When the Entertainment Weekly/TV Land collaboration on the 100 Greatest TV Icons was released this week, the inclusions in the top 50 slots were predictable for the most part. I was interested to see how the battle between Lucille Ball and Oprah Winfrey for the top slot would culminate. But the survey surprised me: Ahead of both Ball (No. 2) and Winfrey (No. 3) was Johnny Carson (No. 1).
Carson over Ball? In 1996, TV Guide voted Ball the Greatest TV Icon of All Time. Additionally, she has appeared on air more than any other star - with a record 39. Albeit there is no doubt about what an amazing icon Carson was throughout his 30-year tenure on television, this evidence serves to prove Ball's power.
What makes Ball and Winfrey "icons" is the fact that they were more than just television personalities; they became very shrewd businesswomen who built empires out of their names. Ball, along with first husband Desi Arnaz, began their own television studio called Desilu, which allowed them the creative freedom that they needed to thrive. This venture reshaped the face of television, moving the industry west to California, where it remains stationed to this day. Winfrey, in contrast, owns her own magazine and product lines. Her book club proves her power: Any book that she sponsors, new or old, makes its way to the top of the bestseller list.
When it all comes down to it, the fact is that Ball is equally as popular today as she was yesterday thanks to I Love Lucy. The show's humor hasn't lost its relevance today, and since its 1951 debut, it has not left the air. Oprah is still running, but its talk-show format might make syndication unlikely in the future. Similarly, Carson's tapings aren't run in syndication today.
Winfrey and Carson were great entertainers, but they lacked the artistic audacity of Ball. It's interesting to think that the individual who accomplished the most for TV was a woman. This is even more reason for her to be on top of the list.
2008 Woodie Awards
