spotlight
Rage: Wow! How did you know about Patsy? (Bill’s dog)
DE: Does Patsy object to you smoking? You’ve got to stop that habit. It’s not cool
anymore Bill.
Rage: I’m working on it.
DE: You’ve seen all those old Hollywood movies with all those people smoking
in them. Don’t you think they look a little ridiculous now? People leaning across
with cigarette lighters, it’s so strange isn’t it?
Rage: Yeah. How did you know about Patsy?
DE: Oh, I’m very, very psychic. I have to admit to you darling. Sometimes I get a
phone call from Tom (Bill’s husband).
Rage: Hmmm.
DE: When he’s a bit worried about you and he calls me up. I sometimes see little
Patsy in the background.
Rage: Wow. This isn’t fit for publication (Dame Edna lets out with a hearty chuckle). Being
such a global superstar, what is your favorite thing to do to separate yourself from the world
and just relax?
DE: Well, the way I escape is to stand on a stage in front of an audience. Because
I feel then… at last at peace, doing my shows is a form of meditation for me. It
really is. It’s the most restful yoga-thing for me. It’s something I discovered quite
by accident.
Remember Bill. You’re talking to a housewife really, an Australian housewife.
Rage: I do not myself.
That’s what I am. That’s how I started. When I was very young, I had three young
DE: I think you have to be twelve. Don’t you? Make sure when you are driving
children. I found that I had this little gift. That nature had given me this gift and I
that little green car of yours, not to twitter as you drive. It’s a lovely green though.
won a competition in Australia called “The Lovely Mother” contest and it was a trip
A lovely color.
to England. When I was there, I saw a show called My Fair Lady, which was about
a humble little flower girl who becomes sort of a princess. I thought this could be
Rage: Oh. You’re blowing me away. Tell me about “Virtually Edna.”
my journey.
DE: That’s a program I want to do on television frankly. But I did do a show called
Unfortunately, I had an invalid husband, much older than myself. I noticed he
The Edna Treatment. It was a show that I did in Britain about two years ago. It has
was older when the hairs in his nose were turned gray. Some would find them
yet to be seen in America. I found out that the people I wanted to interview were
distinguished. I didn’t.
mostly in rehab. So, I decided to have my own rehab. I would be there in a lovely
white uniform and my guests would come in, in bathrobes. That happened. We
Rage: Well, you kind of have made your “My Fair Lady” dream come true.
had all these people such as Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, Amy Baldwin… they
DE: My “Fair Lady” dream slowly came true. Thanks to my manager Barry
all came in their bathrobes and I interviewed them and it was very, very therapeu-
Humphries with who I’m not on good terms because of embezzlement prob-
tic. That’s how I see myself. I see myself not as a comedian but as a therapist.
lems.
Rage: That’s why you’re Dame Edna.
Rage: You have interviewed so many famous stars and celebrities. What is your secret for
DE: That’s why I think The Rage Monthly readers and anyone else who picks up
making them feel comfortable?
a copy will catch a glimpse of my name and come along and see me. I will be on
DE: My secret is… the public is more interested in me than my guest. I also ask
that stage telling you about San Diego. I don’t do the same show in every place. I
unusual questions. Now, when I interviewed Julio Iglesias, I asked him what his
research. Now you would be able to vouch for that, my little Libran.
father did for a living. No one had ever asked him that. He told me his father was
a gynecologist in Madrid. I immediately pricked up my ears. Later, he told me
Rage: Yes. You must have spies everywhere.
privately that no one had ever asked him what his father did and he never told
DE: I do my homework. My son Kenny, who I think would be a Rage subscriber,
anyone. But something about me encouraged him. I immediately contacted Julio
designs my clothes. You will be seeing the most beautiful dresses.
Sr. who was very old and employed him as my traveling gyno. I only have a pianist
and a gynecologist in my entourage. No bodyguards of any description. He’s
Rage: Since you’ve never been to San Diego, are you going to do a little bit of sightseeing?
passed on now but he used to give me a little exploratory before I went on stage.
DE: I’m going to call you and Tom and you’re going to take me around in your
People would ask me, “What’s your secret? You’re so relaxed!” and that was it.
little green car. You’re going to show me the sights! And you’re going to give me
the lowdown! It’s been lovely talking to you and tell Tom to stop twittering me.
Rage: Are you twittering yet?
DE: I have yet to twitter! Is it fun?
Rage: Will do Dame Edna. Bye.
50 RAGE monthly | June 2009
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