Pope For The Future?

THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL welcomes Phyllis Diller back to the fold on Thursday, March 8, and Friday, March 9, when she turns up to play her madcap alter ego, Gladys Pope. Now that the laugh-a-minute beautician is certified as a justice of the peace — she’ll help one couple tie the knot this time around — her portrayer wouldn’t mind many happy returns. “Now that I’m back in the flow and jiggling around like a young hussy, I’ll be looking for more weddings on the show,” jokes the 94-year-old comedienne.

A gal pal of Sally Spectra, Gladys hasn’t appeared on the show since Sally’s portrayer, Darlene Conley, passed away in 2007. But when Diller’s own pal, B&B co-creator Lee Phillip Bell, suggested she make a comeback, the actress was game. “She was pretty important in getting me back to the role,” says Diller. “And I just love doing it!”

When asked if Mrs. Bell has the same outrageous sense of humor as she does, Diller let loose with one of her famous laughs. “No!” she proclaimed. “She’s too pretty!”