TV Land Awards Show Honors Lucy, ‘Brady Bunch,’ ‘Roots,’ ‘Taxi’

By — David Kronke

Proving that a TV show can never be too canceled to win an award, TV Land honored “The Brady Bunch,” the late Lucille Ball, “Taxi,” the 1970s miniseries “Roots” and “Hee Haw” Saturday night at its annual TV Land Awards.

Hosted by Kelly Ripa, the TV Land Awards this year emphasized its more serious side rather than its jokier offerings. Ball’s children, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Lucie Arnaz, accepted the Legacy of Laughter Award.

John Amos, Todd Bridges, LeVar Burton, Cicely Tyson, Leslie Uggams and Ben Vereen were on hand on behalf of “Roots,” which first aired on ABC in 1977, to accept the Anniversary Award.

“The Brady Bunch” received the Pop Culture Award. Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis, Barry Williams, Maureen McCormick, Christopher Knight, Mike Lookinland and Susan Olsen appeared in support of their sitcom, which TV Land seems to honor every year.

NBC’s new show “Heroes” received TV Land’s Future Classic Award.

“Taxi” cast members Danny DeVito, Judd Hirsch, Tony Danza and Jeff Conaway received the Medallion Award, given to a series that has withstood the test of time.

“Hee Haw,” a show that barely withstood the test of time when it was still on the air, received the Entertainer Award, which was presented to the show’s co-host Roy Clark.

As part of a tribute to the show, Wynonna and Naomi Judd reunited to perform and country singer Willie Nelson also contributed.

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