The TV star who changed Geri Jewell's life

[RetroGuy2000]

(And yes, it bugs me that in the thumbnail photo, Jo is wearing a maroon tie AND vest ).

[PracTz]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

(And yes, it bugs me that in the thumbnail photo, Jo is wearing a maroon tie AND vest ).

WHOA! That's an amazing story but I've heard how Carol Burnett has always been encouraging of young people wanting to pursue their dreams of being performers from writing letters back to even taking a chance and casting the unknown 18-year-old teenaged Vicki Lawrence as a regular on her iconic variety show after the latter had written that folks thought she looked like Miss Burnett's younger sister and enclosed a photo! Yes, Miss Burnett could have just glanced at the picture and chuckled then thrown it and the letter in the trash but she was willing to not only meet Miss Lawrence but to take a HUGE chance on her being able to become a full fledged comedic performer. While Miss Lawrence initially just played Carol's kid sister who Carol and her onscreen husband comedicly reacted to, it wasn't too long before they used Miss Lawrence as a centerpiece for other sketches and to participate in the singing and dancing on the show- to say nothing of having HER play 'Mama' Thelma Harper after a few years.

It was good, too, to see that Miss Jewell has gotten to meet Miss Burnett in person since then! Thanks for this!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by PracTz

WHOA! That's an amazing story but I've heard how Carol Burnett has always been encouraging of young people wanting to pursue their dreams of being performers from writing letters back to even taking a chance and casting the unknown 18-year-old teenaged Vicki Lawrence as a regular on her iconic variety show after the latter had written that folks thought she looked like Miss Burnett's younger sister and enclosed a photo! Yes, Miss Burnett could have just glanced at the picture and chuckled then thrown it and the letter in the trash but she was willing to not only meet Miss Lawrence but to take a HUGE chance on her being able to become a full fledged comedic performer. While Miss Lawrence initially just played Carol's kid sister who Carol and her onscreen husband comedicly reacted to, it wasn't too long before they used Miss Lawrence as a centerpiece for other sketches and to participate in the singing and dancing on the show- to say nothing of having HER play 'Mama' Thelma Harper after a few years.

It was good, too, to see that Miss Jewell has gotten to meet Miss Burnett in person since then! Thanks for this!

I thought it was a wonderful video, explaining how Carol Burnett inspired Geri. Geri also wrote about it in her book.

I remember watching interviews with Vicki Lawrence, talking about how Carol Burnett gave her a chance.

I remember Vicki usually played Carol's daughter on As the Stomach Turns, which was my favorite Carol Burnett Show sketch.

['80sSitcoms]

Yes, Vicki was always Carol's daughter on ATST, and Vicki tells the details of Carol "discovering" her over, and over, and over again in many different interviews in print, on DVD, and live in her two-woman show.

The newspaper article Vicki included in the letter that showed a photo of her mentioned her dad's name, so Carol just got the phone book, looked him up, and called their house. Ah, simpler times!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Yes, Vicki was always Carol's daughter on ATST, and Vicki tells the details of Carol "discovering" her over, and over, and over again in many different interviews in print, on DVD, and live in her two-woman show.

The newspaper article Vicki included in the letter that showed a photo of her mentioned her dad's name, so Carol just got the phone book, looked him up, and called their house. Ah, simpler times!

At least Carol could GET on the phone! Over at Eastland, the line was always busy!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

At least Carol could GET on the phone! Over at Eastland, the line was always busy!

Hahaha! Luckily the number in the paper wasn't a misprint.

Oh, and while we're on the subject of Carol and the Facts girls, we must remember that Carol made a shy pre-teen Nancy McKeon feel like a beautiful princess the night she lovingly commented on her $12 JC Penney dress at that awards show. Yay Carol! (that's my favorite story from Nancy's appearance on that "You Know Her From Where" or whatever podcast)

['80sSitcoms]

By the by, that Nancy pic is from "Running"! "Roger, you are sick and depraved!"

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Hahaha! Luckily the number in the paper wasn't a misprint.

Oh, and while we're on the subject of Carol and the Facts girls, we must remember that Carol made a shy pre-teen Nancy McKeon feel like a beautiful princess the night she lovingly commented on her $12 JC Penney dress at that awards show. Yay Carol! (that's my favorite story from Nancy's appearance on that "You Know Her From Where" or whatever podcast)

Yeah, that interview was GREAT! Shows what a class act Carol Burnett is.

..And DING DING DING! As Julie Pie would day, "Correct!" It is from "Running"!