THOUSAND OAKS : Host Makes Up for Studio Slight

Two months ago, Juanita Kotten put on one of her favorite suits and led more than 40 other nattily dressed seniors to the Hollywood studios where Marilu Henner films her daily talk show.

The group had been booked to attend “Marilu,” but members ended up waiting outside under the hot sun, watching younger fans head into the studio. When the red on-air light came on, the group remained outside the door, missing the actress they had driven an hour to see.

On Monday, the star of “Taxi” and “Evening Shade” made up to her fans in the 55+ Club by driving an hour to see them.

“I heard what had happened two weeks later, and I didn’t like it,” Henner said as she entertained a group of fans at Goebel Senior Center in Thousand Oaks.

Although they were never told why they were turned away, some suspected it was because of the group’s age.

“We were under the impression that the topic was geared toward a younger audience,” said Paula Christensen, 34, who accompanied a senior friend to the taping, which featured Ann Jillian discussing her pregnancy.

Henner’s staff, however, said the daytime talk show--which is on hiatus--tries to attract a variety of audience members and was not seeking a specific group for the taping. Henner said the group was the victim of overbooking.

The dozen people who welcomed Henner said the down-to-earth actress--who drove her own car and frequently rose from her seat to provide fold-out chairs for new audience members--more than made up for any slight at the studio.

“I love Marilu. She’s so effervescent,” Alberta Jackson said.

“There are only about four decent talk shows, and hers is one of them. The rest of them are junk. Marilu doesn’t just get people off the street like those other shows do.”

Henner spent more than an hour with the seniors, showing them pictures of her 11-month-old baby and asking them what they would like to see on television. She described her days on the set of “Taxi” and fellow actors from Burt Reynolds to David Letterman.

“We’re all human,” said Henner, who is pregnant with her second child. “In fact, I’m going to need a bathroom in a little while. That’s how human I am.”