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American Morning
Interview With Doris Roberts
Aired July 18, 2002 - 09:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN ANCHOR: Well she's not a meddling mother, but she plays one on TV. Doris Roberts is Ray Romano's mom on the hit comedy "Everybody Loves Raymond." Her character, Marie Barone, is Italian, right?
DORIS ROBERTS, "EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND": Oh yes.
NEVILLE: That's right. The role won her an Emmy last year, and this morning she was recognized once again.
Oh boy, look...
ROBERTS: Isn't that nice?
NEVILLE: What a -- you are just on a role. We're talking about, what, nine nominations in all for your show today, including yours, best supporting actress...
ROBERTS: Right.
NEVILLE: ... in a comedy, as well as writing. And I mean you guys are on a role. You've already won, what, seven? You've been nominated seven times now eight times.
ROBERTS: Eight times, right.
NEVILLE: You've won twice.
ROBERTS: Right.
NEVILLE: Once for "St. Elsewhere," and of course last year for "Everybody Loves Raymond."
ROBERTS: Right.
NEVILLE: So I've got to ask you, do you have the disposition of Emmy-smemmy, or are you like, look, I'm glad to be in the game?
ROBERTS: Oh am I ever. Are you kidding?
NEVILLE: Glad to be in the game.
ROBERTS: Absolutely.
NEVILLE: Yes, you never take that for granted.
ROBERTS: No. When I won my Emmy last year, I said it was my birthday.
NEVILLE: Yes, I remember.
ROBERTS: And I said I'm 71 and I'm kicking, honey, and I am.
NEVILLE: You are kicking; that's right. How do you stay so vibrant?
ROBERTS: I don't know. I have three wonderful grandchildren. They say, nanny, you rock. And that's what I do.
NEVILLE: You do rock. So you know I've got to ask you, if you -- if you have grandchildren, of course everybody loves you as Raymond's mom, and just wondering if when you're a mom to your children, if you surprise them at all or are they just like oh there's mom or like the grandchildren, there's nanny, just doing her thing?
ROBERTS: No, I -- we just all have a great time together. But I'm delighted to say that I try not to be like the character I play on television, because my son says, I'm very glad you're working, mom, on this job because you do everything to Raymond and you leave me alone.
NEVILLE: That's good. So he's going to send them condolences...
ROBERTS: That's right. Right, right, right, right, right.
NEVILLE: ... or thank you cards, I should say.
Now let's talk about this cast, I mean because you guys, when we see you on TV right now, it's all so seamless. It's all very seamless.
ROBERTS: Yes.
NEVILLE: And so I have to ask you what happens behind the scenes that brings such magic on camera?
ROBERTS: Well I've worked in this business for 47 years. This is the best gig I've ever had. We not only like each other, we thoroughly, honestly like each other. But I think the most important thing is we trust each other so we play off of each other. No one's trying to get the limelight, no one's trying to upstage anyone, they're just -- we're just there. We're a family, dysfunctional however, but who isn't, right?
NEVILLE: That's normal, OK.
(LAUGHTER)
ROBERTS: But we have a great time and we respect each other and the writing is extraordinary. So as a -- I mean it's really a collaborative thing and it's wonderful. NEVILLE: Oh yes, that's great, because I mean I think that's the best way to handle it because you can't -- if you have a bunch of people walking around trying to be stars, you are looking for a big clash.
ROBERTS: It's so boring. It's hard work. And the more we trust each other and like each other and do the work, you see what is on television is wonderful. We're one of the top shows on TV and have been for some time. And this is our seventh year we're going into, and the writing gets better.
NEVILLE: And that's odd these days.
ROBERTS: Oh it is, it is.
NEVILLE: Speaking of unusual, I mean 47 years in the business for you...
ROBERTS: Right.
NEVILLE: ... and still going so strong.
ROBERTS: Yes.
NEVILLE: I mean having done so many different areas of entertainment...
ROBERTS: Yes.
NEVILLE: ... and Broadway...
ROBERTS: Yes.
NEVILLE: ... and everything, just if there are any highlights of yours or any special moments.
ROBERTS: Oh my goodness, yes. I did 20 years on Broadway before I ever went out to California. Lilly Tomlin saw me in a play by Terrence McNally called "Bad Habits," and that year I won the Outer Critic's Circle Award. And she brought me out to California to do the "Lilly Tomlin Hour." And we won all the Emmys, but we didn't get picked up. Hello, show business, that's what it's about.
NEVILLE: Quite unpredictable, right?
ROBERTS: Absolutely.
NEVILLE: You never know what's on the minds...
ROBERTS: Yes.
NEVILLE: ... of those executives sometimes.
ROBERTS: Never.
(LAUGHTER) NEVILLE: But just wondering if there is any point when you -- even now you look in the mirror and you say, wow, hey, I'm still here?
ROBERTS: I'm not only still here, I've just been told -- not today -- but that I'm going to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
NEVILLE: Congratulations.
ROBERTS: Isn't that great?
NEVILLE: Oh that's wonderful.
ROBERTS: Yes. Yes, thank you.
NEVILLE: That is -- you deserve it.
ROBERTS: Thank you.
NEVILLE: I mean, really.
ROBERTS: Thank you very much.
NEVILLE: You know why, because I mean you are obviously a veteran, but I'm so happy to see someone with your experience still in the game, still going strong, still being recognized. Because in this day of just add water and throw on some fake hair,...
ROBERTS: That's right, honey.
NEVILLE: ... you know what I mean?
ROBERTS: Oh absolutely.
NEVILLE: It's good to see somebody real like you in here.
ROBERTS: Thank you. I'm a survivor.
NEVILLE: Absolutely.
ROBERTS: And I represent that, yes.
NEVILLE: Doris Roberts, nice to meet you in person.
ROBERTS: And thank you. And me you, dear.
NEVILLE: OK. Have a great day. Celebrate!
ROBERTS: I will!
NEVILLE: All right -- Paula.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: A survivor that's doing a lot more than just kicking, let me tell you that. Congratulations!
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