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Home › Entertainment

Liz Smith | 08/11/2009 11:00 pm

From Roseanne Barr to Kaye Ballard, Liz Smith on the Commediennes of Today and Yesteryear

By Liz Smith RSS
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In response to: From Lucille Ball to Ellen DeGeneres to Chelsea Handler, what comedienne cracks you up?
Liz Smith
The one and only Roseanne Barr, a great social commentator and a genius much misunderstood by her audiences. Then there are two more in the genius category – the incomparable writer Jane Wagner and her clever friend Lily Tomlin. I did adore Carol Burnett and think a show like hers would go over great today if only they could find another Carol Burnett. If we think back to yesterday, how about the comic talents of Kaye Ballard, Nancy Walker and Beatrice Lily? If you missed them, you missed a lot. Of the newer breed I’d have to name the controversial Paula Poundstone, who managed to go on working after much notoriety.
Read more about: Beatrice Lily, Entertainment, Jane Wagner, Kaye Ballard, Lily Tomlin, Nancy Walker, Paula Poundstone, Roseanne Barr

7 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

chuck suber
She of the “dozen damask dinner napkins” was Lady Peel, aka Beatrice Lillie. — Chuck Suber
By chuck suber on 08/12/2009 12:33 am
James Gavin
Thanks, Liz, for saluting the one-of-a-king Kaye Ballard, who is undiminished at 83 and who has brought me no end of delight. I wish she’d emerge more often from her home on Kaye Ballard Lane in Rancho Mirage, CA, because she’s got so much more joy to give.
By James Gavin on 08/12/2009 1:03 am
James Gavin
I meant "one of a kind"!
By James Gavin on 08/12/2009 1:04 am
Judy K.
Chelsea Handlers humor is a bit rough for me.  I prefer Carol Burnett and Kaye Ballard and, of course, Lily Tomlin.  But it takes all kinds.
By Judy K. on 08/12/2009 1:23 am
Chrome Toe
I sooo agree with you on Roseanne! now days when i see her and read about her I feel badly that her gift has sort of been "forgotten" by people. The woman was brilliant and hilarious. And the first few years of her show was absolutely brilliant. One of the best ever.
By Chrome Toe on 08/12/2009 9:06 am
Lee Harrison

Liz,

Right on about Roseanne!  Her show was so well written and so on point…better even than All in the Family.  Thanks for recognizing her.

By Lee Harrison on 08/12/2009 11:49 am
Carol Harrison
I’m the odd woman out here. I like the current-day comedians….Whoopi Goldberg, Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell, Kathy Griffin, Joy Behar and at least two of these women, Ellen and Rosie, cite legendary comedians as their inspiration…..Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin.  Different era, different comedians, different sources of what present-day comedians use for their material.  The one male comedian who makes my eyes tear and my stomach hurt….Robin Williams.
By Carol Harrison on 10/04/2009 11:35 pm