I wouldn’t say it was my favorite show, but Too Close For Comfort was one of those very comforting classic sitcoms that I enjoyed watching with my family back in the first half of the 1980’s decade. Starring Ted Knight as the ever-exasperated Henry Rush, he was flanked by his wife and two daughters played by Deborah Van Valkenburgh (Jackie Rush) and Lydia Cornell (Sara Rush). Lydia was by far the hotter one. But when I actually got the chance to meet them, it was Deborah who saved the day.
Deborah and Lydia have both had a rather lucrative career over the last 30 years guest-starring in numerous television shows and the occasional film. Deborah might be seen in such classic shows as ER, Chicago Hope, and Picket Fences. Lydia was more of a staple of the 70’s appearing in The Dukes of Hazzard, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and more recently Curb Your Enthusiasm.
I had already owned the signed photo seen above from Too Close For Comfort, having had my friend Bob pick it up for me at a previous Hollywood Collectors Show in the late 90’s, at which time it was also signed by Jim J. Bullock, who played the infuriatingly stupid Monroe in the series. So my goal was to just get a picture with the beautiful Rush girls.
They were sitting together at the Hollywood Celebrity Show on Saturday, July 18, 2009. When I glimpsed at Lydia Cornell’s price list, I noticed a fee for getting photographs with her – so instead of speaking to her I went to Deborah Van Valkenburgh. I showed her the picture that I already owned and innocently asked how much she would charge to get a picture with her. She said that she usually doesn’t charge, and then coaxed Lydia to get in the picture as well. When Lydia looked a bit quizzical as to why she was doing this for free, Deborah said it was okay, I had already bought something.
So I squeezed myself in between the Rush girls, beaming with a smile, getting just close enough for comfort, and got my fix of 80’s hottie nostalgia. And since they were selling them, I also learned that the first two seasons of Too Close For Comfort were now available on DVD. I have added them to my wish list. The DVDs, not the girls.
Celeb encounters from the Hollywood Celebrity Show 2009 will continue…
Okay, I beg to differ. I guess it’s a generational thing, but “Too Close For Comfort” is not a “classic sitcom”. I remember it as being middle of the road mediochre. Classic Sitcoms are MASH, All In The Family, The Bob Newhart Show, MTM, Rosanne, Dick Van Dyke, Seinfeld, Soap, 30 Rock, The Office, etc. I would put Too Close For Comfort in the Full House classification… bland stuff. I think your fond memories have more to do with the hot chicks than the quality of the show. Let’s let America decide…
Rick Greene
October 11th, 2009
Okay Rick, you must learn my Brad-ese vernacular. “Comforting Classic” refers to the rather crappy sitcoms like “Too Close For Comfort”, “Three’s Company”, “Punky Brewster”, “Diff’rent Strokes” – shows that are classic to me, because they were from my childhood.
I agree with you wholeheartedly on the designation of “classic”. Perhaps I should hyphenate.
And by the way, “Full House” was neither classic nor comforting. It was pure crap.
Brad
October 11th, 2009
Three’s Company was rather crappy? The premise was kind of silly. Crappy, though?
Eric
October 11th, 2009
Well….it’s funny crap. Not pure crappy crap.
Brad
October 11th, 2009
When I watch crap, I insist on new Pure Crappy Crap.
And if it doesn’t involve Jim J. Bullock, I don’t give a crap. Of any kind.
Chris
October 12th, 2009
Brad, I only looked quizzical because I ALWAYS give autographs for free, have never charged to take a picture with anyone and maybe misinterpreted you. My manager put that price list, as he demands a commision and forces us to put our prices. But I have never charged for this, and in fact, give away everything. Here’s what happened: I must have rejected that you stood at my table, looked at my pix, then moved to Deborah. So I guess I felt snubbed. But that’s just ego, and EGO means “Edging God Out.
LOL
No hard feelings. It was a miscommunication.
Join me on facebook. Luv xo
Lydia Cornell
January 8th, 2011
Correction: “I must have felt rejected…” and didn’t even realize there was a price list. I took it down, but my manager probably stuck it up when I wasn’t looking.
Lydia Cornell
January 8th, 2011
I think of the show as a classic. This was part of my teen years and when I watch it now I have fond memories of Henry taking care of his family! To me that”s class…so classic!!!
Sherie
May 26th, 2012
Not sure how Comforting Classic would = crappy. Threes company was rather crappy? That is a true classic. Comforting Classic actually desribes these shows perfectly.
Rob
October 11th, 2014