Mayim Bialik Shares How Call Me Kat’s Newest Guest Star Pays Tribute To Leslie Jordan – Looper

Fans of Fox’s hilarious comedy “The Cool Kids” will be delighted to know that Vicki Lawrence is guest-starring as Phil’s mother, Lurlene. After the emotional video tributing Leslie Jordan, this brings an essential levity to the series. With TV Line, Bialik breaks down what it means to her.

“We’ve always talked a lot about everybody’s potential family members making an appearance on our show. I’ve fantasized who I think Randi’s mom would be, or Carter’s dad would be, and if Max had a long-lost sister, who would it be? So the fact that someone with a connection to Leslie as Vicki has personally and in their professional lives together is so special.” In addition to Lawrence’s connection to Jordan, Bialik went on to describe how she personally connected with the actress, explaining how she looked up to three comedians growing up: Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, and Vicki Lawrence. 

Bialik goes on to describe, “But beyond that, we don’t want to try and replicate Phil, because you can’t. Just like Leslie Jordan, there is no replicating that character or person. But we wanted someone who had enough of the feel-good aspects of Leslie’s character and enough of that sharpness and fun Leslie brought to his character. She is her own woman, we age her up, but she’s not the destitute woman that sometimes Phil’s character would describe her.”

Leslie Jordan’s special tribute airs on January 5, 2023 on Fox.