The well known crochetted bikini was replaced by a more outlandish costume when Robin served as a judge at the 1990 Miss Fire Island (drag) contest .

This is a Valentine promotion photo shot on the set of the Robin Byrd Show showing that Robin is a great sucker for lollipops.

Here's an early shot of Robin on the set of her show. You may recognize the pose as the source for a line drawing that has been used in her advertising as well as her business stationery.

Long-standing Byrdwatchers will remember that one of Robin's shows back in the 80's was all about fitness - including weight training and tips on nutrition. It was called "Modern Woman." She could be seen regularly at a local gym where many of her future muscle-bound male guests trained too.

One of Robin's first celebrity guests on her live show was Sandra Bernhard. Here they mug for the camera after completing a show.

World-famous photographer Richard Avedon created over thirty portraits of powerful and famous New Yorkers for The New Yorker magazine's Special New York Issue in February of 1999. Personalities like philanthropist Brook Astor, architect Philip Johnson, columnist Liz Smith and jazz musician Ornette Coleman were some of Avedon's subjects. And Robin Byrd had a full-page photo with Times Square in the background and her standing on a pedestal marked "Byrd Square." Look below in "Robin's News Clippings" to see what other famous New Yorker was on the facing page to Robin's photo.

Robin was one of the subjects in a famous series of celebrity portraits called "Hidden Identities" created by photographer Marcus Leatherdale. The title of the series was based on the fact that the subjects hid their faces in some way. "Hidden Identities" was one of the founding monthly features in magazine called "Details" of the 1980's. Also in this series were Jodie Foster, Peter Allen and Keith Haring.

Robin Byrd, Chi Chi La Rue and Tom Weise at the Jan 2003 Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas.

John Epperson (aka Lypsinka) with Robin Byrd (of the white fingernails), diva divine Brenda Bergman, and the late great Page.

Robin hosted several events during Gay Pride Week 2003 in New York. One was a frank discussion titled "Sex in the City" that featured a panel of academics, activists and physicians who explored the meaning LGBT sexual culture and health in New York today. This photo was used to promote the event. It was photographed in Central Park by Aron Norman.

Fire Island residents and visitors will recognize this as the summer Robin. Painter Sal Monetti captured a relaxed Robin and entitled this portrait "Mother Nature's Love Child - 2001." It's oil on canvas and has been shown in several exhibitions around New York City.

Q. What's the story about the bikini you wear on the show?

A. When I danced, a costume maker had a grandmother who crochetted. She crochetted the original one. A few years later, I needed to replace it. While walking down the streets of NYC I came across a street vendor who was selling crochetted clothing for kids. I noticed that she had a swim suit like my costume, only for children. I asked her if she could make me the costume similar to the size I wore. The answer was "yes." I loved it because it would actually

show everything and nothing at the same time. So I had her make me more. And that's what you see me wearing on the show. Since I'm a wash'n'wear girl, they're made of acrylic, not wool and have a silver thread running through it for sparkle. I've had at least 60 made over the years.

Q. Where did you get the Robin Byrd Show neon sign?

A. It was a birthday present from "the head gopher" back in 1980 or 81. I had always loved the heart logo used on the "I Love Lucy" TV show and how they incorporated the show title with the heart. I still have the original sign even though we had to repair some of the glass tubing over the years. It was such an important background to the show that it has become part of our logo.

Q. Is the show seen anywhere outside of New York City?

A. Sometimes it seems so when I travel because a lot of fans tape the shows and send it to friends all over the world. But, no we are only seen on Manhattan leased access cable television - Channel 35. Most cable systems think that their viewers are not adult enough to make their own decisions and that's why it's not shown outside NYC.

Q. When and why did you start using the white fingernails?

A. From the beginning of the show to about 1989 I used silk nail raps. But I wanted to go all natural and as an artist I knew that white would make the nails look larger. So I had the tips cut off and asked my manicurist to use white and have used it ever since.

Q. I have seen you appear and perform at many functions to raise money and awareness for AIDS. How did the epidemic change your show?

A. AIDS continues to change the show. Because we now re-edit a lot of the past shows many look like memorials to dancers who are no longer with us. In 1980 I started doing charity work for AIDS prevention and support services. I remember the first one was "Strip for AIDS" at The World. Even back in 1976 I had a contest on the show called "How many condoms in the bowl"? But as the AIDS epidemic grew over the years every show included a warning to use condoms and dental dams. Last year I was the host of several events during Gay Pride week. One was called "Sex in the City" where legal, medical and gay activists talked about AIDS and it's continuing threat.

Q. During the call-in section of your live shows, did you ever get a phone call from celebrity?

A. The first celebrity to call was Sandra Bernhard. But at first I didn't believe it was her even though it sounded like her. She invited me to her show her and I did go. We became great friends and she even made three appearances on my show in 1986, 87 and 88. I appeared in some of her movies and we co-hosted an MTV 100 top videos of the year countdown TV show in 1987.