FOR CHUCK NORRIS, IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE "Walker, Texas Ranger" has never been widely thought of as "cool" by the mainstream media. But the series, which lays down the law on Hallmark Channel beginning Monday, October 4 (6/5c), and its star, Chuck Norris, have found validation in other ways.

A running "Walker" gag became popular on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien." "For months, he would show a little clip of 'Walker' to use as a setup for a joke," Norris says. "Apparently they tried doing it with 'Knight Rider,' but the audience started chanting, 'Walker,' 'Walker!' So they brought us back."

"Walker" even got a nod from the hip hit "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer." "One of the episodes had a guy who had been buried for months," Norris recalls. "They dig him up and the first thing the guy says is, 'Man, what's been going on with 'Walker' while I've been gone?' Can you believe that? 'Buffy' was the show everyone proclaimed as cool and they were watching 'Walker!'"

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