 Ruth
Buzzi, a very talented actress born in Rhode Island, is best known
for her work on Laugh-In (1968-73) and to YCDTOTV fans for her work
on Whatever Turns You On (1979). Ms. Buzzi expertly played all of
the adult female roles on Whatever Turns You On, such as Mom, Miss
Time (the very nasal script girl), Miss Fit (a strict, scary teacher),
and Miss Take (Mr. Dime's Southern talking secretary). The Slime
Society was lucky enough to be able to conduct an interview with
Ms. Buzzi in Jan. 2002, and below are her responses.
How
did you come to be associated with the Whatever Turns You On series,
the 1979 primetime spinoff of Roger Price's very low budget, local
kids' series You Can't Do That On Television?
Roger
Price contacted my agent who called me at home with a description
of the show and an offer.
Being
that you were a star of Laugh-In and given that Roger Price based
You Can't Do That On Television and Whatever Turns You On on elements
of Laugh-In, what were your first impressions of the idea of doing
a show that was a "kids' Laugh-In"?
I loved the idea of taping another children's TV show because to
me, children are my future audience for many years to come. What
would be better than getting a "head start". If I can make, or rather,
hope the children will love my "work" as youngsters...then whamo!!!.....Do
the right shows when they get older and they're "eating out of your
hands"...AGAIN...thrilling!!
In
my 2001 interview with Les Lye, he termed you to be like "a favorite
cousin" and a pleasure with which to work. What are some of your
favorite memories of working with Les?
Les Lye was absolutely fabulous to work with!!! If I had power and
clout, I would have kidnapped him from Canada and worked with him
on series and movies here in the States for the rest of my days
above grass!!! He was a true professional performer, a gentleman
thru and thru, and had a great sense of humor ta-boot!!! They rarely
(especially funny men for some reason) come any better. Oh, my,
would he have been great with us on Laugh-In!!!
What
is your best memory of Whatever Turns You On? Your worst memory?
Your funniest?
It has been a long time, so I can't remember any specific funny
moments. Sorry. You just must take my word for it that I had a wonderful
joyous time working with the cast. My strong worst memory (why does
one remember those!?!) was the press up there!! This is what happened:
Roger Price agreed with me that it really was impossible to give
interviews during the taping days as I was learning several shows
at once. I suggested that I fly up to Canada a week early (non-salaried)
before my next taping session. In doing so I would be able to make
myself available to each writer of the press for as long or short
a session they would like, without any distractions whatsoever.
They each were very likable in person, and each "acted" like I was
the best thing to be with since the discovery of sliced bread!!!
Only a couple were kind to me in their stories. The others were
the meanest press stories I've ever read about my self. At the time
I felt I had done a very nice thing to accept working on this TV
series, & only accepted the job to "mesh" my funny talents with
these wonderful kids to entertain in a clean way, OTHER children.
Some of those STINKIN' press people just Had to make fun of my decision
in joining the show. They also made fun of other choices in my life
that I was proud of then and still am now!!! They were just down-right
nasty. It took me at least 2 years before I would accept another
press interview after reading those. I was very hurt.
What
was your favorite character to play on Whatever Turns You On and
why?
Too much time has passed for me to choose a favorite character.
I would have to review the series and then I could very quickly
tell you my favorite. Sorry.
Did
you create any of the characters you played on Whatever Turns You
On? Did you modify any of the characters from how they were originally
written? If so, how?
I created the characters from what I read in the script. During
the initial readings I decided how I should talk, accent, no accent,
my own voice, or a created voice. Then, I visualize what I should
look like from hair and makeup to costume. I then discuss all that
with the costumer and make-up staff, and we're "off runnin'". I
did that on every TV show and movies. Most performers do. It's fun
to get totally involved. Actually, the only show I never did that
on was the many times I guest-starred on the Carol Burnett and Friends,
and her The Entertainers TV series. Why? Because Bob Mackey was
the costume designer and he's brilliant at creating a funny costume.
Incredible! I trusted his choices and creations implicitly. I even
hired him to make all the costumes for my club act. Bob Mackey is
a genius designer.
It
is possible that some of the kids with whom you used to work on
the series will read this interview once it is up online. Having
this means, is there anything you would like to say to them?
I just want to say a big 'hello' to everyone. With that hello comes
love and hugs. I hope their lives have turned out to be absolutely
wonderful. Life has all sorts of hills and valleys and sometimes
you don't end up doing what you had your heart set out on....but
sometimes that's even better! I wish them the very best of everything.
I
know you have been a part of Sesame Street for several seasons as
Ruthie, the owner of Finders Keepers. What are you currently doing?
Perhaps you could tell us more about your work on Sesame Street?
Sesame Street has been an incredible experience. Seven years for
me so far!!! Longer than being on Laugh-In which lasted 5 1/2 seasons!!
I really learned the "power of the tube" on Sesame St. and how it
can influence a very young mind. In fact, its power is a bit frightening.
That's why it's so very important as to what a child watches on
TV. I feel for every parent that knows this, and cares, because
they only have control of the child's viewing to a certain point.
Modern technology is a fantastic thing, but it can also be an enourmous
negative in this area. I almost wish a child can't be exposed to
TV until they're 9 or 10 years of age. Sometimes I'll say to myself,
"Hey Ruthie, how did you turn out to be a pretty good Italian without
a Sesame Street style show to watch as a youngster???" I was outside
playing, creating, and having a wonderful healthy childhood with
my young friends day in and day out! If I had to stay home I'd play
paper dolls, paint, draw, read Nancy Drew Mysteries, do home work,
help my Mother clean house and my Dad with yard work, ride bikes
barefoot, go blueberry picking in the woods behind our house, go
boat rowing/motoring and swimming in the Wequetequock (hometown
name) River across the street in the summer, and ice-skating on
it in the winter & on & on & on. We all had great times in Wequetequock.
We weren't glued to TV sets (there were none for a long time) and
pinball machines. God's playground was our Master! Around 7 yrs.
old we girls all took dancing lessons, joined the Brownies, the
Girl Scouts...and better than all....the 4H Club. I don't think
4H exists anymore....does it?? I learned the basics of cooking and
sewing in a fun, wonderful way. I don't eve know what the boys were
learning, but I'm sure it was a lot. Anyway....do you get the "jist"??
I'm not putting down Sesame St. and all the other kids shows. I'm
putting down other shows that "surround" them. Shows too adult for
the young, impressionable mind . I guess that was also the reason
I wanted to do Sesame Street. I knew it was and is a wonderful show
for young minds, knowing they will be exposed to the tube. I wish
I were singing a song with the Muppets right now! They all are incredible
performers and terrific people to work with. They too would have
been great on Laugh-In. Not as Muppets, but as themselves. Great
talents. I'm so honored to be a part of Sesame Street at this time
of my life.
Last
month I guested on The Young And The Restless which was great fun.
Lovely cast....and I just completed a starring part, a villianess
on a big cartoon movie to be called Squeeshies. The writer, producer,
director's father created Felix The Cat,...So I was in good hands
and I'm really looking forward to the completion of the movie.
We
want to thank you for this interview as well as for your work on
the series. Per our communications in the past, you know that I
personally admire and compliment your tremendously talented acting
ability, especially your use of facial expression and ability to
be so convincing in the playing of many different characters. We
again want to thank you for contributing this interview to our website
and we love you and your work very much.
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