I met RS in the early 90s when I was working on one of his books. It was fall, and I remember I was wearing a vintage tweed suit (with a peplum! so cute) and tights and heels, and he was rocking his usual look: shorts and a sleeveless shirt. My first thought was, What willpower--he must be freezing!
He was also wearing an enormous watch encrusted with diamonds and a big old diamond ring on his right hand. I remember thinking, Jeez, if I could cut that hand off and make a run for it, I'd never have to work again.
He was pleasant, if a bit preoccupied. He had a very good sense of humor; when we talked about the Pray and Weigh girls he of course got the campy-ness of it all.
A former fatty and very kind man who has dedicated his life to helping others. He is from New Orleans and it would not surprise me if he donated a bunch of money on the sly to help down there.
@BookishLookish: OK, fine. Be deep and sensitive and understanding. I'll take the low road--the man is a joke, and his 15 minutes were up a loooooong time ago.
How can you not love him? The man is 60, and he's been rocking the same shorts for 35 years and is happy about it! Seriously, I think anyone who can be that "up" and unjudgmentally positive for older ladies intimidated by exercise is a super person. Plus, he totally gets the joke and doesn't seem the least bit concerned about it. I am going to be crushed if, once he dies, we find out he was really angry and bitter and hell to work for.
Ah...Richard Simmons, he's crazy in a lovable way. I used to work for a company that did some work for his excercise tape business and whenever he would call up, he wouldn't want you to put him on hold while he waited for someone to pick up the line, he wanted to sing to you while he was waiting. So you would have to keep him on the line while he serenaded you with show tunes.
@iplaudius: a fitness terrorist !!! everyone - up and kick and up and kick or he'll blow you away !!! keep moving !!! for the love of GOD, keep moving !!!
@belltolls: @Aaron Altman: @Almostbanned: Agreed. The genius of Richard Simmons is that you can't really make fun of him because he's so conspicuously and preemptively in on the joke.
@Helman: That would be me, then. Why isn't he dead yet? The whole crazy queen thing was amusing (not very) way back when, but now it's just tired and embarrassing.
@Monsignor Xtravagante D'ouchestache: Yeah, but was Peewee arrested watching straight porn? I just don't think they'd have much to say to each other. Besides, Peewee was high camp, Simmons is just a tired old queen, and if he doesn't lose those damned hot pants i will set my hair on fire!
01/06/09
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01/06/09
01/06/09
He was also wearing an enormous watch encrusted with diamonds and a big old diamond ring on his right hand. I remember thinking, Jeez, if I could cut that hand off and make a run for it, I'd never have to work again.
He was pleasant, if a bit preoccupied. He had a very good sense of humor; when we talked about the Pray and Weigh girls he of course got the campy-ness of it all.
A former fatty and very kind man who has dedicated his life to helping others. He is from New Orleans and it would not surprise me if he donated a bunch of money on the sly to help down there.
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Shoe bomber, shoe thrower, now shoe kisser. It’s a trend! Simmons is a terrorist!
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