The Ultimate Sitcom Actor Tournament - Round 1
The Ultimate Sitcom Actor Tournament - Round 1
This is round one of The Ultimate Sitcom Actor Tournament. For rules, point values, and other information, see the introduction.
Steve Franken vs. Bernie Kopell
Steve Franken
Steve Franken, first cousin of fellow actor and former U.S. Senator Al Franken, was a busy character actor throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and even a bit in the early 2000s. One of his earliest roles was as a recurring character on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Chatsworth Osborne, Jr., a snobby rich kid who served as a sort of frenemy for Dobie. He also starred in his own short-lived sitcom, Tom, Dick and Mary, in 1964 and made guest appearances on My Favorite Martian, The Patty Duke Show, Batman, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Barney Miller, Herman’s Head, Seinfeld, and many, many more.
Starring Roles: 1 season = 20 points
Regular Roles: 0 = 0 points
Recurring Roles: 4 seasons = 20 points
Guest Appearances: 43 episodes = 43 points
TOTAL: 83 points
Bernie Kopell
Known for being an expert at foreign accents, Bernie Kopell worked steadily on television from the 1960s to as recently as last year. Now at 89 years old, he appears to finally be retired. He’s known for playing Dr. Bricker on The Love Boat and for his recurring role on Get Smart as Siegfried, a KAOS agent whose evil plans were always foiled by Agent 86. He also made guest appearances on My Favorite Martian, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Odd Couple, The Bob Newhart Show, Sledge Hammer, My Name is Earl, Monk, Arrested Development, Silicon Valley, and tons more.
Starring Roles: 0 = 0 points
Regular Roles: 12 seasons = 120 points
Recurring Roles: 17 seasons = 85 points
Guest Appearances: 60 episodes = 60 points
TOTAL: 265 points - WINNER!
Nita Talbot vs. Charlotte Rae
Nita Talbot
Nita Talbot is one of those actors you see all the time but whose name you can never remember. She mostly appeared in dramas and crime thrillers, but she had a recurring role as Marya on Hogan’s Heroes and made guest appearances on several sitcoms, including Bewitched, All in the Family, Soap, The Love Boat, Charles in Charge, and Dream On, before she retired from acting in the late 90s. She’s now in her 90s, and I don’t know what she’s been doing for the last 30-some years, but I’m sure she’s been getting some much needed rest.
Starring Roles: 1 season = 20 points
Regular Roles: 3 seasons = 30 points
Recurring Roles: 8 seasons = 40 points
Guest Appearances: 29 episodes = 29 points
TOTAL: 119 points
Charlotte Rae
Hilarious comedic actress Charlotte Rae was well known for playing Mrs. Garrett on Diff’rent Strokes and its spinoff, The Facts of Life. She also had a recurring role as Sylvia Schnauser in Car 54 Where Are You?, in which she stole the show in every scene. Her guest appearances include All in the Family, Good Times, Phyllis, and Barney Miller among others. She retired in 2015 and passed away in 2018 at the ripe old age of 92.
Starring Roles: 8 seasons = 160 points
Regular Roles: 4 seasons = 40 points
Recurring Roles: 4 seasons = 20 points
Guest Appearances: 23 episodes = 23 points
TOTAL: 243 points - WINNER!
Winners
The winners of round one are Bernie Kopell and Charlotte Rae!
Check back tomorrow for round two!