FLASH FRIDAY: Miracle of Miracles! Austin Pendelton and Ethel Merman Star in 1977 Sitcom, YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT HERE. It's Swell!

After Broadway legend Ethel Merman said her last "So, Long Dearie" to the stage in 1970, with her final performance in the original production of HELLO, DOLLY!, her public appearances were generally limited to TV guest spots in programs like THE MUPPET SHOW, MATCH GAME and THE LOVE BOAT.

A new sitcom, YOUR GONNA LOVE IT HERE, seemed like a great idea for the musical theatre queen. She played Broadway star Lolly Rodgers, who's left responsible for her grandson after his parents are jailed for tax evasion. Since she's about to go out on a national tour of MAME, she drops the kid off with her son, Harry, a theatre press agent who's used to a freewheeling New York bachelor lifestyle.

Broadway's Austin Pendleton, best known as FIDDLER ON THE ROOF's original Motel, the tailor, played Harry, with Chris Barnes as his nephew/roommate. The premise allowed for the show to focus on their relationship and shoot around Merman's availability.

Though it was never picked up, CBS did broadcast the pilot in 1977, offering a chance to hear the great star to sing the show's rousing opening theme and enjoy shots of the theatre district from the late 1970s.

While Ethel Merman passed on in 1984, Austin Pendleton continues to be very active on New York stages as an actor, director and teacher at HB Studios and The New School. Last season he directed Stephen Adly Guirgis' BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY and acted in Young Jean Lee's STRAIGHT WHITE MEN.