Surviving "Patty Duke Show" Cast Members Reunite for New Social Security PSA - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 02-02-2010, 12:36 AM

Link

Actress Patty Duke has been reprising her role as look-alike cousins Cathy and Patty Lane from the 1960s sitcom The Patty Duke Show in a series of commercials encouraging baby boomers to sign up online for Social Security. Later this year, all the surviving members of the cast will reunite for a new public service announcement. They will promote an online application that will allow seniors who are still working to sign up for Medicare before claiming their Social Security benefits. U.S. News recently asked Duke, 63, about her retirement plans. Excerpts:

What made you decide to volunteer for the Social Security ads?

They told me they would like to revive a version of The Patty Duke Show, and that tickled my fancy. I remember the anxiety my mother would have waiting to get her Social Security check and then her relief upon getting it. And I said, "Let me do this in remembrance of Mom."

[See America's Best Affordable Places to Retire.]

Have you signed up for Social Security yet?

I'm two years away. There is a penalty if you sign up right away. You receive a fuller amount if you wait until 65. That impression has kept me from filing. Maybe by then, I will be able to do it online. When I am 65, we should be doing one where I register or have my husband register me.

What was it like to reunite with the whole cast of The Patty Duke Show?

We've already shot it. We are missing a member. The woman who played Mama passed on last year, and so there was a bittersweet quality for us getting together. But we have William Schallert, who played Papa, and Paul O'Keefe, Patty's brother, and Eddie Applegate, her boyfriend. Apparently, he and Patty have now been married for eons.

How does it feel to be playing Cathy and Patty Lane again, 40 years later?

I worried a little about how I was going to remember what their mannerisms were again. But as soon as we did the makeup and clothes, I dropped right into it. I certainly could not have conceived that the show would be out on DVDs.

Are you thinking about retiring someday?

I never would have thought that I would formally retire. But as my 60s progress, I'm thinking it's rather an attractive idea. I don't know if I could pull it off, though. We actors get the itch, and sometimes we scratch it and sometimes we don't.

Do you have any retirement advice for other baby boomers?

No. I would like their advice.

Which cousin do you like to play better?

I like Cathy better. Cathy did less embarrassing things. As an early teenager, I certainly didn't want to be doing embarrassing things. I enjoyed Patty, but I always liked Cathy better because she was more reserved and seemingly more thoughtful about things.

Marvo301 · 02-02-2010, 12:42 AM

It's neat that they were able to reunite so many cast members for this commercial. And I'm glad William Schallert is still healthy enough to participate.

TV Knowledge Fan · 02-02-2010, 01:53 AM

...Patty has forgotten Jean Byron's name! "The woman who played Mama" appeared one last time as "Natalie Lane" in the 1999 "Still Rockin' In Brooklyn Heights" TV reunion movie before her death in 2006. It couldn't have been THAT long...

Nice to hear that Bill Schallert is still around, but he hasn't done any voice-over work in a while, and that makes me suspect his warm friendly tone isn't what it used to be....

I'm very interested in seeing what the PSA will be like...

catlover79 · 02-02-2010, 02:45 AM

My parents said this news makes them feel really old.

biffbronson · 02-02-2010, 08:56 AM

I've seen a couple of these commercials so far. The one with both the Patty & Cathy characters uses the old theme music. "Online...!" "Go online...!" (encouraging people to use the 'net for pretty much all Social Security related matters and transactions).

OH Nuts! · 02-02-2010, 09:26 PM

They are a nice and CHARMING grp of cast members....it will be a delight to watch....I've said it before & I'll say it again...the PDS cast interview was THE VERY BEST I've ever seen. (14 min of pure bliss)

bliss · 02-08-2010, 12:05 AM

So she prefers Cathy over Patty. It must have been the producers idea
to have less Cathy in the final season.

MickeyMac · 02-11-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

My parents said this news makes them feel really old.

I have a feeling my mother will feel the same way since she and Patty Duke are about the same age.

randyrandy · 03-19-2010, 08:30 PM

Here's an update about the Social Security reunion.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/show...t-reunion.html

catlover79 · 03-19-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

I have a feeling my mother will feel the same way since she and Patty Duke are about the same age.

Yeah, my dad was born in the same year as Patty Duke - 1946 (my dad was born in August and Patty was born in December).

catlover79 · 03-19-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyrandy

Here's an update about the Social Security reunion.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/show...t-reunion.html

But weren't Patty and Richard divorced in the 1999 reunion movie and they are happily wed in these ads?

randyrandy · 03-19-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

But weren't Patty and Richard divorced in the 1999 reunion movie and they are happily wed in these ads?

Cathy hatched a plot and wound up convincing Patty and Richard that they were meant for each other.

MickeyMac · 03-20-2010, 03:16 PM

I still havent opened up my copy of season two yet.

catlover79 · 03-20-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyrandy

Cathy hatched a plot and wound up convincing Patty and Richard that they were meant for each other.

Makes sense!

biffbronson · 09-24-2010, 01:57 AM

There are several commercials out now, the latest 3 I've seen have Patty one-on-one with Poppo, Richard, and Ross -- in each one, Patty is on the left and both actors have lines. I'm really enjoying those -- keep an eye out!

Probably the most remarkable spot so far was the one that included the entire surviving cast: Patty & Cathy, Martin, Ross, and Richard all at the table ready for their turkey dinner. They only needed to work Kenneth into one of these...!

02-02-2010, 12:36 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,385	Surviving "Patty Duke Show" Cast Members Reunite for New Social Security PSA Link Actress Patty Duke has been reprising her role as look-alike cousins Cathy and Patty Lane from the 1960s sitcom The Patty Duke Show in a series of commercials encouraging baby boomers to sign up online for Social Security. Later this year, all the surviving members of the cast will reunite for a new public service announcement. They will promote an online application that will allow seniors who are still working to sign up for Medicare before claiming their Social Security benefits. U.S. News recently asked Duke, 63, about her retirement plans. Excerpts: What made you decide to volunteer for the Social Security ads? They told me they would like to revive a version of The Patty Duke Show, and that tickled my fancy. I remember the anxiety my mother would have waiting to get her Social Security check and then her relief upon getting it. And I said, "Let me do this in remembrance of Mom." [See America's Best Affordable Places to Retire.] Have you signed up for Social Security yet? I'm two years away. There is a penalty if you sign up right away. You receive a fuller amount if you wait until 65. That impression has kept me from filing. Maybe by then, I will be able to do it online. When I am 65, we should be doing one where I register or have my husband register me. What was it like to reunite with the whole cast of The Patty Duke Show? We've already shot it. We are missing a member. The woman who played Mama passed on last year, and so there was a bittersweet quality for us getting together. But we have William Schallert, who played Papa, and Paul O'Keefe, Patty's brother, and Eddie Applegate, her boyfriend. Apparently, he and Patty have now been married for eons. How does it feel to be playing Cathy and Patty Lane again, 40 years later? I worried a little about how I was going to remember what their mannerisms were again. But as soon as we did the makeup and clothes, I dropped right into it. I certainly could not have conceived that the show would be out on DVDs. Are you thinking about retiring someday? I never would have thought that I would formally retire. But as my 60s progress, I'm thinking it's rather an attractive idea. I don't know if I could pull it off, though. We actors get the itch, and sometimes we scratch it and sometimes we don't. Do you have any retirement advice for other baby boomers? No. I would like their advice. Which cousin do you like to play better? I like Cathy better. Cathy did less embarrassing things. As an early teenager, I certainly didn't want to be doing embarrassing things. I enjoyed Patty, but I always liked Cathy better because she was more reserved and seemingly more thoughtful about things.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

02-02-2010, 12:42 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	It's neat that they were able to reunite so many cast members for this commercial. And I'm glad William Schallert is still healthy enough to participate.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-02-2010, 01:53 AM	#3
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	I'm surprised that... ...Patty has forgotten Jean Byron's name! "The woman who played Mama" appeared one last time as "Natalie Lane" in the 1999 "Still Rockin' In Brooklyn Heights" TV reunion movie before her death in 2006. It couldn't have been THAT long... Nice to hear that Bill Schallert is still around, but he hasn't done any voice-over work in a while, and that makes me suspect his warm friendly tone isn't what it used to be.... I'm very interested in seeing what the PSA will be like...

02-02-2010, 02:45 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	My parents said this news makes them feel really old.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

03-19-2010, 08:30 PM	#9
randyrandy Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 29, 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 172	Here's an update about the Social Security reunion. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/show...t-reunion.html
	__________________ Randy Patty Duke Photo Group http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group...e_Photo_Group/

02-02-2010, 08:56 AM	#5
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	I've seen a couple of these commercials so far. The one with both the Patty & Cathy characters uses the old theme music. "Online...!" "Go online...!" (encouraging people to use the 'net for pretty much all Social Security related matters and transactions).

02-02-2010, 09:26 PM	#6
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	They are a nice and CHARMING grp of cast members....it will be a delight to watch....I've said it before & I'll say it again...the PDS cast interview was THE VERY BEST I've ever seen. (14 min of pure bliss)

02-08-2010, 12:05 AM	#7
bliss THAT GIRL Senior Member Join Date: Apr 26, 2009 Posts: 1,000	So she prefers Cathy over Patty. It must have been the producers idea to have less Cathy in the final season.

03-20-2010, 03:16 PM	#13
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	I still havent opened up my copy of season two yet.

09-24-2010, 01:57 AM	#15
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	There are several commercials out now, the latest 3 I've seen have Patty one-on-one with Poppo, Richard, and Ross -- in each one, Patty is on the left and both actors have lines. I'm really enjoying those -- keep an eye out! Probably the most remarkable spot so far was the one that included the entire surviving cast: Patty & Cathy, Martin, Ross, and Richard all at the table ready for their turkey dinner. They only needed to work Kenneth into one of these...!