Month: May 2026

SNL veteran plays Wytheville

May 25, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

Saturday Night Live veteran Tim Meadows finally made it to Wytheville to entertain a sold-out crowd at the Millwald Theatre on Saturday, May 23, after rescheduling from last August to film the one and only season of the sitcom DMV. The 65-year-old Detroit native entertained the audience for 49 of the 90 minutes the three-act show offered the crowd of 500. The rest of the show was filled by Charlotte comedienne Carol Tyner and Louisville comic Mandee McKelvey, both of whom delivered 20-minute sets. If the material offered by the openers was considered for mature audiences, the headliner topped them all in terms of both laughs and vulgarity. You really feel like “Parent of the Year” when you are warned by two members of the theater staff, as you sit next to your 12-year-old daughter, that the evening’s comedy is for mature audiences. At that point, the ticket had already been purchased, and nothing could be done. Bella insisted on seeing the show, with high hopes of meeting Principal DuVall from 2004’s Mean Girls and its 2024 sequel. While Meadows offered no formal meet-and-greets, my daughter insisted on checking the back alley on our way out. Lo and behold, she and my wife, Emily, found him and asked for a picture. He agreed, as long as they made it quick. I had planned to stay out of the way, but the 10-year SNL veteran insisted on taking the photo with me as well. My friend from West Virginia, Andrew Church, a lifelong SNL fan, snapped the photo for us. Bella’s night was made, at the risk of us being reported. It is a sad commentary to learn that the words heard within the halls of her middle school were not much milder. We were all honored to meet our second comedy legend this month and appreciate his graciousness toward us. While still very funny, Meadows was clearly not happy to have landed in Charlotte and made the rainy two-hour commute to Wytheville, but being a divorced dad required him to make the date. “I remember telling my mom when I was a kid that I wanted to be a comedian, travel the world, and play Wytheville,” he led off. “If I had Will Ferrell’s career, I would be flying over you to an airport in the same state as the gig I’m playing.” Nevertheless, he expressed gratitude to the audience for coming to his show. “I realize you had many other entertainment options tonight,” he quipped. “You could have gone to Big Lots.” Meadows also mentioned the difficulties of being divorced. “You all didn’t know it was child-support night here at the Millwald,” he joked. “I appreciate your help.” The Ladies Man star spoke of his most recent—albeit brief—tryst since ending his marriage. “That’s my only Lindsay Lohan story,” he said at the end, which drew roars from the audience. “I actually made a Netflix movie with her called Our Little Secret.” According to Meadows, the real secret of the film was a bad script and a desire to pay the bills. “There were misspellings in the script,” he revealed. “I love money.” He explained how Black celebrities always support one another. “We even looked at O.J. Simpson as that crazy uncle who might have killed a couple of people,” he said. “If you don’t believe me, explain how Tyler Perry is a billionaire and not one of those dollars came from anyone in this audience tonight.” Yet, no matter how bad a Perry movie might be, Meadows says his African American peers will see it. “Tyler will have a boom mic so far in the shot, you wonder if the sound man had a stroke,” he jested. “Yet, we will go watch Madea’s Star Wars.” Meadows also took some hilarious jabs at Donald Trump, with which he closed the show. Speaking of the 2020 debate between him and Joe Biden, Meadows compared the current president’s “they’re eating the cats and dogs” rant to a bad Bill Cosby impersonation. “You had the one who could barely speak versus the one who spoke too much,” Meadows assessed. “When you see Trump talk, he’s either doing an impersonation of Regis Philbin, Christopher Walken, or Rodney Dangerfield.” As for his openers, Tyner also couldn’t resist indirectly jumping on the Trump bandwagon. As a never-married, childless 35-year-old woman with a Chinese boyfriend, she noted that living in the South is difficult. “While people are telling me not to worry about it with their mouths,” Tyner stated, “they are looking at me like a grocery store that just lost power.” “This administration should love my IUD,” the North Carolinian said. “It keeps millions of Asians out every day. It’s the ultimate border patrol.” McKelvey was too up in arms with the middle-aged woes of womanhood to be bothered with politics. “No one told me that, after 40, I would become homicidal for no reason,” she lamented. “I dream of killing just to see the life drain out of something.” She also added that, no matter how smart she may be, everyone will always presume she is stupid because of her thick Kentucky drawl. “You don’t know what it’s like being born with a mullet stuck in your throat,” she said. “I could be up here in a white lab coat giving a TED Talk, but all you’re ever going to hear is NASCAR.”

Strictly Observing

Bella turns 12

May 17, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

There are moments in life that redefine who we are forever. For me, that moment came on a stormy Tuesday night — May 27, 2014, at 9:04 p.m. — when my daughter Bella entered this world. Today, the joy of my life turns 12 years old. Becoming a father was never something I truly expected, but the moment Bella arrived, it became my purpose. I could not be prouder of the young woman she is becoming. She inherited her mother’s beauty and kind heart, but she also carries a healthy dose of my no-nonsense personality. Thankfully, she inherited my love for live entertainment as well, and that shared passion has given us some unforgettable memories. This past year has been especially memorable for us. We traveled to Charlotte to see the touring Broadway production of Wicked and even met members of the cast afterward. Earlier this month, we attended Vicki Lawrence’s “Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two Woman Show” and had the opportunity to meet her afterward as well. Then, just days before Bella’s birthday, we saw comedian Tim Meadows perform at the Millwald Theatre here in Wytheville. I know Meadows from his legendary years on Saturday Night Live. Bella knows him from Mean Girls. It was one of those perfect father-daughter moments where two generations met in the middle. Of course, nothing tops Disney World for either of us. Thanks to my mother — Bella’s grandmother — whose magical powers may rival Disney itself, our family will once again head to the Most Magical Place on Earth during the first week of June. We are already counting down the days. Bella’s first concert was Genesis, our favorite band. Over the years, she has joined me in seeing legendary artists like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Bonnie Raitt, and our late friend, the incomparable comedian James Gregory. But as she has grown older, her musical tastes have naturally shifted toward the artists of her own generation. These days, she is completely captivated by One Direction and the solo careers of its members. Now it is my turn to take her to the concerts she wants to see. Harry Styles ticket prices may require a second mortgage, so that dream may have to wait. Zayn Malik recently canceled tour dates due to health issues. But we already have tickets to see Louis Tomlinson at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center, the same venue where she saw Genesis in 2021. We are also headed back there to see a rising artist named Sombr, who I must admit is exceptionally talented. If all goes according to plan, we may even catch Niall Horan when he tours through Raleigh next spring. People say a father earns a special badge of honor when he takes his daughter to a boy band concert. By next year, I believe I will have earned mine several times over. As wonderful as this year has been, it has also been one of the hardest Bella has ever faced. Within roughly 14 months, she lost both of her grandfathers, her dog, and her cat. My father passed away on October 26, 2025, the day after his 83rd birthday. Living in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, he did not get nearly as much time with Bella as I wish he could have had. Still, I remain grateful for the memories they shared. Bella often reminds me not to worry because she has wonderful memories with “Pop.” I still remember sitting beside my father shortly after Bella was born as we watched her sleep in amazement. He looked at me and quietly said, “She’s going to do something very special with her life.” I believe he was right. Then, on February 11, 2026, Bella lost her maternal grandfather as well. She spent countless hours with her Pawpaw at his home in Elizabethton, Tennessee, often hanging out in “Dave’s Cave,” watching movies, listening to The Beatles, and talking about everything under the sun. They shared a special bond built on music, humor, and simple time together. She also continues to miss her beloved dog, Sophie, who had been by her side virtually every day of her life until Sophie had to be put down on March 14, 2025, just two months after Bella lost her cat, Sketch. For a child who loves animals as deeply as Bella does, those losses were heartbreaking. When a dog sleeps beside you every night of your childhood and suddenly is not there anymore, the silence is enormous. Yet through all of it, Bella has handled life with remarkable strength, positivity, and perseverance. One of the most important things I ever wanted to do as a father was to never crush her imagination or enthusiasm. Ironically, she has become the one encouraging me not to give up on my own dreams. Without her encouragement, I never would have landed the biggest interview of my career with Vicki Lawrence or shared that experience with my family. Bella has also never allowed my being in a wheelchair to define what we can do together. Whenever I worry about limitations, she immediately reminds me: “Are you kidding? We do more together than any father and daughter I know.” As I write these words through tears, I hope she always knows how much those words mean to me. Years ago, a counselor asked me to create a dream board filled with goals for my life. On that board, I placed a picture of infant Bella dressed in a Minnie Mouse outfit beside a simple phrase: “Take Bella everywhere she wants to go.” At the top of that list was Disney World. By the end of this June, we will have gone three times together. Along the way, we have attended concerts, met celebrities, traveled, laughed, cried, and made memories I would not trade for anything in this world. Most people never get to meet their heroes. Mine calls me Daddy. Happy 12th birthday to my Bubzie — the greatest joy of my life.

Strictly Observing

Vicki Lawrence show, meeting provide lifetime family thrill

May 10, 2026May 11, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

Saturday, May 9, was one of those rare, life-defining blessings that carries you through the difficult days that inevitably follow. Meeting Vicki Lawrence — the Emmy-winning star of The Carol Burnett Show and Mama’s Family — before her live comedy performance at the Newton Performing Arts Center is something my family and I will treasure for the rest of our lives. I have adored Vicki Lawrence for as long as I can remember. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to her publicist, Sandy Brokaw, and to her son, Garrett Schultz, who directs her touring shows for making us Vicki’s personal guests. Because the performance was sold out, she provided seats for us along the side of the auditorium. Thrilled to be in the building, all of us being able to hug her and tell her what her work meant nearly brought me to tears. She graciously signed my copy of her autobiography along with my treasured 1973 album of The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia. Before the show began, I could hear Vicki warming up backstage by singing that famous song and rehearsing one of the evening’s funniest stories, recounting a backstage exchange between herself and Carol Burnett just before they performed their very first “Family” sketch together. The two women were in the ladies’ room when Carol suddenly called out in her now-famous Southern drawl, “Mama!” “What is it, Eunice?” Vicki shouted back in character. “Well, I was wonderin’ if you had any toilet paper over there.” “Well, I’m busy right now, but when I get done doing what I’m doing, I’ll get you your toilet paper!” “Fine,” they scream back and forth at each other several times. A woman in high heels hurried nervously into the restroom, only to immediately retreat in horror as the shouting continued. Unbeknownst to Vicki, Tim Conway had apparently been standing behind Carol as Vicki finished recounting the story. Conway dryly responded, “I bet that was Harvey.” The evening itself was beautifully structured. Vicki divides the performance into two approximately 40-minute segments, one as herself and one as her legendary alter ego, Thelma “Mama” Harper. The show opens with classic video clips featuring some of her greatest moments on The Carol Burnett Show along with bloopers from Mama’s Family to introduce Mama. As herself, Vicki told the remarkable story of how she first met Carol Burnett. While attending high school in Inglewood, California, she entered the local “Miss Fireball” contest sponsored by the fire department to crown the town’s most beautiful redhead. A newspaper article covering the event described her as the “spitting image” of Carol Burnett. Vicki’s mother suggested she mail the clipping to Carol along with a fan letter. Burnett was so impressed that she attended the pageant in person. As fate would have it, Carol was preparing a new variety series and searching for someone to play her younger sister. The rest, as they say, is television history. Another wonderful surprise during Vicki’s portion of the show was hearing her sing “Bless My Happy Home,” the heartfelt lyrics she personally wrote for the theme song to Mama’s Family that the network refused to use. Discussing modern wellness trends, she joked, “I read an article not too long ago that said Tyra Banks uses a coffee enema. I tried it, and I don’t think they’re ever going to allow me in Starbucks again.” Thelma Harper shuffled onto the stage full of glorious irritation, utterly disgusted with modern society. One target was the Kardashian family. “Even I can’t get my butt that big,” Mama grumbled. “That thing was so big and round Neil Armstrong tried to walk on it.” She also tackled contemporary culture topics like Caitlyn Jenner. “Why would anybody want to become a woman just in time for menopause?” she asked in bewilderment before pivoting to marriage equality. “If two men want to be as miserable as I was with my husband, let ‘em go right ahead. The only problem is if you’ve got two men in the same car on a road trip, now you’ve got two idiots driving around for three hours without asking for directions.” At another point, Mama explained her confusion after accidentally ordering an adult movie in a hotel room. “That wasn’t cable he was laying,” she declared. “And just so you know, the Spice Channel has nothing to do with oregano.” Her observations about technology were equally hilarious. “I haven’t bought any kind of pads since menopause,” she said when discussing iPads. “And I got no reason to start now.” The audience roared throughout the entire set. After Mama exited the stage, the legendary blooper in which Tim Conway’s famous elephant story was obliterated by Vicki’s one-liner as Mama that laid Conway flat. To close the evening, Vicki returned to the stage as herself and delivered a moving rendition of “For All We Know.” Family photographs and images of her famous friends appeared on the screen behind her, including touching pictures of her beloved husband, Al, who passed away two years ago after 50 years of marriage. It was a surprisingly emotional ending to an extraordinarily funny evening. If I could describe Vicki Lawrence in one word, it would be “lovely.” I was entirely unprepared for how radiant she would look in person. At 77, she remains absolutely stunning. More importantly, she could not have been kinder to my family. I will always be grateful for her warmth and for allowing me the privilege of calling her my friend.

Strictly Observing

Vicki Lawrence interview sparks new career apex

May 10, 2026May 10, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

On Saturday, May 9, an Emmy-winning television legend will perform her famous Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show at the Newton Performing Arts Center in Newton, North Carolina. Both the matinee at 3:00 p.m. and the 7:00 p.m. evening performances are nearly sold out. The Newton stop has become an annual destination for the Mama’s Family and Carol Burnett Show star. “The Carolinas are truly beautiful,” Lawrence said during a May 1 telephone interview. “They really are a world of their own.” And Mama fits into that world as everyone’s favorite grandmother. So, how does a native Californian develop the epitome of a Southern senior? “I had a Southern mother-in-law for a minute when I was very young,” she noted. “Plus, I used to travel the country doing summer stock. I thought those Texans were kidding me with those accents.” Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show was created in 2001 after the unprecedented ratings of a Carol Burnett Show reunion special went through the roof. The live production is directed by her son, Garrett Schultz. He and sister Courtney are Lawrence’s two children from her 50-year marriage to CBS makeup artist Al Schultz, who passed away in 2024. Lawrence’s show, which has toured the nation for the last quarter-century, features a pair of 45- to 60-minute acts. First, the 77-year-old lifelong Californian delivers the story of her amazing life and career in a stand-up comedy-style format, where she tells the infamous story of connecting with Carol Burnett via a fan letter and look-alike photo. “These are great old show-business stories,” offered the comedy legend. “The further away I get from these stories, the more I realize they would never happen again.” Fans will also get to hear her sing her 1972 No. 1 hit, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” as well as the original lyrics to the Mama’s Family theme song. Lawrence actually wrote the lyrics to “Bless My Happy Home,” but only an instrumental theme was used on the show, with The Carol Burnett Show orchestra leader Peter Matz receiving sole credit. Lawrence’s uncanny resemblance to Carol Burnett landed her a role on the iconic variety show as Burnett’s younger sister in the “Carol and Sis” sketches. “The Family” sketches would eventually give her the alter ego of Thelma “Mama” Harper, the character she has played for more than a half-century. Originally, the part of Mama was written for Burnett. However, it was the character of Eunice that the now-93-year-old star wanted to play. She asked producers to give Lawrence the role that would define her career. Lawrence won an Emmy for her work on The Carol Burnett Show in 1976, was nominated for an Emmy for playing Mama in the TV movie Eunice, and starred in Mama’s Family from 1983 to 1985 on NBC, then in syndication from 1986 to 1990. “I used to think Mama was around 69 or 70, but the older I get, the more I think she is much older than that,” she said with a laugh. “I love bawdy women like Lucille Ball and Betty White, probably because I am one of them. Mama certainly is, too.” The second half of the show is all Mama. It is evident that both she and Vicki are ageless in their own way. “The older I get, the more I agree with her,” Lawrence said with a laugh. “I think that if you live to a certain age, you’ve earned the right to say what you think, and that’s what Mama does.” Lawrence knew she couldn’t do a live show without Mama, who is adored the world over. However, that presented the comedienne with the challenge of bringing the beloved character into the 21st century and all its modern-day problems. As a result, Mama’s half of the show is ever-changing. “She has to deal with all this stuff that’s going on now,” she explained. “It’s fun to keep her on top of these things she’s having trouble dealing with.” Mama’s half of the show will also include a rap, answers to pre-written questions from the audience and, of course, plenty of side-splitting laughter. Tickets are selling fast, but to grab one of the remaining seats, please visit https://ncauditorium.com/vickilawrence. Interviewing Emmy winner Vicki Lawrence represented a new career pinnacle for me. I have adored her since I was 3 years old. I still remember seeing her burst onto the set of Win, Lose or Draw with that glorious red hair and unmistakable energy. From there, I watched her faithfully on the daily parade of syndicated game shows, from the various incarnations of Pyramid to the Password franchise, always rooting for her team to win. One of my favorite things was watching her banter back and forth with her good friend Dick Clark. “I loved those games, and I did a lot of them,” Lawrence told me during our May 2 phone interview. “He was a very good friend, and I learned to dance from watching his American Bandstand show.” It was on American Bandstand that Lawrence, in 1972, received her one and only gold record for her No. 1 single, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.” Though there is an infamous clip of Carol Burnett presenting her with the award, Lawrence quickly clarified that it was Clark who first handed her the honor. “I remember they wouldn’t let me sing the song on the show until it became a hit,” she recalled. “It would have helped the record to go ahead and sing it.” Her daytime talk show, Vicki!, which debuted years before Rosie O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres found enormous success with a similar happy, celebrity-oriented style. In my opinion, Lawrence pioneered that format, yet history often forgets her role in it. It was difficult for me to imagine that she could experience that oversight without bitterness. “I did go through a period of that,” she admitted candidly. “It was a very depressing period of my life, but I…

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