Mo Gaffney shares this loving post from Nora Dunn: It was Jan Hooks who came up with the idea for The Sweeney Sisters. On the spot while we were shooting a commercial parody for Saturday Night Live. It came like a minor explosion, as most of her ideas did, and she delivered the concept and our names in a matter of seconds. Then she started belting out medleys of classic swing songs. There was no way I could keep up with her. She was a seasoned improvisor who never credited herself as a writer and at the heart of her matter she was a genuine actress. Saturday Night Live wasnt summer camp. It wasnt fun until and unless you were in front of the camera doing a bit you loved. And I loved nothing as I loved being a Sweeney Sister. In character Jan and I knew exactly who were without discussion. It happened on its own. As Liz and Candy we shared an uncomplicated bond and an enduring sisterly love. The fact that they became a hit was secondary to the joy of being them. We opened the Emmy Awards in 1987 and back stage we decided to chat with George Will and Sam Donaldson in character. They shunned us as if we were two backstage barflies trying to slut it up with a couple of genuine prime time newsmen. No one enjoyed something like that more than Jan Hooks. She did have stage fright, but once in front of the camera, she carried the show. It was our costume designer, Pam Peterson, who found our lounge gowns and it became part of the gag that we wore them in every single sketch. I dont know where those dresses are now, but they should be in the Smithsonian. In our finest sketch, we performed with Mary Tyler Moore, who was the one and only third Sweeney sister. Im not ready to accept that Jan died, at 57. Thats not fair. But neither is life. Its sorrowful, and there isnt one comedian worth her weight in salt if she doesnt understand that. No matter how long we are here, its not long enough. But I always thought Id see Jan again. I knew she wasnt well, but we always think things will get better. It takes a long time, a long history, to know that the best things, the best moments in life, are gone in what seems like a flash. She and I had our best moments together on television, and sometimes late at night in our offices where we were talking and not writing, and sometimes out in a so-so tavern in midtown Manhattan while we were drinking too much. She and I spent an evening with George Harrison in Lornes office one night, drinking wine and playing records and listening to one of the Beatles, who was engaging and prolific, I remember her saying afterwards, Did that really happen? And I hear myself saying that now, as I read this piece. Did it? ⚡❤⚡
Posted on: Sat, 11 Oct 2014 10:38:25 +0000
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