The TV Land Awards Took Us to TV Heaven

The 8th Annual TV Land Awards aired last night and we were lucky enough to be at the taping. It was truly mind blowing for two TV fanatics like us. The range of legends was staggering — from Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner to Tom Hanks and Charo. Every end of the TV spectrum was represented and our heads almost exploded.

The show kicked off with Jack Jones the singer of The Love Boat theme, crooning the tune while the cast of the award show was highlighted in Love Boat-style on the video screen. We could have gone home satisfied right then.

Next, host Tim Allen floated onto the stage on a gigantic ocean liner. He introduced Betty White accompanied by Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick, her co-stars in the upcoming Hot in Cleveland. They presented the Fan Favorite Award to the crew of The Love Boat including Charo, who coochi-coohied to the stage with the rest of the cast.

We could go on with every detail, but you hopefully you watched the show yourself (if not, set that DVR for one of the inevitable replays). Still, to help explain why we thought we died and went to TV heaven, here's a partial list of some of the other award presenters and receivers: Tom Hanks, Peter Scolari, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Bob Newhart, the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond (sadly minus the late great Peter Boyle), Billy Crystal, Paula Abdul, the cast of Glee (most notably Jane Lynch), and a special performance by one of our favorite bands, Blondie.

As the incredible event was winding down, Pam Anderson presented the Pop Culture Award to Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd, who in turn introduced Ryan O'Neal. Ryan (who had been sitting two tables away from us all night with Tatum) did a touching tribute to Farrah Fawcett.

Now they had us all in tears, and we knew all the awards had been handed out. Kind of a downer to end the show on. Don't you think? But TV heaven did not let us down.

Along came the TV Land Glee Club. The cast of Glee you might guess? Wrong. It was the ultimate mix of TV's beloved, led by The Hoff and Marilu Henner. Joining them in a rousing rendition of Don't Stop Believin' were some of TV's most legendary: Todd Bridges, Joyce DeWitt, Jamie Farr, Marla Gibbs, Howard Hesseman, Shirley Jones, Richard Karn, Richard Moll, Marion Ross, Jimmie Walker, Marcia Wallace, and Fred Willard. Watch the video here.

All is right in our TV obsessed world.