We are either in the midst
of a cultural revolution or a crime wave, depending on your perspective. And
while the damage to real people and property embodies the most regrettable
aspect of these uprisings, there have been other victims as well.
Statues. Lots of statues.
I know – this isn’t the
place for politics. “Save it for your book!” Okay – I will. And that book will
be out next year. Details to follow in another month or two.
But as this is Comfort TV
let’s talk about the statues that have been erected to honor performers and
characters from many of television’s most memorable series. Thus far they have
escaped the carnage. But who knows what tomorrow might bring?
This could be a good time to plan a road trip to visit some of these monuments
before they meet their fate.
Jackie Gleason as Ralph
Kramden
New York City
Erected: 2000
This was the first statue
commissioned by TV Land – hard to believe it’s already 20 years old. And what
better place to honor Ralph Kramden than at New York’s bustling Port Authority
Bus Terminal? It’s a wonderful likeness of Ralph, with lunch box in hand, chest
out proudly, ready to start another shift. Or as Alice would say, “That’s not
his chest, that’s his stomach, and it’s always out!”
Could it Come Down?
No statue in New York
appears to be off limits at the moment. Fortunately, Its Port Authority
location means it will be seen primarily by those traveling to or from work –
and most rioters have an aversion to honest employment.
Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards
Minneapolis
Erected: 2001
Few classic TV freeze
frames are as famous as the one at the end of the opening credits to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. A jubilant
Mary flings her cap into the air, while a sourpuss woman in the background
scowls in contempt.
That was the moment the sculptor attempted to recreate,
with a statue located near the place where that scene was shot – the corner of 7th
and Nicollet in Minneapolis. On the base is written, “Who can turn the world on
with her smile?”
Sadly, the artist who created the bronze statue, Gwendolyn
Gillen, died just two days after Mary Tyler Moore passed away in January of
2017.
Could it Come Down?
Minneapolis was the
epicenter for the ongoing national protests, so anything is possible.
Andy Griffith and Ronny Howard as Andy and Opie Taylor
Raleigh
Erected: 2003
There are two statues
depicting the same famous moment of Andy and Opie going fishing, as shown in
the opening credits of The Andy Griffith
Show. After TV Land erected the original in Raleigh’s Pullen Park,
residents of Mount Airy protested the location. They had a point – Mount Airy
was Griffith’s hometown and the city that inspired Mayberry. So a second
version went up there, in front of the Andy Griffith Playhouse. I think they
did a wonderful job with this one.
Could it Come Down?
Let’s see – which side did
North Carolina support in the Civil War? Uh-oh. Maybe this should be the first
stop on your tour.
Bob Newhart as Bob Hartley
Chicago
Erected: 2004
This subject always struck
me as an odd choice, though I have always loved The Bob Newhart Show. Certainly the interactive quality is fun –
how many thousands of people have taken a seat on the couch next to Dr. Hartley
and shared their problems? After it first appeared on Michigan Ave. it was
moved to Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most popular spots for tourists and
locals.
Could it Come Down?
I doubt it will get torn down. But it might get shot.
Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stevens
Salem
Erected: 2005
From a distance, this
nine-foot, 3,000-pound bronze of Samantha astride her broom looks pretty
amazing.
But it loses a little something up close. Still, we should be happy
it’s still there in Lappin Park, as some local residents thought it was a
disrespectful reminder of those who were persecuted at the actual Salem witch
trials. See? People who don’t know the difference between fantasy and reality
are nothing new.
Could it Come Down?
Salem survives on tourism,
and even the grumblers have noticed how many visitors enjoy taking selfies with
Sam. She should be safe.
James Garner as Bret Maverick
Norman
Erected: 2006
This may be the biggest
statue on the list, standing more than 10 feet tall. Norman, Oklahoma was James
Garner’s hometown, and this was an appealing tribute to both a favorite son and
a classic TV character.
Could it Come Down?
The Old West? Do we really
need to honor another intolerant historic era? Thankfully, very few
professional agitators live in Oklahoma.
Henry Winkler as Arthur Fonzarelli
Milwaukee
Erected: 2008
The Fonz in bronze! TV Land
was going to move forward on this but changed its mind, probably around the
same time they stopped airing any TV shows worth watching. So the city’s
tourism board stepped in, raised $85,000, found a local artist that knew cool
when he saw it, and the rest is history. I’m still not sure if the coloring on
the leather jacket and jeans was a nice touch or an overreach.
Thankfully,
despite the Riverwalk location, he’s not wearing water skis.
Could it Come Down?
Does he represent the
oppressive 1950s? Those weren’t happy days for everyone, you know.
Noel Neill as Lois Lane
Metropolis
Erected: 2010
Yes, Metropolis, as in
Metropolis, Illinois. The statue immortalizes The Daily Planet’s ace reporter, as played by Noel Neill on The Adventures of Superman. Neill was pushing 90 when
it was unveiled, but she was there to see it. That’s awesome.
Could it Come Down?
Try it and you’ll have to
answer to you-know-who.
Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo
Jamestown
Erected: It’s Complicated
At last, a statue that disappeared
and no one, regardless of race, creed or political affiliation, ever missed it.
The original Lucille Ball statue by Dave Poulin was so hideous it was dubbed
“Scary Lucy,” and even the rioters and the pigeons wouldn’t go near it.
Poulin
died at the too-young age of 58, and it’s sad that this became his best-known
work, as he really was quite talented.
Still, that version had to
go, and a much more flattering bronze sculpted by Carolyn Palmer was unveiled
on August 6, 2016, Lucy’s 105th birthday.
Could it Come Down?
I Love Lucy
may be the most iconic situation comedy ever created, but one of its running
gags was having Lucy mock Ricky’s Cuban accent. People now lose their jobs for
doing that.
Who needs a statue next? My
nominees:
Maxwell Smart
How many times does a man
have to save the world from the forces of KAOS to get a little respect?
Besides, Washington D.C. is going to need something to fill all those empty
pedestals.
Emma Peel
London loves its statues. They’re
everywhere – from Sir Thomas More to Sherlock Holmes, Prince Albert to
Paddington Bear. So why not honor the English rose that has been described as
the ultimate ‘60s style icon? Diana Rigg would look great in bronze, because
she looked great in everything.
Captain James T. Kirk
Max saved America – Kirk
saved the whole galaxy, and slept with half of it too. There’s probably a
statue of him already on Rigel II, aka the “pleasure planet,” but we need one
on earth as well.