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Annette and Frankie on "The Joan Rivers Show"

With the passing of Joan Rivers last week I thought we would take a quick look back at the July 25, 1990 episode of The Joan Rivers Show, when Annette and Frankie appeared as guests to promote the 35 city tour they were performing across the US.  


Joan introduced Annette and Frankie with a brief recap of their early film work, while still photos and a video clip of the duo singing "Some Things Last Forever" (from their current concert tour) ran on screen.


Annette and Frankie were welcomed onstage to loud applause from the audience, while Joan greeted them each with kisses.


The first question Joan asks is if either Annette or Frankie anticipated their tour being so well received across the country.  Frankie said he had always thought a reunion tour would be, but that it was hard to convince Annette to go on the road.  Annette admitted that she was a homebody and always felt guilty leaving her children until recently.  She continued that Frankie convinced her that this was a good time to try since her two oldest were now "pretty self sufficient".  Joan asked her how old her children were, and she started with Gina, saying "24", which got some laughs from the audience and a priceless reaction from Joan.


Joan then asked if there was ever any romance between the two of them when they were young and single.  Frankie responded "YES" and Annette said "NOOOOOO", going on to say she wasn't ever interested in "hanky panky OR Frankie".


When the show resumed following a commercial break, Joan is seen wearing a pair of Mickey Mouse ears that she borrowed from a man in the audience.  She asked Annette if after all these years she still runs across old Mouseketeer fans at her shows who approach her to make it known that they are fans forever.  Annette confirmed that to be true - to which Joan responded: "all middle aged people,(singing) M-I-C..... and you hear their pacemaker go CLICK-CLICK-CLICK!"


The interview then shifted to discussion on life when their careers slowed down and Annette's "good girl" image.  Joan asked Annette if she ever wanted to play a really sexy part, and Annette very honestly responded with a firm and serious "No".  She continued: "No, I really feel I would be laughed at - I mean because it's just not me."


 Next came talk about her marriage to Glen and the couple dividing time between their home in LA and their horse breeding farm in Bakersfield. "It is so terrific" Annette gushes. "A lot of people want to go to Europe or Hawaii to vacation.  I like to go to the ranch!" Joan responds: "It's so nice having someone HAPPY!  I can't believe it."  Joan continues in a sarcastic tone: "Now she is going to say she is not on drugs."


After another commercial break Annette and Frankie are joined onstage by teen idol, Tommy Page.  While he talked about his life as a current pop star, Annette and Frankie made additional comments on their experiences being famous at a young age.

Joan Rivers is remembered as being a woman who spoke her mind.  She was always very kind to Annette, and was among the many public personalities to comment on her passing last year.  She said: "Annette Funicello's death truly saddens me. She was such a bright and wonderful part of all of our history."

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