Carol Burnett: Breaking Barriers and Ignoring the Naysayers
Let me tell you about Carol Burnett, a comedy legend who doesn't take "no" for an answer, especially not from a TV studio that tried to tell her she wasn't funny enough. Back in the day, when she was getting her own show, CBS wasn't exactly jumping at the chance to let her do a comedy review. "They told me, 'No, no, no, Carol, no. Comedy is a man's game! It's Caesar, Jackie Gleason, Dean Martin. It's just not for you gals,'" she recalled on May 19 while receiving a Peabody Award in NYC. But Carol, being the force of nature that she is, had something up her sleeve. With a contract that gave her the power to choose the type of show she wanted to create, she exclaimed with an explosive "Ha!" and went ahead with her vision. "Well, all I can say is, I am so happy I pushed that button!"
Carol's Legacy: A Comedy Empire Built on Guts and Talent
And boy, are her fans glad she did! Since The Carol Burnett Show first graced our screens in 1967, Carol has proven time and again that she's unstoppable. Even at 85, she's still going strong, hitting the road with her one-woman Q&A show. "I love doing it because you never know what anyone's going to ask. It keeps my brain sharp. You have to be on your toes!" she says with a twinkle in her eye. And if that's not enough, she's also hosting a brand-new Netflix series, A Little Help With Carol Burnett, where a panel of kids offers their unique solutions to adult problems. "They come up with such amazing ideas," Carol marvels. "These kids are so smart!"
Carol on The Carol Burnett Show.
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The Joy of Working (and Playing) with Carol
Taking on new projects in her 80s feels as natural as breathing for Carol because, as she insists, "It doesn't feel like work. If it did, I don't think I'd want to do it." Vicki Lawrence, who co-starred with Carol on The Carol Burnett Show, couldn't agree more. "From Carol, I learned how the business of show business should be run," Vicki told Closer Weekly. "Working with Carol isn't work; it's play. If someone did something funny on the show, Carol would be the first person standing on the side of the stage leading the laughter. She has this incredible ability to make everyone feel like they're part of something special."
Carol owes some of her success to her early years on The Garry Moore Show in the 60s, where she honed her craft. She also credits Lucille Ball for teaching her the ropes of navigating the TV business. "She called me 'kid,'" Carol recalls fondly. "She never gave me direct advice, but I watched how she handled herself and everyone around her. She even threw me a baby shower for my second baby!"
View this post on InstagramGather your loved ones tonight, settle in, and binge ‘A Little Help with Carol Burnett.’ Streaming now on @Netflix ♥️
Adapting to Change: Carol's Reflections on the Evolution of Comedy
Carol acknowledges how much the entertainment industry has changed over the years. "You couldn't do today what we did back then," she admits. "If I were starting now, they'd never let me hire Vicki," referring to Vicki Lawrence, whom Carol discovered after receiving a fan letter from the then-17-year-old. "She was fresh out of high school, but the network gave us the chance to take a risk." This willingness to embrace new talent has been a hallmark of Carol's career, and it's something she continues to value.
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A Heartwarming Moment with Caleb
Decades later, Carol still finds joy in making others laugh, particularly the younger generation. "When we wrapped up the [Netflix] series, Caleb, one of the kids, gave me this thumb drive," she shared. "On the screen, Caleb appeared at the piano playing my theme song. He said, 'This is for you, kid,' and he played 'I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together.' It was such a touching moment. We know exactly how he feels." Carol's ability to connect with people of all ages is a testament to her enduring charm and talent.
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