Beloved actress Valerie Harper, who has terminal brain cancer and is expected to live only a few months, is teaming up with her old gal pals from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” for a small-screen reunion. Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman and Mary Tyler Moore herself will join Betty White and recurring player Georgia Engel for an episode of TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland” show, Deadline reported March 21.
The five comedy icons are expected to tape the episode April 5. The episode will apparently feature Elka (White) and Mamie Sue (Engel) as they organize a reunion of their bowling team after a falling out.
Valerie Harper is expected to play teammate Angie, while Moore plays Diane and Leachman plays Peg.
It’s thought that this is the first time that Valerie Harper and her fellow “Mary Tyler Moore” veterans have acted together since the iconic show’s finale in 1977.
It’s not the first time, though, that Mary Tyler Moore has joined White on “Cleveland.” In an episode in season 2, Moore played a tough cellmate to White’s character.
“Hot in Cleveland” was just renewed for a fifth season, returning to TV June 19 with a live episode.
Valerie Harper, 73, revealed earlier this month that she has a rare form of incurable brain cancer and that doctors told her she has about three months to live.
“I don't think of dying,” Harper, who previously battled lung cancer in 2009, told People magazine in early March. "I think of being here now."
Valerie Harper is best known for her roles as Rhoda Morgenstern, the foil to Moore’s character on the “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” which aired on CBS from 1970 to 1977, and on its spin-off, “Rhoda,” which ran from 1974 to 1978. Harper later played Valerie Hogan on “Valerie.”
Harper won four Primetime Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Rhoda. In 2006, Entertainment Weekly ranked Rhoda Morgenstern 23rd on its list of the best sidekicks ever.
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