The Miami Herald from Miami, Florida • 288

Mary Ann new role is no different stroke for her 12:15 pm and Mary Ann Mobley displaying true Southern hospitality is trying to finish a sandwich and give an interview before her next scene Sitting in her new dressing Th new Mrs Drummond is surrounded by her family from left Dana Plato Todd Bridges Danny Cooksey Conrad Bain Gary Coleman and Mary Jo Catlett room Mobley talks about motherhood her favorite role in real life and one the former Miss America will now play in Strokes when the series returns for its eighth year Friday night Mobley is one of two major changes the show starring Gary Coleman and Conrad Bain is undergoing Mobley replaces Southern-accented Dixie Carter as Maggie McKinney Drummond stepmother departure was by mutual agreement according to network officials) The other change is in where the sitcom will be seen ABC picked up the series after it was dropped by NBC last spring Mobley who despite a long career has never been a regular on prime-time television be happier about her new job was she said of her role as stepmother is the nicest job ever had but my daughter Clancy is going away to college soon and God in his infinite wisdom has come up with this the most perfect show for me at this Strokes is just right according to Mobley not only because it will be an outlet for her maternal instincts as she gets to mother Danny Cooksey Coleman Todd Bridges and Dana Plato but also because of the continuing emphasis on contemporary issues For example this season opener deals with child theft a topic close to heart producers asked which issues meant something to me and there seem to be so but one my husband and I feel strong-ly about is the Adam Walsh Foun- Mobley is married to Gary Collins host of the syndicated talk show Hour Magazine Collins was the first to have the the Walshes on his show when they took to the airwaves in efforts to find their missing child Mobley said She and Collins both remain devoted to the cause The episode presented problems for Mobley was very emotional for the script called for me to cry when my son (Cooksey) is safely returned Well I hugged Danny whom I adored even before I -joined the show and I stop crying Finally Gary Coleman came over and put his arm around me to console me I think the director kept the camera Mobley sees gesture as proof that cast members have accepted her touch from Gary meant a lot I knew there would be some apprehension no a new but all worked out beautifully I know not what you want to hear but true the cast is really a Mobley may be playing a stepmother now but her life is more of a Cinderella story In 1958 the mayor of her home town Brandon Miss persuaded her strict father a lawyer to let her enter the Miss Mississippi he thought it would be good for the city It was good for Mobley too she became Miss Mississippi and eventually Miss America beating among others Miss Oklahoma who placed third and went on to become a celebrity herself That name was Anita Bryant Mobley pursued her acting career from Broadway to Hollywood and won a 1965 Golden Globe as the most promising newcomer Perhaps because she always put family first that promise has yet to be fulfilled but Mobley still dreams of an Academy Award She also admits that at one time she feared she would never find her own Prince Charming was beginning to think be the only old maid Miss America but one week after I swore never marry just to marry' I The Miami Herald 4.