Countdown of Favorite Cliffs

DEAD LAST - Fiscal Cliff

What a load! What a crock!

 

#5 - Cliff Robertson

It's hard to dislike Cliff Robertson. John F. Kennedy liked him -- the young president tapped Robertson to play him in the movie version of PT-109, despite the fact that Robertson was far too old for the role and couldn't pull off a Boston accent. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences liked him too -- they gave him an Oscar in 1968 for his work in the movie "Charly." And audiences certainly liked him -- he remained a popular character actor until his death in 2011.

 

#4 - Clifford the Big Red Dog

Size aside, it's impossible to dislike Clifford the Big Red Dog. Born the runt of his litter, the 25-foot dog's enthusiasm, energy, and love for his owner, Emily Elizabeth, have made him a favorite of children through both a book series and the television show that it inspired. In May 2012, Illumination Entertainment announced plans to create a movie based on the character, hopefully giving Clifford a brand new group of fans (and obscuring the memory of that terrible Martin Short movie).

 

#3 - Jimmy Cliff

Yes, I have loved Reggae music since I first heard Bob Marley’s “Exudus” album at Steve Rome & Brad Rome’s “Animal House” on Alaska Street while an undergrad at LSU.   Jimmy Cliff is pretty likable, too. The reggae musician's work has crossed political boundaries -- his recording of "You Can Get It If You Really Want" was used as a campaign song by both Nicaragua's leftist Sandinista party and by Great Britain's right-leaning Conservative Party. He's also loved by his fans and by the music industry; he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. The people who like him best, however, may be the citizens of Jamaica, who awarded him the Order of Merit -- the highest prize that the country gives to an artist or musician.

 

#2 - Cliff Huxtable

Never mind that he was a sometimes-bumbling father, or that he had appalling taste in sweaters, or that he often found himself on the losing end of various bets with his wife. TV Guide put him at the top of its list of 50 greatest TV dads of all time, and Karl Rove credited him with paving the way for Barack Obama's presidency. According to the Republican strategist, "We've had an African-American first family for many years in different forms. When 'The Cosby Show' was on, that was America's family. It wasn't a black family. It was America's family

 

And #1 Hands Down - Cliff Clavin

At first, postman Cliff Clavin wasn't part of the "Cheers" ensemble. But after unsuccessfully trying out for a role, character actor John Ratzenberger suggested that the producers create a "bar know-it-all" character. Shortly afterward, Cliff Clavin was born. While the trivia-spouting, beer-swilling Clavin often found himself on the receiving end of withering insults, he continually maintained a positive attitude -- a factor that helped make him a fan favorite.

 

Cliff Expounds On His "Buffalo Theory":

 

“Well, you see, Norm, it’s like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it’s the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.

 

In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine.

 

And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.”