Julie Andrews
After an assortment of political and economic speakers, the announcer, George Martin, introduced the next guest through a collection of clips of “your favorite lady and mine,” – Julie Andrews.
Several films were highlighted from Andrews’ film career. She has recently published four new children’s books, filmed “Princess Diaries 2” and supplied her voice for “Shrek 2” in the role of Queen Lillian, Princess Fiona’s mother.
In her speech she discussed her life from a child in England to her current work with her publishing company, The Julie Andrews Collection.
She told of her big break and the luck that carried her to Broadway, Walt Disney and her collection of memorable roles.
Andrews kept the audience laughing with several secrets from some of the most famous scenes of her career. For example, in “Mary Poppins,” Andrews did many of the flying, twirling tricks on the last day of production. While up on a wire, Andrews began to feel weary as she quickly fell about a foot. After calling to the technician to lower her slowly, she fell to the stage like a “ton of bricks.”
“I let fly several Anglo-Saxon four-letter words that I don’t think Disney heard before,” she said.
Andrews told the audience it was hard to get past her squeaky clean image, but she truly tried. She was in several provocative roles, some of which were directed by her husband.
“When he directs me in a love scene, he says, ‘Well, that was fine darling, but I know you can do better,’ ” Andrews said.
Besides her extensive career on the stage and in film, Andrews has traveled the world and has volunteered with several organizations including Operation U.S.A., and she was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women.
Her efforts and commitment has helped raise millions of dollars for people around the world.
“No matter where we are or where we live, women are sisters the world over,” Andrews said.
Andrews talked about the knowledge and experience she has received from all of her travels since her first trip to New York to her travels to underprivileged nations.
“Whether it is by train or plane or automobile, or even occasionally an umbrella, I hope to continue this journey and meet the wonderful people that make my life so special,” Andrews said.
John Cleese
British comedic actor John Cleese joked during his speech that he didn’t know why he was there.
“I’m not really sure many of you really know who I am,” Cleese said to a cheering crowd.
“It’s usually the PBS audience that knows me.”
Although he joked constantly, Cleese offered a speech that rang true to the group of business people as he explained that people should not be afraid of making mistakes.
In the business world, Cleese suggested, employees are more afraid of getting fired for making a mistake than getting the job done right. Instead, they will just hide the problem and let it fester. Cleese cited Thomas Edison’s creation of the light bulb. Edison made 200 bulbs that didn’t work before he found one that did.
In between his motivational comments, Cleese also threw in a number of jokes directed at President Bush.
“Recently, your Prime Minister Bush said ‘the unrest in the Mideast creates unrest in the region,'” he paused for effect. “Well, you can’t argue with that.”
Sometimes his comments were sly and hidden, but other times they were obvious. Like when he said that he watched the debates, which will decide the next “Prime Minister.”
“I thought the tall one spoke very good English,” Cleese said to a fair amount of booing.
“Oh, so most of you prefer the little guy?” The crowd went wild.
Cleese did not lose support of the crowd, which overwhelmingly cheered him at the end of his speech.
Dennis Miller
Comedian Dennis Miller, former analyst of Monday Night Football, brought the laughter out of the crowd at Centennial Garden.
“Thank you, George, for whipping them into a frenzy,” said Miller after he was introduced.
Miller poked fun at Bakersfield.
“Well, it’s nice to be here in Bakersfield, gateway to other larger gateways,” he said.
He made jokes about the Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, which drew more laughs out of the crowd of 6,000 people.
“I was traveling, I didn’t really see the debate last night, but I hear Bush did a little better,” he said. “You know he’s in a disadvantage with Kerry. Yeah, Kerry has got a lot of experience cause every six months he has to go in and renegotiate his allowance with his wife, so he knows the debate format,” he said.
The television show “Wheel of Fortune” was also mentioned in his talk.
” ‘Wheel of Fortune’ is now officially considered to be home base for chicklet brains in this culture. Puzzle topic: body of water. Puzzle reads, M blank; SS blank; SS blank; PP blank and the moron wants to buy a vowel, an A no less,” he said.