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Video: Bette Midler As Soph In Divine Madness
By Mister D
January 19, 2025
Yes, Sophie Tucker indeed played a significant part in the lineage of humor that Bette Midler’s Soph character draws from. Sophie Tucker (1886-1966), known as “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas,” was a pioneering vaudeville performer whose act included raunchy, humorous songs and monologues similar to the style Midler would later adopt for her Soph character:
Influence on Humor: Tucker was famous for her bawdy humor, often focusing on love, sex, and her own voluptuous figure, which was quite bold for her time. Her style of comedy, full of innuendo and direct, earthy humor, set a precedent for later comedians like Bette Midler.
Cultural Representation: Like Midler’s Soph, Tucker’s routines often celebrated or satirized aspects of Jewish-American life, drawing from her own experiences and observations. She was known for her monologues about her mother, her husbands, and her own ambitions, which resonated with audiences familiar with the cultural nuances.
Performance Style: Tucker was known for her powerful, brassy voice and her engaging stage presence. She could connect with her audience through her songs and stories in a way that was both entertaining and confessional, much like Midler’s Soph does in “Divine Madness!”
Link to Bette Midler: Midler acknowledges Tucker as an influence for Soph, the parallels in style, content, and the spirit of their performances are unmistakable. Both artists used humor to break down taboos, celebrate their cultural heritage, and connect with audiences on a deeply personal level. Midler, in her own way, has continued and reinterpreted this tradition of humor.
Sophie Tucker’s legacy in comedy, especially through her influence on performers like Bette Midler, underscores a continuity in the evolution of comedic performance, where humor serves not only to entertain but also to reflect and critique societal norms and personal identity. Midler’s Soph can be seen as a modern, affectionate tribute to this rich comedic heritage.
