TV Stars I’d Like To Meet

… Though some of them have already passed away

By Jeff Salter

This week we’re discussing favorite TV actors and/or actresses we really wish we could meet.  I can think of many, and only a few are still alive.

Red Skelton

Red was a favorite not only of me, but of my wife’s family… because he was from the same Indiana city which my mother-in-law was tied to. I loved his TV show and thought he was great in the movies I’ve seen. You never know what a celebrity’s “real” life is like, but Red seemed sincere, genuine, and down to earth.  I think he’d have few pretenses and would be very interesting to speak with.

Carol Burnett

In every way other than the Indiana connection, I think Carol would be interesting and enjoyable to interact with.  She’s never impressed me as a snob. I used to love the part of her show when she’d bring up the house lights and interact with some of the audience.  I really enjoyed her long running TV show and some of those skits were timeless.  Some entertainers are just plain funny and some merely have good writers.  I think Carol was / is both.
Here’s a very recent article about Carol’s ability to relate to audiences:
http://seattletimes.com/html/nicolebrodeur/2023444566_nicolecarolburnettxml.html

Tim Conway

Though Tim was not in every Burnett skit, of course, he made funnier each one he was in. And he was also terrific in several films.  Tim had — or has… if he’s still living — the ability to take fairly ordinary skit material and make it hilarious. So funny, in fact, that his frequent co-star Harvey Korman often cracked up along with the audience.
Here’s one example, though Harvey is not present. Of all people, it’s Dick Van Dyke who’s at the far right on the couch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qqE_WmagjY

Andy Griffith

I think I would have enjoyed hanging out with Andy just because he seemed like a really decent guy. Talented? Yes, of course. He could sing and play, he did terrific comedy and also played dramatic roles. But I knew him best as Sheriff Taylor in Mayberry.  And having Andy in charge of Mayberry made me want to live there. I can’t picture a mugging or other violent crime in that town. And the Sheriff would always have few moments to speak with you, and would always offer encouragement and/or compassion.  Chances are, if you got into trouble, he’d sooner give you a talking-to than toss you in jail with Otis.

What about You?

Which TV folks would YOU like to hang out with? Why?