Neglected to mention the passing of Rue McClanahan, who brought so much joy to so many of us over the years. While most remember her as the irrepressible Blanche Devereaux on "The Golden Girls" (who will ever forget the time she made a date at her husband’s funeral), it was her role as the dimwitted (or shall I say naive) Vivian (Cavender) Harmon on "Maude" for which I will remember most fondly. The episode where Vivian had to face her fear of funerals gives "Chuckles Bites the Dust" a run for its money -- and still ranks as one of my favorite sitcom episodes of all time. As a child of the '70s, everything seemed out of whack to me on "The Golden Girls" -- what with Rue in Betty White's slutty Sue Ann Nivens role and Betty White in Rue's ditzy Vivian Harmon role. (Throw in Bea's not playing against type and a cliche of a grandmother and I liked it, but didn't love it.) But everything about "Maude" was so right: the perfect show at the perfect time -- face lifts, abortions and the ERA, oh my! -- and without Rue, none of it would have worked, as she was the perfect foil to Bea Arthur's outspoken champion of women's rights.
I once saw Rue in person at the GLAAD awards (I believe it was 2002) and while I don't recall much about it, I distinctly remember the moment she entered the room wearing a dramatic dress that wrapped around her neck and the crowd of gay men absolutely going crazy -- I remember a collective gasp -- and how she seemed to be completely in her element (and HAPPY) as the sea of men enveloped her as she walked toward the stage. It's a memory that still makes me smile all these years later, just as I'm certain Rue's work will have people smiling for generations to come. We miss you already, Rue.
I completely agree with you about RUE on MAUDE. I am more of an 80's child but watched reruns of Maude during that time and think it's one of the best shows of all-time. Better then Golden Girls IMO. RIP RUE, VIVIAN and BLANCHE:) Rue was on mama's family though i heard an interview that she grew tired of her role very quickly and was killed off the show just in time to be hired for GOLDEN...
Thanks, Kenneth! Hilarious. I was too young to "get" Maude when it ran originally, but love it now. Funny too that I think Hyacinth Bucket on "Keeping Up Appearances" stole a bit of Bea Arthur's 70s acting style.
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Neglected to mention the passing of Rue McClanahan, who brought so much joy to so many of us over the years. While most remember her as the irrepressible Blanche Devereaux on "The Golden Girls" (who will ever forget the time she made a date at her husband’s funeral), it was her role as the dimwitted (or shall I say naive) Vivian (Cavender) Harmon on "Maude" for which I will remember most fondly. The episode where Vivian had to face her fear of funerals gives "Chuckles Bites the Dust" a run for its money -- and still ranks as one of my favorite sitcom episodes of all time. As a child of the '70s, everything seemed out of whack to me on "The Golden Girls" -- what with Rue in Betty White's slutty Sue Ann Nivens role and Betty White in Rue's ditzy Vivian Harmon role. (Throw in Bea's not playing against type and a cliche of a grandmother and I liked it, but didn't love it.) But everything about "Maude" was so right: the perfect show at the perfect time -- face lifts, abortions and the ERA, oh my! -- and without Rue, none of it would have worked, as she was the perfect foil to Bea Arthur's outspoken champion of women's rights.
I once saw Rue in person at the GLAAD awards (I believe it was 2002) and while I don't recall much about it, I distinctly remember the moment she entered the room wearing a dramatic dress that wrapped around her neck and the crowd of gay men absolutely going crazy -- I remember a collective gasp -- and how she seemed to be completely in her element (and HAPPY) as the sea of men enveloped her as she walked toward the stage. It's a memory that still makes me smile all these years later, just as I'm certain Rue's work will have people smiling for generations to come. We miss you already, Rue.
4 comments:
don't forget Mama's Family...wasn't Rue on that "bomb" of a show, too?
Ken,
I completely agree with you about RUE on MAUDE. I am more of an 80's child but watched reruns of Maude during that time and think it's one of the best shows of all-time. Better then Golden Girls IMO. RIP RUE, VIVIAN and BLANCHE:) Rue was on mama's family though i heard an interview that she grew tired of her role very quickly and was killed off the show just in time to be hired for GOLDEN...
Vivian's First Funeral is one of my ALL time favorite TV episodes, too. I still have that one saved on VHS.
Rue was brilliant. I loved her as Blanche, but she'll always be Vivian to me.
RIP, Ms. McClanahan
-Joe
Thanks, Kenneth! Hilarious. I was too young to "get" Maude when it ran originally, but love it now. Funny too that I think Hyacinth Bucket on "Keeping Up Appearances" stole a bit of Bea Arthur's 70s acting style.
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