Doug: I've had this idea in my head for a long time -- really since a year ago when I was in a conversation about some of the American greats. Today I'd like you to pontificate on those luminaries in the world of pop culture who are treasures to your nation -- and we'll certainly cast this net wide so our non-American friends can love on their own entertainers, sports figures, etc.
Doug: The conversation, as I remember it, began with a discussion on some of Hollywood's treasured performers from its golden age. It segued quickly to those folks who are presently working and which of them could even at this point be considered "American treasures". I nominated Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, not only for the duration of their careers but the scope and diversity of their talents. Both played roles as young actors, both have been renowned for comedic as well as dramatic roles, both have starred and have been in supporting roles, and both have progressed through human aging and have mastered roles at all stages along the way. There were other actors and musicians bandied about in a day-long conversation (that in teaching occurs for six minutes at a time, every 54 minutes. Hall duty!).
Doug: To get us started today, I'll leave Hanks and Streep on the table, and add Vin Scully, the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the past 66 seasons. At one time the voice of not only the Dodgers but of all of Major League Baseball through his work on the MLB Game-of-the-Week as well as the play-offs and World Series, Scully has been a steady, reliable commentator who generally works alone -- always painting an accurate picture of the game for his listeners. In the world of American sport, he is without peer in the broadcasting field.
Doug: So let's hear it -- who are your National Treasures from the worlds of film, television, music, and sports?