Barry Humphries is hanging up the rhinestone specs. I used to love staying up late to howl at the Dame Edna shows, so I find this sad news, but as Barry is almost 80 I suppose we can grant him some rest.
This is just one of Everage’s comedic techniques, which have occasionally spurred controversy, such as in 2003 when she was invited to write a satirical advice column for Vanity Fair and following one of her tongue-in-cheek responses to a reader involving whether she should learn Spanish, received death-threats from readers and an angry letter from actress Salma Hayek.In response, Everage responded by saying Hayek’s anger was the result of “professional jealousy” because the role of painter Frida Kahlo had first been offered to her.As Humphries has frequently restated over his career: “There is no more terrible fate for a comedian than to be taken seriously.”
via Dame Edna to retire after upcoming tour | Arts | National Post.