• Mary this isn't about rigid feminist boundaries. Its about human decency and kindness. If your daughter had been subjected to the same ordeal as the girl in Steubenville would you think that damaging the rapists football careers/lives/whatever was a bad thing? Would you blame your daughter for having gotten drunk? Would you think that if she wasn't a virgin it would be less traumatic? - Carz
  • To have the courage and determination is so important. To have the money and the wherewithall to take your children somewhere else is a puzzlement. Without support and especially financial support how many women will now have to stay? (The author has settled on the Northern suburbs of Sydney. How fortunate she did not have to move to a poorer place in Australia to make ends meet). - Annie Also
  • Me too Tegan, delighted to have been involved in this. Here is a link to an article about the PM's dress that started the hilarious whinging about the fact that she has boobs and - gasp - apparently is not horribly ashamed of them as any decent and good little woman ought to be! http://blogs.crikey.com.au/northern/2013/06/16/julia-gillards-cleavage-and-grace-collier-the-human-booby-trap/ 'Show some self respect! It's all too much! Won't somebody think of the children?! It''s unprofessional! It's distracting! It's disgusting! In my day people had some modesty!" This just in - women have breasts. Related, cleavage is no big deal. - Alison
  • How is it that you,Tracey Spicer, can take a stand on violence against women. Yet your colleague, Ms Albericci, can sit quietly, and say nothing, while a man talks about the slitting of Prime Minister Julia Gillards throat? I really don't get it. - ian
  • Being drunk, and/or walking in dark or isolated places may make you more vulnerable - wearing "revealing" clothes *may* as well - but it does NOT make it your fault! Ever. Ever. This attitude disrespects everyone - including all the decent non-violent adult respectful men who are equally horrified but are grouped in that gender "male" and therefore judged to be violent and too under-evolved to control their base urges. Bullshit. No consent means its the rapists fault. Drunk and unconscious is no consent. Saying nothing out of fear while being gang banged by a football team is also not consent. - Wendy
  • Tony Windsor is Australia's only voice of reason, logic and good politics. I sat and watched him on Lateline, in awe, that this one man can explain all that has taken place throughout the last 3 years, so succinctly and with the conviction of knowing he is relating fact and truth. Tony Windsor summed up exactly how much has been achieved with a hung parliament and quite rightly noted that a hung parliament works well as it removes the ludicrous egos that are associate with a majority; hung parliaments also force all concerned ( naturally except the LNP) to consider the impacts of the legislation in ways never done before. Tony Windsor has been exemplary in considering all sides to an argument, noting impacts of policy and legislation on everyone, and being very inclusive - as he notes, so has Julia Gillard. This hung parliament has been the best thing that ever happened and I am actually looking forward to the same situation recurring, however with a couple of less LNP seats! Loved that Tony Windsor quite rightly also stated that neither Rudd nor Abbott could have achieved all that Julia Gillard has, nor as well and as inclusively, says so much of the nature of our great first female PM; something you will never read in the MSM!, and an example of great inclusive behaviour for Australians everywhere. Tony Windsor, if we still had them, you deserve a knighthood! What a fine upstanding man and such an example for future politicians, whatever their party. - NarelleM
  • To those who think being on the 'winning' team brings your electorate good things, think again. I live in National Party heartland...over 40 years rusted on Conservative voters...and over the years nothing has happened. Because they can dismiss this part of Aust as being National Party no one bothers to visit, or to give anything of worth to the area. We wanted a bypass of the main city and we got an 'upgraded road'. Don't believe that New England will be courted if Joyce gets in ...you who live in that lovely part of Aust ( used to live in Tamworth). You will quickly once again be forgotten especially by a leader like Abbott. He will cut to the bone all those areas that do not matter to his naked ambition. You will be once again in the back blocks of the Coalitions consciousness. You were lucky (Chris et al) to have Tony Windsor....no one is perfect, you don't have to like everything your rep does,but to have one who has integrity and is good at negotiations only you benefit. Wish we could get such a rep as Windsor or Oakshott coz it is damned near impossible for there ever to be a Labor rep here in selfish-land. - Annie Also
  • MicheleS: really? I got drunk at parties when I was 16. So did lots of other girls I knew. Ideal behaviour? No. But do we all deserve to be raped? Far out - I find that attitude so baffling I just don't have the words to articulate how disgraceful I find it (lucky Tracey has already nailed it). And as for the Jill Meagher case, the reason it resonated so much in this country is because she was in a situation so many of us have been in. She was not in a dark alley - she was walking down a very busy street where there were loads of other people. Thousands of people do that every day. The reason it was news is because what happened to her was rare and hideous. Should we all be cowering at home because of these unusual incidents? - Carolyn
  • Rape is a conscious decision made by the Rapist . The Rapist is to Blame . The Rapist is to Blame . The Rapist is to Blame . Now I'll just go outside to SCREAM my frustration at the mindless , thoughtless , stupidity . - Carole/m
  • Carole/m, I was so impressed with Phil Cleary's comments, especially when he said the misogyny that has been directed at the Prime Minister,( like reducing her body parts to pieces of meat) and many other woman, DOES have an effect on men, and as Bayley was not mentally ill the only conclusion left was - he hated women, and just wanted to humiliate and abuse them. He said there are so many men like Bayley in the community - and he would know because of the wonderful work he has been doing. I lived in Victoria at the time of his sister's murder, and it was shocking: outside a Kindergarten - it was unbelievable when the monster only got three years. I hope all those who have been sneering at Julia for playing the 'gender card' have an opportunity to hear his words and take note. - JoanneH
 
17
Categories:  News and Opinion

ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR PHYLLIS

By Wendy Harmer
August 21, 2012

Phyllis Diller, what a dame! 

I’ve loved her ever since I was a kid and used to sneak out of bed and watch her on American TV variety shows. She died today, aged 95.

Here she is on the Ed Sullivan show in 1969 with her trademark wild hair, self-deprecating gags, fake cigarette holder ( she didn’t smoke) talking about her long-suffering husband, “Fang”.  It’s a great comic persona, truly memorable and funny as hell. Bet you get a laugh out of her routine.

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A pioneer of stand up comedy and Queen of the one-liner, Phyllis paved the way for so many wise-cracking women.

She first appeared as a stand-up in the Purple Onion club in San Francisco on March 7, 1955 and remained there for 87 straight weeks.

She did it all in her long and illustrious career – radio, co-starred with Bob Hope in 23 TV specials and eight films; starred in Broadway shows and in her own stage comedy specials. She was a regular on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In (now, that takes me back). Loved that show too.

Most recently she appeared in the Drew Carey Show; voiced a character in the Family Guy and A Bug’s Life.

In 2003 she donated her gag-file to the Smithsonian Institute a steel cabinet with 48 file-drawers containing more than 50,000 jokes (!) and gags typewritten on index cards she had written during her career. She wrote her autobiography in 2005 entitled Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse.

Phyllis had plenty of heartache in her life. Plenty of reasons not to laugh.

She was a mother of six children: one who died of cancer; one who died after a stroke and another who only lived two weeks in an incubator. When one of her children was diagnosed with schizophrenia, Phyllis did her best to keep her at home, but eventually her daughter had to be insitutionalised.

But Phyllis was the ultimate showbiz trouper. Gave so many great laughs to millions.

She told the Wall Street Journal in 2005 that she had no regrets that her stand-up days were over.

“I just wish I could think of something wonderful to say before I kick the bucket,” she said. “My sense of humour will be the last thing to go.”

Seems she took whatever lemons life threw at her and came up with fizzy lemonade.

Round of applause, please!

 

A selection of comic lines from Phyllis:

“I once wore a peekaboo blouse. People would peek and then they’d boo.”

“I never made ‘Who’s Who,’ but I’m featured in ‘What’s That?’ ”

“When I told Fang I was going to have my face lifted, he said, ‘Who’d steal it?’”

“You know you’re old when your walker has an airbag.”

“I was the world’s ugliest baby. When I was born, the doctor slapped everybody.”

“I became a stand-up comedienne because I had a sit-down husband.”

“My vanity table is a Black & Decker workbench.”

“The only thing domestic about me is I was born in this country.”

“They say housework can’t kill you, but why take the chance?”

“I have so many liver spots, I ought to come with a side of onions.”

“Think of me as a sex symbol for men who just don’t give a damn.”

“The best contraceptive for old people is nudity.”

 

 

 

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17 Responses to this article

  1. Robyne Young August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    And a standing ovation!! I loved Phyllis Diller and especially remember her on Laugh In. I know she influenced many comedians. Oh to live and laugh until you are 95! Radio National Breakfast had a lovely tribute this morning. Her jokes about getting older were fantastic.
    A litle aside Wendy. I was washing the floor the other day and remembered one of your lines about your mother coming to visit and commenting on the state of the unwashed kitchen floor. Mum: ‘You could eat off my floor.’
    You: ‘Yes, you could eat off mine too. Three square meals!’
    For someone reason that has always stuck with me. You are someone who makes me smile and your love and passion for life are infectious. Thanks also for The Hoopla. Adds so much to my day. Robyne xx

     
  2. Wendy Harmer August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Well, Robyne, you have made my day too. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all laugh as long and heartily as Phyllis. Wx

     
  3. Sharon T August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Well said Ms Harmer. She was indeed a trailblazer, and let’s face it, anyone who can make us laugh makes the day so much better.

     
  4. sam August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I loved Laugh In as a child. Even her name is funny. Thanks for all the laughs Phyllis.

     
  5. Red 60 August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Wonderful woman, she gave such love and laughter to many generations and to watch that clip made me laugh one more time . Thank You Phyllis… xx

     
  6. Jo-Anne August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I just read this out to my 10 year old (home sick) & she said “I wish I had her as a Nanna”! YES. God what a woman; ahead of her time! Wonder where Michael Jackson got the idea for Gloves from??? RIP Phyllis.

     
  7. Aeron Winters August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I loved her and her comedic style. I remember staying up late to watch her on laugh in. She was hilarious. She paved the way for so many other women to follow. RIP Phyllis…and thanks.

     
  8. deb cooper August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    The most wonderful thing was reading that this amazing woamn died with a smile on her face!!
    Imagine how many lines she would make out that?
    May Phyllis laugh for eternity.

     
  9. Jilly August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Wonderful awesome funny talented lady. What an amazing life. Love you. :-) xx

     
  10. Dasha August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Phyllis was so hilarious and so inspirational.A brilliant one off who gave hope to us growing up in dreary suburbia. I can never forget her house hold hints for dinner parties such as serve dinner late after giving guests so much alcohol they,ll never notice the food. Never fails.

     
  11. Rivka August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    thanks Wendy!

     
  12. Glynnis August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Thanks Wendy – what a great, extremely funny lady she was! She’ll definitely be missed – I laughed out loud listening to her again in that clip and reading her one liners at the end of your article. I also want the dress that she’s wearing in that clip – what a stunner! Gx

     
  13. Serin August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Yeah she was a hoot- RIP Ms Diller

     
  14. Annie August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    When I was very tiny, I rember asking my Mum why that nice funny lady pretended to be ugly, when she was so smart and funny and good looking. I have always loved her and always will. Such talent. We are richer for having her and poorer for her leaving.

     
  15. DIana Plater August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    My auntie Joan used to do impersonations of Phyllis. She was a great fan of her’s and introduced us kids to her. I still laugh at her lines.

     
  16. Rhoda August 21, 2012 Reply
     
     

    She was a great comedian – one of the few who could make me laugh out loud. And she must have been a nice person because it shone through.

    A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
    Phyllis Diller – a legend.

     

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  • Carz: Mary this isn't about rigid feminist boundaries. Its about human decency and kindness. If your daughter had been subject...

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  • Annie Also: To have the courage and determination is so important. To have the money and the wherewithall to take your children som...

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  • Alison: Me too Tegan, delighted to have been involved in this. Here is a link to an article about the PM's dress that started t...

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