Madame's Place is an American sitcom based on the ribald, acerbic, aging-celebrity diva Madame, a puppet character portrayed by Wayland Flowers. The show originally aired for one season, spanning from September 1982 to February 1983. It was produced for first-run syndication and featured weekday broadcasts, amounting to a total of 74 episodes. Additionally, there was a pilot episode that never aired, and 15 hour-long edits were created for weekend broadcasts.
Background
Madame, created by puppeteer Wayland Flowers, had gained a significant following in the 1970s due to her witty double entendres, sharp comebacks, and penchant for dropping celebrity names. The character of Madame was often elegantly attired in glamorous gowns adorned with splendid jewels, poking fun at the opulence of Hollywood's Golden era.
Wayland Flowers and Madame rose to television stardom in the mid-1970s, becoming regular fixtures on talk shows, variety programs, and game shows. Notably, the duo held the center square on the popular game show "The Hollywood Squares." Concurrently with the production of "Madame's Place," Madame also made appearances as a presenter on "Solid Gold," another show produced by Brad Lachman.
Premise
Madame lives in a plush Hollywood mansion surrounded by devoted butler Pinkerton, attentive secretary Bernadette, and beautiful niece Sara Joy. The domestic comedy antics of Madame's household are supplemented by Madame's eponymous talk show within-the-show, a revolving door for stand-up comedy, variety show performers, and celebrity guests.
As the series opens, the popular Madame's Place talk show has long been broadcasting reruns, prompting her fans to demand new episodes. Madame successfully negotiates a revival of the show from her home studio.
In an unusual departure from comedies of its era, the show adopts a serialized format, occasionally featuring storylines that span multiple episodes. To accommodate viewers who may have missed previous episodes, a character always makes a reference to the previous day's events.
Throughout the series, there is ongoing discussion about Madame writing her autobiography. Nine months after the show concluded its run, a real book entitled "Madame: My Misbegotten Memoirs", hit store shelves. Originally intended to be titled "Madame: The First Hundred Years," some abridged black-and-white promotional brochures with this title are in circulation. Notably, the book delves into Madame's early life and does not provide details about this show or its characters.
Cast and characters
Wayland Flowers as Madame - Madame has enjoyed a storied career in stage, radio, film, and television. She currently resides in a lavish Beverly Hills mansion, where she hosts a late-night talk show. Despite her age, Madame exudes childlike behavior, shamelessly pursuing younger men and often greeting female peers with verbal barbs. Johnny Haymer as Walter Pinkerton - "Pinky," as he's affectionately called by the staff, is a former boxer, stunt-man, and stand-in. He met Madame on the set of the 1957 film "Gone with the Milkman" while standing in for her costar, and the two carried on a torrid affair behind the back of Madame's then-husband. When Pinky fell on hard times, Madame hired him as her butler. Their deep friendship prevails, although Pinky grapples with his role as a butler in his 50s and stifles feelings of jealousy towards the various men who frequent Madame's bed. Susan Tolsky as Bernadette Van Gilder - Bernie initially came to Hollywood with dreams of becoming an actress. However, she encountered the unsavory aspects of the industry and opted for a more conservative path as Madame's secretary. Bernie manages administrative tasks, answers phone calls, and ensures the household runs smoothly. She carries the weight of her husband Bart's tragic death in 1962, as he choked on a dove during a magic show. Judy Landers as Sara Joy Pitts - Sara Joy, the naive and curvaceous daughter of Madame's sister, fled her unhappy life in Georgia to seek fame in Hollywood. Her Auntie Madame extended her protection and guidance. Sara Joy aspires to be an actress and often showcases her gymnastic abilities.