When Ms Rivers left the Tonight Show, she started her own show on a different network. I was one of her first guests. It was on Halloween night and I sprayed my Afro orange. I can’t tell you how long it took for me to go back to having brown hair. lol.
After her show she asked me to come over to her house for dinner…What?…What was I going to wear? I wore a white shirt, gray pants, and a double breasted navy sport coat. Her husband Edgar was sitting across from me next to their daughter Melissa. The table was set like it could have been on the cover of a magazine.
There were quite a few forks. I always get confused about the forks …and what a meal. Ms R had a chef who brought each course to the table. On my way home, I said to myself did I just eat dinner with the funniest lady in the world? Ms R created a jewelry line for QVC. Once they showed a ring, a necklace, pins, or bracelet it sold out in a minute. She did her shows with one of my favorite hosts Kathy Levine. They got along so well on the show.
Ms. L sold a line called Diamonque. These pieces looked just like real diamonds. You couldn’t tell the difference. Ms L would put on a ring and everyone bought what she was selling. I still remember her hands and her beautiful nails.
Later on, Jay Leno took over the Tonight Show. He had sort of a quiet sense of humor. I got close to his director and the lady who booked the show. His monologues were brilliant. Before the show began he would come and visit his guests in their dressing rooms. He often wore a denim shirt.
One time Judge Judy was supposed to be his guest. When she cancelled for some reason they asked me to fill in. I wore a Judge Judy black robe with a lace collar. I love Judge Judy. I got to meet her once where she taped her show. I couldn’t believe how tiny she was. She paved the way for many judge shows. But no one could compare with her. To be continued…
