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Emily Litella
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Emily Litella" was a fictional character played by comedian Gilda Radner in a series of appearances on Saturday Night Live (SNL).
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Emily Litella was an elderly woman with a hearing problem seen on the op-ed Weekend Update segment in the late 1970s. Frumpily attired in a dress and a sweater, "Miss Emily Litella" was introduced with professional dignity by the news anchors, who could sometimes be seen cringing slightly in anticipation of the faux pas which they knew would follow as their "guest" launched into tirades on various topics. She was phased out when Gilda Radner's other character Roseanne Roseannadanna proved more popular.
Radner's character peered through her bifocals and read a prepared letter addressing some public issue, becoming increasingly agitated as her statement progressed, only to discover in the middle of her report that she had misheard what the issue was. A typical example:
- "What is all this fuss I hear about the Supreme Court decision on a "deaf" penalty? It's terrible! Deaf people have enough problems as it is!"
When the on-air reporter interrupted to point out her error (death vs. deaf), she would crinkle her nose, usually say, "Oh, that's quite different...", and then humbly say to the audience, "Never mind." She has been quoted as having said "Never mind" in the Internet Movie Database's Memorable Quotes from "Saturday Night Live" (1975) and in SNL Transcripts: Richard Pryor: 12/13/75: Weekend Update with Chevy Chase. When Litella played against Chevy Chase he was somewhat sympathetic to her, but when Jane Curtin took over the anchor role Jane's character was not too kind to Emily.
Other misunderstood topics included Saving Soviet Jewelry ("Jewry"), Endangered Feces, Flea Erections in China, Making Puerto Rico a Steak ("..next thing you know, they'll also want Idaho a baked potato with sour cream!"), Presidential Erections, Pouring Money into Canker Research, the Eagle Rights Amendment, Busting School Children (bussing school children), Conserving our Natural Racehorses, Youth in Asia (Euthanasia), and Sax and Violins on Television.
Typically, she would also refer to anchors Chevy Chase and Jane Curtin as "Cheddar Cheese" and "Bitch!", respectively.
Emily's answering machine message said: "Hello, This is Emily Litella. I'm not home right now, but I will call you back as soon as possible. Just leave your name, number and what time you called after you hear the sound of the Jeep."
Radner based Litella on her nanny, Elizabeth Clementine Gillies, known as "Dibby," who was allegedly hard-of-hearing. The line "Never mind" became a light-hearted slang phrase of the era.
Outside of Saturday Night Live, Radner played the character briefly in episode 304 of The Muppet Show.
The character also appeared in Radner's 1979 one-woman off-Broadway show, Gilda Live, in which Litella took a job as a substitute teacher in Bedford Stuyvesant, replacing a teacher who'd been stabbed by one of his students.
Emily Litella was referenced on the episode, "Two-Tone Town" of Tiny Toon Adventures. Buster gives Elmyra the topic of "violence on TV", and this follows:
Elmyra Duff: I don't think there's enough violets on TV! What about shows like "The Violet Bunch?"
Buster J.Bunny: Elmyra?
Elmyra Duff: Or "I Love Violet?"
Buster J.Bunny: Elmyra?
Elmyra Duff: Oh, violets are oh-so-pretty...
Buster J.Bunny: ELMYRA!
Elmyra Duff: Yes?
Buster J.Bunny: The issue is not *violets* on TV. It is *violence.* Too much *violence* on TV.
[holds up a violet] Elmyra Duff: Oh, not this?
Buster J.Bunny: No, this! [drops an anvil on Elmyra]
[weakly] Elmyra Duff: Never you mind...