Hey everyone! I found this gem on YouTube of Charlotte Rae doing a standup act about dieting. It’s a HOOT!! Totally reminds me of the dirty episode from season 1 too. It’s like full circle. What a great comedian and singer she was. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/jCJuGEl-er4

Ooh nice find! I’ll watch soon!

Nice find! I think I've seen this one before, but what a talent Charlotte Rae was! Not only could she do stand-up, she could sing while doing so. Loved it!

Oh my god she doesn't sound like CHARLOTTE RAE at all! (she does resembles her and you can see how young she was)

This was a fun watch. She was funny. I had no idea she did standup.

This was a fun watch. She was funny. I had no idea she did standup.

And let's keep in mind that she did it in 1954- a year before Phyllis Diller (considered the pioneer female stand-up comedian) started her stand-up career. That definitely took some guts for Miss Rae to have done this on television when NO other woman seemed to be attempting to do this for a career a that point!

And let's keep in mind that she did it in 1954- a year before Phyllis Diller (considered the pioneer female stand-up comedian) started her stand-up career. That definitely took some guts for Miss Rae to have done this on television when NO other woman seemed to be attempting to do this for a career a that point!

You know, that's a great point.

I honestly can't think of an earlier female stand-up comedian.

You know, that's a great point.

I honestly can't think of an earlier female stand-up comedian.

It looks like Moms Mabley (https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/trailblazing-women-stand-comedy) may be one of the first that's still a recognized name today.

It looks like Moms Mabley (https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/trailblazing-women-stand-comedy) may be one of the first that's still a recognized name today.

Thanks for the link! I had heard of the name Moms Mabley, but had no idea who she was.

Thanks for the link! I had heard of the name Moms Mabley, but had no idea who she was.

Yeah, I was kind of in the same camp. I was very familiar with the name, and I did think she was African-American, but I've never heard any recordings or anything of hers.

Don't forget Carol Burnett either. Probably the last remaining living comedienne of that era.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxiQDqb_9r4

Don't forget Carol Burnett either. Probably the last remaining living comedienne of that era.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxiQDqb_9r4

Great bringing up some excellent pioneers! However, even though some like Moms Mabley and Sophie Tucker were honing their one-woman shows decades before Miss Rae's TV standup routine, it STILL was quite rare (and brave) for a woman to have done this in 1954!

I wonder what Mrs. G. would have had to say if one of the Four had wanted to become a comedienne.

Great bringing up some excellent pioneers! However, even though some like Moms Mabley and Sophie Tucker were honing their one-woman shows decades before Miss Rae's TV standup routine, it STILL was quite rare (and brave) for a woman to have done this in 1954!

I wonder what Mrs. G. would have had to say if one of the Four had wanted to become a comedienne.

Tootie was the comedienne on the show. At least in the first season or two.

Great bringing up some excellent pioneers! However, even though some like Moms Mabley and Sophie Tucker were honing their one-woman shows decades before Miss Rae's TV standup routine, it STILL was quite rare (and brave) for a woman to have done this in 1954!

I wonder what Mrs. G. would have had to say if one of the Four had wanted to become a comedienne.

Mrs. Garrett seemed very supportive of Geri being a comedienne, even setting up the cafeteria for Geri to perform her comedy.

Don't forget Carol Burnett either. Probably the last remaining living comedienne of that era.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxiQDqb_9r4

Oh we definitely wouldn't! It's just that she wasn't famous until well after 1954. And also, she never did stand-up. She says she can't tell a joke to save her life! :lol: