Leachman Reacts To Valerie Harper's Devastating News With Love, Humor

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Valerie Harper's dear friend and "Mary Tyler Moore" co-star Cloris Leachman told the "omg! Insider" that she "won't accept" that Harper has terminal brain cancer.

Leachman sat down exclusively with "omg! Insider's" Thea Andrews for an interview airing Thursday and Friday. (CBS2, 7:30 p.m.)

In the interview, Leachman said Harper called her after the story broke, because she didn't want her long-time friend to worry about her.

"I think of Valerie Harper as the most joyful, spirited, energetic person in the world," the 86-year-old actress said. "I just love Valerie and she loves me. I don't often feel love, I feel admired. But, I feel that she really loves me."

While Leachman and Harper played frenemies on "Mary Tyler Moore," off-camera they were close and incredibly supportive of each other -- especially when Leachman needed a friend to lean on.

When asked by Andrews what gift she would give to Harper during her final months, Leachman jokingly replied, "Mary loved me the most. Be very clear about that. I'm glad I got that off my chest."

"The Doctors" (CBS2, 2 p.m.) announced Thursday they have taped the first TV interview with Valerie Harper since her terminal cancer diagnosis was made public. Harper will be joined on the program (airing Monday March 11) by Leachman and fellow "MTM" cast member Ed Asner.

For more about the "omg! Insider" interview, link here.