Listosaurus Rex

This list of the most memorable TV moments was determined by TV Guide and TV Land in 2004. It initially appeared as a TV special a few years back. Here is the complete 100.

1. September 11 Terrorist Attacks (9/11/01)
2. One Small Step for Man (7/20/69)
3. The Challenger Disaster (1/28/86)
4. I Have a Dream (8/28/63)
5. The Beatles Debut in America (2/9/64)
   “The Ed Sullivan Show”
6. John-John’s Salute (11/25/63)
7. The Whipping of Kunte Kinte (1/24/77)
   “Roots”
8. The M*A*S*H Finale (2/28/83)
   “M*A*S*H”
9. Lucy at the Candy Factory (9/15/52)
   “I Love Lucy”
10. Who Shot J.R.? (3/21/80)
    “Dallas”
11. The O.J. Simpson Verdict (10/3/95)
12. The O.J. Simpson Chase (6/17/94)
13. Tiananmen Square: Man vs. Tank (6/5/89)
14. Ruby Shoots Oswald (11/24/63)
15. The Bombing of Baghdad (1/16/91)
16. The Royal Wedding (7/29/81)
17. The Death of Dale Earnhardt (2/18/01)
18. Sammy Kisses Archie (2/19/72)
    “All in the Family”
19. The President Denies an Affair (1/26/98)
20. The Contest (11/18/92)
    “Seinfeld”
21. The Miracle on Ice (2/22/80)
    “1980 Winter Olympics”
22. The Fugitive Finale (8/29/67)
    “The Fugitive”
23. Princess Diana’s Funeral (9/6/97)
24. Newhart’s Final Surprise (5/21/90)
    “Newhart”
25. Bookworm in The Twilight Zone (11/20/59)
    “The Twilight Zone”
26. Edith Talks Back (1/8/72)
    “All in the Family”
27. Michael Jackson’s moonwalk (5/16/83)
    “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever”
28. Olympic Tragedy in Munich (9/5/72)
29. Nixon Waves Farewell (8/9/74)
30. Eddie Murphy Does James Brown (11/5/83)
    “Saturday Night Live”
31. 60 Minutes with Ayatollah Khomeini (11/18/79)
    “60 Minutes”
32. Saving Baby Jessica (10/16/87)
33. Nadia’s Perfect 10 (7/18/76)
    “1976 Summer Olympics”
34. Hank Aaron Breaks Ruth’s Record (4/8/74)
35. Luke & Laura’s Wedding (11/17/81)
    “General Hospital”
36. Tony’s College Killing (2/7/99)
    “The Sopranos”
37. Clinton Plays the Sax (6/3/92)
    “The Arsenio Hall Show”
38. The Wardrobe Malfunction (2/1/04)
    “Super Bowl XXXVIII”
39. Have You No Sense of Decency? (6/9/54)
40. The Death of Henry Blake (3/18/75)
    “M*A*S*H”
41. Bette’s Farewell to Johnny (5/21/92)
    “The Tonight Show”
42. The Fall of Saigon (4/29/75)
43. Ellen Comes Out (4/30/97)
    “Ellen”
44. The Kennedy-Nixon Debate (9/26/60)
45. Picard Goes Borg (6/18/90)
    “Star Trek: The Next Generation”
46. Mark McGwire Hits #62 (9/8/98)
    “St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs”
47. Curtains for Carol Burnett (11/13/76)
    “The Carol Burnett Show”
48. Sam & Diane’s First Kiss (3/31/83)
    “Cheers”
49. Brandi’s World Cup Strip (7/10/99)
    “FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals 1999″
50. Brody Kisses Berry (3/23/03)
    “The 75th Anniversary Academy Awards”
51. The Oscar Streaker (4/2/74)
52. Sullivan Censors Elvis (1/6/57)
    “The Ed Sullivan Show”
53. Susan Hawk: Snake and Rats (8/23/00)
    “Survivor”
54. The Battle of the Sexes (9/20/73)
55. Gold Medals: Black Power (10/16/68)
    “1968 Summer Olympics”
56. A Charlie Brown Christmas (12/9/65)
    “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
57. Bill Buckner’s Error (10/25/86)
    “1986 World Series: New York Mets vs. Boston Red Sox, Game 6″
58. Oliver North Gets Sworn In (7/7/87)
59. Lucy Goes to the Hospital (1/19/53)
    “I Love Lucy”
60. Death of Chuckles the Clown (10/25/75)
    “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”
61. Jordan’s Last Championship Shot (6/14/98)
    “1998 NBA Championship: Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz, Game 6″
62. America Held Hostage (11/29/79)
    “Nightline”
63. Elvis’ ‘68 Comeback Special (12/3/68)
    “Elvis Presley’s ‘68 Comeback Special”
64. The Rumble in the Jungle (10/30/68)
    “Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman”
65. Kirk Kisses Uhura (11/22/68)
    “Star Trek”
66. Ross & Rachel’s First Kiss (11/9/95)
    “Friends”
67. Letterman’s Velcro Suit (2/28/84)
    “Late Night with David Letterman”
68. Tim Russert Tallies the Vote (11/7/00)
    “Decision 2000″
69. Belushi’s Samurai Deli (1/17/76)
    “Saturday Night Live”
70. The Cosby Show Debuts (9/20/84)
    “The Cosby Show”
71. An American Family: the Louds (3/8/73)
    “An American Family”
72. Hill and Renko Gunned Down (1/15/81)
    “Hill Street Blues”
73. The First Millionaire (11/19/99)
    “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
74. Al Capone’s Vault (4/21/86)
    “The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vault”
75. NYPD Nude (9/21/93)
    “NYPD Blues”
76. Alexis & Krystle: Wet & Wild (4/13/83)
    “Dynasty”
77. Schweddy Ball (12/12/98)
    “Saturday Night Live”
78. Nixon Asks, “Sock it to me?” (9/16/68)
    “Laugh-In”
79. Kerri Strug’s Golden Vault (7/23/96)
    “1996 Summer Olympics”
80. Idol Final: Clay vs. Ruben (5/21/03)
    “American Idol”
81. Rosalind Gets the Shaft (2/21/91)
    “L.A. Law”
82. Florida’s Husband Dies (9/29/76)
    “Good Times”
83. Andy Kauffman’s Smackdown (7/28/82)
    “Late Night with David Letterman”
84. The Day After (11/20/83)
    “The Day After”
85. Gary’s Sudden Death (2/12/91)
    “thirysomething”
86. John Dean Testifies (6/25/73)
87. Hugh Grant and Jay Leno (7/10/95)
    “The Tonight Show”
88. The Saving Heart (11/16/83)
    “St. Elsewhere”
89. Rather Gets Roughed Up (8/27/68)
    “The 1968 Democratic Convention”
90. That’s My Boy? (9/25/63)
    “Dick Van Dyke Show”
91. Kramden’s $99,000 Answer (1/28/58)
    “The Honeymooners”
92. Laettner’s Buzzer Beater (3/28/92)
93. Sinead Rips the Pope (10/3/92)
    “Saturday Night Live”
94. Peter Pan Flies (3/7/55)
95. Clarabell Speaks (9/24/60)
    “The Howdy Doody Show”
96. Sam Gets Fired (1/21/04)
    “The Apprentice”
97. Puck Gets the Boot (9/2/94)
    “The Real World: San Francisco”
98. Marcia Brady’s Broken Nose (2/9/73)
    “The Brady Bunch”
99. Brenda & Dylan Do It (5/2/91)
    “Beverly Hills, 90210″
100. Miami Vice Debuts (9/16/84)
     “Miami Vice”

It’s an impressive list. There are a few items — such as #96, the Apprentice and maybe something from Survivor in 2000 — that probably wouldn’t have made the list had it been made more recently, but I still think it stands as a fantastic memoir of unforgettable moments from the first seventy-ish years of television.

One controversy that came about from this list was whether 9/11 really was more memorable than man landing on the moon. However, TV Guide and TV Land put a disclaimer at the very end of the show saying they believe hundreds of years from now, the landing on the moon will be considered a more important event in human history, but that they believe 9/11 was more memorable as a TV event.

Of these 100 moments, I only saw seven live. Several others I’ve seen reruns or clips separate from the show. Then, when I saw the specials revealing the moments, I watched clips from just about every one.

I’m a bit disappointed that no moment from the Simpsons was included, and as a sport aficionado, I wish more sports events had been included. But, overall, I don’t think they left too much out.

I can’t help but wonder what events since mid-2004 would be included on the list if it were re-made today.

As far as sports go, certainly the Red Sox’ amazing comeback against the Yankees to enter the 2004 World Series would be on the list.  I also think Boise State’s Statue of Liberty should be a lock, as I’ll never forget it.  A few other personally memorable moments since then are Notre Dame losing to USC 34-31 in October 2005, the Redskins comeback to beat the Cowboys 14-13 in September 2005, and Tiger Woods’ amazing shot at the 14th hole of the Masters, but I understand those probably wouldn’t stand a chance.

For news and history, definitely Hurricane Katrina and probably the tsunami of 2004.  I’m sure something involving Obama and Clinton would end up there, and maybe something from the War in Iraq.

And for entertainment television, I think something from Ken Jennings miraculous run on Jeopardy would deserve a spot.  The finale of The Sopranos and Friends were both quite memorable, and I think Pam and Jim’s kiss from the end of the show’s second season deserves a spot on there.

What moments would you like to have seen included?  What do you think that’s happened since mid-2004 that would be included today?

Note: I transcribed the list from TVLand.com. The site claims to have some videos of these events, but none of the links worked. That may just be my computer not working properly, though, I don’t know. Either way, clips from many of these can just as easily be found on YouTube.