Rhonda Shear is a late night mistress of the movies who'll keep you Up All Night.
By David Gomez (Composer/Lyricist/Night Owl)
I came across this video clip and was completely charmed by the host of this show from the 1990's called Up All Night.
I loved the way Rhonda Shear's voice would jump an octave when she said the title. I was addicted to hearing the way she said it so I entered down the youtube-rabbit-hole and found a bunch of amazing clips of Rhonda. She's the perfect blend of smart, sexy, and silly.
She began on the pageant circuit winning Miss Louisiana at age 16, and later was the youngest woman to run for political office in the state. But after she didn't win, she moved to California to chase Hollywood dreams where was discovered by Bob Hope. Rhonda went on to have a career that involved playing Fonzie's girlfriend.
Way before our blonde broads of comedy Amy Schumer and Chelsea Handler were making names for themselves, Rhonda was breaking into stand-up at a time when that wasn't a common career choice for a buxom blonde. But It led to a gig on the USA network called Up All Night.
Rhonda specialized in introducing trashy movies with titles like "Assault of the Killer Bimbos."
I'm obsessed with her leg extension! Rhonda was never afraid to demonstrate her dance training.
On the show, Rhonda was kind of a daffy film historian, a performance artist, and a circus artist all in one. She's impossible to classify.
I also love that this next performance is all sung. It's kind of a wonderful mess. But it's kind of perfect. It's almost like if Hedwig, Sharon Needles, and Candy Darling had a baby and made her sing. It's kind of a long video but you should skip to 3:45 and see her strange musical tribute to Silence of the Lambs.
Rhonda is still performing these days! She has a line of lingerie on QVC, and recently she threw herself a damn parade!
Rhonda dubbed herself a Midnight Movie Morsel, Your Bed Time Buddy and the "Queen of the Sizzle Kiss." (A signature move where Rhonda kisses her hand and let's the imaginary steam sizzle on her behind.)
And so, by the power vested in me by the internet I dub Rhonda Shear a Gay Icon. She was there for us when we couldn't sleep, and it's time for us to be there for her. Check out her line of lingerie at RhondaShear.com.
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