Top 10 List | Top Ten Lists

Since the beginning of TV, many canine stars have risen to levels of fame similar to (if not more than) their human co-stars. In this article we look at the top 10, from Lassie to Scooby Doo and Snoopy.

1. Lassie

First seen in the 1940 novel Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight, Lassie is well-known even to those who have never seen the famous dog’s many films, television shows, and books. Over a dozen Lassie films have been made since 1943, and the dog has appeared in cameos and television series from 1954 to the present.

2. Benji

First appearing in Benji (1971), this little mixed-breed pooch starred in a number of TV movies in the 1980s, and briefly had his own series, Benji, Zax & the Alien Prince, in 1983. The first dog to play Benji on the screen was a shelter dog named Higgins.

3. Rin Tin Tin

Nearly as famous as Lassie in his day, the real Rin Tin Tin was a German Shepherd with a history as exciting as any movie. Rescued from a bombed-out dog kennel in Lorraine, Germany during World War I, the pup Rin Tin Tin went on to live in Los Angeles and become an unlikely film star. The “character” of Rin Tin Tin starred in his very own ABC television series from 1954 to 1959.

4. Eddie (Frasier)

Eddie was the rambunctious Jack Russell Terrier belonging to Martin Crane on the 1990s sitcom Frasier. Eddie was known for his intelligence and human-like responses to the other characters on the show. Eddie often had his own scenes during the closing credits of each episode.

5. Scooby-Doo

One of the most well-known animated dogs on television, Scooby-Doo was developed in 1969 by Hanna-Barbera. A crime-solving mutt who’s crazy for Scooby Snacks, Scooby-Doo has starred in several different television series from the 1960s to the present, as well as several feature and direct-to-video films.

6. Spuds MacKenzie

Created for a Bud Light marketing campaign, Spuds MacKenzie will be instantly familiar to children of the 1980s. Appearing in TV commercials, merchandise, and spoofs, Spuds MacKenzie was Budweiser’s fun-loving mascot until 1992.

7. Snoopy

First appearing in 1951, Snoopy is Charlie Brown’s faithful pet dog, and one of the world’s most recognized cartoon animals. Snoopy appears yearly in the TV staples It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

8. Rowlf

Rowlf is the exuberant, piano-playing dog performed and voiced by Jim Henson on the iconic Muppet Show. Although Kermit the Frog is considered the most recognizable Muppet, Rowlf the Dog was actually the first Muppet to appear on television as a character in The Jimmy Dean Show (1963). Aside from The Muppet Show, Rowlf has appeared in literally dozens of other television shows and movies throughout the decades.

9. Vincent (LOST)

Probably the most famous television dog of the last decade, Vincent was Walt’s Labrador Retriever on the CBS thriller LOST. Crashing with the rest of the hapless crew of Oceanic Flight 815, Vincent was a fixture on the show for six seasons, and appeared in the final scene of the series.

10. Brian Griffin

Though not as famous as Snoopy, the hard-drinking, wisecracking Brian Griffin has been appearing on Fox’s Family Guy animated series since 2001. Voiced by Seth MacFarlane, Brian walks on two feet, drives a Prius, and aspires to be an author.

Author: This article was compiled by Andy Graven who works for Invisible Fence, providers of invisible pet fences.

Are you an independent artist trying to make your music go global? Answered yes? Well, you must have then thought of engaging in the task of licensing your music for making the composition available for movies and television shows. After all, a licensed music always holds a better chance of crediting you with the recognition rather than making you fall prey to the illicit activities dominating the musical industry.

Authenticating the music composition under your name helps attaining potential career boost, as it helps gaining international credibility and visibility. However, when it comes to music licensing, most young artists fail to take a good start at the action. Here is a quick look at the top 10 tips that might help an independent artist secure position in the industry with his or her composition, when the task of licensing come up-

1. Maintain a Perfect Format and Level

Mastering your tracks with the correct formatting and volume level holds the main key. When it comes to file format, remember to keep it diverse ranging from low-rez MP3 to higher-rez AIFF or WAV files.

2. Go with your Best Composition Creation

When it comes to licensing and making a mark in the industry, it is always advisable that you choose your best creation. Take advice from friends and family in the matter of choosing the best creation.

3. Include All Information for the Music Supervisor

Be it a digital file or a hard CD, always remember to include all information that might be required by the music supervisor for going ahead with the task of music licensing. Information must include writers, names, tracks, publishers, label, and contact address.

4. Make your Composition Recognizable

Since, you are a beginner in the field trying hard for recognition, always consider associating your music composition with something that is more known and global.

5. Persistence is the Key

Since, the competition is strict in the industry, you must always learn to be persistent. Always remember that you are marketing your composition and therefore, you must push things to the farthest and never give up in the middle.

Many critics assert that TV is responsible for “dumbing” down’ society. Many others argue that television contributes to a shared culture, which exceeds geographic and ethnic restrictions by tackling the ‘hyper real’. One thing is of certainty and that is television’s influential role in transforming society from one that is dominated by print to one that is dominated by image. The Medium is in fact the message, as Marshall McLuhan once said.

This article examines the 10 ways television influences people’s behavior. How has it changed society’s perception, beliefs, and attitudes to life and stereotypes? Let’s take a look.

1. Violence:

Violence on television distorts violence as being good and acceptable. American children watch approximately 4 hours of television a day. Regrettably, today’s television programming is violent and influences children’s behavior and views on violence. Many studies have shown children becoming immune and numb to violence, acceptant of violence as a way to resolve problems and wanting to imitate what they observe on television.

2. Cigarettes/cigars:

Cigarette companies were one of the first to advertise on television. Many actors and characters on television are still frequently showed smoking cigars, cigarettes and experimenting with other drugs. When exposed to enormous advertising like this, viewers are prone to smoke even more. They thus see smoking as something that is the norm.

3. Swearing:

Not all profane language is censored on television. Many shows stipulate that viewer discretion is advised. The more times swearing and profanity is used on television, the more it can be seen as the norm. Children especially are likely to repeat what they hear because they find the language funny. Picking up on cues are very easy for children.

4. Idealness:

The media creates the ideal image of females and males, especially on television. Up until recently you would hardly see someone who is obese starring in a major role on television. You usually would have someone who is slim, muscular, and in perfect physique etc. Many people want to conform to these stereotypes. They also would like to be accepted by peers. They try to mimic the perfect/ideal shape exhibited on television.

5. Moral Decay:

Many television critics believe that television promotes cupidity and disregard for social responsibility. Daytime television is one example of this portrayal as it illustrate bank robberies, mafia wars, theft, murder etc. Critics have argued that such television shows have contributed to the moral decay or even rot in the society.

Cliff-Hangers entice viewers. They leave you wondering what will happen next. You cannot sleep; you count down the days until you find out what happened to your loved ones on TV.

The list is dedicated to the best 10 cliff-hangers in television history. Asking 100 people, these were the results.

1. Dallas: Who Shot JR? (A House Divided)

This was the best cliff-hanger so far EVER. In fact it was just the second season of Dallas and people were speculating all over North America about what happened. It was the popular culture of everyday talk. When the series returned, viewers learned that his sister in law shot him out of rage.

Interestingly enough, fans went crazy. T-shirts were made and printed with reference to this episode. The episode even got the attention of US President incumbent, Jimmy Carter. It is thus not surprising that the episode was the highest rated television episode in US History.

2. ER: Lucy & Carter Stabbed:

This was one of the most traumatic episodes I’ve watched on ER. My heart gasped as Carter falls to the floor after being wounded by a Schizophrenic patient to find Lucy on the floor lying in a pool of blood. The hardest part ever to watch was the death of Lucy. Kerry Weaver did an amazing job taking the lead at undoing the damage. My heart was aching as she had to stitch Lucy up after autopsy.

3. Roseanne: Season 8:

Darlene just got married. Dan is feeling ill. All of the sudden he has a heart attack and the final moments of the season listen in on ambulance arriving. Things in season 9 change as Roseanne bases most of the season on her book. Dan is seen alive, but in reality he died and never recovered. We only learn this in the series finale.

4. Dynasty: Moldavian Massacre:

This was the beginning of an end for this 1980s show. A major wedding (between Amanda and Michael) is about to occur, but is soon interrupted by terrorists who attempt a coup of Moldavia. The chapel is riddled with bullets. All major characters are presumed dead, lying lifelessly. Sadly when the show returned in June, no one big died; just two minor characters.

This was the most talked about episode with 60 million viewers. It was also named as one of the most Unforgettable Cliff-Hangers of Prime Time Television.

5. Melrose Place: Season 3 finale:

Everyone is inside or at least outside of the popular complex, Melrose Place when a criminally insane woman, Kimberly Shaw attempts and does blows up the building. The episode ends as she presses on the click button to detonate as Allison is inside drinking. Due to the Oklahoma Bombings a month earlier, the bomb explosion did not take place until September. No one except for one minor character died.

This was not all. Jake and his brother have a fight and both jump off a construction site more than 10 stories high. The fact that Grant Shaw was not leaving gave away the fact that he would live.

The Office, Friends and Will & Grace boast some of the best modern TV couples to hit the small screen, but we can’t forget about the couples that started it all. Lovable, zany and sometimes just plain weird, this Top 10 list will highlight the most lovable TV couples of all time. Each one has truly revolutionized television history, bringing us nothing but entertainment, laughter and love.

1. Lucy and Ricky from I Love Lucy

Starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, I Love Lucy first aired to a largely American audience in 1951. Lucy Ricardo, the show’s feisty female lead, is married to band leader/singer Ricky Ricardo. The show follows the couple’s ups and downs, always ending in some humorous quip by Lucy, or rapidly spewed Spanish by Ricky. This couples on and off stage love affair firmly planted them as one of American’s most recognizable and beloved TV couples.

Memorable Quote: Lucy: “I realized we never really liked each other. We had a great attraction going for each other in the beginning but we didn’t approve of each other. He disapproved of my moderation and my conservatism. I was square, he said. I disapproved of the way he worked too hard, played too hard, and was never moderate in anything. It was like living on top of a volcano; you never knew when it would erupt or why. I was able to accept the situation for many years because it was our secret.”

2. The Nanny and Mr. Sheffield from The Nanny

A staple of 90s TV sitcoms, Fran Drescher created and starred in The Nanny, which aired from 1993–1999 on CBS. Broadway producer Maxwell Sheffield is a recently widowed father of three wild children in desperate need of a nanny. Fran Fine (aka Fran Drescher) fills the position. Her unique styles of childcare and brutal honesty are just what the family needs, particularly Mr. Sheffield. Their witty banter and love/hate relationship makes them a couple for the ages.

3. Sam and Diane from Cheers

The boyish baseball playing charm of Sam, alongside the intelligence and poise of Diane made Cheers the romantic comedy of television shows during its time. While their relationship was constantly changing, their chemistry was quite apparent. Even though their love affair fell apart, they are still one of the greatest TV couples to exist on the small screen.

4. Mike and Carol Brady from The Brady Bunch

Mike and Carol Brady became the quintessential TV couple when the show debuted in 1969. They effortlessly mixed two families together while maintaining a white picket fence lifestyle. Always a united front, this couple helped their children through all the trials and tribulations of adolescence. Mike and Carol, along with their blended family, remain a constant in American TV culture, spawning other television shows, remakes and even A Very Brady Reunion in 2008.

5. Roseanne and Dan Conner from Roseanne

Spanning nearly 10 years, Roseanne followed the unpredictable life of the dysfunctional Conner family. The matriarch of the family, Roseanne, was a hardworking, outspoken and provocative woman alongside her equally hardworking husband, Dan. The relationship between these two characters was often characterized by yelling matches and witty repertoire from both sides, but they always resolved their issues. Unlike many of TV’s most loved couples, Roseanne is noted as being one of the first dominant females on TV. Like The Cosby Show, Roseanne portrayed an amazing, hardworking couple, but also made great strides for showing controversial issues on TV, like gay rights, drug abuse, and issues related to feminism.

It’s hard to believe that Roseanne first hit the airwaves 25 years ago. This blue-collar sitcom was truly successful from the start and was a top 10 show in the ratings for the first seven of its nine seasons. I myself was not happy with season 9 and the direction it was going.

But, the show was recently honored at the TV Land Awards with the Innovator Award. The show is still being broadcast onTV Land. It’s nice to see them altogether but what have they been doing since the show went off the air?

Soap Operas and their legends are fading. With the cancellation of 4 soap operas in the last 3 years, many of the following stars are without a job. However, many of the daytime television stars are still as memorable and are still actively loved by fans on and off screen.

1. Katherine Chancellor:

This woman is a fighter. She’s revolutionized daytime television, bringing reality close with fiction. In the 1980s, she was the first actress to have a plastic surgery done on screen. Her feud with alcoholism and Jill Abbot has made the Young and the Restless popular since its conception in 1973. No one grows tired of her advice in Genoa City. Kudos to Jeanne Cooper, the portrayer.

2. Victor Newman:

A family man who puts family first before anything else! Victor Newman has defined daytime television for the last 30+ years on the hit the Young and the Restless. His feud with his arch nemeses, Jack Abbot never gets too old. His children sued him for millions of dollars because they felt they were being overburdened. Oops…I forgot to mention…he’s been married more times than the average person.

3. Erica Kane:

Susan Lucci is definitely a diva in my eyes. She portrayed Erica Kane from beginning to end, 1970-2011. The character was created as part of the story bible. She was initially designed as an evil and menacing person. She was rebellious throughout the 41 years, especially since she married more men than we can ever imagine. What we enjoyed most to watch was her extreme self-centered point of view.

4. Blair Cramer:

Kassie DePavia is truly my favourite actress. I enjoyed watching her on One Life to Life for several reasons, most notably her tumultuous life. There was never one dull moment in Blair’s life. I particularly enjoyed the episode where Blair has memories about her life with Asa Buchannan. Despite Asa being dead, Blair never got over the trauma he had caused her.

5. Luke Spencer:

No one can forget his fairy-tale wedding to Laura Spencer in 1980s. He is one wild character that we all love to watch on the General Hospital. Tony Geary has put his heart and soul into the character but has faded away in the past few years into the back-burner. His rekindling love for Laura during the 25th anniversary special was amazingly done. The man never seems to disappoint us.

Many TV families have set precedents. The modern family has been redefined several times throughout history. Here are just 10 examples where families were seen as unconventional.

1. The Huxtables:

An African American family was featured on the television show, The Crosby Show, in the 1980s and 1990s. Unlike in previous shows, this African American family was affluent and was living in Brooklyn. The patriarch was an obstetrician, while the matriarch was a lawyer. The stereotypes of the African American family changed ever since this show.

2. The Connors:

This TV family was different from its predecessors. Before the show Roseanne began, its predecessors showed a working class family with only one breadwinner. On the show Roseanne, the Connors were a work class family with 2 breadwinners. Both mother and father struggled throughout the series to find their foothold.

3. Drummonds/Jacksons:

First time in television history one sees a blended family. A wealthy businessman takes in two orphans whose mother (former employee of the wealthy businessman) dies. The two orphans, Arnold and Willis (African American), join the family of their new father and new sister.

4. Torres/Robbins:

Callie Torres and Arizona Robbins are a homosexual/bisexual couple on the TV show Grey’s Anatomy. The idea of a family with 2 mothers or 2 fathers has been left untouched by other shows. This was the first time 2 major characters would become parents (one being an adoptive parent) on the show and raise a child. The father is Mark Sloan, from Callie’s one night stand.

5. The Winters:

This is another family that has changed television history. Since the 1990s, the Winters have defined daytime television on the Young & the Restless. The show promulgates them as affluent: doctors, CEOs and even models working for Fortune 500 companies. Soaps have gone a long way since the 1980s, where African Americans were gang related and bad guys. Most of them were also lower or middle class citizens.

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TV Rivals have defined Television history. We cannot wait to find out what will happen between the favorite rivals that are starring on our favorite TV shows. Here is a list of TV rivals who have entertained us beyond any words can say.

1. Katherine Chancellor vs. Jill Abbott:

For 38 years, these two characters have battled it out right in front of our television screens on the TV show the Young and the Restless. They’ve shared the same lovers, fought over wealth and were even reunited as mother/daughter once.

2. Stephanie Forrester vs. Brooke Logan:

These two leading characters never got along. Stephanie Forrester has never accepted Brooke as part of her family. Brooke Logan did sleep with Stephanie Forrester’s husband and 2 children. Stephanie Forrester is no saint as she bribed her grandson to lie about sleeping with Brooke Logan. The two rivals make Bold & the Beautiful popular 24 years later.

3. Homer Simpson vs. Ned Flanders:

Homer Simpson envies Ned Flanders. The former always believes the latter has everything better. Homer Simpson is one bully who tries to make Ned Flanders’ life miserable on the TV show, the Simpsons.

4. Jerry Seinfeld vs. Sally Weiver:

The TV show Seinfeld decided to hire Jerry’s devil’s advocate on the show. Weiver did everything possible to discredit Jerry. She even stole his material and used it as her own in her stand-up comedy.

5. Rob Mariano vs. Russell Hantz:

This is the most useless rivalry that I believe was used too much on the show Survivor. Ultimately Hantz did outwit and outplay Mariano in the game of Survivor: Villains vs. Heroes, but lost in Redemption Island. Somehow Mariano easily got his way through to the finals and won; 4th time around.

Who is the most hated TV star? Do you have any stars you really do not like? There are a couple stars we really despise. They put a bad reputation and made us turn our screens off.

1. Charlie Sheen:

This is a sad case. He is successful and people do love his work. His personality frankly sucks. No one would ever consider being his friend. When drunk and high, he badmouths co-workers, producers and other people around him. I can’t understand how someone could take pride in being hated? Money will never buy him happiness.

2. Simon Cowell:

Many viewers love to hate this TV personality. Many people who auditioned for American Idol and Britain got Talent, were offended by his sarcasm. Although the comments were made for TV and humor, I am sure contestants did not appreciate them.

3. Rosie O’Donnell:

Many fan loved her as a talk show host. This was until she showed her darker side in the 2000s. She sticks her nose where it does not belong and is vocal about it. How was it her business how Star Jones lost weight? She decided to also bite Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s head off over her views on The View. I’ll let you decide if she is in fact a bully.

4. Kathy Griffin:

She is someone we love to call annoying…at times. Her voice is squeaky. Many people share that opinion as the squeaky voice sometimes gets to people. This was especially the case when she badmouthed the Palin family. You can attack Sarah, but why go after everyone else?

5. Denise Martin:

People come to play Survivor to win a million dollars. They cheat, steal and lie in the game to get to the finals. When people go overboard and try to get more attention that is just shameful. Denise Martin claimed that she was fired from her lunch lady job because of Survivor. Producers awarded her a monetary reward to help her. Turned out that was all a publicity stunt. No one likes those seeking pity and those who try to cheat.

Here is the average hours people in the top 10 countries spend watching television.

1. United States:

People in the United States watch 28h of television per week.

2. United Kingdom:

People in United Kingdom watch 28h of television per week.

3. Italy:

People in Italy watch 27h of television per week.

4. Ireland:

People in Ireland watch 23h of television per week.

5. France:

People in Belgium watch 23h of television per week.