Series Description

The Carol Burnett Show was a sketch comedy series. It would normally begin with Carol Burnett coming out on stage to answer questions from the audience. Then the cast would perform several comedy routines. At the end of the show, Carol would sing her farewell song and maybe even have enough time for a few more questions or her beloved, "Tarzan" impersonation!

Carol Burnett Show Cast

Carol Burnett
Harvey Korman
Vicki Lawrence
Lyle Waggoner
Tim Conway
Dick Van Dyke (9/24/1977 thru 12/3/1977 Only As Regular)
Ernest Flatt Dancers
Harry Zimmerman Orchestra

Carol Burnett Show Trivia:

Jim Nabors, star of the series, "The Andy Griffith Show (1960)" and "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964)" was one of Ms. Burnett's dearest friends and appeared on the first episode of every single season! Carol Burnett considered him to be her "Good Luck Charm. The program won way too many awards to mention here. Amoung them were three for "Best Variety Series"!

Carol Burnett attended the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. While she didn't graduate with a full degree, she did achieve an Associates degree in 1954. In 1981, she won a landmark legal case against the National Enquirer. The wrote that, while in a drunken state, she got into a fight with Secretary of State (at that time) Henry Kissinger. The case was appealed and later settled out of court. Until that time, celebrities were totally "open territory" for slander.

The most well-known recurring comedy sketches included "Mr. Tuddball and Mrs. Wiggins" where Ms. Burnett played a "not too bright" secretary that drove her boss crazy (Played By Tim Conway). In "Ed And Eunice", Carol and Harvey Korman played a couple who fought constantly with themselves and with Eunice's mother played by Vicki Lawrence. That sketch actually inspired the "spin-off" of another series titled, "Mama's Family". In "As The Stomach Turns" Ms. Burnett and the crew made a little fun of Soap Operas.

Lyle Waggoner was the very first Playgirl magazine centerfold (June of 1973). He lost his job on the Carol Burnett show due to the bad publicity for the very family-oriented program. It didn't seem to bother the voters in California though. He was elected mayor of Encino, California just three years later in 1976. He also went straight from the Carol Burnett Show to a new series, "Wonder Woman (1976)" to play the role of Colonel Steve Trevor.

Tim Conway earned his college degree in Television & Radio from Bowling Green State University. He was discovered by Rose Marie (Sally Rogers on the "Dick Van Dyke Show (1961)". She got him an audition for the "Steve Allen Show" and he became a regular cast member. He is often referred to as "The Best Second Banana In The Entertainment Business". That's an easy title to agree with for those of us who fondly remember his role as Ensign Charles Parker on the series, "McHale's Navy (1962)". His auto license plate says, "13 weeks". This refers to the fact that every time he's tried for his own TV series, it's been canceled after 13 weeks.

During her second year of High School, Vicki Lawrence sent Carol Burnett a local newspaper article about how much they resembled each other. Vicki also invited Ms. Burnett to attend the local fire department's "Miss Fireball Contest" in which Vicki would be performing. Carol had actually been looking for a young actress to play her kid sister on her series. She went to see Vicki perform, liked what she saw and the rest is history! Vicki even got her own series after this series ended. It was developed from her character as the crabby old lady and was titled, "Mama's Family".

Carol Burnett Show Theme Song

Title: "Carol's Theme"

Written By: "Joe Hamilton"

I'm so glad we had this time together,
Just to have a laugh, or sing a song.
Seems we just get started and before you Know it
Comes the time we have to say, "So long".

There's a time you wanna sigh for dreamin.
And a time for things you have to do.
The time I love the best is any evening
I can spend a moment here with you.

When the time comes and I'm feelin' lonely
And I'm feelin' oh so blue.
I just sit back and think of you only
And the happiness still comes through.

That's why I'm glad we had this time together.
Cause it makes me feel like I'm along.
Seems we just get started and before you know it
Comes the time we have to say, "So Long".

Good night everybody!