How is Howard 's mother captured as the typical Jewish mother stereotype ?
William Duell as Emmett Wilson , the town mailman J. Smith - Cameron as Trina Paxton Jane Hoffman as Mrs. Baxter Mary Diveny as Cousin Ellen Becky Ann Baker as Darlene Alice Drummond as Aunt Susan , one of Howard 's relatives Selma Blair as Cousin Linda , one of Howard 's relatives Whoopi Goldberg , Glenn Close , and Jay Leno appear as themselves .