Still front burner on the daytime soap opera "Guiding Light" when this episode was made, the beautiful Kim Zimmer had a memorable guest appearance as Charlene's previously unmentioned cousin Mavis (ironically not at the showers or wedding), a dance instructor who helps the girls prepare for a talent show where they are to play The Supremes. It turns out that Mavis's husband is an abuser, and Charlene tries to convince her to leave.
Having won several Emmys as the flamboyant Reva Shayne Lewis, Zimmer proves what a good dramatic actress she is, and it's heartbreaking to hear her being abused. To lighten up the story, the women are forced to deal with Suzanne's desire to wear dark makeup, causing Julia to object even though she's not doing traditional blackface. The episode just shows how ridiculous Suzanne is with this desire, a good point on the absurdities of blackface in the arts. This is one of the better episodes dealing with serious issues, one that could easily require kleenex where laughter occasionally interrupts.
Having won several Emmys as the flamboyant Reva Shayne Lewis, Zimmer proves what a good dramatic actress she is, and it's heartbreaking to hear her being abused. To lighten up the story, the women are forced to deal with Suzanne's desire to wear dark makeup, causing Julia to object even though she's not doing traditional blackface. The episode just shows how ridiculous Suzanne is with this desire, a good point on the absurdities of blackface in the arts. This is one of the better episodes dealing with serious issues, one that could easily require kleenex where laughter occasionally interrupts.
