Tommy, Carol, Carol, Tommy

Tonight I met my idol. From the first time I saw her on The Love Boat (alongside Ethel Merman, Della Reese and Ann Miller) back in the early 80s to the time when I was 10 and saw her as the White Queen in Alice in Wonderland I have adored Carol Channing.

As I grew up I came to love her as Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie and as a guest host on The Muppet Show singing "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend"as a duet with Miss Piggy.

I threw myself into her career, digesting cast recordings of Hello, Dolly and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I couldn't get enough.

Ever since I've been cuckoo for Carol. Any of my friends will tell you so.

So when I was invited by my friend David to join him on a VIP trip to the Barnes & Nobles at Lincoln Center I about fell out of my own skin. She would be talking about her new CD, For Heaven's Sake, whose proceeds are going to support arts in education.

Today isn't any other day you know...

In honor of her birthday yesterday I had to do a post on my favorite lady of the stage and screen.  If you follow this blog (as I should ALSO do and do a better job of writing) you'll note how much I enjoy Carol Channing.  You could put Carol Channing into just about anything and I'd be happy.  Same goes for Harvey Fierstein.  In fact, if you could make the 1985 Irwin Allen mini-series into a stage musical you had BETTER cast Miss Harvey in the role of the White Queen... well, I'm almost certain that my little world would implode but I'd also be ever so delighted. If we're close friends we've probably watched Alice in Wonderland on DVD (many times over) but for those who have not enjoyed the pleasure please take a moment to peruse Ms. Channing's une présence sur scène!



She can even rock children's television. Check out this homage she offered on a 1984 episode of Sesame Street.