Lucille Ball Tops List of Dead Celebs - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 08-12-2005, 01:28 PM

Lucille Ball Tops List of Dead Celebs

By DAVID BAUDER, AP

NEW YORK (August 11) - Lucille Ball is America's most beloved dead star. The company that developed the "Q score" that broadcasters and advertisers quietly consult to measure a personality's popularity has done a survey that tests the reputation of performers who have gone on to that big soundstage in the sky.

The redheaded sitcom star of the 1950s and '60s, who died in 1989, has topped past "Dead Q" lists as her comedies seemingly live forever on television, said Steve Levitt, president of Marketing Evaluations, Inc., which conducts the tests.

"What is there not to like about Lucy?" he said.

Bob Hope, John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Red Skelton follow her on the popularity list.

For 41 years, Levitt's company has given consumers a list of names and asked if they know the people and to rate how much they like them. From their responses they calculate the Q score, a measure of both familiarity and likability.

Advertising executives use the information to make sponsorship decisions, while broadcasters check Q scores to see how well their news and entertainment stars are connecting.

Tom Hanks has been the most popular live star in the last few surveys.

Dead stars still do business, though. Coors used film clips of Wayne in a popular commercial, while Fred Astaire has danced to hawk a vacuum cleaner.

"Some of these deceased personalities have Q scores equal to or greater than some of the live personalities we measure," Levitt said.

Two performers are relatively new to the list: Johnny Carson and John Ritter were both ranked among the 10 most popular dead stars.

Others offer a reminder of television's power to keep people figuratively alive; "The Honeymooners" star Jackie Gleason, who died in 1987, is still remembered and beloved.

"Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz and Michael Landon fill out the top 10.

Out of 169 personalities tested, diet doctor Robert Atkins had the lowest score. Tupac Shakur and Johnnie Cochran also have high negative ratings, Levitt said.

The national survey was conducted by mail questionnaire.

Fleet · 08-13-2005, 12:08 AM

I did figure that John Wayne and Bob Hope would be on there along with Lucy.
And I'm not surprised that John Ritter and Johnny Carson made the list, too.

Dr. Jazz · 08-13-2005, 12:09 AM

Is there no love for Bob Crane?

Fleet · 08-13-2005, 02:34 AM

He's probably at #59, or somewhere around there.

barwars · 08-13-2005, 12:01 PM

Lucy makes sense.... but Elvis didn't make the Top 10?!

Dean Winchester · 08-13-2005, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

Lucy makes sense.... but Elvis didn't make the Top 10?!

well, for every person who loves Elvis, I seem to encounter one who hates him. Mostly due to an urban legend that he made a racist remark in the 50's that has been proven time and again to be false, but I guess it's good to use as ammo for those who simply don't like him, like how a lot of people who hate Mariah Carey bring up the "I wish I was skinny like the kids in Ethiopia, except without the bugs hanging around me" comment that everyone knows she didn't say.

rusyd · 08-13-2005, 03:24 PM

I'm glad Jimmy Stewart was on there. He was one of my favoriotes.

Janice · 08-13-2005, 07:04 PM

I'm very surprised that Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe didn't score high on the list. They're both legends.

I Love John Ritter · 08-13-2005, 08:07 PM

Oh, yeah...I completely forgot about Elvis!! We even share the same birthday

Now that a few people have mentioned him, it is pretty surprising that he's not on the list...I think he's probably the most famous person in the world. It's surprising that Marylin Monroe, like Janice mentioned, isn't there as well. Here's a link where you can vote for your favorite late celebrity: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment...ment-headlines

barwars · 08-13-2005, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Love John Ritter

Oh, yeah...I completely forgot about Elvis!! We even share the same birthday

Now that a few people have mentioned him, it is pretty surprising that he's not on the list...I think he's probably the most famous person in the world.

Actually Jesus is the most famous person in the world. Pope John Paul II is second. That's what I heard shortly after Pope John Paul II passed away.

Zebra 3 · 08-14-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Dead stars still do business, though. Coors used film clips of Wayne in a popular commercial, while Fred Astaire has danced to hawk a vacuum cleaner.

I have a favourable opinion of Fred Astaire, but I didn't care to see his image dancing with a vacuum cleaner.

Mikado · 08-17-2005, 03:04 AM

I like Buddy Holly better than any of them , I also vote against Elvis , but it has nothing to do with racism ( I just find his music bland, once he joined RCA )...in fact, Elvis probably did more to get black and white together than anyone ( and he certainly enjoyed being with black people )

08-12-2005, 01:28 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Lucille Ball Tops List of Dead Celebs Lucille Ball Tops List of Dead Celebs By DAVID BAUDER, AP NEW YORK (August 11) - Lucille Ball is America's most beloved dead star. The company that developed the "Q score" that broadcasters and advertisers quietly consult to measure a personality's popularity has done a survey that tests the reputation of performers who have gone on to that big soundstage in the sky. The redheaded sitcom star of the 1950s and '60s, who died in 1989, has topped past "Dead Q" lists as her comedies seemingly live forever on television, said Steve Levitt, president of Marketing Evaluations, Inc., which conducts the tests. "What is there not to like about Lucy?" he said. Bob Hope, John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Red Skelton follow her on the popularity list. For 41 years, Levitt's company has given consumers a list of names and asked if they know the people and to rate how much they like them. From their responses they calculate the Q score, a measure of both familiarity and likability. Advertising executives use the information to make sponsorship decisions, while broadcasters check Q scores to see how well their news and entertainment stars are connecting. Tom Hanks has been the most popular live star in the last few surveys. Dead stars still do business, though. Coors used film clips of Wayne in a popular commercial, while Fred Astaire has danced to hawk a vacuum cleaner. "Some of these deceased personalities have Q scores equal to or greater than some of the live personalities we measure," Levitt said. Two performers are relatively new to the list: Johnny Carson and John Ritter were both ranked among the 10 most popular dead stars. Others offer a reminder of television's power to keep people figuratively alive; "The Honeymooners" star Jackie Gleason, who died in 1987, is still remembered and beloved. "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz and Michael Landon fill out the top 10. Out of 169 personalities tested, diet doctor Robert Atkins had the lowest score. Tupac Shakur and Johnnie Cochran also have high negative ratings, Levitt said. The national survey was conducted by mail questionnaire.

08-13-2005, 12:08 AM	#2
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	I did figure that John Wayne and Bob Hope would be on there along with Lucy. And I'm not surprised that John Ritter and Johnny Carson made the list, too.
	__________________ 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine.

08-13-2005, 08:07 PM	#9
I Love John Ritter Miss ya, John Senior Member Join Date: Apr 06, 2004 Location: In John Ritter's arms Posts: 2,687	Oh, yeah...I completely forgot about Elvis!! We even share the same birthday Now that a few people have mentioned him, it is pretty surprising that he's not on the list...I think he's probably the most famous person in the world. It's surprising that Marylin Monroe, like Janice mentioned, isn't there as well. Here's a link where you can vote for your favorite late celebrity: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment...ment-headlines
	__________________ Highlight between the X and the O X Even though you can't see him, GOD is there! O Johnathan Southworth Ritter September 17, 1948 - September 11, 2003 Five years without you. Don Knotts July 21, 1924 - February 24, 2006.

08-13-2005, 12:09 AM	#3
Dr. Jazz The Evil Empire. . . . Forum Star Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 11,095	Is there no love for Bob Crane?

08-13-2005, 02:34 AM	#4
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	He's probably at #59, or somewhere around there.

08-13-2005, 12:01 PM	#5
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Lucy makes sense.... but Elvis didn't make the Top 10?!

08-13-2005, 03:24 PM	#7
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	I'm glad Jimmy Stewart was on there. He was one of my favoriotes.

08-13-2005, 07:04 PM	#8
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I'm very surprised that Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe didn't score high on the list. They're both legends.

08-17-2005, 03:04 AM	#12
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	I like Buddy Holly better than any of them , I also vote against Elvis , but it has nothing to do with racism ( I just find his music bland, once he joined RCA )...in fact, Elvis probably did more to get black and white together than anyone ( and he certainly enjoyed being with black people )