This week I read with interest about Betty White who has just turned 98. I always enjoyed her personalities on television. White’s acting career spans 80 years and she remains in good health and credits optimism for her longevity. She played Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore show. She was always funny but a few of the old skits are hilarious. One famous quote – why do people say, “Grow some balls? Balls are weak and sensitive! If you really wanna get tough, grow a vagina! Those things take a pounding!” The traditional idea of masculinity as a requirement for leadership was debunked by White. W Gavin McLeod, who acted beside her on the show and later of Love Boat fame, remarked about White, …”I have declared her a national treasure, because she is just that.” White jokingly attributes her long life to “her love of pets, hot dogs, and vodka.” “I try to see the funny side, find the upside” said the oldest Saturday Night Live Host. I got started on this topic because Karen’s mom, Margie, who was a force of nature in her own space, was Betty’s doppelgänger in real life. Our youngest grand girl is named in Margie’s memory. We can only hope that Margie grows up to be a leader in our country – we are in serious need of inspiration.
Actually, the source of this stream of consciousness was a forwarded text from a friend. It did not require a fact check as it came from a credible source. The attached video was Red Skeleton, doing a rare but highly effective serious take on the meaning of our country’s Pledge of Allegiance. It is a great reminder of what our country is intended to aspire to – “indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” This was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy and modified several times. The last time in 1954 when President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add “under God.” There is some interesting detail about the original salute and how it moved to the hand over the heart for non military citizens.
My Skelton research led me to watch numerous old skits with the many characters he patented, including Freddie the Freeloader and Clem Kadiddlehopper. The humor is old school but still funny today, “Do you know why they call it a shot gun wedding? It is wife or death!” Reports Clem, “I love marble cake, I do not take it for granite!” When you get in the google search, so many comedians work come back to life. I watched some Art Linkletter, Kids Say the Darndest Things, I live those observations most days through the wisdom of my grandchildren. Easy to relive: Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Jay Leno interviewing so many great performers. As a relief during the pandemic, I suggest you watch Rodney Dangerfield, Johnathan Winters, Bob Newhart, Lucille Ball, Phyllis Diller, Tim Conway, Carol Burnett… the list goes on but they will take your mind to a better place. My dad loved Professor Irwin Corey, he was billed as the World’s Foremost Authority and his improvisational comedy was called Intellectual Doublespeak. Corey passed away recently at 102 years of age. As he rambled on in his routines he would pause and say, however, and forge ahead with no particular direction.
I hesitate to draw comparisons with current leadership because Professor Corey prided himself on totally disheveled hair and dress, however, Corey was humorous and harmless. Professor Corey often said, “I feel more like I do now than when I first got here.” He also was prophetic as he warned, “If we don’t change directions soon, we’ll end up where we are going.” I sincerely fear where we are going.
Stay informed, stay well, reach out to your community. Mike