For Mature Audiences Only (part II)

Some may say that television hasn't been too good to senior citizens in terms of their stereotypical depictions. Regardless of the unflattering portrayals, there had been some memorable oldsters (in this case over 60) that have given us equal shares of both laughs and cries. In "For Mature Audiences Only", let's take a look at some of the more mature characterizations that had an impact on our daily doses of entertainment on the glorious boob tube.

Instead of doing a typical top ten or top twenty listing let's go in between with a top fifteen selection, shall we? The "For Mature Audiences Only" choices are not necessarily a tasting that everyone will agree on. Perhaps you have your own preferences that were omitted or something that you feel should be added? Anyway, here are the candidates in alphabetical order...

PLEASE NOTE: This article will be presented in two parts due to its lengthy content

Now for our pop cultural Pepto Bismol personalities:

(For #1 thru #10...see "For Mature Adiences Only part I" article)

11.) Sophia Petrillo, The Golden Girls/Explanation: Sicilian-born Sophia Petrillo (as played by the late Emmy-winning actress Estelle Getty) was the absolute hoot and in some circles was the most desired Golden Girl of them all. Sharp-tongued, spontaneous, blunt and slightly absent-minded, Sophia was a magnet for the comical timing. Whenever her mouth opened up there was sure to be something viciously riotous about her naughty-minded verbiage. Sophia in many ways is a descendant from wise-cracking old gals such as The Beverly Hillbillies' Granny because she's fearless in what she believes and refuses to conform properly. Sophia Petrillo was genuine and real; she calls it as she sees it.

12.) Colonel Sherman T. Potter, M*A*S*H/Explanation: Col. Potter was an old school army man and joined the service at an early age. As the mentor and commanding officer at the 4077th MASH unit, Potter was sufficient but could also let his hair down at times and roll with the flow. Granted Potter was demanding and rough-around-the-edges occasionally but he was also fair and approachable. Potter wasn't the typical army brat and could actually see the senselessness in war. He was by the book and wasn't as goofy-minded as his predecessor Col. Henry Blake. Nevertheless, Col. Sherman T. Potter was the appropriate elder statesman that the 4077 outfit required in getting these weary medical wonders through the insanity that is war.

13.) Fred Sanford, Sanford and Son/Explanation: The late comedy king Redd Foxx found more fame and fortune playing the grouchy junk dealer Fred G. Sanford in the hilarious NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. Fred was incorrigible to almost everyone he came across. In fact, Fred was a constant thorn to his adult son Lamont that aided him in their limping junk business in the Watts sections of Los Angeles. The foil for Fred-and comically so-was his Bible-toting sister-in-law Esther Anderson for whom he despised with a passion. Fred was a 65-year old grump and instigator but he was also misunderstood and had a heart amongst his scheming and other designated agendas. The funny fake heart attacks, his wacky and sometimes poignant monologues to his late wife Elizabeth and his association with off-kilter pals (Grady, Bubba, Skillet, Leroy, Melvin, etc.) are all are indicative of a humorous, roguish man after our collective funnybones.

14.) Arthur Spooner, King of Queens/Explanation: Veteran funnyman Jerry Stiller had already played an offbeat senior citizen Frank Costanza on the 90's cult hit Seinfeld. Well, Stiller got another chance to shine as another cockeyed coot in the exasperating Arthur Spooner on the long-running CBS hit King of Queens. Stiller conveyed an impishness that was refreshing as the annoying Arthur who's forced to live with his blue-collar working daughter and son-in-law. Arthur was at times opportunistic, meddling and needy but always the contributing spark plug that kept us in stitches on Queens.

15.) Marcus Welby, Marcus Welby, M.D./Explanation: Dr. Marcus Welby, as portrayed by the late actor Robert Young, was a throwback of the kindly physician that had that kind-hearted bedside manner. He was the medicine man that dared to care about his patients more than what was humanly possible. Soft-spoken yet firm and full of conviction, Dr. Welby was a quiet rebel that served medicine-and more importantly his sickly people-with the professionalism and passion that was unselfishly unwarranted.

HONORABLE MENTION

Frank and Marie Barone, Everybody Loves Raymond