TV Land

The 10th Anniversary TV Land Awards were broadcast on Sunday, April 29, and as usual, they didn’t disappoint. With Kelly Ripa as host and numerous celebrity presenters and honorees, we were treated to warm moments, heartfelt speeches, jokes, crazy outfits, and dancing. Lots of dancing. In case you missed it, here are 10 highlights from the 2012 TV Land Awards, the ultimate awards show honoring classic television.

1. In a costume-tastic intro segment, host Kelly Ripa recruited fashion guru Carson Kressley to help her pick out the perfect outfit for the awards show. “I need something special … something classic, yet fashion forward,” she said. What followed was a dizzying array of wardrobe changes transforming Ripa into a “Star Trek” cadet, Daisy Duke in “The Dukes of Hazzard,” Tootie in “The Facts of Life,” Morticia Addams, Wonder Woman (“Too flashy — but let me wear this home for Mark”), Lucille Ball, Zooey Deschanel (“too adorkable”), Cher in full Native American garb, Velma in “Scooby-Doo,” Sue Sylvester in “Glee,” and finally, Catwoman from “Batman.” Meow!

2. What an entrance! To start the show, Ripa was lowered onto the stage in her skin-tight Catwoman outfit (and ears), talking a bit about each of the night’s honorees. She went on to introduce the night’s first presenter, “a first-rate broadcaster, a generous humanitarian, and my sister in perk-hood — and one hell of a cage fighter — Katie Couric.” There to present the Fan Favorite Award to “the original two broke girls,” Couric told the crowd, “Please don’t leave me hanging up here,” before launching into the “1, 2, 3, 4 …” chant of the “Laverne & Shirley” opening theme. The audience enthusiastically chanted along (Faith Ford was seen shouting out with gusto), and Couric even did her own knee-dip at “Schlemiel!”

3. Penny Marshall, David L. Lander, Michael McKean and Cindy Williams accepted the Fan Favorite Award for “Laverne & Shirley,” and all gave touching thanks to the fans and their fellow castmates. But naturally Lander (Squiggy) got the crowd’s biggest laugh with just one word: “Hello.” (He followed that with another classic Squiggism: “Thank you, you may be sitted now.”)

4. Whoopi Goldberg presented the Groundbreaking Award to “In Living Color” — “the ultimate watercooler show,” as she put it — and the large cast seemed clearly excited to be up on stage together, like an old group of friends. After Keenen Ivory Wayans joked that “We were just a bunch of … geniuses!” he stepped aside to let a thrilled Jim Carrey have a few words: “C’mon. This is a tsunami, a wave, a crest of talent, that I feel so incredibly lucky to have been sucked up into. It was bigger than us, and we all knew that. And we had every experience under the rainbow in this show. We laughed, we cried, we broke down walls, and eventually we elected a president!” (Well, who knows? Maybe they sort of did.)

5. No “In Living Color” reunion would have been complete without the Fly Girls. Carrie Ann Inaba, one of the original Fly Girls, said, beaming, “This was one of the only shows that truly gave credit to our dancers. It was RIDONKULOUS.” Marlon Wayans interjected, “I want to thank Keenen for having the Fly Girls because I got to look at their butts every day.” And of course, Shawn Wayans (who started on the show as a DJ) got in one last word: “And I got to play music to their butts.”

6. The “Murphy Brown” cast’s acceptance of the Impact Award contained moments both funny and poignant. Creator Diane English, acknowledging Murphy Brown’s debt to the legendary newscaster who passed away this month, said, “I often describe the character [Murphy] as Mike Wallace in a dress. He’s going to be very missed, and I’d like to dedicate this to Mike.” Faith Ford described auditioning for “Murphy Brown” and feeling she hadn’t done a good enough job, so, “I walked and came back in and said, ‘I know how Corky would dance.’ Y’all wanna see it?” She then proceeded to do a cheerful little two-step for the crowd. And Charles Kimbrough, channeling the laconic Jim Dial, gave his thanks entirely in character, saying only, “Thank you very much. I was really lucky to get the job.” Or at least we think he was in character.

7. John Legend said of Aretha Franklin, recipient of the Icon Award, “I am so thrilled to introduce true music royalty, and an undisputed icon, here to sing for her subjects — the queen herself, the one and only Aretha Franklin.” The Queen of Soul, dressed in regal white robes, showed her age not one bit as she busted out with “Respect,” getting the crowd on its feet in a lively call-and-response that could have just as easily taken place 40 years ago. “It’s the Icon Award,” Franklin said in accepting her honor, “but in Mr. Legend’s own words, we’re just ordinary people.” Now that’s paying respect.

8. Bonnie Franklin, Valerie Bertinelli, Mackenzie Phillips, Pat Harrington, Glenn Scarpelli and Richard Masur accepted the Innovator Award for “One Day at a Time” from Fran Drescher. Not surprisingly, Mackenzie Phillips, who grew up on the show amid much-publicized drug and family troubles, seemed most affected by the honor. “When I took the role on ‘One Day at a Time,’” she said tearfully, “I did not take the role with any expectations of getting a family … I didn’t know that I would be getting a mom who actually held me to a higher standard than my own mother did, ever; a sister who loves me to this day with unconditional kindness and acceptance; and [gesturing to Harrington] the best Dutch uncle a girl could ever ask for … And a little brother, my dear friend Glenn Scarpelli …. I’m just so honored to be here with my, maybe not my family of origin, but certainly one of my families of choice.”

9. A little older but still wearing his trademark gray suit and bow tie, Pee-Wee Herman accepted the Pop Culture Award from Mike Myers with a call-back to something any kid who watched “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” will remember. “We wanted you to laugh until you fell off the couch, and scream when you’d hear the secret word,” he said. “And today’s secret word — it’s slightly corny — but it’s ‘gratitude.’ … Thank you for visiting my playhouse for all these years, and please don’t forget this, my little monsters: If anyone ever makes fun of you, the best comeback is still, ‘I know you are, but what am I?’ And what am I? A person filled with gratitude.” With that, the word “gratitude” flashed on the overhead screens, and the crowd obligingly — what? — screeeeeaamed.

10. To close the show, Kelly Ripa appeared on stage one final time, surrounded by the Fly Girls from “In Living Color.” “Before we go, I have one more confession to make,” Ripa said. “Anybody that knows me knows that I always wanted to be a Fly Girl. Only two things held me back: rhythm and coordination. So, to teach me how are the Fly Girls.” Together with her new mentors, Ripa shimmied and bopped as house band the B-52s played “Rock Lobster” and the credits rolled. Now that’s a party.

The most important question celebrities get asked on award show red carpets is, “What are you wearing?” And TV Land’s 10^th Anniversary event was no different! Take a look at the top 10 looks from the amazing night.

Tune in Sunday, April 29 at 9PM/8C!

 

1-Kelly Ripa. This bright blue dress caused a commotion when it sailed down the carpet. In person Kelly is prettier and much smaller than when you see her on TV. She was rehearsing minutes before hitting the carpet, but even with such little time to get ready she looked perfect.

 

2-Only musicians could pull of this bright look. Cindy Wilson, Keith Strickland, Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52’s walked the carpet as one group showing that us New Yorkers don’t just wear black.

 

3-The Queen of soul Aretha Franklin dazzled in this very detailed dress. When the lights from the flashes hit the silver you knew why Miss Franklin chose to wear sunglasses. Wink.

 

4- Come on admit it, had Actor Paul Reubens ‘Pee-wee Herman’ worn anything else you would have been disappointed too. Everyone on the carpet loved Pee Wee!

 

5-Real Housewife of New York, Sonja Morgan, had everyone seeing green when she hit the carpet in this stunning evening gown. Telling me she loves to dress up and go to the best events Sonja was certainly in the right place.

 

6-Mackenzie Phillips kept it simple in a dark tailored jacket and simple black top. Proving that black on black never goes out of style just like Mackenzie herself!

 

7-Kelly Ripa’s BFF Faith Ford chose a fun little cocktail dress to wear to the party. The simple spots around the top made sure this retro styled frock showed a little flesh but kept things classy.

 

8-Tommy Davidson stood out from all those black suits in this fun blue number with a great green tie that really popped. And just to prove he still is the coolest guy in the world they are white sneakers he is wearing!

 

9-Carrie Ann Inaba almost stole the entire show when she turned in popping in bright orange. That amazing dancers body this simply draped dressed hung carefully from a gold chain around her neck. And although she assured me there would be no wardrobe malfunctions that evening you couldn’t help but worry. Wink.

 

10-Saving the best for last the Wayans brothers won the evening. Marlon Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Shawn Wayans all in black showed every man in the room (including me) how superstars roll. You could her the ladies gasp when these three walked the red carpet together as only they could.

This year’s host of the TV Land Awards is an accomplished actress (“All My Children,” “Hope & Faith”), talk show host (“Live! With Kelly”), wife, mother, and even … TV Land Awards host (she first hosted in 2007). Think you know everything there is to know about the talented and charismatic Kelly Ripa? Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to revisit 10 of her biggest career — and life — highlights.

In 1991, Kelly Ripa joined the cast of “All My Children” as Hayley Vaughan, the daughter of Adam Chandler and Arlene Dillon; she would stay for 12 seasons and become one of the soap opera’s most beloved actors. The year she joined the show, she had fun for a good cause at the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Benefit.

Though she’d attend plenty of awards shows throughout her career, the 1993 Daytime Emmy Awards was one of Ripa’s earliest galas. Here she posed with Matt Borlenghi, who played Hayley’s first boyfriend and fiance, Brian Bodine. Their relationship was broken up by Hayley’s dad Adam, because he’s kind of a buzzkill.

If you asked Ripa, no doubt she’d say that her biggest accomplishment on “All My Children” was meeting her husband, Mark Consuelos, who played her on-screen boyfriend — later husband — Mateo Santos. The two were inseparable almost from their first scene together, and they eloped to Las Vegas in 1996, the year this picture was taken.

When Regis Philbin’s “Live With Regis and Kathie Lee” co-host Kathie Lee Gifford resigned, the show had to find a replacement; Philbin remembered how vivacious a guest Kelly Ripa had been a few years back, and he asked her to audition. Sparks, as they say, flew, and Ripa was named the permanent co-host of “Live With Regis and Kelly” in February 2001. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Ripa tried her hand at sitcoms when she starred alongside Faith Ford (also honored at this year’s TV Land Awards, as part of the cast of “Murphy Brown”) on the ABC show “Hope & Faith.” Ripa played Faith Fairfield, a former soap star (!!) who has to move in with her sister after her character is killed off the show. The show debuted in September 2003 and ran for three seasons. In this photo, Ripa and Ford show off-screen solidarity by working at a bake sale.

Ripa’s pride and joy are her three kids with husband Mark Consuelos. Michael Joseph was born in 1997, Lola Grace in 2001, and Joaquin Antonio in 2003. Here they are in 2003, shortly after Joaquin Antonio’s birth, to see the Broadway musical “A Year With Toad & Frog.”

This isn’t Kelly Ripa’s first time hosting the TV Land Awards. She first took the reins as host in 2007, soaring through the air in the opening ceremonies as The Flying Nun.

Since 2004, Ripa has hosted the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund’s Super Saturday with Donna Karan and various other celebrities (this year, the co-hosts include Emma Roberts and InStyle editor Ariel Foxman). In 2007 she did her part on the ground, sifting through the goods at the designer garage sale.

Regis Philbin’s retirement in 2011 meant that Ripa had to say goodbye to her talk-show partner of 11 years. In his final show on November 18, 2011, the two embraced as Ripa said, “Thank you for everything. I love you.” The following Monday, the show had a new title — “Live! With Kelly” — with Ripa, for now, serving as the show’s sole host.

Always known for her sense of fashion, Ripa looked regal at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscars party, where, as a refreshing change of pace, she got to chat up celebrities for fun and not work.

Over the past 10 years TV Land Awards has become known to be the best party of the year. The place where old friends are reunited and new ones are made. And this year, as the award show celebrates its 10^th anniversary, I got exclusive access to rehearsals, backstage and even into the brilliant show itself that airs April 29 at 9PM/8C only on TV Land.

Celebrating the 10-year milestone I have put together the top ten moments from this years show that must be seen to be believed.

1- Watching this years host Kelly Ripa run through the show the afternoon before taping without a stitch of makeup on and wearing her Ugg boots you knew why she has the reputation of being the nicest women in show business. Laughing with the writers and even taking a moment for a little yoga on stage Kelly was going to kill as the shows host.

2- Unable to decide what to wear for the shows big opening number Kelly gets her great friend and often co-host of Live!, Carson Kressley, to help her dress as some of the most iconic women in the history of TV. Every outfit needs no introduction and yes- seeing Kelly as Lucy is priceless!

3- Once the puuuurfect costume has been selected Kelly literally flies onto the stage in what could be the most exciting opening number of any award show ever. Lets just say it’s a good thing Kelly isn’t afraid of cats… or heights!

4- It takes a legend to introduce a legend which is why Mr. John Legend took to the stage to introduce the Queen of Soul herself Miss Aretha Franklin who brought down the house with some of her biggest hits.

5- Every great award show needs a great house band and only TV Land could get the B-52’s to take the stage and get Katie Couric to dance the night away.

6- Reuniting the cast of Laverne And Shirley live on stage at the TV Land awards was a must see moment of the night and a reminder why this award show is so special. Cindy Williams
 and Penny Marshall were clearly emotional as they stood side-by-side and accepted the fan favorite award.

7- The Groundbreaking Award: In Living Color brought together so many of its past stars that the cast needed two tables to celebrate the night. Carrie Ann Inaba, David Alan Grier, Kelly Coffield Park, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Jim Carrey, Marlon  Wayans, Shawn Wayans, T’Keyah Crystal, Keymah,Tommy Davidson, Deidre Lang, Laurieann Gibson, Lisa Marie Todd and Michelle Whitney Morrison all in one room together meant trouble and a lot of fun.

8- Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, Paul Reuben’s told me he was most excited to meet Aretha Franklin at the hottest party in town and even had a very special word to describe the entire night. Watch & see what it was.

9- The One Day At A Time cast was overjoyed to be all back together and very grateful to be winning a special award. Arriving a little after the rest of her cast Valerie Bertinelli ran past the crews on the red carpet to hug them all.

10- The one award that our host Kelly Ripa insisted on handing out herself was to Murphy Brown. A show that she says had a huge impact on women and men around the world including Kelly. Candice Bergen, Diane English, Faith Ford, Grant Shaud, Joe Regalbuto and Charles Kimbrough seemed surprised at the thunderous applauds as the accepted the honor. Making just a certain Vice President the only person in American the only one to not be a real fan

Over the last decade of TV Land Awards ceremonies, there have been memorable performances, heartfelt acceptance speeches, joyful reunions and just plain plenty of hijinks. Take a look back at the history of the TV Land Awards, all the way back to the first ceremony in 2003, to relieve 10 of the show’s greatest moments. 

John Ritter livened up the 2003 TV Land Awards as the show’s first-ever host — just six months before the “Three’s Company” actor died of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect, at 54 years old.

Three historic Catwomen — Eartha Kitt and Julie Newmar, who played the feline villainess on TV’s “Batman,” and Lee Meriwether, who took over the role in the 1966 film — graced the stage at the 2004 TV Land Awards, with nary a claw in sight.

The “90210” gang of Jenni Garth, Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling and Luke Perry — aka Kelly, Brandon, Donna and Dylan — hit the 2005 TV Land Awards to present the Pioneer Award to “90210” creator Aaron Spelling, alongside alumni from other Spelling-produced shows such as “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Love Boat” and “Dynasty.”

At the 2006 TV Land Awards, Kermit and Miss Piggy presented the award for Favorite TV Food — pork chops and applesauce — to Peter Brady, or rather to Christopher Knight, who played him on “The Brady Bunch.” And somehow Miss Piggy managed not to smother him.

When the musical variety show “Hee Haw” won the 2007 Entertainers Award,mother-and-daughter team Naomi Judd and Wynonna Judd reunited for a touching performance of “Mama, He’s Crazy,” the first song they ever performed on “Hee Haw.”

By 2008, Justin Timberlake had hosted “Saturday Night Live” twice, so we already knew he was funny — and hence the perfect choice to present the 2008 Lucille Ball Legacy of Laughter Award to his “The Love Guru” co-star Mike Myers, who has a few comic chops himself.

Lionel Richie performed a medley of his hits, including “Hello” and “All Night Long,” before accepting the 2008 Icon Award and joking of his oft-arrested daughter Nicole, “”Forget about surviving 40 years in the music business. Just surviving 27 years of Nicole Richie has been a struggle-and-a-half … I stand here as a survivor.”

Anyone who watched “H.R. Pufnstuf” remembers that the children’s puppet show was fun, smart, innovative … and weird. (In a good way.) When Sid and Marty Krofft were awarded the 2009 Pop Culture Award, performers from “H.R. Pufnstuf” gave them a tribute that was as lively and surreal — and yes, weird — as the groundbreaking show deserved.

The old (no offense, guys) paid tribute to the new when David Hasselhoff and the TV Land Choir — including veteran actors Todd Bridges, Joyce DeWitt, Jamie Farr, Shirley Jones, Marion Ross, Jimmie Walker and Fred Willard — sang Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” to honor 2010 Future Classic Award winner “Glee.”

When “The Facts of Life” received the Pop Culture Award at the 2011 ceremony, Charlotte Rae exclaimed proudly of her “girls,” “They all turned out to be straight. Straight!” Though Rae undoubtedly meant that the actors had grown up admirably, Meredith Baxter — who came out as a lesbian in 2009 — had the last laugh when she later accepted the Fan Favorite Award with the rest of her “Family Ties” cast, saying wryly, “”Although we didn’t all come out as straight as apparently ‘The Facts of Life’ cast, we’re doing pretty well.”

Murphy Brown,” the winner of this year’s Impact Award, centered its show around a female 40-something, hard-hitting news anchor, or as creator Diane English put it, “Mike Wallace in a skirt.” Acerbic, still likable, and often controversial, she certainly didn’t resemble other sitcom characters at the time. In the pilot, Murphy (played by Candice Bergen, who won five Emmys in the role), a recovering alcoholic, returns to journalism after a stint at the Betty Ford Clinic. With the help of her co-workers on the news show “FYI” — stoic Jim Dial (Charles Kimbrough), perky Corky Sherwood (Faith Ford), neurotic Frank Fontana (Joe Regalbuto) and green-behind-the-ears producer Miles Silverberg (Grant Shaud), Murphy weathers the ups and downs of the news cycle, network politics and her personal life. As a role model, the character made an indelible impression on pop culture, the headlines of the day and journalism itself … even if she wasn’t actually real.

Relive the show with us as we look at 10 storylines from “Murphy Brown,” then see the cast reunite at the TV Land Awards, which TV Land will broadcast nationwide on April 29 at 9PM/8C.

“Murphy Kills a Judge
While questioning a corrupt — and suddenly silent — judge on “FYI,” Murphy continues to grill him mercilessly even though, as it turns out, he’s suffered a heart attack and died. (Season 1, Episode 18 - “The Unshrinkable Murphy Brown”)

Murphy’s Secretaries
A running gag throughout the series was Murphy’s inability to retain a decent secretary. For some reason, every secretary sent to her by HR turns out to be skittish, impertinent, not fluent in English or just plain incompetent. And then there was the one who talked to Satan.

Murphy’s Cameo
The “FYI” cast is thrilled the network creates a sitcom based on Murphy’s life, and a famous actress (played by Morgan Fairchild) is signed to play Murphy’s character, “Kelly Green.” But Murphy isn’t so thrilled, especially when she’s asked to make a cameo appearance on the show. CBS anchor Connie Chung appears briefly as herself. (Season 2, Episode 4 - “TV or Not TV”)

Eldin
When Murphy hires Eldin Bernecky (Robert Pastorelli) to repaint her house, she never imagines that he’ll stick around for years. But the painter with grand ambitions is there as Murphy’s constant muse, philosopher, friend and confidant, developing a crush on Corky and getting sidetracked with his penchant for elaborate murals. Pastorelli, who died of an overdose in 2004, was a regular for only six of the show’s ten seasons, but returned to make an appearance in the series finale.

Corky Gets Married
Corky reunites with former high school classmate Will Forrest — once a geek, now a lawyer — and, after a whirlwind courtship agrees to marry him, even after she realizes that her new name will be “Corky Sherwood-Forrest.” A highlight of the wedding: Murphy as a bridesmaid, wearing a frilly Southern belle dress with hoops. Corky later divorces Will and elopes with Miles. (Season 2, Episodes 26 and 27 - “Going to the Chapel”)

Single Motherhood
When Murphy gets pregnant, the father of the baby, her ex-husband Jake Lowenstein (Robin Thomas), tells her he can’t give up his lifestyle as a political radical to become a parent. Murphy decides to have the baby on her own, and she goes into labor while on the air, giving birth to a son and singing softly to him, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” (Season 4, Episode 26 - “Birth 101”)

Dan Quayle Feud
In 1992, then Vice President Dan Quayle was criticized (and praised) for giving a speech on family values in which he charged that it “doesn’t help matters when primetime TV has Murphy Brown … mocking the importance of fathers, by bearing a child alone, and calling it just another ‘lifestyle choice.’” In response, “Murphy Brown” aired an episode with a special “FYI” segment celebrating the diversity of different types of families — and ended with a prank in which they dumped a truckload of potatoes on the vice president’s lawn, alluding to a gaffe in which Quayle, at an elementary school spelling bee, had corrected a student’s spelling of “potato” to “potatoe.” (Season 5, Episodes 1 and 2 - “You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato”)

The Staff Resigns
When the network pulls Jim’s expose on the tobacco industry, the anchor resigns in protest — and the rest of the staff ends up quitting to support him, until Miles stands up to the network and gets the story aired. (Season 8, Episode 17 - “Aftermath”)

Breast Cancer
Murphy develops breast cancer and spends the final season of the show getting treatment, which includes smoking medical marijuana — supplied by Jim — to relieve the effects of chemotherapy (an episode that drew conservative protests) and shopping for prosthetic breasts. Bergen was given an award by the American Cancer Society for her part in increasing breast cancer awareness. (Season 10)

Series Finale
While undergoing an operation for a tumor that might be malignant, Murphy has an anesthesia-induced hallucination in which she interviews God (Alan King) — contentiously, of course. Upon learning she is cancer-free, Murphy follows God’s advice not to retire and returns to her house to find Eldin, who has returned from Spain do some some more “touch-up” on her townhouse. Murphy’s last secretary was played by the divine Bette Midler. (Season 10, Episode 22 - “Never Can Say Goodbye, Part 2”)

@peeweeherman: From L-R: @KatieCouric, @JimCarrey, @WhoopiGoldberg and me at the #TVLandAwards.

@frandrescher: Time to get ready for the @tvland awards!!

@tommycat: Catchin’ up on the carpet w/ #DavidAlanGrier @TVLand Awards press line. Dude went fr: #InLivingColor 2 Bdwy!

@wolfiesmom: Sweet @Faith_Ford NEVER takes a bad picture

@peeweeherman: CAMERAS! AAAAH! #TVlandawards

@Marie_Todd: What a great evening! Kelly Ripa and girls.

@katiecouric: With @TysonChandler after the #TVLandAwards!!!!

@carrieanninaba: On our way to the tvland awards! Like my dress? Lol…

@MARLONWAYANS: Three the hard wayans… Me dub and I at the tvland awards honoring in living color

@SonjatMorgan: With @frandrescher and @kellyripa after the @tvland awards! #rhony @BravoAndy

Be sure to tune in to the 10th Anniversary TV Land Awards on April 29 at 9PM/8C!

This year’s winner of the TV Land Awards Innovator Award is “One Day at a Time” (1975-1984), which focused on a single working mom (played Bonnie Franklin) and her efforts to raise two teenage daughters (Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli) — with a little help from the building’s wisecracking super, Schneider (Pat Harrington). The show broke ground at the time for tackling subjects not often seen on television, but what was “One Day at a Time” really all about?

Check out these 10 facts about the long-running sitcom, then watch the stars of the show reunite when TV Land airs the 10th Anniversary TV Land Awards at April 29 at 9PM/8C.

A Landmark TV Mom. Bonnie Franklin’s character Ann Romano, who leaves her husband to raise two teenage daughters on her own, is often cited as TV’s first female divorcee. She wasn’t — Vivian Bagley (played Vivian Vance) preceded her on “The Lucy Show,” as did Diana Rigg’s character on the 1973 series “Diana” — but “One Day at a Time” was still the first time a divorced mother’s struggles had been portrayed so prominently on a successful network television show.

Family Tie.“One Day at a Time” was co-created by former TV actress Whitney Blake about her own experiences as a single mom raising raising three kids — one of whom, Meredith Baxter, grew up to play a TV mom herself as Elyse Keaton on “Family Ties.”

Very Special Episodes. Though there were plenty of laughs, the sitcom embraced its serious side, covering controversial topics such as teen sex, teen suicide, birth control, alcohol and drug use, infertility and sexual harassment. (It’s no coincidence that “One Day at a Time” was produced by “All My Children” creator Norman Lear, known for tackling social and political issues head-on.) The episode in which a married Barbara learns she may not be able to have children won an Emmy for Best Directing in a Comedy Series.

Schneider. The unofficial star of “One Day at a Time” was building superintendent Dwayne Schneider (Pat Harrington), more commonly known to the world as “Schneider.” A reliable source of comic relief, the tool belt-clad Schneider drops by the apartment frequently to fix things, check on the girls and hit — unsuccessfully — on Ann with lines like “The ladies in this building don’t call me ‘super’ for nothing.” Smooth! Harrington won an Emmy in 1984 for Best Supporting Actor.

Off-Screen Drama. The show’s nine seasons didn’t all include star Mackenzie Phillips, who played Ann’s rebellious daughter Julie Cooper. Phillips’ substance abuse problems were well publicized, and she was fired from the show in 1980, with Julie written off the show to marry her boyfriend Max and move to Houston. After a stint in rehab, Phillips returned to the cast in 1981 (Julie was by now pregnant and had admitted to cheating on Max), but was fired for good in 1983.

TV’s Good Girl. The show made a star of Valerie Bertinelli, who was 15 when she started playing obedient daughter Barbara Cooper. (On the show, Barbara remains a virgin until her wedding night.) In 1981, while still starring on “One Day at a Time,” she married guitarist Eddie Van Halen, and the new rock-star lifestyle of TV’s good girl added even more to her appeal. The couple divorced in 2007; the “Hot in Cleveland” star is now married to financial planner Tom Vitale.

Ann’s Romances. The premise of the show is that Ann is a single working mom, but she isn’t exactly a nun — she has several romantic interests, a few of which turn serious. In the first two seasons, she dates a lawyer, David (Richard Masur), whose proposal she eventually turns down; in the sixth season, she gets engaged to her business partner Nick (Ron Rifkin), who is killed by a drunk driver; and in the eighth season, she marries Barbara’s father-in-law, Sam (Howard Hesseman).

Adding a Heartthrob. In the show’s sixth season, with Barbara a college student and Julie married and off the show, the show re-injected the teen factor — and created a pinup star — with the addition of Glenn Scarpelli, who played Alex, the son of Ann’s fiance Nick. After Nick dies in a car accident, Ann raises Alex until he moves back in with his mother. After “One Day at a Time,” Scarpelli co-starred in the short-lived sitcom “Jennifer Slept Here” and had a few appearances on “The Love Boat”; he now lives in Sedona, Arizona, and is CEO of the TV station Sedona NOW, which he co-owns with his husband, Jude Belanger.

Two Finales. In its ninth and final season, the show more or less had two series finales. In “Off We Go” — the actual series finale — the remarried Ann leaves Indianapolis to take a job in London. In the series’ final episode, “Another Man’s Shoes,” Schneider moves to Florida to take care of his niece and nephew. That episode would have served as a pilot for a “One Day at a Time” spinoff centered on Schneider, but it was never picked up.

Future Stars. Boyd Gaines appeared in 51 episodes as Mark Royer, Barbara’s dentist boyfriend and, eventually, husband. But he’s gained fame since then on Broadway, having won four Tonys — in fact, he’s the first actor to be nominated in all four Tony categories for which an actor is eligible. Ron Rifkin, who played Ann’s fiance Nick, would later go on to star as Arvin Sloane on “Alias.” And close watchers of “One Day at a Time” may recognize the guy who plays Schneider’s nephew Harvey, who dates Barbara and gets busted for stealing her tape recorder: It’s Mark Hamill, the man we all know by now as Luke Skywalker.

It’s always a great time at the TV Land Awards, but the big draw is the reunions, in which former castmates come together (sometimes after a span of decades) to reminisce about making the shows beloved by so many — including the stars themselves. Even actors like Tom Hanks and John Travolta have happily hit the stage to reunite with their small-screen families. Think of it like your high school reunion, except everyone’s well, famous and better looking. We look back at a decade’s worth of the TV Land Awards’ most star-studded cast reunions.

Tune in Sunday April 29 at 9PM/8C to see which casts reunite for the 10th Annual TV Land Awards!

2003: “The Dick Van Dyke Show”

The first TV Land Awards started its reunion tradition with a bang, bestowing the Legend Award to “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” In fact, series creator Carl Reiner was so inspired by the good vibes on stage that he suggested the cast get together again for a reunion episode — which later became the 2004 TV movie “The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited.”

2004: “The Andy Griffith Show”

The actors from “The Andy Griffith Show” (sans Ron Howard, though he’s a little busy these days) returned to Mayberry when the show received the Legend Award in 2004. Billy Bob Thornton, who presented the award to the cast of his “all-time favorite show,” reminisced, “‘The Andy Griffith Show’ got me through my childhood. Every time I was down, I would just dream I was in Mayberry.”

2005: “The Bob Newhart Show”

“Hi Bob!” One year after immortalizing Bob Newhart with a Chicago statue of his “Bob Newhart Show” character Robert Hartley, TV Land recognized the show’s iconic status — not with more statues, but with the easier-to-carry 2005 Icon Award. After all, what was Bob without his wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette)?

2006: “Dallas”

Any show that had the entire country — the world, really — discussing “Who shot J.R.?” deserves the Pop Culture Award, which “Dallas” won in 2006. John Schneider and Tom Wopat, who can claim their own slice of pop cultural history as Bo and Luke Duke, presented the award to the reunited cast, though sadly, only Hagman wore a cowboy hat.

2007: “The Brady Bunch”

We knew it was much more than a hunch that this group called “The Brady Bunch” would someday win the Pop Culture Award. When the lovely ladies and the men named Brady met up at the 2007 show, Susan Olsen (Cindy) thanked “all of you who enjoyed my childhood — I enjoyed it, too”; and Barry Williams (Greg) explained, “Some people are blessed with one wonderful family, and some are blessed with two, like me.”

2008: “Roseanne”

A gaggle of Conners — including two different Beckys (Lecy Goranson and Sarah Chalke) — converged upon the 2008 TV Land Awards to accept the Innovator Award for their landmark show. Roseanne Barr, whom presenter Teri Hatcher deemed the original “desperate housewife,” expressed gratitude toward her TV family for giving her “the most fun you could ever hope to have in the world, for ten years.”

2009: “M*A*S*H”

Accepting the Impact Award at the 2009 TV Land Awards, the cast of “M*A*S*H” proved they still had chemistry when Alan Alda grabbed Loretta Swit to re-create the kind of lingering smooch their characters enjoyed three decades before. Who says you can’t still have hot lips in your 70s?

2009: “Married … With Children”

Dr. Phil presented the 2009 Innovator Award to the cast of “Married … With Children,” saying that the  Bundys were “strongest argument I’ve ever seen for mandatory birth control … the Cosbys they were not.” Taking her turn at the microphone, proud Bundy daughter Christina Applegate said, “We don’t get to see each other all that often … Thank you for giving us the opportunity to hang out at a table and be dysfunctional together one more time.”

2010: “Bosom Buddies”

Once upon a time — way back in 1980 — a young actor named Tom Hanks landed the lead on a sitcom called “Bosom Buddies.” Hanks doesn’t dress up in drag anymore (that we know of), but the Oscar winner demonstrated his loyalty to the show that gave him his break by accepting the 30th Anniversary Award, alongside Peter Scolari and the rest of their “Bosom” castmates. “For 39 measly episodes,” Hanks recalled fondly of the show’s two-season run, “all we did was laugh.”

2011: “Welcome Back, Kotter”

Before “Saturday Night Fever,” before “Grease,” before “Wild Hogs,” John Travolta was just Vinnie Barbarino, a kid with awesome hair on “Welcome Back, Kotter.” Travolta proved you can go home again — or back to school, anyway — when he reunited with his fellow Sweathogs to accept the 35th Anniversary Award, saying, “After 35 years, I wondered what Barbarino would be doing, and he’s standing here tonight very proud to be here.” Up your nose with a rubber hose right back atcha, Vinnie.

Half the fun (heck, maybe even 85% of the fun) of any awards show is seeing the celebrities hit the red carpet, decked out in all their finery. The TV Land Awards are no exception — plus there’s the added bonus appeal of spotting stars from your favorite TV shows of the past, celebrating their legacies with one more night in the spotlight. We’ve combed through the past decade of TV Land Awards to bring you 10 photos of honorees and presenters, looking red-carpet hot. 

Tune in to the 10th Anniversary TV Land Awards on Sunday, April 29 at 9PM/8C!

Barbara Eden

“I Dream of Jeannie” star Barbara Eden struck a pose — a genie pose, of course — at the 2003 TV Land Awards. Yes, master.

 

Marlo Thomas

It’s That Girl! Marlo Thomas hit the 2004 red carpet with herself (or rather, a doll replica of famed sitcom character) as her plus-one.

Eva Longoria

Far from desperate, Eva Longoria sparkled at the 2005 TV Land Awards, where she picked up the Future Classic Award along with her fellow “Desperate Housewives” castmates.

Kate Walsh

She plays a doctor on TV, but Kate Walsh was a candy striper on the 2006 red carpet when she and the rest of the “Grey’s Anatomy” cast arrived to accept the Future Classic Award.

John Amos, LeVar Burton and Ben Vereen

Their “Roots” go back 30 years, and John Amos, LeVar Burton and Ben Vereen showed they’re still (friendly) fighters in 2007 when they accepted the 30th Anniversary Award for their landmark TV miniseries.

Cast of “Golden Girls”

Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Betty White will always be golden, and they accepted the 2008 Pop Culture Award for “Golden Girls” just one month before the death of fourth castmate Estelle Getty.

Sarah Chalke

She played Dr. Elliot Reid on “Scrubs” for nine seasons, but Sarah Chalke was on hand at the 2008 TV Land Awards as part of her first TV family: the cast of “Roseanne,” which won the Innovator Award. Yes, in some circles, Chalke will always be known as “Becky 2.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

2009 Lucille Ball Legacy of Laughter honoree Julia Louis-Dreyfus — then starring in “The New Adventures of Old Christine” — showed up on the red carpet looking slim, stunning and yadda yadda yadda.

Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith

Good morning, angels! Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith reunited in 2010 to accept the Pop Culture Award for “Charlie’s Angels” and to pay tribute to fallen angel Farrah Fawcett, who passed away after a four-year battle with cancer in 2009.

“Family Ties” Cast

Once a Keaton, always a Keaton. The cast of “Family Ties” — Michael Gross (with wife Elza Bergeron, left), Meredith Baxter, Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan — felt the family spirit when they accepted the 2011 Fan Favorite Award alongside Tina Yothers and Justine Bateman. Sha-la-la-la …

If there’s one thing 2012’s TV Land Awards winners have in common, it’s a willingness to buck convention. This year we honor not one, not two, but three shows featuring strong female characters in “One Day at a Time,” “Murphy Brown” and “Laverne & Shirley.” Then there’s “In Living Color,” which shattered stereotypes with its cast of irreverent black comedians (plus Jim Carrey), and “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,” which doesn’t resemble any other show before or since. Add Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin into the mix as winner of the Icon Award, and you’ve got an lineup of amazing shows and people that truly broke the mold.

Innovator Award: “One Day at a Time”

When “One Day at a Time” debuted in 1975, the families on most TV shows were “traditional,” with two married parents and a couple of adorable, rosy-cheeked kids. A sitcom about a divorcée (Bonnie Franklin) raising two rebellious teenage daughters (Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli) on her own wasn’t just rare for the time — it was practically subversive. “One Day at a Time” was ahead of the curve in addressing weighty topics such as birth control, suicide and teenage runaways; but it ran for nine successful seasons because it was funny, helped in no small part by the frequent drop-ins and double entendres of toolbelt-clad super Schneider (Pat Harrington).

Impact Award: “Murphy Brown”

At first, “Murphy Brown” seemed like another version of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”: a female-led sitcom set in a broadcast newsroom. But acerbic, recovering alcoholic, fortysomething news anchor Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) became a powerhouse icon for the modern working woman, tackling work, current events and life issues — even unwed motherhood, once a TV taboo — with humor, toughness and grace … and of course, a little help from her news team and house painter Eldin. The show, which ran from 1988-1998, won two Emmys for Best Comedy and a record-setting five Emmys for Bergen.

Pop Culture Award: “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” 

One of those rare children’s shows that could be enjoyed by kids and adults — but in different ways — “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” introduced us to bow-tied man-child Pee-Wee Herman, played by the man once known as Paul Reubens. With his squeaky voice, cheery catchphrases, zany enthusiasm and assortment of friends both human (Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne) and non-human (Chairy, Jambi the genie, Globey), Pee-Wee never lost his sense of childlike wonder, making his “Playhouse” a one-of-a-kind show that talked to kids, but never talked down to them. “I know you are, but what am I?”

Fan Favorite Award: “Laverne & Shirley”

They were gonna do it their way, yes their way … The irrepressible Laverne De Fazio and Shirley Feeney (Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams) debuted as Fonzie’s friends on “Happy Days,” but the roommates and Shotz Brewery co-workers made their dreams come true on their own show, which ran from 1976 to 1983. Though they were both (on and off again) single, Laverne and Shirley’s romantic lives never mattered so much as their quirks (Shirley loved her Boo Boo Kitty, Laverne loved her Pepsi and milk), their friends and neighbors (goofballs Lenny and Squiggy) and their sunny determination to “make it after all,” no matter how many comic misunderstandings or pratfalls it took.

Groundbreaking Award: “In Living Color” - The Cast

“In Living Color,” on the air from 1990 to 1994, was unlike any other show on TV. The sketch series was crass, hilarious and unafraid to offend, no matter who it lampooned — gays, the homeless, disabled people, African-Americans or fire marshals — and oh yeah, it featured an almost all-black cast busting stereotypes upside down and sideways. The launching pad for Keenen Ivory Wayan, Damon Wayans, David Alan Grier, Jamie Foxx and “token white guy” Jim Carrey, “In Living Color” brought a wild, off-color brand of humor (as well as cutting-edge hip-hop acts) to mainstream America, and it won the 1990 Emmy for Best Variety, Music or Comedy Series.

Groundbreaking Award: “In Living Color” - The Fly Girls

Some people watched “In Living Color” for its gut-bustingly funny sketches … but some people just watched it for the Fly Girls. Choreographed by Rosie Perez (herself a former “Soul Train” dancer), the Fly Girls punched up the show with their razor-sharp dance routines and eye-catching outfits, sometimes even appearing in skits. They weren’t too tough on the eyes, either. Winning the title of Most Famous Former Fly Girl would be a then-unknown singer and dancer named Jennifer Lopez, whose bodacious booty joined the show in its third season.

Host: Kelly Ripa

She got her big break on the ABC soap opera “All My Children,” playing Adam Chandler’s daughter Hayley Vaughan for 12 years (from 1990 to 2002). But since then, she’s left Pine Valley far behind. After an on-air audition process, she won the job of co-hosting “Live with Regis and Kelly” alongside Regis Philbin in 2001, and then took over sole hosting duties for the show (now called “Live! With Kelly”) when Philbin retired in 2011. With her girl-next-door appeal and ability to put guests at ease, it’s no wonder so many viewers love waking up to coffee and Kelly every morning.

Icon Award: Aretha Franklin

She isn’t just music royalty — she’s the Queen of Soul. In her 52-year career, Franklin has 18 Grammys, 20 No. 1 singles on Billboard’s R&B chart and 45 Top 40 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100. She was the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (in 1987). And despite some recent health issues, the 70-year-old is still going strong, releasing new albums and going out on tour. Is there any question she’s a cultural icon? Aretha, we have one word for you: respect.

House Band: The B-52s

“We were at a party,” the B-52s sang in their first hit, “Rock Lobster,” and they’re still at that same party an amazing 34 years later. Fronted by Fred Schneider, Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson, the band (whose name derives from the bouffant hairdos Pierson and Wilson used to favor) knows how to have a good time, and there are few better ways to fill a dance floor than to put their unbelievably catchy song “Love Shack” on and turn the volume way, way up. Tiiiin roof! Rusted.

Presenters: Katie Couric and Fran Drescher

Couric is a renowned American journalist, a special correspondent for “ABC News” and former anchor for “CBS Evening News” and NBC’s “Today”; she’ll soon host the syndicated talk show “Katie.” Drescher, who had early memorable roles in “Saturday Night Fever” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” shot to fame as “The Nanny” and now stars on TV Land’s “Happily Divorced.” Who better to present at the 2012 TV Land Awards than these two leading women of the small screen?

Tune in to the 10th Anniversary TV Land Awards on April 29 at 9PM/8C!

‘In Living Color’ is honored with the “Groundbreaking Award” at the 10th Anniversary TV Land Awards. Tune in on April 29 at 9PM/8C!

Pee-Wee’s Playhouse is honored with the “Pop Culture Award” at the 10th Anniversary TV Land Awards. Tune in on April 29 at 9PM/8C!