Carol Channing's Husband, Harry Kullijian Passes Night Before 92nd Birthday

I was sad to hear that Carol Channing's husband Harry Kullijian has died. He passed in Rancho Mirage, California just before his 92nd birthday due to an aneurysm. Harry was a successful person in his own right, in his own business and also as a local councilman in Modesto, California.

You may recall my post just last week- when I saw 'The Carol Channing Christmas Show' and took this photo of Harry and Carol together. Harry looked to be in great health, but poor Carol had been in the hospital with knee problems, so she was hobbling around a bit.

Harry and Carol attended school together in San Francisco, and were reunited 70 years later when Harry read the kind words Carol had written about him in her memoirs "Just Lucky I Guess". Delighted to have found each other again, they married in 2004.

photo from carolchanningarts.org

With a mutual passion for arts, together they founded the "Channing-Kullijian Foundation" to promote and support arts programs and education in schools. Harry and Carol firmly believe that any form of arts can help kids develop their minds in math and science to be successful later in life. Many times, Miss Channing has said that the arts become a "fertilizer for the brain" and allow other areas of intelligence to flourish within a person's mind.

Despite their ages, Harry had accompanied Miss Channing as she toured the US in her one woman show, 'The First Eighty Years are the Hardest'. Last year Carol released a new CD, 'For Heaven Sake' which features songs she loved from her childhood, including spiritual songs her father sang to her.  There is no question Harry loved Carol and enjoyed seeing her doing what she loved--perform for fans.

My thoughts and sympathies are with Carol and the family. Carol, you are a treasure. I'm so glad you were able to reunite with your childhood sweetheart and enjoy some wonderful years together. 


In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Channing-Kullijian Foundation, 101 First Street #555, Los Altos, CA 94022. For more information see the foundation website.

Carol Channing's Christmas Show

Wednesday night I went to see an old friend perform in concert in the Palm Springs area. Broadway and film legend Miss Carol Channing performed in 'A Carol Channing Christmas', at the Agua Caliente Resort & Casino. The evening starred Carol Channing, Rich Little and the American Glee Club. The show was a benefit for Carol's charitable organization for schools. I've long been a fan of Miss Channing. Earlier this year, in January I had dinner with Miss Channing at Melyvn's restaurant. The last time I saw her perform on stage, however was back in 2007 at the McCallum Theatre. Time has marched on, but at 90, Miss Channing continues to have the drive and ambition to perform her signature songs, albeit in a much weaker voice.

Toward the end of the show, her husband, Harry shared with the audience that Carol had been in the hospital. She checked out to perform this show, and would be returning to the hospital again after the show. No idea what she had been in for, but somehow she pulled it together to perform. Without question, she has slowed and can't belt them out like she used to, but she is a national treasure, and I consider it an honor and a treat to be able to see her perform again.

It had been ages since I last saw impersonator Rich Little-- he was actually quite entertaining. Comedian/writer Bruce Vilanch made a brief and amusing appearance in a Santa Claus costume, and told a PG rated joke or two. 

She and her husband continue their focus on arts programs in schools, through the 'Dr. Carol Channing & Harry Kullijian Foundation for the Arts', a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to bringing arts and music into schools to help kids. You can learn more about their charity here. It was an enjoyable night for a good cause, but mostly it was swell to see Carol on stage again.

An Evening With Miss Carol Channing

I'm so excited to share this post with you today. Last night I had the pleasure of attending an intimate dinner party with the Broadway legend Miss Carol Channing. She and her husband live right here in our desert, but this evening was a special opportunity to spend an evening with Miss Channing. It was part of the speaker series at Melvyn's restaurant, my favorite hot spot in Palm Springs. Before dinner, Carol socialized with dinner guests, making small talk and cracking jokes with us individually. She has such a great personality and is very down to earth. You may be surprised to learn that she appeared in 5,000 Broadway stage performances in her career. Carol Channing has earned three Tony Awards, a Lifetime Achievement award, a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination too. Miss Channing is probably best known for originating the Broadway the musical productions of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, as the ditsy bombshell Lorelei Lee, and in Hello Dolly as the matchmaking widow Dolly Gallagher Levi. She has also received an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts by California State University and works tirelessly today to raise money for schools to provide arts programs to children. On January 31st she turns 89 years old, yet she is full of life and spry as can be.

above: a publicity photo from her last book: "Just Lucky I Guess, a biography of Sorts"

above: Miss Channing stands next to her husband Harry Kulijian, as he speaks about her work to help increase Arts programs at schools in California.

above: I asked Carol to perform her famous comedy sketch of "Cecilia Sisson" a hilarious routine for which she is famous. She had the room in stitches and fits of laughter. Carol still speaks with her signature style, raspy-voiced silly, at times dithering routine where she searches for words, stammers and pokes fun at herself. It's been a classic part of her persona and still holds true today. She is truly one of a kind.

above: Carol sang a few songs, but it was her rendition of "Hello Dolly" that had the room thrilled and singing along. I last saw Carol in concert here in Palm Springs nearly three years ago at the McCallum Theatre, with Debbie Reynolds (Carol stole the show that night).

above: this is one of my favorite acts she performs- the Cecilia Sisson bit I mentioned earlier. Her comedy and timing is spot-on.

above: It was really great to have the opportunity to spend time with Carol and chat directly with her for so long. She is a true living legend in the entertainment industry, and I'm honored to have shared a meal with her. Oh by the way, Carol will be receiving a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in a few months. I'll be sure to report on that right here.
-Rick Rockhill

Carol Channing Doll Wins an Oscar

Sunday was the 80th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood. As always, the star studded event was full of glamour and surprises. Perhaps one of the biggest surprises was an award that did not appear during the televised broadcast. In ceremonies held earlier in the day, an Academy Award was presented to the ever popular Carol Channing doll for a role in a You Tube video.











Photo left: The Carol Channing doll accepts the Oscar for her role in the You Tube performance of "Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend". The award was a complete surprise to the Miss Channing doll, who was thrilled to be recognized for her hard work. "I rehearsed quite a bit for this part and felt like someone was always pushing me, pulling my strings and making me perform even when I wasn't up to it" she said. "But it was well worth it in the end, just to have the chance to have my very own Oscar award". Below is the video that earned the Carol Channing doll the Academy Award:

And for the fans, below is a famous skit that the real Carol Channing has performed many times on stage. It is her "Cecilia Sisson" bit, which is really quite hilarious. Carol, if you are reading this, know that we think you are really the tops!

-Rick Rockhill

The Carol Channing Doll New Video

The Carol Channing doll is starting off 2008 right, with a brand new shiny big square cut diamond broach for her lapel (see photo left). "Baubles such as this one can make a girl simply giddy" Miss Channing doll said. "Having this new diamond broach has made me want to burst into one of my favorite old songs I used to sing, so check out my latest video" Carol continued. And so, without further ado, here is her newest video, brought to you exclusively on this blog:


-Rick Rockhill

'Taint Christmas and 'Taint New Years...so bring on Carol Channing!

Well hope you all had a nice Christmas. It's that funny 'tween time now, when 'taint Christmas and 'taint New Years. So I thought I'd fill in the gap between the two holidays with a few fun old videos from our friends at YouTube. (my apologies to anyone whose work blocks out YouTube). For everyone else, I hope you enjoy this campy collection of Carol Channing videos. (after all, she is practically my neighbor)

Below: you just can't beat Carol Channing, Della Reese, Ann Miller and Ethel Merman on The Love Boat...

And below, here is a VERY short clip with her now immortal role in "Thoroughly Modern Millie". Carol plays a rich, madcap widow named Muzzy Van Hossmere, who makes her big entrance flying in a biplane, sloshing champagne, and screaming "Raaaassspberries!"

And finally, below this clip from Alice in Wonderland with Miss Carol Channing playing the White Queen.

-Rick Rockhill

Carol Channing Meets Dr Wang

I am pleased to welcome the Carol Channing doll to this blog. Carol stopped by to visit with Dr Wang today to spend time getting to know one another. Dr Wang greeted Miss Channing by singing a few verses of "Hello Dolly". Carol responded by reciting a few lines from her famous stage role in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: "A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but diamonds are a girl's best friend..." Dr Wang was happy to have the Carol Channing doll as a new best friend. The Carol Channing doll arrived early Wednesday, via FedEx to my office and was immediately introduced to a few co-workers, which prompted questions about my sanity.

above: The Carol Channing doll relaxes at home, and above right: the certificate of authenticity. It has Carol's actual signature, which I recognize of course!

I have to thank my friend and fellow blogger Stephen Rader for letting me know about the Carol Channing doll. When I saw it on his blog I just HAD to order one! Carol is a wonderful person and is practically my neighbor. I see her out and about in Palm Springs from time to time at various social events. I am pleased to announce that the Carol Channing doll will be a semi-regular recurring character on this blog. Please join me in saying "WELCOME CAROL" to make her feel at home.

-Rick Rockhill

The Saturday Seven: Over-The-Top, Glitzy Entertainers

Now here's a post with an odd collection of things you won't find anywhere else!

I was reading Palm Springs Life magazine recently and saw an ad for a new cookbook called The Joy of Liberace. The book's subtitle reads: "retro recipes from America's kitschiest kitchen", so I just had to order a copy. Liberace lived in Palm Springs and was a popular local resident. If Liberace were still alive, we'd practically be neighbors, his home is just a stone's throw from mine. His estate is still preserved to reflect his style- there is a giant metal candelabra in the front driveway. He was over-the-top, but he sure had his own sense of style, which got me thinking. There have been a handful of entertainers over the past 50 years or so who really had a certain je ne sais quoi with a joie de vivre. This brings me to another scintillating edition of

The Saturday Seven: Over-The-Top, Glitzy Entertainers

#1 Elvis Presley- From his rhinestone studded jumpsuits, glittery capes, huge sideburns, and incredible stage presence, he makes it to #1 on this list for me. The Elvis Presley house in Palm Springs is fairly understated, but they are developing it into a tourist destination similar to Graceland.

#2 Liberace- now this guy was REALLY over-the-top. How people never figured out he was gay was beyond me. I remember my parents taking me to see him in concert when I was a kid. He was a real showman- huge diamonds on every finger, showy costumes and campy as can be.

#3 Wayne Newton- Known as"Mr Las Vegas" after performing over 30,000 solo shows in Las Vegas over a period of over 40 years. His signature song "Danke Schoen" made him a hit when he was just a teen. He is kitschy for sure, but I actually like him.

#4 Carol Channing- What is there to say about Miss Channing? I love her! She lives here in Palm Springs and is very active on the social scene. Last year I went to see her in concert with Debbie Reynolds, she was really really funny, and still has one heck of a voice on her. Her costumes are every bit as glittery as ever, and how she loves her diamonds!

#5 Sammy Davis Jr- An amazing performer who battled racial discrimination and broke down barriers when he became a superstar. He forced casinos in Las Vegas and hotel nightclubs in Miami Beach to end the segregation of black performers. He was a great member of Sinatra's Rat Pack, but Sammy also had his own style, and always wore lots of jewelry. I went to see him in concert twice, once at an outdoor tent theatre during a thunder storm. I remember him joking about attracting lightning from all the jewels he was wearing!

#6 Cher- This girl has worn some outrageous costumes on stage over her career to show off her incredible body. She has had an incredible career-from the early 60's with Sonny Bono to her own even more successful stints in acting, performing in Vegas, and a string of mega hit CDs. Her big booming voice matches her huge personality.

#7 James Brown- The Godfather of Soul and known as "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business", there will never be anyone like James Brown. He was a GREAT entertainer, who made GREAT music. He loved to wear all sorts of wild costumes, jewelry, tight pants, and sometimes performed bare-chested. He was a classic for sure.

Bonus entry- Siegfried and Roy- A good friend of mine used to refer to them as "those two queens in Vegas with the big cats". He wasn't far off. Their long running show in Las Vegas was over-the-top, amazing and eye-popping, including that final performance when the cat dragged Roy offstage by the throat, which was so sad. Roy is on the mend these days, but not performing anymore.

Did I miss any other Over-the-top, glitzy entertainers? Leave a Comment and tell me!

-Rick Rockhill

The Saturday Seven: Funny Female Friendships

Good friendships are perhaps one of the most valuable things in life to have. Friendships enrich our lives, keep us laughing and get us through the week. Photo at left: Friends Betty White, Lucille Ball and Carol Channing. For some reason women tend to develop close friendships, diferent from men. So I started thinking about women with famously funny friendships. This brings me to another scintillating edition of: The Saturday Seven: Funny Female Friendships.
#1 Mary Tyler-Moore, flanked by friends Phyllis and Rhoda

#2 Vera Charles & Mame Dennis (from Auntie Mame)

#3 Sophia, Blanche, Rose and Dorothy, from The Golden Girls

#4 Ethyl and Lucy, from I Love Lucy

#5 Edina Monsoon & Patsy Stone, from Absolutely Fabulous

#6 Real life Friends Joan Crawford, Judy Garland & Jane Wyman. How I love this photo. Don't you just wonder what they are laughing about?

#7 Laverne & Shirley

Bonus entry: The women from Steel Magnolias. Truth be told, I forgot this one, but fortunately hoosiergirl5 reminded me in a comment. An obvious miss on my part, so I HAD to go back and add it as a bonus entry for this week. It really belongs in the first 7, but oh well.

What other famous Funny Female Friendships can you recall? As long as it's all women, let's hear who else I've forgotten...Go ahead, leave a comment, it's fun, and it's FREE!

-Rick Rockhill

Superstars in Palm Springs...at CopyKatz

Palm Springs has plenty of interesting things to see and do. One of the newer hot spots is a venue called CopyKatz, which is billed as a "showroom and backstage bistro". Basically it's celebrity impersonator dinner theatre, although you can just go for cocktails if you don't want dinner as well. It's a first class professional operation for sure, and very well decorated inside. I found the show to be fantastic and lots of fun. In one evening, I saw Madonna, Cher, Bette Midler, Carol Channing, Reba McIntyre, Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Micheal Jackson and Charlie Chaplan. It was such a hoot. The impersonators are quite good, quick witted and high energy. If you live in Southern California and looking for something to do, I'd recommend a quick weekend trip to Palm Springs and see a CopyKatz show. If you are flying in, be sure to call ahead to make a reservation. I have nothing to do with the place, but I really think it's fun.
200 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California - (760) 864-9293
-Rick Rockhill

Carol Channing & Debbie Reynolds Concert

The Legendary Miss Carol Channing and Debbie Reynolds

Last night we went to see Carol Channing and Debbie Reynolds in concert at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. The show opened with both ladies singing "There's No Business Like Show Business", and immediately after Debbie left the stage for Carol to perform for the first half.

The moment Miss Channing began, her legendary presence was evident. She performed for a solid hour, and was fantastic. Considering that she is is 86 years old I am amazed with her ability to belt out the songs, tell jokes and work the crowd so well. She is still doing her classic "Carol Channing" vaudevillian shtick: the bumbling joke teller who gets ahead of herself with long stories that are hysterically funny. Miss Channing came across as very sweet, mixing in a variety of personal stories, recollections of her long career, impressions of other performers, (notably Tallulah Bankhead, Sophie Tucker & Ethel Merman), and sings several of her classic numbers. Songs including Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend, A Little Girl from Little Rock, Hello Dolly, Razzle Dazzle and many others. Toward the end of her act, she was joined by her husband, Harry Kullijian whom she first met over 70 years ago, and married in 1993. They told a few stories and danced a few steps-it was obvious they were having the time of their lives together. In so many ways, Carol Channing overshadowed the act that would follow.
When Debbie Reynolds first came on stage following the intermission, I thought she was totally drunk. Slurring her words, stammering, stumbling, and squinting, I felt like it was going to be a long night. She seemed to sober up as she went on. As a true performer, "the show must go on"...and she did. Amazingly she pulled it off, although some routines were better than others. Its is largely the same act she has been doing for years. Still wearing her Vegas-style Bob Mackie sequin outfits, her years of professional experience seem to kick in and carry her act for her. She needs to update some of her material. The Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky jokes seem really old in 2007. She intertwined clips from her wonderful movie career, as well as some old movie bloopers, which were quite amusing. Her impression of Barbra Streisand was dead-on, and actually very very funny. Overall, Debbie Reynolds was entertaining, but I definitely saw a decline from the last time I saw her 3 years ago. Her voice does not seem as clear or strong. Normally I would have been more forgiving of a performer of her age, but following Carol Channing's bubbly energetic performance with a booming baritone voice, Debbie Reynolds came off more as a washed up lounge act still working to pay the bills.
I was delighted when Miss Channing returned to the stage at the end of Debbie's act for an amusing closing number. Overll, I enjoyed the show and am glad I was able to see these legends while they are still performing.

Carol Channing- practically my neighbor here in Palm Springs.

-Rick Rockhill