Carol Burnett is a name that needs little introduction, especially if you're a fan of
classic comedy and grew up in the 70s.
She rose to fame with "The Carol Burnett Show," an iconic variety show that ran from 1967
to 1978 and won 25 Emmy Awards during its time on air.
But her talent doesn't stop at TV; she's also graced the big screen in films like "Annie,"
where she played the role of Miss Hannigan, and "Noises Off," a comedy that showcased
her impeccable timing.
While she's worked with a plethora of famous faces over the years, not all experiences
have been positive.
Believe it or not, there's even a co-star that Carol Burnett absolutely couldn't stand
working with.
You might be surprised to hear who it is, especially considering the friendly, approachable
persona she generally projects.
But we're not just stopping at revealing who this mystery co-star is.
In this video, we'll be pulling back the veil to share several other behind-the-scenes secrets
from Carol Burnett's impressive career.
From her early days on stage to the challenges and triumphs she faced in Hollywood, we're
covering it all.
So stick around, because you won't want to miss these fascinating insights into the life
and onset relationships of a bonafide comedy legend.
Facts Verse Presents: Carol Burnett Reveals the Co-Star She Hated Most
From The Lone Star State To Tinsel Town
Carol Burnett started off with humble beginnings, born in San Antonio, Texas, and raised by
her grandmother.
She initially moved to New York City with dreams of making it big on Broadway.
After some small roles and a lot of determination, she started to gain attention.
Her big break came when she landed a regular gig on "The Garry Moore Show," a variety show
that allowed her to showcase her comedic talent.
This experience set the stage for what would become her signature achievement: "The Carol
Burnett Show."
The variety show was a massive hit, running for over a decade and racking up a slew of
Emmy Awards.
It became a platform where she could fully express her range as a performer, from comedy
sketches to musical numbers.
It was during the long run of "The Carol Burnett Show" that she encountered the co-star she
would come to dislike so much.
Keep watching to find out who it was.
When Carol Met Harvey
Carol Burnett's rise to fame led her to work with some of the biggest names in comedy,
but not all of these professional relationships were smooth sailing.
One notable bump in the road was her working relationship with Harvey Korman, a key member
of "The Carol Burnett Show" cast.
While the duo created some hilarious and memorable sketches together, things took a turn for
the worse during the show's seventh season.
In her 2016 memoir, "In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun
in the Sandbox," Carol Burnett opened up about a heated altercation that led her to make
a drastic decision.
According to Burnett, the conflict arose during an episode featuring guests Tim Conway and
Petula Clark, both known for being extremely pleasant people.
On this particular day, Harvey Korman was in a foul mood and even acted rudely towards
the guests.
When Burnett confronted Korman about his behavior in his dressing room, he was far from receptive.
He told her to mind her own business, which led Burnett to remind him that the well-being
of the show and its participants was, in fact, her business.
Instead of deescalating, Korman continued to argue, going so far as to say he'd "just
as soon go home and never come back."
Following this exchange, Burnett took immediate action.
She called Korman's agent and informed him that his client would no longer be a part
of "The Carol Burnett Show."
She then returned to Korman's dressing room to break the news.
"Well, you got your wish," she told him.
"You were rude to our guests, and I can't work like that.
So if you want off, you're free to go."
To everyone's surprise, Korman seemed to have a change of heart.
He asked what he could do to make things right, and Burnett gave him a second chance, under
one condition: he had to be cheerful and never rude to guests or crew members again.
Korman agreed, and it appears that he followed through on his promise.
The two eventually patched things up, and Burnett later learned that Korman actually
respected her more for standing her ground.
So, while the show brought plenty of laughter to the world, it wasn't without its challenges.
Now, you might be asking, did this experience affect Carol’s other onset collaborations?
Did she have any issues or difficulties working with any other co-stars?
We'll get to that in a moment.
Stick around for the inside scoop.
Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence: A Unique Bond
Carol Burnett's working relationship with Vicki Lawrence was quite special, standing
out in a show known for its incredible ensemble cast.
While Carol and Harvey Korman had a more contentious rapport, her friendship with Lawrence was
much more congenial, both onscreen and off.
Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence were so similar in appearance that people often mistook them
for relatives.
But it wasn't just their looks that were alike; they had similar tastes and sensibilities
too.
Lawrence mentioned that both women were not your typical "lady's ladies," preferring the
company of men.
Their professional relationship was as smooth as their onscreen chemistry, and both women
had a mutual understanding that they were friends, not sisters.
Financial Tensions
One point of tension arose when Vicki Lawrence felt that she was not being compensated fairly.
Lawrence approached the show's executive producer to ask for a salary equal to her male co-star,
Lyle Waggoner.
The producer turned her down, citing that Waggoner had a family to support.
Although disappointed, Lawrence accepted the reasoning, marking it as a sign of the times.
Solid Support from Carol
The foundation of their relationship was set from the very beginning.
Lawrence was a recent high school graduate when her mother urged her to write a fan letter
to Burnett.
Burnett, who was looking for an actress to play her younger sister at that time, took
a chance on her.
Despite reservations from CBS executives about Lawrence's lack of experience, Carol stood
firm.
She saw potential in Lawrence and fought to keep her on the show, describing her as a
"diamond in the rough."
Life After The Carol Burnett Show
After the curtains closed on "The Carol Burnett Show," both Harvey Korman and Vicki Lawrence
continued to make waves in the entertainment industry, albeit in different ways.
Harvey Korman took his comedic chops to a variety of projects.
He appeared in movies, most notably Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles," where he played the unforgettable
Hedley Lamarr.
Korman also returned to television with guest appearances on various shows and even had
his own short-lived comedy series.
Despite the many roles that followed, fans often fondly remember him for the countless
characters he brought to life next to Carol Burnett.
Korman passed away in 2008, but his impact on comedy remains unmistakable.
Vicki Lawrence: From Sidekick to Spinoff
Vicki Lawrence found great success with her character "Mama," who got her own spinoff
show called "Mama's Family" that ran from 1983 to 1990.
The character became iconic and is still loved by fans old and new.
Lawrence didn't just stick to acting; she also ventured into the music industry and
even had a hit single, "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia."
More recently, she's been touring the country with her one-woman show, delighting audiences
with her comedic tales and quick costume changes into her beloved "Mama" character.
Different Paths, Lasting Legacies
While Harvey Korman continued to act, taking roles in various projects to keep his comedic
spirit alive, Vicki Lawrence, as we've covered, explored multiple avenues in the world of
entertainment.
Both actors left an indelible mark on fans and the comedy landscape alike.
Their paths diverged, but the roots of their talents were forever linked by their time
on "The Carol Burnett Show."
So, whether you remember Harvey Korman for his impeccable comedic timing next to Carol
or Vicki Lawrence for her iconic "Mama" character, both actors carved out their own unique legacies
after the show ended.
They took the skills and experiences they gained during those years and applied them
to the next chapters of their careers, ensuring their places in the comedy hall of fame.
Alright, that about wraps up our behind-the-scenes look at the incredible Carol Burnett and her
experiences working with co-stars Harvey Korman and Vicki Lawrence.
It's clear that while the show was a source of endless laughs for viewers, the cast had
its fair share of ups and downs.
Carol Burnett had to navigate some rocky waters with her team to keep the show's atmosphere
as pleasant as possible.
What do you think about Carol's approach to handling challenges with her co-stars?
Do you think she was fair in the way she dealt with Korman and Lawrence?
And how does learning about these off-screen dynamics change your perspective on the show?
We'd love to hear your thoughts, so please drop your comments down below.