Please welcome the latest class of this blog’s Pop Culture Hall of Fame.

Membership in the Hall is an exclusive club and a tribute to those who have made contributions in music, the movies, athletics, television, politics and culture in general. To be eligible, these subjects have do more than simply be among in the most recognizable in their particular category. They must have transcended generations and made a distinct impact on society in general.

The envelopes, please:

Music: Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley — or rather, his estate — earned $49 million last year, and he’s been dead for 32 years. That’s the power he still commands over his fans. Can you imagine the impact of The King’s death if he had come along a couple of decades later, or had lived a few years longer? Elvis died before the advent of cable and satellite television, the Internet and proliferation of other media we now take for granted. I remember vividly the day Elvis died in August 1977. While it made the front pages of newspapers, it was not the lead story. Move ahead more than 30 years to the death of Michael Jackson, whose passing became a global event. There are Elvis fans today whose only connection to the aura that is The King’s is the music they hear on their iPods. That truly amazes me, but it also makes me realize how much of a once-in-a-lifetime figure Elvis truly was/is. I often wonder if he had lived longer than 42 years what the overall impact of Elvis Aron Presley might have been on music — and culture. In some ways, it’s almost inconceivable. Seriously.

Past inductees
The Beatles
Eric Clapton
Mick Jagger
Bruce Springsteen

Athletics: Chris Berman

It’s hard to imagine the day “The Boomer” will not be a part of ESPN. With the network since its beginning 30 years ago, he first developed a legion of followers for his baseball nicknames, of which Bert “Be Home” Blyleven, Roberto “Remember the” Alomar and Jim “Two Silhouettes on the” DeShaies being his favorites. He later branched out into football, where Andre “Bad Moon” Rison and Curtis “My Favorite” Martin were two of the best. Berman first rose to fame as an anchor on SportsCenter, then became the face of ESPN baseball, NFL and even hockey coverage. Nowadays, he concentrates most of his efforts on the NFL. His enthusiasm — and propensity for sweating on camera — have long been his trademarks. Berman has always come across as the “common man,” which has been one huge reason for his ongoing popularity.

Past inductees
Anna Kournikova
LeBron James
Michael Jordan
Jackie Robinson

Politics: Bill O’Reilly

The host of Fox News Channel’s “The O’Reilly Factor” is idolized by his fans — and loathed by his detractors. Love him or hate him, O’Reilly remains the most-watched political news figure on cable television. His conservative (or, as he prefers, “traditionalist”) influence became so strong that cable rival MSNBC countered with liberal hosts Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow to combat Fox’s night-time viewing dominance. O’Reilly, who also is a best-selling author, has been criticized of distorting facts and using misleading or erroneous statistics. But so have his rivals. Apparently, the “all’s fair in love, war and politics” makes for good TV ratings.

Past inductees
Sarah Palin
Ronald Reagan
Barack Obama
John F. Kennedy

Movies: John Wayne

“The Duke” is to movies what Elvis is to music. A January 2009 nationwide Harris poll placed John Wayne third among America’s favorite film stars, and he was the only deceased star on the list. “The Searchers” (1956) is widely regarded as his finest overall performance, but for true fans of The Duke, it would be difficult to narrow his long list of achievements down to a single entry. His breakthrough film was “Stagecoach” in 1939, a western that debuted 70 years ago but one that critics still consider one of the genre’s finest ever. Not bad for a guy who started in the film industry making $75 a week. Wayne, who was born Marion Morrison, was also active in politics and respected for his patriotism. After being a highly visible supporter for Richard Nixon during the 1960 campaign, he said following John F. Kennedy’s victory, “I didn’t vote for him, but he’s my president, and I hope he does a good job.” John Wayne, a true American.

Past inductees
Angelina Jolie
Tom Hanks
Clint Eastwood
Paul Newman

Television: Vince McMahon

Pro wrestling’s Vince McMahon gets the same kind of credit the France family does with NASCAR. Both took what was a regional phenomenon and marketed into a worldwide success story. In the 1980s, McMahon assumed control of what was the World Wrestling Federation, which later became World Wrestling Entertainment. He oversaw a change in storylines designed to attract mainstream audiences, ushered in a marketing concept that made American heroes out of such figures as Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin and presided over the rise of Wrestlemania, which each year is one of the nation’s most anticipated sports entertainment events. He also oversaw the rise of Monday Night Raw and other midweek national telecasts that continue to rank among cable’s most-watched programs.

Past inductees
The Simpsons
David Letterman
Jerry Seinfeld
Carroll O’Connor

Culture: MTV

On Aug. 1, 1981, at 12:01 a.m., MTV (Music Television) launched with the words “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.” Those words were immediately followed by the original MTV theme song, featuring a guitar riff playing over a montage of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The world, as they say, has never been the same since. I was one, who back in 1981, who said MTV would never last. Obviously, I was one of many who was wrong. MTV went on to change how we not only view and listen to music, but in many ways how we look at ourselves with its transformation into more of a pop culture outlet than a video library. MTV has come under fire for more than 10 years for discontinuing what made it famous — the music video, instead farming those out to sister networks. Most baby boomers remember MTV for what it was, while the current generation looks to it for cutting-edge reality TV. Either way, it continues to leave an impression on our society.

The first 10 videos played on MTV on Aug. 1, 1981:
1. “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles
2. “You Better Run” by Pat Benatar
3. “She Won’t Dance With Me” by Rod Stewart
4. “You Better You Bet” by The Who
5. “Little Suzi’s on the Up” by Ph.D.
6. “We Don’t Talk Anymore” by Cliff Richard
7. “Brass in Pocket” by The Pretenders
8. “Time Heals” by Todd Rundgren
9. “Take It On the Run” by REO Speedwagon
10. “Rockin’ the Paradise” by Styx

Past inductees
Bill Rasmussen (ESPN founder)
The Rev. Rick Warren
Tiger Woods
J.K. Rowling

It’s time for another induction ceremony for our Pop Culture Hall of Fame.

Membership in the Hall is an exclusive club and a tribute to those who have made contributions in music, the movies, athletics, television, politics and culture in general. To be eligible, these subjects have to do more than simply be among in their particular category. They must have transcended generations and made a distinct impact on society in general.

Please welcome the latest class of the Pop Culture Hall of Fame:

Music: The Beatles
The Liverpool lads represent our first group induction, and like the previous three choices, this is another slam dunk. I could have easily selected Paul McCartney or John Lennon for one of the first three individual picks, but the more I would think about it the more difficult it became to show favortism. Plus, I have always felt the sum of the Beatles’ parts was greater than any of the individual careers. And the impact the Beatles have had as a group on society — and still have today — is almost impossible to define. It’s something you had to live through and experience to fully appreciate. The Beatles’ music has stood the test of time, and it’s just a shame only McCartney and Ringo Starr remain. The appreciation of the Beatles did not truly come until long after they had broken up, and arguably not until after Lennon had died. In many respects, the Beatles were not only a part of pop culture, they defined it. To this day, mention the names “John, Paul, George and Ringo” and 99.9 percent of the world’s population will know who you are talking about.

Past inductees:
Eric Clapton
Mick Jagger
Bruce Springsteen

Athletics: Anna Kournikova
Kournikova was more celebrity than tennis star who sold far more calendars than she won tournament titles. Her striking good looks — and above-average, but not spectacular — tennis ability made her one of the best known players worldwide until she semi-”retired” in her mid-20s. At the peak of her fame, Kournikova was continually one of the most common topics on the Internet search engine Google. Her detractors regularly said, “But she never won a tournament in her life.” Her supporters countered with, “Who cares?! Have you seen her?”

Past inductees:
LeBron James
Michael Jordan
Jackie Robinson

Politics: Sarah Palin
She was quirky and ill-informed, but she was a breath of fresh air to a 2008 presidential race that might otherwise have gotten a bit boring. Both her conservative supporters and liberal detractors are hoping she tosses her hat in the 2012 presidential ring. Palin seems to possess that intangible of always being able to land on her feet, and my guess is no matter what impression she left in ’08, all will be forgiven in three years. Hillary Rodham Clinton never had a chance of winning the White House. Sarah Palin does. Maybe not until 2016, but we have not seen the last of the Alaskan princess.

Past inductees:
Ronald Reagan
Barack Obama
John F. Kennedy

Movies: Angelina Jolie
Here is the perfect poster girl for a red-carpet actress who is trying to make a difference in the world. Yeah, she’s kind of weird at times (what was she thinking with that Billy Bob Thornton relationship?), but she seems to come across in a much different fashion than her chief pop culture “rival” in the area of saving the world. Madonna seems to be in the game for self-glorification, but I have never sensed that with Jolie. The only drawback, for me, with Jolie is the constant problems I have with fans who think I am a double for her on-again, off-again significant other, Brad Pitt.

Past inductees:
Tom Hanks
Clint Eastwood
Paul Newman

Television: The Simpsons
For the past two decades, “The Simpsons” have been to American TV what “Leave it to Beaver” represented to the previous generation, But instead of Ward, June, Beaver and Wally, we have enjoyed the dysfunctional Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and more memorable supporting characters than the ’62 Mets. The Simpsons are a unique, satirical middle-class parody. Not only have The Simpsons made us laugh, they have us think. I’m not sure The Beave ever accomplished that.

Past inductees:
David Letterman
Jerry Seinfeld
Carroll O’Connor

Culture: Bill Rasmussen
Who, you ask? Rasmussen was the founder of ESPN 30 years ago, the network that has changed how we watch and approach sports as much as the original MTV altered our concept of how music could be presented. Whereas MTV has failed to deliver the product it once did, ESPN has grown by leaps and bounds with each passing year. ESPN is now in 98 million U.S. households and seen in 200 countries. The world is a better place, thanks to Bill Rasmussen.

Past inductees:
The Rev. Rick Warren
Tiger Woods
J.K. Rowling

Every month or so, we increase membership in our Pop Culture Hall of Fame. It’s that time again.

Membership in the Hall is a personal tribute to those who have made contributions in music, the movies, athletics, television, politics and culture in general. To be eligible, these individuals have to do more than simply be among the best at what they do, they must have transcended generations and made a distinct impact on society in general.

The envelopes, please:

Music: Eric Clapton
Comment: I was first introduced to Clapton when I was in junior high. Remember “White Room” by Cream? I almost wore that record out. As I grew older, Clapton was always there, a driving force in various forms of rock, both from an instrumental and vocal standpoint. He’s one of a select few to have gained worldwide acclaim as both a member of a band and individual merit alone. It’s obviously difficult to pick one Clapton effort above all others, but my favorite remains “Rock and Roll Heart.”
Past Inductees:
Mick Jagger
Bruce Springsteen

Movies: Tom Hanks
Comment: It’s hard to believe there is a more beloved actor than two-time Oscar winner Hanks, who seems more like the guy next door than one of film’s all-time giants. The second-hardest thing to believe is that he’s only 52 years old. The guy will be charming us for at least a couple of more decades. Some of his more acclaimed roles found jim playing Andrew Beckett in “Philadelphia,” the title role in “Forrest Gump,” Commander James A. Lovell in “Apollo 13,” Captain John H. Miller in “Saving Private Ryan,”  Michael Sullivan in “Road to Perdition,” Sheriff Woody in Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story” and Chuck Noland in “Cast Away.” My favorite Hanks performance came in “Saving Private Ryan.”
Past inductees:
Clint Eastwood
Paul Newman

Athletics: LeBron James
Comment: Not yet 25 years old and already an MVP in the NBA and on the verge of (possibly) winning a world championship to go with his Olympic gold medal, King James is what all pro athletes should aspire to be. He is the consummate team player and keeps his nose clean off the court. The only person to be on the covers of more magazines than LeBron in the past year is a guy named Obama. And don’t be surprised if James looks to politics as his next challenge once his playing days are over — in about 15 years.
Past inductees:
Michael Jordan
Jackie Robinson

Politics: Ronald Reagan
Comment: He helped reinvent the Republican Party in the 1980s and also presented a strong, yet compassionate figure during his presidency. Yet his most lasting mark may wind up being the attention he drew to Alzheimer’s disease. He was diagnosed in 1994 and died 10 years later. Reagan will also be remembered for bringing an end to the Cold War and for his career as an actor. His most famous role was as George Gipp in “Knute Rockne All-American.”
Past inductees:
Barack Obama
John F. Kennedy

Television: David Letterman
Comment: Letterman unquestionably changed the way we watch late night television, but the ironic part of his success was the one-time TV weatherman began his network career with a morning show on NBC. But it was when he switched to late night following Johnny Carson that his career skyrocketed. His own quirkiness and off-the-wall skits and show content were all major hits with the baby boomer generation. Since moving to CBS, he has arguably traded in some of his comic genius for left-wing political stands. But he will always be remembered as one of TV’s most inventive personalities.
Past inductees:
Jerry Seinfield
Carroll O’Connor

Culture: The Rev. Rick Warren
Comment: If it seems Warren is everywhere these days, well … he is. He is now accepted as the successor to the Rev. Billy Graham as “America’s Pastor” and is seen regularly on network and cable news programs. Warren and what is now the 22,000-member  Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., were groundbreakers in the evangelical megachurch and contemporary Christian movements. When “Pastor Rick” speaks, millions now listen.
Past inductees:
Tiger Woods
J.K. Rowling

It’s time for the induction of our second class of Pop Culture Hall of Famers.

It’s a personal tribute to those who made contributions in music, the movies, athletics, television, politics and culture in general. To be eligible for our Hall of Fame, these individuals have to do more than simply excel in their fields. They must have transcended generations and made a distinct impact on society while doing so.

The envelopes, please:

Music: Mick Jagger
Comment: For parts of five decades, Mick has been shaking, singing and strutting. In some circles, the Rolling Stones always be considered second string to the Beatles. But here’s the bottom line, it’s 2009 and Mick and the Stones are still with us, and the Beatles broke up in 1970.  Jagger and the Stones’ influence has now been felt by three separate generations. That is some kind of cultural Satisfaction.
Past Inductee: Bruce Springsteen.

Movies: Clint Eastwood
Comment: Clint is, in many ways, the Mick Jagger of movies. He’s been Dirty Harry, the Outlaw Josey Wales and most recently, Walt Kowalski in the classic “Gran Torino.” Eastwood’s appeal has been to all ages and both sexes. He’s 78 years old and as relevant today as an actor and director as he was in 10, 20, 30, 40 or more years ago. Whoever thought the guy who first came to the public’s eye as Rowdy Yates in “Rawhide” would have made this kind of impact?
Past Inductee: Paul Newman.

Athletics: Michael Jordan
Comment: They say Magic Johnson and Larry Bird saved the NBA, raising it from a near-bankrupt entity scorned by the public in general and mostly ignored by the nation’s sports fans. After that process was complete it was Michael who helped lift the league to worldwide phenomenon status. His private life proved he was far from perfect, but on a basketball court he was incomparable. He defined greatness and defied gravity.
Past Inductee: Jackie Robinson

Politics: Barack Obama
Comment: In roughly two years, Obama has gone from virtual unknown to the most celebrated politician in the world. The impact of Obama will never be able to be truly measured, because his true legacy will arguably be the inspiration he provided – to generations past, present and future. And he may have already established some sort of record for appearing on the most covers of major magazines.
Past Inductee: John F. Kennedy.

Television: Jerry Seinfeld
Comment: He was the mastermind of the most successful and popular sitcom in history. Without Jerry, there would never have been a George, Elaine or Kramer. And what made “Seinfeld” even more of a national treasure was the decision to pull the plug at the height of its popularity. “Seinfeld” has been off the air for more than a decade, and remains (almost) as popular in syndication and DVD sales as it was in its heyday.
Past Inductee: Carroll O’Connor.

Culture: Tiger Woods
Comment: Tiger Woods surpasses being a mere golf superstar. He has succeeded Michael Jordan as the world’s most marketable and recognized athlete, but what impresses me most goes back to his principal platform — the game of golf itself. He respects the game and its heritage. A classic case in point came Sunday after his stirring comeback to win the event at Bay Hill. When he talked with host Arnold Palmer only minutes after sinking the winning put, the microphone picked up their brief, yet oh-so-revealing conversation. Palmer paid homage to Tiger’s comeback, to which Woods added some of his own golfing words. Then he looked directly at Arnold and said, “Thank you, sir.” Did you catch that? “Sir.” That, friends, is a class act.
Past Inductee: J.K. Rowling