Mark Harmon, star of the CBS thriller series “NCIS,” jumped from the eighth-most-popular US TV star in 2009 to number one in 2010, according to new data from Harris Interactive. Harmon bumped 2009’s top TV star, syndicated talk show host Oprah Winfrey, to a second-place tie with Hugh Laurie, star of Fox medical drama “House” (number four in 2009).
Talkers Take Top Spots
Rounding out the top five are two late night talk show hosts. Returning to the list after a three-year absence with his new TBS show, Conan O’Brien is number four. “The Daily Show’s” Jon Stewart is tied for number five with “Two and a Half Men” star Charlie Sheen.
The next three on the list all host their own shows: Ellen DeGeneres drops down from a tie for fourth place to number seven this in 2010, Bill O’Reilly moves up two spots from number 10 to number eight, and making his own top 10, “Late Show” host David Letterman remains at number nine. Returning to the list after dropping off last year is Steve Carrell of ABC mock-documentary “The Office.”
Beck, Leno Say Adios
While two people moved back to the list, two television personalities moved off the list. Last year he debuted at number two on the list but even after staging a large event on the National Mall, Glenn Beck has dropped out of the top 10. Another television personality was in the news this past year; yet despite his return to the “Tonight Show,” Jay Leno still dropped from number three last year out of the top 10.
Men Like Mark, Women Like Oprah
There are different number ones for different groups. Men say Mark Harmon is their favorite, while for women it is Oprah Winfrey. Generations also have their favorites. Echo Boomers (those aged 18-33) are happy he’s back on television as Conan O’Brien is their favorite, while for Gen Xers (aged 34-45) it’s all about Dr. House and Hugh Laurie. Baby Boomers (aged 46-64) have a tie for their favorite as both Charlie Sheen and Mark Harmon top their list. For Matures (aged 65 and older) there are also two on top, Mark Harmon and Bill O’Reilly.
There are definitely some partisan differences. Bill O’Reilly is the favorite for Republicans but for conservatives he ties with Mark Harmon as the favorite. For independents, Mark Harmon is number one and for moderates their favorite is Oprah Winfrey. Number one for Democrats and liberals is the same, Jon Stewart.
Each region also has their favorite. For the East it is Oprah, while Midwesterners say Conan is their favorite. Westerners are partial to Mark Harmon and Charlie Sheen is tops for Southerners.
Depp Dethrones Eastwood
Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp was America’s favorite movie star in 2010, according to other recent data from Harris Interactive. Depp climbed to the top spot from number two in 2009 and also pushed last year’s number one, legendary tough guy Clint Eastwood, all the way down to number nine this year.
Last year’s number three actor, fellow heartthrob Denzel Washington, climbed into the number spot in 2010.
