who comes to Earth every week and performs miracles and acts of redemption. When he slips and injures his back onset, he is brought to Chicago Hope in tremendous pain, and many people are excited to see the famous actor. Watters is unimpressed, but he allows "ET" to bring its cameras inside.

Grad comments on her fondness for the show, particularly Todd's oft-showcased posterior. Amid dramatic pleas for pain medication, Todd demands a Harvard-educated doctor, and McNeil attempts to diagnose his injury as Yeats administers Demerol and Watters monitors the reporters seeking an update. Suddenly, Todd codes and despite their attempts to revive him, is pronounced dead.

O'Bservation - It turned out that the actor had silicone implants in his butt cheeks which he never told anyone about.  One of them ruptured when he fell during the stunt.  The injection caused the leak to spread into his bloodstream.

Elsewhere, Hancock is dismayed to learn that the man atop the transplant list, Jerry Peru, is a former pimp. Jerry talks about his love of "More Than a Miracle" and its effect on his life, and he receives Todd's liver to replace his own alcohol-ravaged one. "ET" reports on the actor's death and CBS head honcho Les Moonves weighs in. 

Jerry decides to turn his life around as a result of receiving the famous organ, and Shutt recalls an ironic episode of "Miracle" in which Todd's character miraculously returned from the dead.

At the funeral, Jerry sings "Amazing Grace" at the service, where David Crosby discovers him and helps him land a record deal. 

THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO

2 episodes (1998 & 2004)

O'Bservation - As of now, the version of 'The Tonight Show' which is enshrined in the TVXOHOF is the one hosted by Johnny Carson, which featured the glory days of guest stars.  But I'm including these two episodes in Crosby's tally because Jay Leno is also a member due to the League of Themselves.

As for David Crosby's multidimensional doppelgangers on other TV worlds....

ALTERNATE TOOBWORLDS

EARTH PRIME-TIME D-V
(DOUBLE VISION)

O'Bservation - This is the Toobworld where the League of Themselves televersions of celebrities cannot be reconciled with the original incarnations on Earth Prime (The Real World), but otherwise, that Earth is exactly like ours. Most times only an episode has to be excised and relegated to this doppelganger Toobworld, but sometimes entire series have to be banished.

Other examples include the full series of 'The Drew Carey Show' (worked as an office drone), the "Die Fast, Die Furious" episode of 'Las Vegas' (in which Jean-Claude Van Damme died), "Wish List", an episode of 'Suddenly, Susan' (in which Jerry Springer married a fictional character), and the "Nice Work If You Can Get It" episode of 'Cybill' (in which Dick Van Patten died).

THE COLBERT REPORT (2008)

(with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash)

COMEDY CENTRAL VIDEO CLIP

O'Bservation - I included this appearance since the program was hosted by Stephen Colbert as a right-wing talk show host, not as his real self.

THE TOONIVERSE

THE SIMPSONS

MARGE IN CHAINS (1993)

A misunderstanding leads to Marge being imprisoned for shoplifting, with her absence soon descending the family, and eventually, the town into chaos.

A wave of Osaka Flu, brought on by imported Japanese orange juicers, spreads throughout Springfield. It soon affects the entire Simpson family with the exception of Marge. Harried from being pulled left and right, Marge goes to the Kwik-E-Mart to buy some things, but accidentally puts a bottle of bourbon in her coat pocket, and forgets to pay for it.

Marge is then arrested for shoplifting, and is represented in court by Lionel Hutz. Naturally, his incompetence leads to her conviction and sentence of 30 days in prison.

O’Bservation – David Crosby was present in the courtroom.

HOMER'S BARBERSHOP QUARTET (1993)

After the kids find a record with Homer's picture on it, he recalls the story of how he achieved fame in the 1980s with his barbershop quartet, The Be Sharps.

While shopping at the Springfield Swap Meet, Bart comes across an old LP with the faces of Homer, Principal Skinner, Barney, and Apu on it, as a group called "The Be Sharps." Homer proceeds to tell the story of how he and three friends formed a barbershop quartet in 1985, in a tale that echoes the saga of a certain British rock group from the 1960s.

After replacing Chief Wiggum with Barney Gumble, the group skyrocketed to fame with a catchy (and timely) ditty called "Baby on Board." However, their glory proves to be fleeting, as the band is threatened by divisions (mainly Barney's Japanese artist girlfriend) and eventually breaks up.

O’Bservation – Crosby was the presenter when the Be Sharps won a major award.

SKITLANDIA

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

O’Bservation – Crosby never appeared on ‘Saturday Night Live’ which has its own televersion, but he was portrayed in several sketches which exist in their own dimension.  He was played by Jon Lovitz, Horatio Sanz, and Bobby Moynihan.

From the ‘Saturday Night Wiki’:

[David Crosby] has been impersonated by several cast members of SNL, but most recently by Bobby Moynihan on January 10, 2009 (Frost/Other People), and on February 27, 2010 (We Are the World).

They say Heaven has one hell of a band, but the Television Crossover Hall of Fame has quite a collection of singers and musicians as well – Warren Zevon, Tom Petty, B.B. King, Robin Gibb, Tony Martin, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Steve & Edie, Roy Rogers, Bette Midler, Jerry Vale, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, David Bowie, Al Jarreau, The Partridge Family, Little Richard, and Desi Arnaz & Ricky Ricardo.

You’ll be in good company, Mr. Crosby.  

Welcome.  I'm sorry it was under these circumstances….

TIME WARP LORD

 

LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

MONDAY MEMORIAL TVXOHOF TRIBUTE - DUSTY HILL, ZZ TOP, and ZZ TOP'S GHOSTLY TRIO

Thankfully, there haven’t been many memorial inductions into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame so far this year.  (I hope I haven’t jinxed things; we’ve still got 4½ months to go.)

But unfortunately, we have another entry, a member of the League of Themselves.  (There have been six other memorial tributes so far this year – three as their characters, and the other half who are also from the League of Themselves.

But today we honor a legendary Bassist, who had two incarnations in Toobworld….

DUSTY HILL

of ZZ Top
[who are also being inducted]

From Wikipedia:
Joe Michael "Dusty" Hill (May 19, 1949 – July 28, 2021) was an American musician who was the bassist of the rock band ZZ Top. He also sang lead and backing vocals, and played keyboards. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of ZZ Top in 2004. Hill played with the band for over 50 years; after his death, he was replaced by the band's longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis, in line with Hill's wishes.

Hill's on-screen appearances include Back to the Future Part III, Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme, the July 20, 2009 episode of WWE Raw and Deadwood, and as himself in the 11th-season episode of King of the Hill, "Hank Gets Dusted", in which Hank Hill is said to be Dusty's cousin.  He also made an appearance on The Drew Carey Show as himself auditioning for a spot in Drew's band, but was rejected because of his attachment to his trademark beard which he refers to as a 'Texas Goatee'.

Hill is a multidimensional member of the League of Themselves, having appeared in the main Toobworld and in the Tooniverse.

THE MAIN TOOBWORLD

The Drew Carey Show

- In Ramada Da Vida (1998)
... Dusty Hill

From the IMDb:

Drew is in charge of entertaining a group of investors from Vietnam. When Drew's band plays for the investors at a local hotel, the manager asks them to replace the regular hotel band. Drew is torn whether to focus on his career at the store or become a full-time musician.

The musicians that audition for "lounge" band "The Horn Dogs" are (not necessarily in order): Slash (GUNS & ROSES, etc.); Rick Nielsen (CHEAP TRICK, etc.); Matthew Sweet (solo, etc.); Joey Ramone (The RAMONES); Dave Mustaine (MEGADEATH, etc.); Dusty Hill (ZZ TOP); the legendary Roy Clark; Lisa Loeb (solo); Michael Stanley (solo); Johnny Laing (solo); and of course Joe Walsh (JAMES GANG, solo, The EAGLES, Ringo Starr All Star Revue, etc.)

As part of ZZ Top, Hill appeared in the following videos as themselves:

• Sleeping Bag  
• TV Dinners
• I Gotsta Get Paid
• Antenna Head
• World of Swirl
• Breakaway
• Pincushion
• Viva Las Vegas
• Burger Man
• My Head’s In Mississippi
• Give It Up
• Doubleback
• Velcro Fly
• Rough Boy
• Stages

Each of those counts as a separate production, so they more than fulfill the quota needed for membership.

THE TOONIVERSE

King of the Hill

- Hank Gets Dusted (2007)
... Dusty Hill (voice)

From the IMDb:

Hank's cousin, ZZ Top's Dusty Hill, comes to Arlen and makes Hank the butt of all his jokes for his new reality television program.

Dale Gribble:
Remember how they tricked you into thinking that Tom Landry died?
Hank Hill:
Yeah, and then when he finally did die, I didn't believe it and I went to work anyway. I'm still mortified.

All three members of ZZ Top are also being inducted as the Ghosts who look like ZZ Top, who are seen in 3 videos and in a sitcom, all of which are in the main Toobworld:

The Videos:

• Gimme All Your Lovin'
• Sharp Dressed Man
• Legs

Two and a Half Men

- Gumby with a Pokey (2010)

... Dusty Hill

From the IMDb:

Even insensitive Jake now commiserates with Charlie's post-Chelsea-gloom. Charlie wants tranquilizers, but the pharmacist arranges a prescription for pot. Judith's late grandpa left a valuable clock to Alan. Alan decides to go pick it up in Sacramento by car and taking Jake enables father-son quality time, but they have hardly anything in common except no future.

It is unclear right now as to whether or not Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard will be inducted as individuals or not.  I didn't want to do the research because I wanted to give Dusty his due.  But it didn't make sense not to pay tribute to the full band at this time, since Dusty Hill was being inducted for the same appearances.  It just happened that he had one extra....

Welcome to the Hall, Dusty Hill!  And the same goes for ZZ top as a whole and as a haunted trio....