The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show

Fright-wigged comedienne Phyllis Diller, disgusted wife of a husband named Fang, starred in this comedy variety show. She was supported by a regular cast of performers including Norm Crosby and Rip Taylor (as recurring character Paul of Pasadena, Phyllis' hairdresser). Diller opened each show with a monologue, and performed in sketches with guests. She occasionally joined musical performers on the piano or the saxophone (she played both). Each week, the show closed with a big production number saluting a famous American. No Abe Lincoln or George Washington here; she saluted non-traditional Americans like circus impresario P.T. Barnum and the inventor of the sewing machine. The series was short-lived with ratings hovering near the bottom each week. Competition was simply too stiff, airing opposite CBS' Mission: Impossible and the last half of ABC's Sunday Night Movie.