Comedienne Phyllis Diller was born 97 years ago today, on July 17, 1917. She died in 2012.

Diller’s career stretched back to the 1950s, but I remember her for her many TV guest appearances throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Her wild hair and raucous laugh were unmistakable.

Here she is on The Liberace Show in 1969, arriving with her entire wardrobe. As they look through the items together, Liberace suggests that she wear something conservative, along the lines of his spangle-covered jacket. Someone was very brave or very foolish to put these two performers together. With so much flamboyance all in one place, it’s a wonder the TV didn’t explode!

Phyllis Diller on The Liberace Show (May 23, 1969)