Here’s Lucy : Lucy and Jim Bailey 1973

This is the full length clip in better Quality of Jim as Phyllis.

[@JustinLHopkins]

So many people today think RuPaul started it all, completely ignorant of the fact that these far more talented performers came wayyyyyy before.

[@hughsimpson9106]

100% agree rupaul could only wish to be this creative and funny

[@glennlaroche1524]

And spEAking of Drag Race........ Dear Ginger Minj---------THIIIIIISS is how you do Phyllis Diller, dearie.

[@bsquared4604]

i think it's apples and oranges as rupaul is always rupaul and Jim Bailey was an impressionist or gender illusionist. they were/are both trailblazers.

[@JustinLHopkins]

@@bsquared4604 A very diplomatic answer. I wish I possessed your diplomacy.

[@janeporter818]

Facts 💯

[@MrCherbear1990]

Getting applause and laughter from Lucille Ball must be the biggest and best award you could ever receive in the business...There isn't a trophy in the world that could replace that.

[@AlfredHawthornBennyHill]

Lucy really liked him. She saw this act at a night club and wanted him on her show.

[@Theyralltakenfu]

I agree, she an icon of a woman.

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

It most likely was in the script for L. B. to laugh and give applause.. she very very seldom did any kind of improv in any of her television shows.

[@GJF118]

@@Nunofurdambiznez Just look at those reaction shots of Lucy and Gale Gordon laughing hysterically; that was genuine, not merely scripted.

[@Digital_Ghost_]

This couldn't have been more spot on. I can't get over the voice. Sounds just like her.

[@SC-yw5ve]

It’s like watching Phyllis. It’s crazy!

[@MiguelDante]

This man is beyond brilliant! How could that not be the real Phyllis Diller! Incredible!

[@inkyguy]

He is absolutely remarkable. I had no idea I wasn’t watching Diller herself (with whom, I’ve learned, he was close friends). What’s amazing is that he also did equally spot on impressions of Judy Garland, Peggy Lee and Barbara Streisand. Judy Garland was so impressed that at one performance she stepped out of the audience and turned his solo performing as her into a duet.

[@robertpace901]

In his day, Jim Bailey was the best female impersonator. Was on many tv shows including Night Court if I recall correctly.

[@YesItsMeGuys68]

No body but, No body does Diller like Bailey !!!! Amazing

[@hankaustin7091]

If I had not read the title of this video, I would have NEVER guessed this was NOT Phyllis Diller herself!! absolutely amazing performance by Jim Bailey!!

[@David-kv9yh]

Had a chance to meet Jim in 1999. He was a guest on our radio talk show in Palm Springs. A sweet, gentle and unassuming man. First class and he looked great.

[@frankcarter7146]

Hard to accept that Phyllis is gone. Spectacular lady and freakin HILARIOUS. Love and miss her. Impersonation is SPOT ON!

[@DA90027]

I love how you can hear Lucy laughing in the background

[@zzzut]

I was watching for about two minutes before I realised it was not Phyllis Diller. Impressive performance.

[@blessOTMA]

I never heard a person who sounded exactly like the individual they are portraying while yelling! He's so on point, he could whatever he wanted with her voice. Amazing

[@janetaeschliman3168]

Oh my godh this person is INCREDIBLE......truly impressed . Im almost believing im watching the real deal....what TALENT

[@geminidreamatl26]

if you hadn't of posted it was Jim Baily, i would of bet my entire Madonna collection it was Phyllis Diller who was a total sweet heart to her fans. she mailed me a signed copy of her book and 2 8x10 pictures just for writing her a fan letter! Phyllis was hysterical. one of the best female comedians but Jim, daaamn, He was extremely talented to convince people he wasn't really who he was impersonating. loved it!

[@annprince5298]

Nowadays I have to be careful with, pronouns so he/ she is brilliant as everyone else I thought it was phyllis diller

[@garyrichard883]

Jim Bailey I haven't heard that name in years he is a true artist by any word God bless

[@willyboy6126]

Jim was *BRILLIANT!*

[@markwhitman9029]

I can't stop laughing and so much that tears flowing. Genius impersonator! Lucy looks absolutely gorgeous and you can tell adores Jim!

[@coryavila01]

This episode just aired today in Tucson and I actually pulled out my camera and recorded it. Then I looked it up on here. Jim is just great. He later performs, as himself, a duet with Lucie Arnaz that is just amazing! Worth watching.

[@2degucitas]

Impeccable. Just like her. Jim was a master.

[@joeyconvery2055]

2degucitas Amazing performer. He should have been a household name.

[@blueskye6372]

Amazing man and talent. He was truly gifted. Rest in Paradise Jim.☀️🌄📺🎬

[@TheFiown]

How sad that few people know who Phillis Diller is !

[@scarr5666]

What a talent - BOTH OF THEM.

[@michaelroberts1039]

Sad that many Don't know who Jim Bailey is? He is fabulous !

[@michaeltroybrown6075]

Amazing. He was the best. Does Peggy Lee incredibly.

[@travisgrant5608]

F-ing BRILLIANT!!!! 👍🤗💞

[@slimtee2]

This is true stand-up comedy!

[@burffle]

Just can't get enough of Jim's Phyllis!

[@GaryWaldman]

Always the best there is. Is there anyone else in the world with this much talent? Doubt it.

[@joshuahoward6845]

When you’re almost more entertaining than the person you’re imitating

[@michaeldelia9048]

He sounded just like her little do people know she was a beautiful person. RIP PHYLLIS.

[@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

Jim Bailey - Pure Genius

[@pamhall1838]

Going to miss you Jim and all the talks we had! may you be at peace now!!

[@znmnky13]

The voice is remarkably spot on

[@austinkirkland389]

What a brilliant and amazing performance.

[@joeburinskas8672]

He had Phyllis down pat, the pauses, stop, and then laughing herself

[@letmetellya9571]

I miss those days. He’s so funny. I have to play taps because all comedians today are dead.

[@orion8835]

Not only was this a hilarious set it was a set within a set. All featuring female impersonation, an impersonation AND that personas talent in a set. Very powerful talent and very unusual. Diller of course was a gas and so enjoyable as a clown comedienne so this goes down a treat. Lucille Ball and the other creactions add to even more pleasure.

[@lianelayman7577]

God bless it he sounds just like her.

[@windstorm1000]

brilliant talent!!!

[@EYE_GOTCHA]

I saw Phyllis perform at Knott’s Berry Farm in 1978. She was fabulous. EDIT: Of course, Jim-as-Phyllis was fabulous, too. 😃

[@ericschnelten1193]

He was spot on!

[@rickenba]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU !

[@secretdaisy6484]

Brilliant 💎! 👍☮️🌞🎤💗

[@TinkersDamm]

Incredible!!!

[@markarnold8014]

Pure Magic.

[@robmacleod6051]

Jim was Amazing

[@WCaron23001]

I luv Jim.....

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

The BEST of the BEST!!!!!

[@frankr1141]

Amazing !!!!!

[@anthonydavid5121]

This is beautiful!

[@Coinguy1945]

Just great

[@RoseFink]

Tremendous and unique talent, and so funny!

[@EliseGolddragon]

lovely

[@lancedukel3436]

The best impersonator period.

[@ZarahLean]

This is very good!

[@PhDrSeuss]

YOU ARE GOOD!!!!! GREAT JOB & COMICAL!!!

[@RUBYMUNRO]

Wonderful xx

[@mthivier]

Supposedly, Lucille Ball had seen Bailey perform and became a big fan, and personally invited him to appear on "Here's Lucy", and he remained friends with both her and Lucie Arnaz for many years after that.

[@allenhansford6872]

Awesome 👌 👏 👍 😍 💖 🆒️ 👌 👏 👍 😍 💖 🆒️ 👌 👏 👍 😍 💖 🆒️ 👌 👏 👍 😍 💖 🆒️

[@queerchoreography54]

LOVE THIS

[@markhenry637]

Are you kidding? I mer and spoke with phyllis Diller on several occasions and I can't tell the difference!

[@jimrick6632]

GOD HE WAS GOOD....

[@maleficentdiva]

Phyllis Dyler reminds me of Cruella Devil! same type of look!

[@sharksport01]

Guess why.

[@edwardreynolds1249]

Love it lol

[@BradyQuartermaine]

This is amazing! 😅😊😂

[@Boomersdth]

4:36 Jim Bailey was truly amazing. And I just saw him in the interview saying he was going Consider marrying lucy arnez that would have been That would have been his greatest illusion. A happily married man.

[@JIMBAILEY011038]

lol… that’s funny and I know it’s true can you forward that to me …

[@jamesfeeney3016]

Amazing

[@MonteCarlotta]

1-10-12; Happy Birthday Jim!

[@gc4847]

A true talent

[@daviyen]

I don't know if this means I should watch more Jim Bailey content or more Phyllis Diller.

[@brandoOhalloran84]

I don’t usually ‘comment’ but this was hilarious!!

[@gilalan150]

Birlliant!

[@SoGoodWeNamedIt]

if i hadnt been told,id think this was really her

[@thistree9028]

Perfect, hahaha, even the legs! Where did she come from?

[@glennlaroche1524]

The greatest female impersonator. Period.

[@MediaWatchDawg]

This must be what it's like in a parallel universe.

[@scottdellrobinson]

Funny

[@dennishalford5763]

I had forgotten how extraordinarily talented this guy is! He does Phyllis Diller better than Phyllis Diller.

[@allenhansford6872]

😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@Usercantwelve]

😂❤💥💥💥

[@doodaahman]

Is he prettier than Phyllis was?

[@dancingnature]

Phyllis actually wasn’t ugly

[@nickyoung630]

Back when you could actually buy nice clothes from SEARS

[@rpolanco007]

LOL 🤣🤣🤣

[@mark7s980]

Actually funnier than Diller.

[@HansHenderson]

NOT LUCY

[@sonicvasquez4673]

Gay people are so talented.

[@e.m.tanner179]

@@estelleschneider9033 Very true. Jim Bailey was a female impersonator, and not a drag queen.

[@annastaciabeaverhausen1989]

Rupaul is TWO dimensional. His drag is based on magazine models. Which is why it took him 20 years to hit it big. He does music....meh. But Drag Race is what it is from all of the staff, not him. He doesn't bother with the girls unless he has to. And they keep calling him Mama Ru. More like Grandmama Ru. And YES... MANY came before him. Charles Pierce comes to mind. But that was back when TALENT mattered.

[@billygoyboy]

He's really amazing!!!!

[@inkyguy]

billygoyboy, that’s quite the eye catching photo you’ve got there. Mon dieu!