From 2000 to 2007, the television channel TV Land dedicated several statues depicting classic television characters around the country as part of their “TV Land Landmarks” campaign. The locations are linked to their shows in some capacity and feature tributes to either the actors themselves or the characters they portrayed. Altogether, the campaign’s efforts led to a total of seven tribute statues being placed.
Enjoy this little trip through photos and check out the many TV Land Landmarks that we were lucky to get during that period!
Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden from The Honeymooners
19-623 8th Ave., New York, NY
Dedicated August 29, 2000.
The Ralph Kramden statue was the first statue to be placed by the TV Land Landmarks campaign. As his character in the hit sitcom is a bus driver in New York City, this bronze statue was placed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Bob Newhart as Dr. Robert Hartley from The Bob Newhart Show
Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave., Chicago, IL
Dedicated July 27, 2004.
This statue was initially located at 430 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago but was later moved to Navy Pier.
In the show, Dr. Hartley and his wife live in a Chicago highrise as he maintains his psychology practice. The statue originally had a plaque accompanying it but it has been subject to theft on several occasions. On my visit to Navy Pier, there was no plaque present. Nonetheless, it’s a great photo opportunity!
Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards from The Mary Tyler Moore Show
700 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN
Dedicated May 8, 2002.
The show features Mary Tyler Moore’s character, Mary Richards, moving to Minneapolis and becoming an associate producer of the evening news on a local station. The last shot of the opening features Moore in an iconic pose, throwing her beret into the air. The statue was placed at the location in which this scene was filmed.
Fun Fact: Minneapolis briefly placed the statue in storage during a period of sidewalk construction. Though initial plans were to have it stored for two years, various members of the public voiced their disappointment, leading to the statue’s reappearance in the downtown visitor center while the construction continued. She’s now back in her original spot.
Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens from Bewitched
Lappin Park, 235 Essex St., Salem, MA
Dedicated June 15, 2005.
Though the show was set in Westport, CT, four episodes of Bewitched were filmed in Salem. They were known as the “Salem Saga.” The statue remains a popular tourist attraction, among many others, in Salem.
Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor and Ron Howard as Opie from The Andy Griffith Show
Pullen Park, 408 Ashe Ave., Raleigh, NC
Dedicated October 28, 2003.
In 2003, TV Land dedicated an Andy Griffith Show statue in Raleigh, NC, showcasing the fishing scene that happens in the show’s opening credits. However, the people of Mount Airy–the town that inspired Mayberry–and Andy Griffith himself objected to the statue’s placement in Raleigh, which brings us to…
Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor and Ron Howard as Opie from The Andy Griffith Show
Andy Griffith Playhouse, 218 Rockford St., Mount Airy, NC
Dedicated September 24, 2004.
Yes, in 2004, TV Land dedicated a second iteration of this statue in Mount Airy, right in front of the Andy Griffith Museum.
Elvis Presley from Aloha from Hawaii
Neal Blaisdell Center Arena, 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu, Oahu, HI
Dedicated July 26, 2007.
Elvis Presley was also celebrated with a TV Land statue, honoring the “World’s First Satellite TV Concert” performed at that location on January 14, 1973. The statue stands near the parking lot of the Neal Blaisdell Center.
This was the first time TV Land switched from installing statues of classic television show characters and instead turned their attention towards commemorating a television event. Incidentally, this is the last statue that TV Land placed as part of their campaign.
Hometowns to Hollywood 