By Debbie L. Sklar
Fancast.com
Marcia Wallace will be indelibly etched in our memory as the lovable yet lovelorn receptionist, Carol Kester Bondurant, on The Bob Newhart Show. Wallace, 65, helps rediscover this comedy classic, 48 episodes of which are Fancast [watch here], including her all-time favorite. The actress, whose Comedy Hall of Fame-worthy credits include Bewitched and Love American Style, also spoke about her Emmy-award winning turn as the voice of Bart Simpson’s teacher, Mrs. Krabappel, on the The Simpsons, another popular Fancast series. [Watch full episodes here.] Off-camera, she has survived breast cancer and personal tragedies with "wit, humor and a positive outlook.” Says Wallace, "I ignore all the doomsaying nonsense. I'm in a business where the odds of ever earning a living can be a zillion to one, so I know it can be done. I know the impossible can become the possible." Enjoy as this classy lady talks classic comedy.
Q: What was your favorite episode among all those Bob Newhart Shows?
A: “The Crash of 29 Years Old,” that was pretty funny, ultimately the story worked. I was kinda of a little trollop on that show; I ran off with Howard, had a thing with Mr. Carlin. I call it the Sushi episode; and I saw it for the first time just a year ago. Another all time favorite is the one where Bob gets sandbagged while doing a talk show. That could have taken place today with the way tabloid journalism is. [watch the show here]
Q: From one “receptionist” to another, what do you think of Britney Spears’ small role on “How I Met Your Mother” recently? What would Carol say?
A: ‘Ah, it’s a good gig.’ I don’t think Britney needs the money; it’s a phenomenon. I like to think that I brought something new to the table in my role. Prior to then, secretaries/receptionists were looking for a husband. I came along and was a working woman, who was good at her job and I liked it.
Q: What made “Newhart” such a hit?
A: We were a quiet hit, not like “All in the Family” ... we weren’t life changing. But I do think it’s a show that holds up better than others.
Q: Would “Newhart” it be a hit today?
A: I’m not sure any of those shows form that period would be. It had great writing, great chemistry; one you can do something about and the other is a crap shoot and you just get lucky. It was a funny show that you enjoyed spending time with. It was revolutionary at the time. Now, you would never have a sitcom with married people with children. Those days they gave you a minute to find your audience, not now.
Q: Do you ever come across the show on TV?
A: Sure, it shows up in the most obscure times; I was in Dallas and it was on at 8:30 a.m. You never know when it is going to pop up; but when it does, it’s like a present.
Q: Did you talk with Suzanne Pleshette who played Emily Hartley on “Newhart” before she passed away earlier this year from lung cancer?
A: We spoke at least once a week for years; we were very close. Last time I saw her was when we all got the award at the Museum of Broadcasting Communications and she looked like a million bucks. It was a very emotional night. I spoke at her funeral, too. She was fighting the cancer and she so wanted to get her star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ smack in front of Fredrick’s of Hollywood. She did get it 10 days after she died. She wanted very much to do that, she was so tickled it was going to be in front.
Q: What do you remember most about her?
A: She was a beautiful, outrageous, hilarious, talented woman. She was also a salty tongued dame and she was proud of it. She loved to swear and she was one of the funniest people I have ever known in my life.
Q: First you lost your husband, then Suzanne … you’ve lost quite a few loved ones to cancer ...
A: Yes, I’ve had enough of this death stuff. I lost my dear friend, Brett Somers, [Match Game; 1962-1999] in October after 33 years of friendship. I almost died because I was in the hospital and got one of those fabulous staph infections last summer. I am still waiting for things to perk up.
Q: When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?
A: I was diagnosed 22 years ago with breast cancer when there wasn’t nearly as much information out there as there is now. We didn’t have the Internet then and networking was a lot different.
Q: You are huge advocate now doing the lecture circuit, right? Sometimes, you get called in at the last minute …
A: Yes, I’ve replaced Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent for NBC News, Andrea Mitchell and even actress Rue McClanahan over the years. I obviously didn’t have a Kosovo conflict, like Andrea did. I’m not bothered that I am asked after the fact sometimes … I don’t go there, I am very realistic about it and I know that I give a darn good speech that is very uplifting, motivational and funny. No matter who they think they are going to hear speaking, they may be disappointed at first, but they almost always enjoy me.
Q: What’s your advice to women regarding breast cancer?
A: Many women get one mammogram and they think that’s enough. You have to use the tools: have the mammograms, do the breast self exams, do the clinical doctor exams and listen to your own body. If you see changes in your body, follow up on it. Most of the time it is a win-win situation and it will be nothing. But if you are that one in eight, like I was, you will have caught it early.
Q: What was your personal scenario?
A: I had a small lump that didn’t spread but I later had it removed. Even then, the protocol was to do a mastectomy even if it was a very small lump. Now, there is much less invasive surgery and we know that the lumpectomy is just as effective. I was told I should have a mastectomy, but refused. I said no. I was a good candidate for breast conservation. That’s about a 20 minute movie of the week. But it is plenty exciting for the almost 200,000 women and some men that are going to get this cancer. In spite of all the strides, and invasive surgeries, nothing beats early detection.
Q: How did you get through the cancer?
A: My husband [Dennis Hawley; died of pancreatic cancer 1992] asked me to marry him and three days later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was just too darn happy to be beaten down. It is important to go full steam ahead, but you do need to acknowledge the direction where you are going.
Q: You’re a cancer survivor yet your character, Mrs. Krabappel on “The Simpsons” smokes …
A: Yes, I know, I have been trying to get them to do an episode where Mrs. Krabappel quits. I am an ex-smoker, and we are the worst. We are in our 20th year, so hopefully, we will get around to it.
Q: What’s the secret to your sense of humor?
A: Well, I really do bring a lot of humor to the table, and I know that sounds self serving. But, hey, I’ve been getting laughs for 20 years. The secret to a sense of humor? I think you are born with it. True, I’m not as laid-back as Bob Newhart, but I think for me, it’s always just been a way to make fun of the world.
Q: Where does your humor stem from?
A: I was a very unattractive kid so I thought I would make fun of myself first and that was a way to get friends. Then, I decided it was a better way to live, have laughs instead. If you don’t, who even wants to get out of bed in the morning?
Q: Do you have a favorite quote, something that you refer to that keeps you strong?
A: Norman Cousins said, “Laughter is the only wall between us and the dark.”
Q: What’s ahead for you?
A: Lots of speeches. I was booked to do a review Off-Broadway, but that fell through … that’s show biz.
Q: Any movies on the horizon?
A: No, my movies come out at noon and by 4 they are at the video stores. Dame Judi Dench is very jealous of my career didn’t you know?
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I’ve picked up cooking again after 25 years … that doesn’t mean I didn’t eat for 25 years. So far, I’ve scalded the dog, and oh my Lord, there is a lot of clean-up. I’ve been doing sauces, soups, corned beef and cabbage, which took 4 hours longer than they said it would.
Q: How about kids?
A: Yes, my son, Mikey Hawley, 19, a sophomore at UCLA, who wants to go into the business. When he said he wanted to be an actor, I said, ‘OK, act like you like me.’ What I am most amazed at though is that he doesn’t want my advice.
Q: What are you doing at this moment besides being interviewed?
A: Enrolling in traffic school; I’m going to take it on-line. I’m, not a speeder; I just do one of my famous rolls or I do U-turns where I shouldn’t … I was in Hollywood near Hollywood Boulevard recently and did one of my famous rolls. The class is going to cost me $400.00! It was totally my fault, but I am not cute enough or young enough to talk my way out of a ticket.
Q: Did you ever try and get out of a ticket?
A: I tried once at the height of “The Bob Newhart Show” and it didn’t work. It was embarrassing.
Q: What’s it like being in your 60s?
A: Well, you go from talking about sex, drugs and Rock ’n Roll to talking about having high blood pressure!