Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 23 > Entry
Has ‘Ellen’ been duped by Austin woman?
Is Gladys Hardy real or a hoax? Inquiring minds want to know.
Gladys, in case you missed it, is the 88-year-old Austin woman who phoned “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” last week and brought the host to her knees with a barrage of hilarious comments. The clips quickly spread across the Internet. (Scroll down to check it out.)
“Honey, I love Jesus, but I drink a little,” she told DeGeneres, prompting screams of laughter from the studio audience and causing the host to double over howling for several seconds.
The two new BFFs chatted again on today’s “Ellen.”
We thought Hardy would make a good story for the newspaper, so we checked the phone book and numerous other sources we have to locate people by name and approximate birthdate. We found no Gladys Hardy in Austin or surrounding areas.
Hardy has called into various Austin morning radio shows, including KLBJ-FM’s “Dudley & Bob.” And she has a Web site (gladyscalls.com) and a home on MySpace. Does this sound like an 88-year-old woman? Or someone pretending to be an 88-year-old woman?
We called the “Ellen” show in Los Angeles, leaving several messages requesting information on Austin’s newest sensation. While the spokeswoman who finally called back would not put us in touch with Hardy, she said the producers and DeGeneres enjoyed the “really fun chats” with her. Perhaps our question about whether Gladys might be a hoax prompted the spokeswoman’s concluding remark: “I’m not sure if we’ll call her again in the future.”
Gladys Hardy sounds suspiciously like one of the Greater Tuna guys — or maybe Liz Carpenter — and her lines sound scripted.
“Call me anything but don’t call me late for dinner,” Hardy quipped when DeGeneres asked if she could call her on a regular basis.
Hardy initially phoned “Ellen” last week to suggest that a potted plant behind DeGeneres be moved because it was sticking up behind her head. She left a funny voice mail message, so DeGeneres called her back on the air.
“Hello, this is Gladys,” Hardy bellowed into the phone. “If you’re sellin’ something, I ain’t interested.”
After DeGeneres identified herself, Hardy went into a harangue about KVUE pre-empting “Ellen” for extensive weather coverage during last week’s winter storm.
Hardy told DeGeneres she had been on TV before — she once called QVC to buy a ladybug brooch and wound up talking about ladybugs on the air.
DeGeneres invited Hardy to come to Los Angeles and appear on the show, but Hardy declined.
“I like to stay local,” she demurred, adding that she mainly goes out to “walk the malls” for exercise.
If Gladys Hardy is real, we would love to talk with her about her fabulous, raucous sense of humor and her new friendship with Ellen DeGeneres. We want to take her picture and share her with our readers.
So, Gladys, are you out there? Are Gladys’ neighbors, friends or family members out there? If so, help us get in touch with this funny phantom. We want to make her a star!
If Gladys is fiction, she’s managed to dupe a lot of folks watching “Ellen.”
Comments
By Sheila
February 5, 2007 04:30 PM | Link to this
I agree with Lenna. It doesn't matter to me if Gladys isn't really who she/he says they are since her conversations with Ellen are so hysterically funny...:-) It's a nice break from the bad things in this world and everybody needs to really laugh sometimes... I hope Ellen continues to call Gladys and not let all the hoopla about who Gladys may really be influence her. It makes my day when I can listen to their phone conversations...:-)
By michalle
February 3, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Hallo! ;)
oh... what unhinged comments!
what do U consider about it?
By Duh
February 2, 2007 06:40 PM | Link to this
The guy who does Gladys also does car commercials for a car dealership up north somewhere. He used to come in the Apple Store when I worked there and he showed me some clips. A SUPER nice guy. Regardless - It's funny and I am sure nobody "wants to know" - they want to laugh and have fun! Two things the world could use a LOT more of.
By Lenna
January 30, 2007 09:21 PM | Link to this
Who truly cares if Gladys is a male, women, old or young. The idea is brilliant, If set up, Ellen managed to pull it off quite well as did Gladys. You could possibly say there was a bit of Maude Frickett aka Jonathan Winters calling.
Cannot we not for one minute not disect everything that everyone says and does...just take it for face value, enjoy a little humor now and then...perhaps the world would be a happied place.
By Russell Miles
January 28, 2007 08:52 PM | Link to this
Gladys is obviously a man doing a schtick, which wouldn't bother me so much if it wasn't MY schtick! I have been doing an old lady character called Melba Jackson since about 1993. She loves Jesus, she is in her late 80s/early 90s depending on the call, and she gets out of hand now and then. I got my start doing these calls in Austin, just like this unoriginal cheeseball. Exactly the same character. My stage name is Brother Russell, check me out at www.myspace.com/melba
By Allison
January 26, 2007 08:49 AM | Link to this
I DVR Ellen and just watch up to the first guest, and I didn't think anything of the first call (the message about the plant), but then when she called her again, it did seem kind of fake-- I think they do this a lot on shows like Ellen, it's kind of dishonest, but it's funny, so who cares!
By Bob
January 25, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
You want to make her a star ? Like you ?? Oh please !!! Leave IT alone !!
By Joyce
January 25, 2007 06:17 PM | Link to this
I can't understand your wanting to check out Gladys and the extremes you have gone to. My goodness, that has been the best laughs I have had on TV for a long time. Why can't you just let it be and let all of us who enjoyed it keep on enjoying.I can't believe you called Ellen's show to try and prove who Glayds is..who cares she is funny and now thanks to you we proably want get to hear heragain.
By Rosie
January 25, 2007 05:51 PM | Link to this
I think Gladys is GREAT! Whether or not she's real, she's uplifting and entertaining - and she reminds me of my own spunky granny, who's just as sharp at 91! Why be suspicious of the old lady? She has no agenda, she isn't pushing any product or politics. If anything she is an advocate for the elderly, who so often go unnoticed and forgotten! I say we need her and "keep on keepin' on" Gladys honey!
By estefena
January 25, 2007 04:33 PM | Link to this
Talk about ruining a great thing! Now that'll probably our one and only call from Gladys on Ellen!
Gladys, you were fabulous! You had that audience in stitches and Ellen probably had a few stomach cramps after that call!
By kay
January 25, 2007 04:32 PM | Link to this
I loved it and it sounds like a guy, but who cares...........Keep it up Gladys and Ellen..........we need all the humor we can get in this world !!!!!!!!!!!
By Bill
January 25, 2007 04:19 PM | Link to this
Who cares if she's real or not. It's good humor. Why try to spoil the fun?
Leave it alone Diane. Can't you find something better to write about. If Gladys is a fake and you make it public, you could destroy something good. Don't do that.
By girlintown
January 25, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
Way to go Scott! Can't stay out of the limelight, can you? Wish you the best. Hope the media doesn't disturb you and your family at home too much more.
By pat
January 25, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Thanks Gladys Hardy and Ellen. Keep calling her, Ellen, she is a riot.
By Pauli Girl
January 25, 2007 09:20 AM | Link to this
I love the fact that someone's sence of humor can overide all the bad news that is normally on the front page of the newspaper. I think Gladys is a hoot. I have known many old ladies with her sence of humor and downhome expressions. I would love to meet Gladys and invite her to one of my Parrot Head Club's happy hours! We have adopted her as an honorary member!
By Ron
January 25, 2007 09:15 AM | Link to this
My initial thoughts were, "This isn't a real granny." This is R.D. Mercer. "Just how big a feller are you?"
By Jacqueline
January 25, 2007 08:33 AM | Link to this
We here in Austin, love our Glayds!!!
By Wingkong
January 25, 2007 07:21 AM | Link to this
I thought the Ellen call to gladys was very comical. Who cares whether she really exist or not. The joy and laughter is what's needed. If critics need something to do, why not blast the T.V stations for wasting airtime with "Trump the chump" telling someone, "You're fired", or the other riduculous shows that are put on....
By Steve
January 25, 2007 07:12 AM | Link to this
I know that "she" is a local male comic. I can't reveal his name, though. He used to be a manager at Cap City Comedy Club.
By jeff
January 24, 2007 09:59 PM | Link to this
Got to be Joe Sears, from Greater Tuna!
By Staci
January 24, 2007 02:17 PM | Link to this
Gladys may not be real, but she sounds just like several of the older women in my family. My mother-in-law uses the "late to dinner" line anytime you ask if you can call her back. Whoever it is, they know old Southern ladies.
By Silly
January 24, 2007 01:36 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Roy D. Mercer to me...Anybody remember him?
By Gary
January 24, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
Whether Gladys is real or not, doesn't matter to me. She's a great addition to Ellen's show and I hope they keep calling her! Hugs to Gladys and Ellen!
By austinights
January 24, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Very funny stuff. When you can have a national comedic presence such as Ellen Degeneres rolling on the floor from a phone call....someone's got a whole new career for the making. I know one thing....if this is for real...gatherings at her house have to be a heck of a hoot in Austin.
By Dorothy
January 24, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
So you're strapped for something to write about and you want to "out" Gladys Hardy as an imposter. Why, pray tell? Why not let us enjoy it while it lasts?
By Stephanie
January 24, 2007 08:46 AM | Link to this
Why can't anyone just enjoy things without cutting them down so quickly?? I had such a good laugh when I saw this very sweet phone call on the Ellen show. Just enjoy the moment and give up on the ridiculous cynicism. Go get a massage or something. No wait, you'd probably find a reason not to enjoy it.
By John
January 24, 2007 07:28 AM | Link to this
If Gladys is just a comedic prank, I can't imagine it coming from the tiresome waste of the airwaves KLBJ-FM foists upon the public. Dudley & Bob are reason enough to make the switch to Sirius radio!
By Heather
January 23, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
I too have heard her on Dudley and Bob. They seem to think she's real. It may just be a put on though. It's all harmless.
By John P
January 23, 2007 06:57 PM | Link to this
I heard JB and Sandy play the clip from "The Ellen Show" Then acknowledge that Gladys is a comic. I can't remember the name but it was a guy. Who cares, it is hysterical.
By Pol
January 23, 2007 06:34 PM | Link to this
I think she's real. Those sounded like things a sweet old lady would say. How funny!
By kristi
January 23, 2007 04:42 PM | Link to this
She was a guest "radio personality" on KASE 101 Morning show last year, too. I'm pretty sure that she's REAL!
By Judeene
January 23, 2007 04:06 PM | Link to this
Gladys is either Jonathan Winters or Aunt Pearl from Greater Tuna!
By Elisabeth
January 23, 2007 04:03 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately I missed her Ellen phone call, but Gladys has been a regular caller on the Dudley and Bob show on KLBJ for a while. If she was half as funny with Ellen as she is with Dudley and Bob I'm sure it was fantastic!!