For generations of Saturday Night Live fans, Gilda Radner was an icon.
She inspired Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Rosie O'Donnell, Tina Fey and
many other stars. Her elastic face and vulnerability were endearing qualities
that were unforgettable as she battled ovarian cancer in her fiercely funny
way.
Bringing her memory to life for 1200 people in New Jersey, Alan
Zweibel, who helped create some of her most memorable Saturday Night Live
characters, recounted a story of her final appearance on the Gary
Shandling Show. After an absence of almost seven years from television, her
host opened with a question on her absence from the entertainment world, and
she responds, "I had cancer, what's your excuse?" bringing the
audience in the studio to cheer her through their tears. Alan recalls how footage
of that segment still shows a wobbly movement as the camera comes in for her
close-up. It was caused by the cameraman's unsteady hands as he struggled to
contain his tears.
