Crap! We lost the giver goddess, petite flower, Diet Dr. Pepper spokesperson, accordion aficionado and all around hilarious person. I had been following her on her Twitter feed so I knew Judy was undergoing treatment for cancer. I didn’t know it was at a very serious nor dangerous stage. I foolishly assumed her doctor caught it early and she’d be on the mend soon.
Judy came on the scene in the Eighties amongst so many during the Eighties stand-up comedy boom but unlike the hackey majority (*cough! Bill Mayer) she had a more unique presence via the persona she created. I stumbled upon Judy’s act while on Summer break at my parents’ in 1987 when they generously paid for HBO. She was in a showcase of up and coming women comedians. I’m confident Rita Rudner was part of it too, a funny and talented person in her own manner. Judy definitely stood out. The funny gown, flowers in her hair (like a crown) and the accordion. She called the audience pigs. She claimed to be a living goddess. She talked about her fictional roommate Blowsanne (a dig at the Rosanne Barr). She sang funny songs about how looks don’t count while playing her instrument. I would say Judy landed the breakout spot Sam Kinnison got two years earlier to launch his (short-lived) career. It didn’t go that way since show business is notoriously unfair. Still, I’m glad she never quit and pressed on!
Later in the year, I met Emo Phillips backstage at his dual-billing with Rita Rudner, thanks to my position in WMUR (my alma mater‘s “radio station.”) We were talking a bit after he autographed a record I was giving my brother for Xmas. He gave me a recommendation for another album and comedian. I wish I still had his handwritten note saying, “Buy This Pigs! Judy Tenuta.” Now Judy was locked into the “front of my brain.” It worked! I found a copy on vinyl by the Spring of 1988 and some of her bits were used on my best WMUR show I had with classmate Sheila. (Sorry José, I loved our show too but our chemistry never developed, timing is hard to synch to.) I only found out a decade later about Judy being married to Emo. What a great spouse to help promote a career!
She went on to be a bright spot during the exhausting, eventful Summer of 1988! Judy got to star at Summerfest’s comedy stage and with my friend Helen in tow, we saw her! I even got her to personally autograph said piece of vinyl in which I told her was part of my show. I do remember Judy telling the crowd when I raised the record, “This guy has the right idea!” How I wish I had a photo alongside how much easier it is to do now.
Fast forward some years. Judy continued to make appearances on late night shows, the Dr. Pepper campaign she starred in and cameos in movies. Judy was a regular character on Weird Al’s Saturday Morning show (pre-lasik) and music videos. A patient on Dr. Katz. A recurring character on the underrated Duckman cartoon. I loved how she got to play her stand-up persona as an insulting mermaid on Johnny Bravo. On Chowder, she came by to play mahjong as Empanada (a good food). Judy continued to keep working until last year.
Thanks for everything Judy! I’m going to be sad for a while as I recently saw Weird Al in concert with Emo as the opener. Part of the VIP experience I had came with being at the Weird Al Jeopardy show. One category was Famous Accordion Players, I figured next to Frankie Yankovic, Lawrence Welk, Flaco Jimenez and John Linnell of They Might be Giants, I was hoping Judy would be amongst the “answers.” Sadly, no. As a joke, they were all Weird Al since the average American doesn’t know many unlike say Austrians or Mexicans. Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing all the great stories about you, all the people you inspired and the thousands of hours of joy you hosted.