Cloris Leachman, the eight-time Emmy Award winner and Academy Award winner for her role in “The Last Picture Show”, made her first appearance on the popular talk show, “The Ellen Degeneres Show“. The conversation between the two talented women was lively and full of laughter, showcasing Leachman’s infectious personality.
As Ellen warmly welcomed Leachman to the stage, she jokingly asked if she was feeling sick. Leachman responded with a touch of humor, saying she was “kind of half sick.” She even quipped about bringing a quilt, hot water bottle, and a cold, which she used to have on set all the time. Their playful banter set the tone for a fun and entertaining interview.
Leachman’s outfit also caught everyone’s attention. She wore a juicy and vibrant jumpsuit that truly embodied her unique style. Ellen complimented her on the choice, and Leachman proudly shared that it was a cashmere suit. She referred to it as the “Uptown Yankee Doodle version”, a term she coined to describe her fashion sense. Leachman humorously mentioned seeing the word “juicy” across someone’s rear end, showing that she still had a knack for humorous observations.
The conversation then shifted to Leachman’s Iowa roots, where she revealed an amusing local phrase. In Iowa, they used to say “putelli” instead of “juicy”. She explained that it was derived from a Bohemian slang expression and meant “arse”. Leachman hilariously wondered how anyone could talk sexy with words like “Kaka” and “poo poo” but admitted that “putelli” had a certain charm. She lightened the atmosphere by challenging Ellen to put the word in a sentence, resulting in a hearty laugh from both of them.
Leachman went on to share an amusing story about naming her dog “Bob’s your uncle”. She explained that the name was a response to people asking if she had any animals. Instead of mentioning her mixed Australian Shepherd or the cats, she would list numerous pets, including an alligator named Wall-E and a tortoise named Tori. The last pet on the list was “Bob’s your uncle” (though they called him Bobby). It turns out, Leachman named the dog after a phrase used in England, where “Bob’s your uncle” means “there you have it”. The conversation took an unexpected turn, but it was filled with laughter and genuine entertainment.
Throughout the interview, Leachman’s vibrant personality and infectious joy were on full display. She effortlessly captivated the audience and provided countless moments of laughter. It was clear why she was not only a respected actress but also a beloved entertainer.
This episode of “The Ellen Degeneres Show” aired on October 13, 2003, and will certainly be remembered as one of the most entertaining and lively conversations with Cloris Leachman. As the interview came to a close, it was evident how much Ellen and the audience adored her. Leachman left the stage with genuine warmth and affection, bidding farewell with a heartfelt “I love you” and thanking Ellen for her help in preparing her speech for an upcoming Lifetime Achievement Award.
Originally aired on October 13, 2003
