Elaine Joyce a call-girl service on the side. Joyce also hosted the first season (1986–87) of "The All New Dating Game." Throughout the 1980s and 1990s she was featured in many series, including "Mr. Merlin", (in which she portrayed the character Alexandra, a sorceress); "Beverly Hills, 90210"; "Melrose Place"; "Magnum, P.I."; "Simon & Simon"; "Too Close For Comfort"; and "Murder, She Wrote". In 1972, she made her Broadway debut in the title role in "Sugar", the musical adaptation of the film "Some Like It Hot", in which she portrayed band singer Sugar Kane, the role originated by Marilyn Monroe in the movie.
Marilyn Monroe critics believed it to be her real personality and that she was not acting in her comedies. This became an obstacle in her later career, when she wanted to change her public image and pursue other kinds of roles, or to be respected as a businesswoman. Academic Sarah Churchwell studied narratives about Monroe and has stated: Lois Banner has written that Monroe often subtly parodied her status as a sex symbol in her films and public appearances, and that "the 'Marilyn Monroe' character she created was a brilliant archetype, who stands between Mae West and Madonna in the tradition of