RIP Valerie Harper

1939-2019

Valerie Harper’s first appearance with Lucille Ball was not on television, but in Broadway’s WILDCAT (1960) as a member of the ensemble (right). 

Valerie Harper won an Emmy Award in 1971 for playing Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Her co-star, Edward Asner, also won that night.  Lucille Ball was in attendance because “Here’s Lucy” was nominated for two Emmy’s – for Gale Gordon’s performance and the writing of “Lucy Meets the Burtons”. 

On June 4, 1976 Lucille is joined by Valerie Harper and Dinah Shore on “Dinah!” to sing her signature song from WILDCAT, “Hey, Look Me Over.”

On March 26, 1978 Lucille Ball appeared with scores of other CBS stars including Valerie Harper (top right) on “CBS On The Air: A Celebration of 50 Years”.  

Lucy and Valerie were both presenters at the “8th Annual People’s Choice Awards” on March 18, 1982 aired on CBS. 

When Lucille Ball was celebrated at “The Kennedy Center Honors” in December 1986, Valerie Harper (“Rhoda”),

Beatrice Arthur (“The Golden Girls”), and Pam Dawber (“Mork and Mindy”) sang a song parody of the “I Love Lucy” theme expressing their affection for Lucy. The medley continues with the title song from Mame now extolling Lucy. It ends with a specially-tailored “Hey Look Me Over” from Wildcat.