I have put together in this series a list (by no means complete) of some of the most influential redheaded comediennes in my life. They've made me laugh. They've stuck in my brain. I think of them often. No one can do what they have done in the way that they've done it. I search out movies and shows that they have been in.

Each series will have a line of hubs, each dedicated to a different Frieda's favorite famous comedienne. And each line with have a feed to the rest them and a matching graphic (redhead, brunette, and blonde).

I sincerely hope that all of you enjoye this series as each hub comes out. Let me know if there are any you're looking forward to. Comments always welcome.

Enjoy.

Feel free to thumbs up any articles from this series you like! Frieda loves it when you let her know you lover her.

Vicki Lawrence was born Vicki Ann Axelrad, on March 26, 1949, in Inglewood, CA., (Aries). The fact that Vicki Lawrence is an Aries thrills me, as I am one too.

With nothing more than a high school diploma, she sent in a letter and a photo of herself to Carol Burnett and her producers. The resemblance was uncanny. It was her claim to fame, and one she never botched up.

Vicki was hired on to co-host The Carol Burnett Show. She was "the baby" and was taken under Carol Burnett's wing, where she flourished during her 11 years on the show, bringing new and repeat characters to life in each episode. She was... a natural.

Her best and most loved character of all was Thelma Louise Harper, aka Mama. With nothing more than a body suit and a grey wig, and a pair of glasses, Vicki Lawrence transformed into hot blooded, temperamental, swift tongued, beer drinking, Mama.

Mama became Vicki's signiature. So popular and remembered, that a few years after The Carol Burnett Show ended, she was offered her own show, "Mama's Family", which ran from 1983-1990 on NBC.My mother and I were both addicted to Mama's family. The laughs we got from her just sent us over the edge. I think it was because Mama just told it like it was. She said what she wanted while she did what she had to do - the every day stuff, the cooking, the cleaning, the putting up with the family.

Over the years, Vicki Lawrence has made several cameo and guest appearances on a variety of television shows and TV game shows.  You may have seen her on The Love Boat - The Congressman Was Indiscreet (season1 episode17), and on Fantasy Island - Funny Man/Tatoo the Matchmaker (season 5, episode 17). Hmmm.  I wonder if 17 was a lucky number for Vicki.

Vicki Lawrence was also the host of her own talk show, "Vicki" which was nominated for an Emmy its first season but was canceled after two years. She was also the host of "Win Lose or Draw" (yes, I watched and tried to guess, and then went and played Pictionary with my sister).

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia was a song written by Vicki Lawrence's first husband, songwriter Bobby Russel. It was recorded in 1972 by Vicki Lawrence, despite the fact that Bobby wasn't happy with the song.

In this clip, Vicki Lawrence and Reba McEntire talk about the song and how it went from Bobby to Vicki, to Reba (the second singer to record this song almost 20 years later). Vicki sings it much better than she does in this clip, but Reba is so awesome, I'm pretty sure Vicki was a bit nervous and in awe.

video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXjP9PJITYo

To read more about the history of and the story behind "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia", click here.

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