Mr. TV: Past Is Prologue

Last week, I wrote about Fox’s Glee and how it was netting an impressive list of awards this season. Well, guess what? This Sunday it’s being honored at the 8th Annual TV Land Awards, nabbing the Future Classic Award.Other winners at the ceremony, hosted by Tim Allen, will include comedians Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner (Legend Award), Everybody Loves Raymond (Impact Award) and Charlie’s Angels (Pop Culture Award), which will include a tribute to the late, and great, Farrah Fawcett. I also imagine the voice of Charlie, John Forsythe, will be fondly remembered.Since I happen to think ABC’s Modern Family will ultimately have a longer shelf life than Glee (how long can these kids stay in high school, after all?), personally I would have given Modern Family the future classic nod. As creative a show as Glee is, Modern Family is commanding a ground swell of buzz (and I’m not just referring to Sophia Vergara). There is just something about these characters that a lot of people can relate to.Also at the TV Land Awards, we’ll see the cast of 1980-82 sitcom Bosom Buddies reunite, Tom Hanks included. Two Academy Awards later, I give Hanks credit for not forgetting his small-screen roots. Now, I wonder if he will be courageous enough to come in drag, mirroring season one of the Some Like It Hot-inspired sitcom. Back when ABC’s Bosom Buddies was originally airing (season one was out of Mork & Mindy on Thursday), I was glued to CBS for the final season of The Waltons.Speaking of the wholesome clan, after eight years of the TV Land Awards, I think it’s time to honor the series that really set the stage for the family drama. Why is it that this formula never gets the respect it deserves? Logically, I imagine you think I will be giving up NBC’s competing The Celebrity Apprentice (or my second pick Desperate Housewives on ABC) in favor of the TV Land Awards. I mean, I am Mr. TV, after all, and I do live for nostalgic television. But since nothing in this life is a sure thing, don’t place your bets on that because I happen to think this annual event is, well, just plain peculiar. While I will channel surf during the festivities (and DVR it for a later time), honoring the stars of yesterday with awards that make no sense sends out a mixed message from a network that continues to air original programming like High School Reunion, First Love Second Chance and How’d You Get So Rich? I mean, what exactly is TV Land’s identity these days? I really don’t have a clue.While most cable networks find their niche and program specifically to their target audience, TV Land seems to have a split personality: aging baby boomers like me and women 25-54 whose TV tastes tend to trend toward nonsense like ABC’s The Bachelor.But a step in the right direction, I think, is upcoming original sitcom Hot in Cleveland, which opens on Wednesday, June 16 at 10 p.m., with Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick as a trio of L.A. friends who rediscover themselves in Cleveland. If I play my cards right, maybe I can snag a Q&A with red-hot co-star Betty White. Since you know by now that I am addicted to CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, I will also have the DVR going tonight for the series premiere of ABC sitcom Romantically Challenged, the tale of four friends (including former Who’s the Boss? star Alyssa Milano) who try to find love, happiness and a few good laughs in today’s tumultuous world of dating.Out of Dancing With the Stars, there will be built-in tune-in, so a renewal is probably already imminent. But it is nice to see the former Who’s the Boss? star back in something original instead of being “honored” by TV Land for something she did two decades ago.Want more Mr. TV? Check out his weekly Programming Insider column here.

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Mr. TV: Past Is Prologue

Marc Berman

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Marc Berman