Johnny Carson named No. 1 TV icon

NEW YORK, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The late U.S. comedian and talk-show host Johnny Carson has been named TV Land and Entertainment Weekly's No. 1 television icon.

A two-hour special called "The 50 Greatest TV Icons" is set to air on TV Land Friday, the same day the list will appear in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly.

The magazine feature celebrates each icon's contribution to television along with DVD recommendations of their work.

In addition to Carson, the special will pay tribute to other TV greats like Lucille Ball, Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah Winfrey, Susan Lucci, Bill Cosby, Simon Cowell, Kermit, James Gandolfini and Homer Simpson.

The show will also feature original talent interviews and archival clips of the entertainers who made the list, as well as those who have been influenced by them, TV Land said in a statement.