Brett Somers
We were so sad to hear a little while ago that Brett Somers died this weekend. I haven’t seen any obituaries yet but I’m sure, coming on the heels of Charles Nelson Reilly’s death, there will be plenty of hackneyed references to Brett joining Charles in that “Match Game in the Sky.” Still, it’s hard not to imagine Charles, newly robust in the afterlife, welcoming Brett with some fabulous sarcastic line (I can hear him deadpanning something like, “What took you so long?”) and the two of them catching up on all the Hollywood dirt. As I mentioned when Charles died, Brett was Kendall’s godmother and just last week Kendall’s mom unearthed some home movies of the Haileys at Brett’s house with Brett acting characteristically insane. I wish I could digitize that and include it here. I also wish I could show you the “Match Game” segment in which Brett wrote “Happy Birthday, Kendall!” on one of the cards and then explained to Gene Rayburn that it was her young friend’s birthday.
Why have so many hysterically funny people left us this year? Was there anyone better at doing what Brett did? I remember watching her on “The Match Game” and laughing until it hurt. It was all so real and good-natured and bawdy and fun. Even if some of their bits were planned, they always seemed so spontaneous. I enjoyed watching Brett Somers on “The Odd Couple” with her ex-husband Jack Klugman and I remember when she played Rhoda Morgenstern’s aunt on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Too bad she was rarely given the chance to sink her teeth into meaty dramatic roles, I bet she would have been superb.
Here are Brett and Charles appearing on CBS a few years ago talking about those crazy “Match Game” days.
Update: And now word comes just a few days later that actress Alice Ghostley has died, yet another talented friend of my wife's family. Ghostley starred in one of Kendall's dad's plays in the 1970s. Sigh. We last saw Alice at one of her famous Christmas parties at a wonderful Swiss restaurant in the Valley. She was a delight—generous, kind, and funny. As a kid I mostly knew her as the bumbling supernatural maid Esmeralda on "Bewitched" and she also made an impression in her short scenes in "The Graduate" with "Bewitched" castmate Marion Lorne. A few years ago Charles Nelson Reilly was asked where he got his trademark “huh-huh” noise. He said, “I stole it from Paul Lynde, who stole it from Alice Ghostley.”
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. She will be sorely missed. I remember watching them when I was a kid and thinking they were so funny.
Posted by: churlita | September 17, 2007 at 08:15 AM
I haven't seen any obits any where yet either, Danny, and happened to check your blog over my lunch hour Monday 9/17. When I googled, only your blog came up so far!
As I told you once before, Brett gave me one of my first interviews when I started working in publishing many years ago and we'd been in touch sporadically for about 35 years. I'm glad I got to see her cabaret in NYC in 2004.
I'll always remember her fondly and send my sympathies to Adam, David, the granddaughters Olivia and Katherine, and, of course, Kendall, your wife.
Best,
Pam G in Pittsburgh
Posted by: Pam G. | September 17, 2007 at 09:45 AM
I had an email Suday morning from Joyce V.P who had heard from Marcia W. about Brett...I just posted a little tiny tribute to Brett on my new post about 2 hours ago....I know Kendall and the rest of the Hailey family must be very very sad today....This has been a terrible year for all of you...Thomas and Charles and now Brett....So very sad.
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | September 18, 2007 at 01:43 AM
Danny just this morning on wgn 9 morning news had a small tribute to Brett. It was of her on a game show. She was a funny lady.
Posted by: CHISWTHRT | September 18, 2007 at 10:28 AM
I heard when Brett Somers reached the pearly gates, she took a look at St. Peter and asked him where his blank is.
Posted by: Sir Stewart | September 18, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Nice tribute to Brett; just found out about it. I put my own up in my blog yesterday.
Posted by: dmarks | September 19, 2007 at 09:57 AM
This is sad. I was too young to watch Match Game when it was on the air, but now I watch the reruns on GSN and have become a huge fan. Best to Kendall.
Posted by: Ellen Dukeman | September 22, 2007 at 09:11 AM
I haven't seen one blurb anywhere about Alice Ghostley's passing. What a wonderful actress she was!
Posted by: sistasmiff | September 22, 2007 at 04:33 PM
Brett Somers was the coolest! I loved watching her on "Match Game". I always imagined her like a cool Aunt that would come around every year during Christmas time. She would've definitely make things like that more fun.
R.I.P. Ms. Somers.
Posted by: rcf | October 12, 2007 at 07:20 PM
A wonderful tribute. They seem like they were really nice people. I will have to watch Match Game sometime when I get cable.
Posted by: Rebekah | October 27, 2007 at 07:06 AM