The Fonz Wants to Dance! (Oprah talks with American Pop Culture Icons)

Oprah had three special guests on her show today: Rick Springfield, Henry Winkler, and William Shatner. The above title should not suggest that Henry Winkler wants to go on Dancing with the Stars, cause that’s not at all true. However, if you watch the second YouTube video I have in this piece, you’ll see why I said that. Or maybe you already know.

Rick Springfield - Working Class Dog

Rick Springfield sang two songs on the show. The first of which was his legendary 80’s hit Jessie’s Girl. It’s on the album Working Class Dog. During his interview he said that he does not remember the name of the girl the song is about. Technically, the song should have been Gary’s Girl. That’s catchy, huh? That didn’t sound right to him - thankfully.

The thing is, the girl the song is about might not even know it’s about her. Can you imagine having a huge hit song written about you and either never knowing, or knowing but no one ever believing you? (Do you guys believe me when I say Ryan Adams wrote a song about me? I didn’t think so.)

You know what else? Rick Springfield looks good. Can I call him hot? Cause, yea, he’s hot.

You can watch him perform Jessie’s Girl from today’s show via YouTube:

Henry Winkler and William Shatner were both incredibly charismatic and charming. Not enough good things can be said about them.

Winkler has been a co-author of several children’s books. The books are based on the trials he had growing up with dyslexia - although he didn’t get diagnosed with it until much later in life. (Like so many others, he experienced the problems but didn’t get the help he needed. He had to take Geometry three times in a row. I feel that pain - I suck with math.) The books look really cute, and have adorable titles:

Who Ordered This Baby? Definitely Not Me! #13 (Hank Zipzer)

Barfing in the Backseat #12: How I Survived My Family Road Trip (Hank Zipzer)

Niagara Falls, Or Does It? #1 (Hank Zipzer)

Winkler didn’t come right out and say it, but I don’t think he’s a fan of reality TV. He talked about how everything these days has to be so edgy, and that he thinks people want to watch TV to be comforted at the end of the day. He said we would come back to this type of TV. But I’m not so sure.

“Life is a circle. And so I think it will come back to that. I don’t think the audience wants cutting edge. I think they were so beaten to a pulp outside their home that they want to be entertained and taken care of when they sit down and watch the television.” - Winkler

What I noticed is that Winkler talks with an engaging passion that makes you want to listen. While the green sweater he wore reminded me more of Mister Rogers than The Fonz, no one can (or should) ever challenge his cool factor. He is the ultimate of American cool. (Mister Rogers is pretty cool, too, though.)

We started out with more wholesome shows, and people still do like to watch the reruns of those shows. But every year TV execs are pushing things. These days, we do far worse things than just eating live bugs on TV. That is so 2001.

As for William Shatner, he was hilarious and told a story where he raised money for Habitat for Humanity by selling a kidney stone he…er, passed. Well, at least it helped people!

Until later,

Jessica Rae

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