Candice Bergen, More Legends Inducted into Hall of Fame

Tom Smothers

Beverly Hills, CA – Like the work of the men and women they honor, the Television Academy Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are by turns dramatic, humorous, poignant and always compelling.



It seems safe to say, though, that this 2010 edition of the Hall of Fame will be the only one ever to feature a grand finale of yo-yo tricks.



The “walk the dog” and “baby in the cradle” gyrations came courtesy of new inductee Tom Smothers, as his alter ego Yo-Yo Man, with narration by fellow inductee, younger sibling Dick.



Injecting their trademark irreverence into the evening’s elegance, the Smothers Brothers wrapped up the ceremony that also saluted screen star Candice Bergen, production designer Charles Lisanby, voiceover master Don Pardo (the voice of Saturday Night Live since its 1975 debut), prolific game show creator Bob Stewart (Price Is Right, Password, To Tell the Truth) and late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.



The 2010 inductees are officially the 120th through 126th members of the Television Academy Hall of Fame.



Held January 20 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel, the evening continued the tradition founded in 1984 by the late John H. Mitchell, a former Television Academy president, presenting television’s highest accolade to recognize career excellence and enduring contributions to the medium.



Following welcomes by newly re-elected Academy chairman John Shaffner and Hall of Fame committee chairman Mark Itkin, ceremony host Amy Poehler, star of NBC’s Parks & Recreation, noted that the honor “acknowledges more than just a good job. It says, ‘Thank you for enriching television.’”




Related Story: SNL Stars on Flip Cam: You've "Made It" when Don Pardo Says Your Name


Related Story: Emmys.com Galleries: 2010 Hall of Fame Induction Gala