Didn't know where to post this...

[lora]

but I figured the "Opinions" board was as good as any. This seems to be one of the more active spots, and I wanted this to get noticed, so here goes.

Has anyone else been watching VH1's 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons? I bought the magazine that People did and I was pleased, for the most part, with the people on the list. The thing is, I didn't know that on the program they would actually be counting the icons down from 200 to 1. I think that is totally unfair. There are still two nights to go, but I already know who's going to be number one -- Madonna.

That's not the thing that bothers me the most. Okay, many of you know what a huge Judy Garland and Bette Midler fan I am. Well, Bette didn't even make the list to begin with. Bah! But, Judy was ranked at 128. Bette Davis was even listed above her. Don't get me wrong, I love Bette Davis too. But say her name in front of 10 people under the age of 25, and you'll be lucky if one of them recognizes her name. Everybody knows who Judy Garland is. She was the star of one of the most beloved, most enduring films of all time, and she was ranked below the top one hundred? That's just wrong. Not to mention that the countdown will commence this evening at number 80 and Britney Spears still hasn't made an appearance.

Another thing about the Judy sitch that bothered me was that when they talked about her, the only thing that was talked about was The Wizard of Oz (the title of A Star is Born was mentioned and nothing more). They didn't mention the dozens of other movies she did, her live performances that have made her such a legend, or her television show. And the only person they showed talking about Judy was Katie Couric. All others had two or three people (at least) commenting on them.

What have you all thought about the countdown? It's time to hear some other comments so I can cool down a bit...

[Pete70s]

I've seen part of the countdown. Not bad, but I agree. Despite what VH1 would like us to believe, "Pop Culture" did NOT begin in August of 1981 with the birth of MTV!!

Little by little, I continue to lose faith in VH1. I am SO sick of those "I Love The 80's" shows (they were good the first 50 times I saw them!!)

"I Love The 70's" is coming up in August... Better set my VCR, I have a feeling they're going to show it once and then never again!

And what's with VH1's recent obsession with Eminem? Isn't that what TRL is for? Wonder where HE'LL show up in the countdown...

[kathyb]

Hey! No fair! You told who #1 was! ;D

Just kiddin'. I already knew--our local TV newscast revealed it the other day. Wasn't much of a surprise anyway.

I've been watching the countdown off and on, and I was actually wondering of Bette Midler made the list. Seems like they could have placed her in there somewhere.

I guess I didn't see the Judy Garland segment. I suppose VH-1 figured the (younger) people watching would identify with The Wizard of Oz, and nothing else Judy ever did.

I haven't been keeping exact track of everyone, but I did notice Leonardo DiCaprio was higher up on the list than I thought he should be. SO many more people more talented than he is, and have made more of a "pop culture" contribution, and they're probably nowhere to be found in the countdown. I thought the same of somebody else I saw on there tonight, but can't think of who it was at the moment.

But hey! Rosie was #185!

[55dodger]

I think they lost me when Monica Lewinsky made the list and Bob Hope was buried behind such enduring icons as James Gandolfini, Molly Ringwald, Justin Timberlake, and Britney Spears, among others. I'm also not sure if I like the fact the Cast of Friends finishes ahead of the Beatles.

But like I told my son, we will always discuss the rights & wrongs of who should or should not be on these lists created by VH1. In our case it's more a generational thing. We pretty much agree with who's on the list, we question their numerical placement. But my son agrees that Bob Hope should be much higher, probably should be in the top 10.

[lora]

VH1 has been declining steadily for years now, and I just don't understand it. When the network started, it was for people who were too classy to watch MTV, but now it's for people who are too stupid to watch MTV. At least the parent network doesn't air their specials once a day for months on end.

I've watched the entire countdown with the exception of last night (I was away from home and taped it; I'll be watching shortly), and I have been extremely disappointed with the placement of people like Bob Hope, Dodger. He is one of the most enduring entertainment entities in the history OF THE WORLD, and his contributions to the world of comedy are endless. The folks at VH1 didn't give him enough credit. I was surprised to find Katharine Hepburn at #84. And what, no Bogie?

There needs to be a music network that would fulfill the desires of "our type". You know, those of us who appreciate the classics. Or appreciate talent. In this case, it's the same anyway.

[Pete70s]

How does OPRAH make #1????????

Hasn't had much impact on my life!!

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Pete70s said:

How does OPRAH make #1??

Hasn't had much impact on my life!!

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!??!!?!!?!?!?!?!?!!!?!??!!?!??!?

You ARE kidding, right??

ICON? WTF are these people thinking??? I remember seeing other similiar lists with Elvis, the Beatles, etc ranking in the top spots. I mean, they had a HUGE impact! They turned the world on it's ear!

What did Oprah do besides gain and lose (and gain) weight??

[athompsen]

I like Oprah, but I don't agree with VH-1 having her as number one. I know a lot of people on these boards don't like Madonna, I thought she should of been number one. Her or Bob Hope. Where was Bob Hope on the list? What number was he? Maybe he should be number one. That's just my two cents.

[lora]

I originally thought Madonna was number one, but evidently I was wrong. Anyway, about Oprah -- I'll say she's more deserving than Madonna. Oprah's had a huge affect on women in their 30s-60s. Her book club made automatic bestsellers out of every single book that it featured. She's got her amazing TV show, a magazine, and she's a great actress to boot. She's been through a lot to get where she is, and I say she deserves it...for modern pop culture, at least.

Now I'm furious about #2! Superman? I mean, come on! If any fictional character deserved a spot that high, it would have to be Mickey Mouse. It also kind of ticks me off that Elvis was above Lucy. And Tom Cruise at #5? What has he done that's that important? I also thought JFK should be above John-John. It's only right.

Well, there was something else I was going to say, but I forgot...