During a recent appearance on “Conan” on TBS, comedy legend Carol Burnett reminisced about her iconic variety show and shared some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. One notable detail she revealed was her commitment to keeping mistakes in the final cut of her show. According to Burnett, the goal was to create a truly live experience for the audience, even though the show was pre-taped.
Despite not being able to do the show live in the studio due to technical limitations, Burnett and her team went out of their way to maintain the spontaneity of a live performance. They intentionally left in mistakes and mishaps, as long as they didn’t involve any serious accidents.
In some of the DVDs that have been released, viewers can catch glimpses of behind-the-scenes action, such as the mic or boom coming into the frame. Burnett shared an anecdote about a sketch with Steve Lawrence, where a stagehand was seen moving a piece of the table. Instead of editing it out, they decided to keep it in the final cut, much to the delight of fans.
Burnett also talked about the renowned comedian Tim Conway‘s penchant for causing laughter by going off-script. During Friday tapings, they would do two shows, with the first one serving as a dress rehearsal. After ensuring they had all the necessary shots, they would let Conway loose in the second show. He would often add unexpected elements to his performances, catching his fellow cast members off-guard.
Additionally, Burnett revealed that she taught herself to do stunts and physical comedy. She mentioned that she had always been amazed by Lucille Ball, another great physical comedian and someone she considered a mentor and a friend. Burnett’s fearlessness led her to attempt various stunts throughout her career, and she considers herself fortunate to have never broken a bone, although she did endure a few bruises along the way.
One memorable instance was when she had to jump out of a window during her time on the “Gary Moore Show.” Despite having no formal training in stunt work, Burnett enthusiastically volunteered for the task. To her surprise, there was a mattress waiting for her outside the window, leading to a hilarious moment of gratitude towards the crew.
These stories offer a glimpse into the world of the beloved Carol Burnett Show and shed light on the dedication and creativity that went into creating a truly captivating and entertaining experience for the audience. Burnett’s willingness to embrace mistakes and her fearlessness when it came to physical comedy undoubtedly contributed to the enduring legacy of her show. To this day, her influence can still be felt in the world of comedy and entertainment.
