R.I.P., Miss Yvonne

Actress Lynne Marie Stewart, best known as Miss Yvonne, the most beautiful woman in Puppetland, has crossed over to the great beyond.



With her sunny smile, curvaceous figure, and acceptance of Pee Wee’s subversive side, she was the perfect comic foil for Paul Reubens.



Below is a shot from one of my favorite episodes (#26 to be exact), “Tons of Fun,” from October 24, 1987.



Pee Wee and Miss Yvonne enjoy a delicious breakfast:



The character of Miss Yvonne was introduced with the Pee-Wee Herman Show, which debuted in Hollywood, in February 1981. Miss Yvonne dances into the Playhouse, and Pee Wee, in typical fashion, peers up her skirt.



She’s wise to what he is doing, and admonishes him with a look and gesture. Miss Yvonne also had a crush on another Lord’s Table diner, Phil Hartman, who played Captain Carl.



One of my favorite Stewart appearances was on Pee Wee’s Christmas Special, where her hair is higher than ever and she gives out fruitcakes in honor of the season.



Adieu, dear Lynne. It is comforting to know that you and Paul are together again!



See more Pee Wee Herman photos at my main website.

Whatever Happened to the Church Lady?

“Saturday Night Live” has been around for over 45 years. When it’s on, it’s on; when it’s off,…well, you know how the saying goes. Still one of my favorite characters from the show was The Church Lady, hilariously portrayed by Dana Carvey. This photo is from a 1988 episode with Morton Downey, Jr.

Over at Disneyland, it would appear that Church Lady made a surprise visit back in 1969:

Practically twins. The Church Lady’s talk show consisted of guests that she would judge and rebuke, to the delight of onlookers. One of my favorite episodes had her interviewing Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker (Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks) at the height of the Jessica Hahn scandal. Hooks practically walks away with the episode with her portrayal of the flamboyant Tammy Faye.

While comedians are often funny thanks to a good script, this video of Dana Carvey doing a stand-up routine proves that he was quick on his feet and able to deal with a drunken heckler…as the Church Lady:

Church Lady: what this troubled old world needs now more than ever.

See more Classic Movie and TV photos at my main website.