Icons: July 2008 Archives

It's pretty amazing how certain superstars can make time stand still. You watch them sing one of their big hits and it sounds just like 30 years ago and you look at them, and they don't look so different from 30 years ago.

That was the case several times on Friday night when I was watching Diana Ross in concert at Hollywood Bowl. At 64, this is a superstar of 45 years or so and it is astonishing to watch her still sound and look so amazingly good. I also looked out at the near sell-out crowd and wondered how many performers could draw this kind of cross-section of people, of generations. The gays, the straights, the young, the old and everything in between.

The gays lke me got a real treat when she kicked things off with "I'm Coming Out" just as she did the first time I saw her live - in 1989 during the "Working Overtime" tour. Then she launched into five consecutive Supremes songs: "My World Is Empty without You," "Where Did Our Love Go?," "Baby Love," "Stop! In the Name of Love" and "You Can't Hurry Love."

She sounded great but it made me wish that she and Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong could put it all behind them and do some reunion dates. They all still look terrific and it would be historic.

Anyway, Diana did most of her solo big hits from the 70s and 80s including "Touch Me in the Morning," Theme from Mahogany," "Love Hangover," "Upside Down," "The Boss," "Why do Fools Fall In Love," "Ease on Down the Road," her remake of "I Love You More Today" from her latest album, and, of course, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

She also did a trio of jazz songs, some of which were from "Lady Sings the Blues" and the real highlight was "Don't Explain" which was glorious. The night seemed to come to an abrupt end due to the Bowl's noise ordinance so Diana squeezed in part of her 1996 remake of "I Will Survive" before leaving the stage and coming back for a nice bow.

She didn't get to all her hits - I think that would be impossible at this point anyway - but it would have been nice to hear "It's My Turn," "Chain Reaction," "Endless Love," "Home," "Missing You," and "Reach Out and Touch." And then there are so many Supremes hits too like "You Just Keep Me Hanging On," "I Hear Symphony," "Reflections," "Love Child," "Someday We'll Be Together" and on, and on, and on.

But, on Friday night, I was happy to get what I got!

Estelle Getty had been ill for several years before she died Tuesday but that didn't diminish the level of sadness and surprise I've noticed on the Internet, in people I kniow, and from those who worked with her. I think we've all seen those episodes of "The Golden Girls" so many times - and they are so damned enjoyable and comforting - that we feel like we lost our Sicilian grandmother.
"Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry, who was one of the writers on "Golden Girls," said of Estelle: "She always used to be very quick-witted; she could get a punchline out quicker than anybody. That's a rare talent, and she was kind of amazing, and I'm going to miss her terribly."

"She was the least actressy of anyone in the cast," he told ET.com. "She was just happy to be there. She was very grateful for what she had gotten so late in her life. In my mind she will always be everyone's grandma."

Bea Arthur, who played her television daughter, Dorothy: "Our mother-daughter relationship was one of the greatest comic duos ever, and I will miss her."

Betty White who played Rose: "The only comfort at this moment is, that although Estelle has moved on, Sophia will always be with us."

Rue McClanahan who played Blanche:: "Estelle always wanted to be an actress, and she achieved that goal beyond her dreams. Don't feel sad about her passing - she will always be with us in her crowning achievement - Sophia. I love you, Slats - Rue." (Slats was a nickname Rue had for Estelle.)

Here is a video I found on YouTube of some of Estelle's best first season moments as Sophia: