Gems & Laughs with Geri Jewell from The Facts of Life

Classic Conversations

Geri Jewell shares her trailblazing career as the first actress with cerebral palsy to break into mainstream television. From her early stand-up days at The Comedy Store to her iconic roles on The Facts of Life and HBO’s Deadwood, Geri reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her journey. She opens up about her influential friendship with Carol Burnett, the unforgettable moment she was cast by Norman Lear, and the humorous yet impactful experiences that shaped her career. Her stories offer a mix of inspiration, humor, and behind-the-scenes insights into breaking barriers in Hollywood.

Episode Highlights:

• Comedy Roots: Geri recounts her journey into stand-up comedy, starting at the famous Comedy Store in 1978. From her struggles with early performances to becoming the first comedian with cerebral palsy to appear on national television, Geri’s resilience shines through. Her candid reflection on bombing her second week at the Comedy Store—and what she learned from it—provides both humor and wisdom.
• Carol Burnett’s Influence: One of the highlights of Geri’s youth was becoming pen pals with her idol, Carol Burnett. Carol’s words of encouragement inspired Geri to pursue her dreams in show business, despite the societal expectations placed on her due to her disability. Geri shares heartwarming memories of Carol’s support and how it fueled her ambition.
• Meeting Norman Lear: A pivotal moment in Geri’s career came when Norman Lear spotted her performance and immediately cast her as Cousin Geri on The Facts of Life. Geri recounts the whirlwind experience of joining the cast, humanizing the snobby Blair Warner, and the impact of being one of the first actresses with a visible disability on a major TV show.
• Decapitating Big Bird: In one of the funniest moments of the episode, Geri shares a story about her guest appearance on Sesame Street, where an unexpected accident involving roller skates and Big Bird left children screaming! Geri’s retelling of how she managed to “decapitate” Big Bird during a live taping is guaranteed to leave you laughing.
• From Stand-Up to Deadwood: Geri takes us through her transition from sitcoms to the gritty world of HBO’s Deadwood. A chance encounter with David Milch in a pharmacy led to her role as Jewel, a character created specifically for her. Geri’s reflections on working with Ian McShane and the unique challenges of performing in such a raw, historical setting are captivating.
• New Book – Geri’s Gems and Jewels: Geri discusses the inspiration behind her new book, a collection of essays and stories drawn from her life and career. The book combines humor and poignant reflections, with a special foreword from her dear friend, Norman Lear.

Filled with laugh-out-loud moments, touching memories, and incredible career insights, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, humor, and the power of breaking barriers.

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