Mary Walsh: The Missus Downstairs

Send us Fan MailMary Walsh says she was born to play the tart-tongued older "Missus" living downstairs from a sad sack young bachelor in the very funny comedy The Missus Downstairs. The award-winning series is back for a second season, including a special Christmas episode (featuring Andy Jones), on Fibe TV.Co-starring is the man who lived the story, Newfoundland comedian Dave Sullivan. His character described the Missus as "like living above Joan Rivers only alive and without all the charm."Walsh, of course, is a Canadian comedy treasure, creating This Hour Has 22 Minutes after co-starring in the breakthrough East Coast comedy CODCO. She's brilliant in comedy or drama, with "The Grand Seduction," "Closet Monster" and "Happy Place" among her more recent film credits.At 70, the Order of Canada recipient finds herself busier than ever, writing, producing, directing and starring in "Missus" as well as directing fellow Fibe TV comedy troopers "HalfHandsome" in the Peak TV parody Jack TV. Asked about mentoring the next generation of Newfoundland comedy talent, Walsh says she's just as grateful to the kids for giving her all the artistic challenges she can handle. All I can say is I wish there had been a Mary Walsh-like mentor back when I was doing "Etobichannel." Listen to this episode for the laffs, stay for the wisdom.