Valerie Harper

THE POWER OF RHODA

So sad to say goodbye to Valerie Harper. We remember when she was riding high with her series Rhoda – single women everywhere identified with her New York working girl. We remember being in New York one day in the 70’s shopping as usual in the early evening. We walked into a store and suddenly realized it was nearly empty – and the streets looked almost deserted too! Puzzled, we found someone to ask “What’s going on? – where IS everybody?” We were told that Rhoda was getting married to Joe that night and everyone was home watching. No kidding. THAT’S how beloved Valerie’s Rhoda Morganstern character was!

OLDIES BUT GOODIES AT THE HOLLYWOOD COLLECTOR’S SHOW

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The Hollywood Collector’s Show (this weekend) is a surreal experience because TV and movie stars of yesterday that are rarely see anywhere else, turn up, ready and willing to pose for photos with you for a price. The current fee is generally $40 for a single celebrity, but Valerie Harper was a big draw and her price was the highest at $50. Her Mary Tyler Moore series costar Ed Asner’s pics sold for $40 a, pop. Nice to know Valerie was reportedly as lively and friendly as usual. ( Top photo- Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider, below – Valerie and Ed)

“DANCING WITH THE STARS” IS MAKING A COMEBACK WITH VALERIE HARPER AND LEAH REMINI!

Last season’s “Dancing With The Stars” was a huge snooze because the contestants were far from interesting and mostly unknown. But we’re geared up to watch the show this Fall because we’re excited about Valerie Harper and Leah Remini! We’re so happy that Valerie is feeling well enough to dance after her awful cancer diagnosis. She IS making the most of the rest of her life! And how interesting is it that Leah Remini is following in her FORMER friend Kirstie Alley’s foosteps and joining the competition! Wouldn’t it be great if they matched up Leah with Kirstie’s former partner Maks? We wouldn’t be surprised if Leah’s pal Jennifer Lopez gives her a few dancefloor tips.

LOSING VALERIE “RHODA” HARPER WILL NOT BE EASY

So sad to hear about Valerie Harper’s brain cancer. Back in the 1970’s she and Mary Tyler More were the independent young career women on TV that single girls looked up to. Valerie was such a hit on the Mary Tyler Moore show playing her outspoken best friend Rhoda, that she got a spin-off show of her own. Valerie’s Rhoda lived in New York where her sister played by Julie Kavner lived, and her parents also. Rhoda was a window decorator looking for love and many young women identified with her. Eventually she met the right guy and married him and the TV wedding was a huge deal – the biggest event of the year. We happened to be in New York that night and the streets were literally empty – the women were all home tearfully watching Rhoda. Valerie herself is just as down to earth and fun as Rhoda was.