Fifty Greatest TV Icons

The TV Land network and Entertainment Weekly have joined forces to create a list of the 50 greatest TV icons. In a special that airs Friday, November 16^th at 8 p.m. EST on TV land, viewers will see short profiles of each of the top 50 icons, from #50 Larry Hagman all the way down to #1 Johnny Carson.

Many names on the list are no-brainers - mega stars from landmark television series like Lucille Ball (#2), Bill Cosby (#4), Carol Burnett (#6), Mary Tyler Moore (#7), Jackie Gleason (#13), Bob Newhart (#17), Andy Griffith (#19), Caroll O'Connor (#20), Alan Alda (#30), and Henry Winkler (#32).

There is strong representation from the talk/variety show and news genres, with Carson leading off at the top of the list. He is followed in good company by daytime talk queen Oprah Winfrey (#3), Walter Cronkite (#5), Dick Clark (#10), Ed Sullivan (#14), David Letterman (#16), Milton Berle (#22), Barbara Walters (#23), Regis Philbin (#27), Bob Barker (#34), Jon Stewart (#41), and American Idol judge Simon Cowell (#47).

The list even includes a few non-humans, with cartoon dad Homer Simpson (#9), Kermit the Frog (#21), and the beloved Lassie (#46) all making the top 50.

Several relative newcomers made the list, and they will undoubtedly stir up some controversy about their worthiness of attaining "TV icon" status. These include Sarah Jessica Parker (#31), James Gandolfini (#42), and Calista Flockhart (#49). We all know Flockhart was on Ally McBeal and all, but she beat out J.R. from Dallas for crying out loud!

Viewers of Friday night's special will get a chance to text their pick for #1, which will be announced at the end of the show.

Whether you agree with all of the rankings or not, you're sure to find some of your old favorites on the list. Tune into The 50 Greatest TV Icons on Friday to see clips and memorable moments from some of the best TV personalities of time.