Phyllis Diller: 1917-2012
For a fun recount on how Cartoon Network's Batman: The Brave and the Bold paid homage to Phyllis Diller's forgotten sitcom, The Pruitts of Southampton, check out Ed Martin's 2011 TV Mix report.
Phyllis Diller, who took self-deprecating humor to new highs (or lows if you prefer), died on Monday, Aug. 20 at the age of 95.
She was a staple stand-up act on a wide variety of prime-time variety hours and late night talk shows, making numerous appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, Bob Hope specials and The Tonight Show among many. Diller's trademark jabs at her supposedly non-existent sex appeal helped to smooth the way for the likes of Joan Rivers, Minnie Pearl and Rodney Dangerfield. A high-pitched laugh punctuated many of her one-liners.
Below is a clip from her first-ever television appearance, with Groucho Marx on You Bet Your Life. A latter day Diller also offers a little commentary on the experience.
Read more by Ed Bark at unclebarky.com