So, recently, Milwaukee hoisted up its new statue - the Bronze Fonz. The $85,000 project has caused a number of disagreements in the community.

From an OnMilwaukee.com poll:

Yes, that would be cool. A Fonz sculpture is kitschy and fun, and would be a great addition to Downtown Milwaukee. Plus, it’s keeping with a trend that’s happening in other cities: there’s a statue of Mary Richards from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in Minneapolis and one of Bob Hartley from “The Bob Newhart Show” in Chicago. The “Rocky” statue in Philadelphia is a big hit with tourists. And hey, it still beats Mark di Suvero’s “sunburst sculpture” at the foot of Wisconsin Avenue.

No way, it’s totally uncool. A “Bronze Fonz” is a bad idea. “The Fonz” depicts an old image of Milwaukee, the one that was all about a conservative, Blue Collar existence. Brew City struggles enough with its self-image, and is trying to redefine itself beyond stereotypes, and this statue will just reinforce them. And, hey, some of us like di Suvero and “The Calling.”

My concern actually doesn’t have to do with Milwaukee.

My question is, since when do we put up statues of TV personalities?  Isn’t the purpose of statues to honor those who have made a large difference in our world or community?  Are we are starting to idolize fictional pixelated beings in a dearth of real people to idolize?

Ok, some statues aren’t of specific people, but represent situations, ideals.  These things I can also support.  But TV show characters whose quotable line is, “Ay…”?  Characters that were funny, or entertained us…but not real people.

I don’t get it.  I don’t hate the bronzed Fonz outright.  It’s that I don’t understand how he even qualifies for the honor.  Sure, the actor Henry Winkler has given time and energy towards disadvantaged kids - we don’t put up statues of Christopher Reeves, even though THAT man might actually deserve the honor.  Instead, we put up a statue of a fictional character of the TV show Happy Days.

Secondly, is there a group of tourists who actively look for things like this?  I didn’t know about the Mary Tyler Moore statue in Minneapolis, the Bob Hartley statue in Chicago, the Andy Griffith statue in Mount Airy, or the Ralph Kramden statue in New York.  It sounds sad that there are people out there traveling to different cities who think - let’s go see a famous TV icon!  Rent a DVD, people!  Go to the art museum or walk through the Third Ward.  I can’t imagine visiting TV show icons when touring another city.  Have we lost all access to culture?

In a state where we are having trouble balancing the budget, can’t afford to pay for our transit, and our Parks are in danger of being shut down, we spend $85,000 on a TV idol.  What’s next? A Bart Simpson statue in Springfield Illinois?

 I just don’t get the statues of TV characters, not at all. 

(And, for that matter, I like the sunburst sculpture at the end of Wisconsin Ave.  It was much more effective when the art museum wasn’t blocking it.  I was running early one morning down Wisconsin Ave, and I turned towards the lake.  There, the rising sun had positioned itself perfectly in the center of the sculpture.  This caused the sunlight to spray along the orange arms of the sculpture, as if on fire.  It was beautiful, and what had been an eyesore to me gained new appreciation.  But now, no one can experience that.)