Paula Abdul (DAVE PROCTOR/startraksphoto.com)
Mr. T (©Universal/courtesy Everett / Ev)
SAVED BY THE BELL (
)
Flavor Flav (Startraksphoto.com)
With the advent of Twitter, answering the question “Whatever happened to … ?” is as easy as the click of a mouse.
Sure, lots of today’s biggest television stars have taken up tweeting (we’re looking at you,
@JimmyFallon and
@KerryWashington). But former child stars,
talk-show hosts and prime-time hams also keep their longtime fans engaged through social media.
Here are some of the television notables who are carving out entertaining niches on Twitter.
Barbara Eden
@Barbara_Eden
Followers: 16.3K
Career best: Played the title character, a genie, on 1960s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie”
Post-fame focus: Author; touring stage work
Twitter topics: At age 81, proves she can still rock her “I Dream of Jeannie” costume
Sample tweet:
* Here it is folks! The navel that put NBC on edge! Barbara Eden, Sat. night at the Life Ball! 7:06pm – 26 May 13
Paula Abdul
@PaulaAbdul
Followers: 2.4M
Career best: Flighty judge who squared off with Simon Cowell on “American Idol,” 2002-09
Post-fame focus: Still a critic: was a guest judge on an episode of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” on July 9
Twitter topics: Words of inspiration and frustration
Sample tweet:
* Let go of NEGATIVE “ifs” and “If onlys!” Look in the mirror w/gratitude and BELIEVE
#ImMoreAttractiveBECAUSE :)) xoP 7:06pm – 20 Jul 13
Mr. T
@MrT
Followers: 122.6K
Career best: Was bejeweled vigilante B.A. Baracus on “The A-Team,” 1983-87
Post-fame focus: Hosts BBC viral video show “World’s Craziest Fools” since 2011
Twitter topics: Oddly philosophical
Sample tweets:
* It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you’re surrounded by turkeys and buzzards.
11:32 PM – 25 Jun 13
* I got no time for losers! What kind of FOOL do you think I am?
7:30 AM – 29 May 13
Sally Jessy Raphael
@SJRaphael
Followers: 14.3K
Career best: Daytime talk show host, 1983-2002
Post-fame focus: Quiet life at upstate New York farmhouse
Twitter topics: Covets Adam Levine, gives advice to Justin Bieber
Sample tweets:
* @adamlevine is engaged, thus I enter a period of mourning. 5:13pm – 17 Jul 13
* Biebs takes a wee in a bucket @ a restaurant & sprays something over a picture of Bill Clinton & says F*** Clinton? 2 words, kid BOOT CAMP!! 7:42pm – 10 Jul 13
Scott Baio
@ScottBaio
Followers: 74.6K
Career best: Starred as Chachi in 1970s comedies “Happy Days” and spinoff “Joanie Loves Chachi”; title character in “Charles in Charge,” 1984-90
Post-fame focus: Acts and produces on cable
Twitter topics: Acknowledges old friends and runs the odd contest
Sample tweets:
* What a great morning. Went out to breakfast & ran into Marion Ross. #LoveHer #HappyDays 2:55pm – 20 Jul 13
* Round 2 of
#showbaiowhatsinyourfridge best one will win something signed. Here’s my fridge. 12:17pm – 10 Jul 13
Gabe Kaplan
@GabeKaplan
Followers: 425
Career best: Played teacher Mr. Kotter in 1970s comedy “Welcome Back Kotter”
Post-fame focus: Author; pro poker player
Twitter topics: Wry observations about news and entertainment
Sample tweet:
* The royal baby is 36 hours old and sleeps peacefully. By this time, other British babies already have bad teeth.
6:59 AM – 23 Jul 13
Morgan Fairchild
@morgfair
Followers: 23.1K
Height of fame: Veteran of prime time soaps including “Falcon Crest” and frequent guest star on “Dallas,” “General Hospital,” “Cybill” and “Magnum P.I.”
Post-fame focus: Active with SAG-AFTRA union
Twitter topics: Posts alternately disturbing and heartwarming news stories
Sample tweets:
* So Bizarre! Noises in tourist’s head were from flesh-eating maggots
reut.rs/14eiEZp
9:51pm – 21 Jul 13
* Dog Finds A Tiny Kitten, Risks Everything To Save Her http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/dog-finds-a-tiny-kitten-risks-everything-to-save-her 1:49pm – 21 Jul 13
Dustin Diamond
@dustindiamond
Followers: 3.8K
Height of fame: Portrayed “Screech” on ABC’s 1989-93 sitcom “Saved By the Bell”
Post-fame focus: 2006 sex tape, “Screeched: Saved By the Smell”
Twitter topics: Random lame jokes
Sample tweet:
* To do list…
1. Change my last name to Crunch.
2. Join the Army.
3. Work my way to Captain.
4. Become Captain Crunch.
7:32pm – 18 Jul 13
Ruth Buzzi
@Ruth_A_Buzzi
Followers: 38.9K
Career best: “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” 1968-73
Post-fame focus: Raises horses and cattle on a Texas ranch
Twitter topics: Sharp and saucy wit
Sample tweets:
* A crack house by the public library in Detroit had AK-47s, drugs and $3 million cash. Police were shocked to discover Detroit had a library. 4:47 AM – 23 Jul 13
* She asked her doctor if his 30-minute vaginal exam was really necessary, and he said, “Hey, lady, who’s the chiropractor here, me or you?”
6:48am – 20 Jun 13
Flavor Flav
@FlavorFlav
Followers: 60.5K
Career best: Star of 2006-08 VH1 reality show “Flavor of Love”
Post-fame focus: Chicken restaurant franchise partner
Twitter topic: Goofy shout-out to the royals
Sample tweet:
* Congradulationz to prince William and Kate in the UK,,, Just had a Baby Boooooyyyyeee,!!!! Peace to the UK from Flavor Flav,! Yeeah booyeee
10:10 PM – 22 Jul 13
Marilu Henner
@TheRealMarilu
Followers: 16.5K
Career best: Played female cab driver Elaine Nardo in 1970s sitcom “Taxi”
Post-fame focus: Health author
Twitter topics: Confusion about technology
Sample tweet:
* Okay, this is crazy! I send a text to my husband who is traveling, and it ends up on Twitter! Can someone explain?!!! 10:51am – 30 Jun 13