Bette Midler says she doesn’t know why she was so mean to Karen Carpenter in her old stage revue. “I regret making all those Karen Carpenter anorexia jokes,” says Midler, whose stage act used to brim with put-downs and nasty one-liners. “I cannot tell you how much I apologize. From the bottom of my soul, I apologize to her and her family. Harry (her husband) and I have a house in Orange County, and every time we drive by the area where Karen lived, I think about her. She had tremendous talent, and I was a jerk for saying those things. I was young and stupid and crazy and thought I was doing profound and enduring stuff. But I wasn’t – I was adding to the ugliness in the world.”
For all her newfound low-key ways, Midler still has a sharp tongue. Take, for instance, her contribution to Roseanne Barr bashing, the country’s newest pastime. “The one time I saw her,” says Midler of Barr, “she said something that so offended me I thought, ‘What kind of barbarian are you?’ Her humor is too dark and overwhelming. I’m sorry, but I don’t think she’s funny. I think she’s crass.”
2 thoughts on “BetteBack September 7, 1990: Bette Midler Regrets Making All Those Karen Carpenter Jokes”
Bette,
If U ever get this – i have always felt a connection 2U – don’t know why – as a kid my Aunt SherylAnn always played yer 8 tracks – i’m 55 soon 56 – my sis Amy always got told she looked like you – and loved it – and i’m a biG GaY – so there’s that – but this TRULY IMPRESSED me – to admit you were wrong – SO LOVING SO HUMAN – SO AMAZiNG – you and Karen were different music – different audiences – and different approaches to the tumultuous 70’s – doubt Rich would have ever let K perform in bathhouses sadly – and we ‘mo’s love love LOVE her music – a whole audience he’s seems dying to deny – but that voice – corny love songs or not – that voice – silky brilliance – and yours – well pure poetry – POETRY – thanks for admitting this so long ago and staying true to your morals and decency and allowing yourself to grow – now make up with Shelley L. – i bet if i worked with her she’d drive me CRAY CRAY too – but she’s suffered enuf – and hopefully – though i wonder – she’s matured and allowed herself to keep learning and growing like you – that’s what we humans are supposed to due – HELP – god bless yunz – xoxo
starting youtube channel soon- wil lyaB a guest or@ least follow – XO
oh and your SLOW BOAT TO CHiNA with Barry – BRILLIANT BLOODY BRILLIANT !!
Bette,
If U ever get this – i have always felt a connection 2U – don’t know why – as a kid my Aunt SherylAnn always played yer 8 tracks – i’m 55 soon 56 – my sis Amy always got told she looked like you – and loved it – and i’m a biG GaY – so there’s that – but this TRULY IMPRESSED me – to admit you were wrong – SO LOVING SO HUMAN – SO AMAZiNG – you and Karen were different music – different audiences – and different approaches to the tumultuous 70’s – doubt Rich would have ever let K perform in bathhouses sadly – and we ‘mo’s love love LOVE her music – a whole audience he’s seems dying to deny – but that voice – corny love songs or not – that voice – silky brilliance – and yours – well pure poetry – POETRY – thanks for admitting this so long ago and staying true to your morals and decency and allowing yourself to grow – now make up with Shelley L. – i bet if i worked with her she’d drive me CRAY CRAY too – but she’s suffered enuf – and hopefully – though i wonder – she’s matured and allowed herself to keep learning and growing like you – that’s what we humans are supposed to due – HELP – god bless yunz – xoxo
starting youtube channel soon- wil lyaB a guest or@ least follow – XO
oh and your SLOW BOAT TO CHiNA with Barry – BRILLIANT BLOODY BRILLIANT !!
Thank you so much for writing, but remember this is a fansite and not Bette Midler. Just want to make sure. Thanks again for the beautiiful letter