Life is funny sometimes. Not necessarily in a "ha ha" way but in a serendipitous one. Who would have guessed when I was 11 years old and dreaming of hanging out with Mary and Rhoda that someday, when I was older, I'd have a chance to ask Rhoda a few questions over something called the Internet?!
English: Publicity photo of Mary Tyler Moore and Valerie Harper from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
But that's what happened. Let me start at the beginning.
I, along with most women my age, fell in love with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" when it first aired in 1970. As a pre-teen I loved the storyline - a young, single 30-year-old woman moves away from home and creates a new life for herself that includes her dream job and many loving, colorful and supportive friends.
Her best friend, Rhoda Morgenstern, was funny, honest, beautiful and always fascinating.
To paraphrase Valerie Harper, "We all looked up to Mary but we identified with Rhoda."
Yes, indeed.
I always felt there was a big piece of Valerie in Rhoda. Kind, caring and genuine, who could forget how gently Rhoda told her nemesis Phyllis that her brother was gay, or how she brought a young man home to Mary's small dinner party because he'd just been fired (played by a young Henry Winkler.) She played those scenes delicately laced with humor.
Valerie's career blossomed after four years with MTM. From her own show, "Rhoda", this dancer turned actress conquered the acting world not only in television but also on stage and screen. Along the way she was an advocate for the Women's Liberation Movement and The Equal Rights Amendment.
But her toughest role began in 2009 when she was diagnosed with lung cancer, and again in 2013 when she revealed she had a rare case of cancer in the cells surrounding the brain. Given three months to live, today Valerie is happy to report she is responding well to treatment.
Valerie is an inspiration to anyone fighting a serious illness. Her grace under fire is remarkable as she continues to carry an infectious light inside of her.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Valerie has joined forces with The American Lung Cancer Association and Lung Force to get women involved in the fight against lung cancer. Join Team Valerie to raise your voice to make a difference in the lives of those with lung cancer. With your support and passion, further research can finally put an end to lung cancer.
It was more than my pleasure (and a lot of fun!) to take part in a Huffington Post LIVE event with Valerie Harper to ask her a few questions (seen in the video below.) When it was over I realized what I'd known all along:
Valerie Harper can also turn the world on with her smile!
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So enjoyed this piece, as you captured the essence of a person I too identified with Rhoda, and now admire in real life - Valerie Harper. Her interview is an excellent awareness tool for lung cancer. She taught me lots about it and its prevalence amongst women. Valerie is so right, we need to spend more on research and awareness.
Also, the focus on the positive is the best advice that works for everything. Loved seeing you do the interview - great job!! BRAVO to Valerie and to YOU!!!
Love this post! Love the chance to "catch up with Valerie". She is wonderful!!! Such a strong pillar of inspiration. Yet we all KNOW that it can't be easy for her right now.
Your words expressed exactly how I feel about her. I adore her and always have. Maybe it's because the Rhoda character was so real and lovable -- fun, crazy and strong. And like you said, one can't help but feel Valerie is the same way. My prayers are with her treatment. She is such a shining light.
So glad she is doing well. What a marvelous person, using her position and fame to raise awareness, plus her positivity is inspirational. A good match of interviewer and interviewee.
Loved this post and I wish Valerie the best of luck.
My sister died of lung cancer a year and a half ago. When the doctor discovered it, she was given one week to live.
Oh Cathy, what a beautiful tribute to a woman I so deeply admire, as you do. I am thrilled for you that you got to "meet" her. I enjoyed every minute of the interview. She is a delight and seems like a genuine, down-to-earth friend, just like Rhoda was. Bravo to her for her stellar career and her work with Lung Force
How exciting to talk with Valerie Harper. She is so terrific and what a power of strength. Loved her as Rhoda.
Love her. She is more amazing than ever. How great was that to be able to speak to her! She seems like such a real person.
I really enjoyed reading this. Well done! I always loved the Mary Tyler Moore show and Rhoda. Valerie Harper has dealt with her illness with such grace-- she is inspiring.
Wow! What a spectacular opportunity. Thank you for sharing it with us. I'm deeply pleased Valerie is doing better than expected. A beautiful woman with a fantastic story.
Wow, she is an inspiration! I had no idea. What a great post this is, I particularly love this: "Valerie is an inspiration to anyone fighting a serious illness. Her grace under fire is remarkable as she continues to carry an infectious light inside of her." So beautifully put.
Oh Cathy, I just love this piece. I too, have always loved Rhoda as a character, and felt that Valerie had a lot of Rhoda in her. Her spirit and strength throughout her current cancer battle are so inspirational, she's the epitome of grace under pressure, to me. It's so great that you got to honor her with this post!
You are a natural Cath! Great interview. Valerie is very inspiring. I'm happy to hear she is showing progress! Such a beautiful soul.
Cathy! You looked beautiful and sounded great!! Good job! What an amazing opportunity and you rose to it! What a delight Valerie is, as well. You two make a great team, just like MTM & Rhoda! xo
Oh, I love this so much! You and Valerie Harper are a great combination -- two people who inspire me the most and both of whom can turn the world on with a smile 🙂