From the highest highs to the lowest lows.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007 by
Darlings, our poor fingers are still sore from typing out that magnum opus yesterday. All we can do is offer you the gayest thing you're going to see today, possibly ever:

Della Reese, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, and Ann Miller in enough lamé to choke a drag queen, howling "I'm the Greatest Star" for Captain Steubing and the rest of the tools on the Love Boat. Further commentary from us would be entirely superfluous. Turn your speakers down and enjoy:

47 comments:

Lisette said...

OMG! I'm verklempt!

PasadenaGuy1965 said...

OMG! I am speechless!

frogboots said...

do you think maybe you could do a post explaining carol channing? because i have NEVER understood....

Anonymous said...

Fabulous, you guys, but you know Ethel Merman really IS the greatest star.

Anonymous said...

I think Carol C is supposed to be a sort of twenties-era dumb blonde, gold-digger type with big batting eyes; maybe the particular blondeness of Joan Blondell meeting the dumbness of the Marilyn Monroe persona. But that's just an attempt: I don't totally get it in the sense of appreciation either, but she was in the first Broadway show I ever saw (one of the replacement Dollies in _Hello, Dolly!_), and I have affection for her just for that.

thombeau said...

OH MY GOD I was so totally going to send you this clip! Seriously! But I thought it would just be too much. Now I see that pretty much anything goes with you guys.

This is the drag show to end all drag shows!

xoxoxoxo

madelineanne said...

Gayer than a tree full of monkey on nitrous oxide!
Loved it!
And I throw my support to Ann Miller as the greatest star!

yawningdog said...

I am old enough that I have to admit that I saw that particular episode.

I am glad that I am home alone for the rewatching of it.

D'Trelle said...

There are no words. Really no words.

Sewhat? said...

I cannot take my eyes off of Anne Miller. It would not surprise me if she sewed the beading on her right wrist just to help her stand out when they all have their arms raised.

Bill said...

Someone once referred to Broadway stars (or was it stars in general?) as "Glorious Freaks". I think we have the textbook examples lined up right here.

Has anyone ever heard the Forbidden Broadway spoof of Ann Miller "I'm Still Weird" (sung to the tune of "I'm Still Here")? Hysterical and right on the mark.

I met Channing once. She was like a cartoon character come to life. Pleasant as heck, funny, and really just seemed like some random drag queen playing...well, her.

thombeau said...

I saw Ann MIller once, walking down a busy street---this is about a hundred years ago, when "Sugar Babies" was in Chicago---she was in full Ann regalia, with one of her fabulous (and apparently life-saving) lacquered wigs, and smiled and nodded to the anonymous passers-by like the royalty that she was!

Recently I saw her in "Mulholland Falls" and found it really interesting that her final film role should be for David Lynch. It wouldn't surprise me if the role was written for her.

BigAssBelle said...

this is divine. four fabulous crusty middle- and late-middle-aged "american beauties" in gold lame.

it's no wonder drag queens everywhere try to emulate these fabulous women. they're magnificent, over-the-top, grand. yea for them!! and yea for y'all for recognizing their majesty.

The Scarlett said...

In my next life I'm going to walk around with a pair of borzoi wearing a mink-trimmed cape and sporting giant spit curls.

Miss Janey said...

Miss Janey was born 50 years too late. Otherwise she have BEEN one of these uh-women- instead of just playing them in sketches.

Granite Janet said...

I so miss The Love Boat.

mike said...

on Channing.... I did not care for her much, but when i saw her in "Dolly" I was a fan for life. Fobidden Brodaway spoofs all these ladies

personette said...

Why is Della Reese in this group? What am I missing? Was Pearl Bailey gone by this point?

Anonymous said...

Wow. Just Wow. Absolutely fabulous. I think Ann's costume is fabulous; not only is it uber-shiney, sparkley, but it's got that slit up to there. It must have been in her contracts. "Costume must show x feet of leg at all times."

Joan said...

How DO you find these things?

e_nigma said...

I am speechless, except for just one query:

What the hell is Channing wearing on her feet?

annabelle said...

Wow....That was amazing...

mike said...

I remember watching this show with my grandmother every week when it ran originally.

This brings back great memories... thanks!

Marlene said...

I'm not really sure which is BIGGER: Ms. Miller's hair, Ms. Merman's voice, Ms.Reese's caftan, or Ms. Channing's Ziggy Stardust gold platform boots...wow...I need a drink after that clip!

Vic said...

They just don't make Divas like they used to.

Bill said...

The Scarlett said:

"In my next life I'm going to walk around with a pair of borzoi wearing a mink-trimmed cape and sporting giant spit curls."

Not sure if they're dogs, shoes or earrings, but whatever Borzoi are, I want a pair, too! (actually I just want a mink-trimmed cape but I'm an accessory whore.)

Say What? said...

Yawningdog, I too am old enough to remember this episode.

Wow, that's all I can say. Wow.

Say What? said...

Wait! I can say more!!! I couldn't get the clip to play but...

If I remember correctly, Ethel was Gopher's mom, Carol was Julie's Aunt, Della was Isaac's mom, and Ann was Doc's mother-in-law. I wonder what the fabric budget was on that episode?

Granite Janet said...

They don't make TV programs like they used to. Wonder Woman, The Bionic Man, Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and don't forget Dallas!

Bring back Ricardo Montleban and Larry Hagman, please!

Anonymous said...

kbryna said...

do you think maybe you could do a post explaining carol channing? because i have NEVER understood....

Carol WTF Channing.
AKA: The 9th wonder of the world.

OH. MY. GOD.
PLEEEEEEEEEASE?!

Anonymous said...

personette said...

Why is Della Reese in this group? What am I missing? Was Pearl Bailey gone by this point?

Yep. Della even subbed for Johnny Carson like Pearl used to on the Tonight Show. She was like a permanent Pearl understudy for a while.

macasism said...

OMG that was putrid! Thanks, gayboys.

Ann Miller could still bring it, tho. Love the hair!

mjude said...

OMG!! LOL!!! that will never happen again in our life time. ya just gotta love those girls!

Young offender said...

Haha. I remember Ann in "Mulholland Drive," too. I think she even did a little 7-step tap-dance jig for some weird reason. Just like everything else in that movie, I guess....

Anonymous said...

"Ether" Merman, it reads. A simple typo, or a suggestion of the performer's drug of choice? You decide.

KiP

katiecoo said...

LOL on the "Ether" Merman! My father is somewhat obsessed with her...saw her on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun I think? He's also obsessed with Carol Channing. Any wonder I'm obsessed with your blogs? Hmmmm???

TLo said...

Oops, our mistake, darlings! We fixed it.

XO
T&L

LittleKarnak said...

I am another of the oldsters who saw this Divalicious Moment when it 1st aired! I watched it with my fav aunt and granny who were Broadway junkies (if you can be a Broadway junkie in Deep South backwoods Alabama!) Thanks for bringing back a great memory!!

Suzanne said...

I am dying over Anne Miller's hair.....

Young offender said...

Have ya'll noticed this blogsite is like the forgotten redheaded stepchild of our Boys? Poor baby.

Gorgeous Things said...

Wow, what a reprise of "Don't Rain on my Parade". Um, uh, hmmmmmm. Well, I did ask for small screen musicals too!

redheadgirl said...

I want Bill to come to my next cocktail party.

ThatBrunette said...

Why?

Anonymous said...

Please do The Sound of Music next.

Angie said...

I just rolled out of bed thinking, 7 Brides today!

Anonymous said...

Channing was cute in "Thoroughly Modern Mille". Could that musical be a candidate for a Monday recap?

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