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In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox
In this New York Times bestseller, c omedy legend Carol Burnett tells the hilarious behind-the-scenes story of her iconic weekly variety series, The Carol Burnett Show .
In In Such Good Company , Carol Burnett pulls back the curtain on the twenty-five-time Emmy-Award winning show that made television history, and she reminisces about the outrageously funny and tender moments that made working on the series as much fun as watching it.
Carol delves into little-known stories of the guests, sketches and improvisations that made The Carol Burnett Show legendary, as well as some favorite tales too good not to relive again. While writing this book, Carol rewatched all 276 episodes and screen-grabbed her favorite video stills from the archives to illustrate the chemistry of the actors and the improvisational magic that made the show so successful.
Putting the spotlight on everyone from her costars to the impressive list of guest stars, Carol crafts a lively portrait of the talent and creativity that went into every episode. With characteristic wit and incomparable comic timing, she details hiring Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway; shares anecdotes about guest stars and close friends, including Lucille Ball, Roddy Mcdowell, Jim Nabors, Bernadette Peters, Betty Grable, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme, Gloria Swanson, Rita Hayworth, and Betty White; and gives her take on her favorite sketches and the unpredictable moments that took both the cast and viewers by surprise.
This book is Carol's love letter to a golden era in television history through the lens of her brilliant show. Get the best seat in the house for "eleven years of laughter, mayhem, and fun in the sandbox."
In In Such Good Company , Carol Burnett pulls back the curtain on the twenty-five-time Emmy-Award winning show that made television history, and she reminisces about the outrageously funny and tender moments that made working on the series as much fun as watching it.
Carol delves into little-known stories of the guests, sketches and improvisations that made The Carol Burnett Show legendary, as well as some favorite tales too good not to relive again. While writing this book, Carol rewatched all 276 episodes and screen-grabbed her favorite video stills from the archives to illustrate the chemistry of the actors and the improvisational magic that made the show so successful.
Putting the spotlight on everyone from her costars to the impressive list of guest stars, Carol crafts a lively portrait of the talent and creativity that went into every episode. With characteristic wit and incomparable comic timing, she details hiring Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway; shares anecdotes about guest stars and close friends, including Lucille Ball, Roddy Mcdowell, Jim Nabors, Bernadette Peters, Betty Grable, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme, Gloria Swanson, Rita Hayworth, and Betty White; and gives her take on her favorite sketches and the unpredictable moments that took both the cast and viewers by surprise.
This book is Carol's love letter to a golden era in television history through the lens of her brilliant show. Get the best seat in the house for "eleven years of laughter, mayhem, and fun in the sandbox."
301 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2016
About the author
Carol Burnett
32 books295 followersCAROL BURNETT has been an actor on Broadway, on television, and in the movies. She has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, The Mark Twain Prize for Humor and the Kennedy Center Honors, among other singular achievements of a woman comedian who was nothing less than a pioneer and a role model for today's stars.
-About the Author, In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox
-About the Author, In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,246 reviews
June 16, 2021
After reading Carol Burnett's This Time Together and Tim Conway's What's So Funny?: My Hilarious Life books earlier this year, I wanted to listen to Burnett's In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox since it focuses specifically on all the fun times that she, her cast, and her crew had during the 11 years her variety show was on the air.
I loved this audiobook because it's narrated by Ms. Burnett herself! We also hear conversations from Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Bob Mackie, as well as an interview with Carol by Dick Cavett.
Carol reminisces about her many fond memories, including:
1. recurring characters such as "The Family" (with Eunice, Mama and Ed), Mrs. Wiggins and Mr. Tudball, Mother Markus, the Queen and Private Newbury (the Hollow Hero), just to name a few;
2. the movie parodies they portrayed, including "Double Calamity", "Mildred Fierce", "Lovely Story", and, of course, "Went With the Wind" (unfortunately, a few real-life actors didn't have a sense of "ha-ha" about some of these spoofs);
3. the big-name stars who appeared on her show, like Jimmy Stewart, Betty White, Maggie Smith, Bing Crosby, Alan Alda, Lucille Ball, and many more;
4. how her charwoman icon came into being; and,
5. her tear-jerking speech made at the end of her final show.
I highly recommend this for fans of The Carol Burnett Show - it's all here, and more!
I loved this audiobook because it's narrated by Ms. Burnett herself! We also hear conversations from Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Bob Mackie, as well as an interview with Carol by Dick Cavett.
Carol reminisces about her many fond memories, including:
1. recurring characters such as "The Family" (with Eunice, Mama and Ed), Mrs. Wiggins and Mr. Tudball, Mother Markus, the Queen and Private Newbury (the Hollow Hero), just to name a few;
2. the movie parodies they portrayed, including "Double Calamity", "Mildred Fierce", "Lovely Story", and, of course, "Went With the Wind" (unfortunately, a few real-life actors didn't have a sense of "ha-ha" about some of these spoofs);
3. the big-name stars who appeared on her show, like Jimmy Stewart, Betty White, Maggie Smith, Bing Crosby, Alan Alda, Lucille Ball, and many more;
4. how her charwoman icon came into being; and,
5. her tear-jerking speech made at the end of her final show.
I highly recommend this for fans of The Carol Burnett Show - it's all here, and more!
April 1, 2017
In Such Good Company by Carol Burnett is a 2016 Crown Archetype publication.
I have been a fan of Carol Burnett all my life, and her variety show was a staple during my growing up years, especially as a teenager, when I would come home from school and watch ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ in its trimmed down half hour syndication. I never got tired of watching it, no matter how many times I’d seen the comedy sketches.
This book is about the eleven years, Carol’s show aired in prime time, from 1967-1978, and is NOT an autobiography or memoir. But, the book is narrated by Carol and has the feel of someone looking back on a very fond period of time in their lives and wishing to share those memories with you personally.
The way the show was filmed and the work ethic these consummate performers exhibited is simply incredible. They went in, got the job done in record time, in front of a studio audience, and still managed to work reasonable hours and have time for their families.
Carol recalls how the recurring cast of characters was chosen for the show, the numerous guest stars that appeared, the way the opening Q&A got started, and the instant camaraderie the crew had with stars.
Bloopers and behind the scene pranks were finally revealed, and many of them made me laugh out loud. The show may have been hard work, but mostly it sounded like a fun place to be.
Carol recalls the many guests who appeared on the show and how she met people who became lifelong friends. The musical guests were often given acting roles in the comedy sketches, but sadly when the show went into syndication, the musical numbers were cut out, as the show was trimmed down from one hour to thirty minutes.
The most famous skits, of course, are ‘Mamma’s Family’ and the movie spoofs. “Went with the Wind’, the funniest movie spoof ever performed went down in history, and remains one of the most well -loved comedy sketches of all time.
On occasion, Carol appears to get a little too caught up in her memories and would ramble a bit too long while describing the plotlines of the various skits or add too much detail. However, overall, it was simply delightful to recall all those wonderfully talented people who appeared on the show and the hilarious sketches they performed, many of which I had forgotten, and was happy to be reminded of.
So many of the stars who made guest appearances have passed away over the years, and I enjoyed reminiscing about some of these forgotten greats.
The show had a certain spontaneity to it, as the actors, especially Tim Conway, had a tendency to ablib, which caused even more hilarity. The question and answer sessions never used ‘plants’, and while Carol was often asked some of the same questions repeatedly, there were some very original and sometimes offbeat questions that were hysterically funny, and Carol was always a wonderful sport.
Remarkably, there was very little drama behind the scenes, with only two exceptions. One with a guest and one with a regular cast member. I had never heard this story and I loved the way Carol handled the situation.
This book is very detailed, jam packed with inside information and backstage shenanigans. If possible, get this book on audio to complement your reading pleasure. I checked this one out of the Overdrive library and added audio, and am so glad I did. You definitely do not want to miss Carol doing her Tarzan yell!!
I had a lot of fun with this book and am happy Carol decided to keep it mostly focused on the show and the challenges and rewards that came from it.
The shows are available in DVD format, but the entire collection may give you sticker shock. Many of the skits are up on YouTube, and Carol even seems to give the service a nod of approval for keeping the love for the show alive and helping it reach new and younger audiences.
If you love nostalgia, pop culture, or you are a fan of Carol Burnett and her variety show, you really need to check this book out! Carol, as always, is classy, funny, open and honest, and will at times make you feel sad for a bygone era, but mostly she just made me smile.
4 stars
I have been a fan of Carol Burnett all my life, and her variety show was a staple during my growing up years, especially as a teenager, when I would come home from school and watch ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ in its trimmed down half hour syndication. I never got tired of watching it, no matter how many times I’d seen the comedy sketches.
This book is about the eleven years, Carol’s show aired in prime time, from 1967-1978, and is NOT an autobiography or memoir. But, the book is narrated by Carol and has the feel of someone looking back on a very fond period of time in their lives and wishing to share those memories with you personally.
The way the show was filmed and the work ethic these consummate performers exhibited is simply incredible. They went in, got the job done in record time, in front of a studio audience, and still managed to work reasonable hours and have time for their families.
Carol recalls how the recurring cast of characters was chosen for the show, the numerous guest stars that appeared, the way the opening Q&A got started, and the instant camaraderie the crew had with stars.
Bloopers and behind the scene pranks were finally revealed, and many of them made me laugh out loud. The show may have been hard work, but mostly it sounded like a fun place to be.
Carol recalls the many guests who appeared on the show and how she met people who became lifelong friends. The musical guests were often given acting roles in the comedy sketches, but sadly when the show went into syndication, the musical numbers were cut out, as the show was trimmed down from one hour to thirty minutes.
The most famous skits, of course, are ‘Mamma’s Family’ and the movie spoofs. “Went with the Wind’, the funniest movie spoof ever performed went down in history, and remains one of the most well -loved comedy sketches of all time.
On occasion, Carol appears to get a little too caught up in her memories and would ramble a bit too long while describing the plotlines of the various skits or add too much detail. However, overall, it was simply delightful to recall all those wonderfully talented people who appeared on the show and the hilarious sketches they performed, many of which I had forgotten, and was happy to be reminded of.
So many of the stars who made guest appearances have passed away over the years, and I enjoyed reminiscing about some of these forgotten greats.
The show had a certain spontaneity to it, as the actors, especially Tim Conway, had a tendency to ablib, which caused even more hilarity. The question and answer sessions never used ‘plants’, and while Carol was often asked some of the same questions repeatedly, there were some very original and sometimes offbeat questions that were hysterically funny, and Carol was always a wonderful sport.
Remarkably, there was very little drama behind the scenes, with only two exceptions. One with a guest and one with a regular cast member. I had never heard this story and I loved the way Carol handled the situation.
This book is very detailed, jam packed with inside information and backstage shenanigans. If possible, get this book on audio to complement your reading pleasure. I checked this one out of the Overdrive library and added audio, and am so glad I did. You definitely do not want to miss Carol doing her Tarzan yell!!
I had a lot of fun with this book and am happy Carol decided to keep it mostly focused on the show and the challenges and rewards that came from it.
The shows are available in DVD format, but the entire collection may give you sticker shock. Many of the skits are up on YouTube, and Carol even seems to give the service a nod of approval for keeping the love for the show alive and helping it reach new and younger audiences.
If you love nostalgia, pop culture, or you are a fan of Carol Burnett and her variety show, you really need to check this book out! Carol, as always, is classy, funny, open and honest, and will at times make you feel sad for a bygone era, but mostly she just made me smile.
4 stars
August 8, 2016
If you grew up in the 1970's like I did, you'll remember The Carol Burnett Show (1967-1978) as one of the funniest and most popular TV shows of that era. In Such Good Company is Burnett's recollection of everything specifically connected with the show, including the regulars, the writers, sketches, guest stars and more. If you are looking for a scathing, tell-all celebrity memoir, this isn't it; this is Burnett's fond memories of the show that catapulted her to the status of beloved national treasure.
While reading this I was flooded with so many memories of this great show, I even found myself scouring YouTube for old, hilarious clips of Eunice and Mama. This book is filled with so many short, behind the scenes anecdotes, great conversation-style writing--you almost feel as if it's an old, dear friend recounting her days on the show that she obviously loved so much. This is a great read that I'd recommend to anyone.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for an advance copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
While reading this I was flooded with so many memories of this great show, I even found myself scouring YouTube for old, hilarious clips of Eunice and Mama. This book is filled with so many short, behind the scenes anecdotes, great conversation-style writing--you almost feel as if it's an old, dear friend recounting her days on the show that she obviously loved so much. This is a great read that I'd recommend to anyone.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for an advance copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2024
It makes me terribly sad to only give 3 Stars on this edition of my “Walk ‘n Talk.” Watching reruns of The Carol Burnett show at my Grandma and Grandpa’s house are some of my favorite childhood memories and I couldn’t wait to hear all about the behind the scenes and unknown (to me, at least) stories of the “company” she kept with Vicki Lawrence, Lionel Wagoner, Harvey Korman and the absolutely hilarious Tim Conway.
While the trip down memory lane did reminisce on some unforgettable moments in comedic history . . .
Hours were spent giving detailed play-by-play of various skits that really should simply be watched rather than listened to in order to get the belly laughs. This was a book for already existent fans – we KNOW these skits as they have been on repeat for 50 years! Also unfortunate was that Carol’s favorite bits were often not my favorite bits and at times I considered maybe fast-forwarding.
Burnett is still a national treasure, much like our dearly departed Betty White. This just missed the mark a bit for me.
While the trip down memory lane did reminisce on some unforgettable moments in comedic history . . .
Hours were spent giving detailed play-by-play of various skits that really should simply be watched rather than listened to in order to get the belly laughs. This was a book for already existent fans – we KNOW these skits as they have been on repeat for 50 years! Also unfortunate was that Carol’s favorite bits were often not my favorite bits and at times I considered maybe fast-forwarding.
Burnett is still a national treasure, much like our dearly departed Betty White. This just missed the mark a bit for me.
September 9, 2016
This book was a delight to read. Carol talks about her career, her show, guest stars, regular show actors and backstage people. She identifies all the backstage people and talks about their contributions to the show. Some of the sketches that she recounts are hilarious. Some off screen stunts are also very funny. The Tim Conway "invisible man " stunt makes the book worthwhile all by itself.
I rate it 4.5 stars out of 5(rounded down to 4).
One quote from an excited fan to Jim Nabors: "Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!. As soon as I get home, I'm gonna hang this up on my wall next to Jesus!" Jim literally fell out of his chair.
There are no salacious kiss and tell stories in this book. Carol Burnett does a very fine job of telling her story without hurting anyone with malicious gossip.
Thanks to NetGalley/Crown Publishing/Carol Burnett for sending this book in return for an honest review.
I rate it 4.5 stars out of 5(rounded down to 4).
One quote from an excited fan to Jim Nabors: "Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!. As soon as I get home, I'm gonna hang this up on my wall next to Jesus!" Jim literally fell out of his chair.
There are no salacious kiss and tell stories in this book. Carol Burnett does a very fine job of telling her story without hurting anyone with malicious gossip.
Thanks to NetGalley/Crown Publishing/Carol Burnett for sending this book in return for an honest review.
June 25, 2017
4 ⭐️.
I enjoyed reading this book written by Carol Burnett about her life, and television show that ran for eleven years. I fondly remember watching her show with my dad.
Carol Burnett writes about the people behind the scenes, the regular cast, guests, the skits, musical acts, costumes and the fun they had both on and off the set. She describes many skits in detail and tells about filming the show live.
Her show won twenty-five Emmy awards and was listed by Time magazine as one of the "100 Best TV Shows of All Time."
Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing Group for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading this book written by Carol Burnett about her life, and television show that ran for eleven years. I fondly remember watching her show with my dad.
Carol Burnett writes about the people behind the scenes, the regular cast, guests, the skits, musical acts, costumes and the fun they had both on and off the set. She describes many skits in detail and tells about filming the show live.
Her show won twenty-five Emmy awards and was listed by Time magazine as one of the "100 Best TV Shows of All Time."
Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing Group for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2023
Apr. 26, 2023: Happy 90th, Carol Burnett, you iconic and amazing human!
Here’s my review of This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection and it says almost all the same stuff I want to say about this one so maybe just read that if you want something sensical because I'm going to blather from here on out.
My mom quoted Carol’s character, Stella, often. Carol talks about that character in this book and it made me feel nostalgic and happy.
“I’ve been hurt a lot, you know”
When I need cheering, I watch this one, which Carol also discusses and Vicki Lawrence explains in further detail here.
She shares her thoughts on Bob Mackie’s brilliant dress design in what was perhaps her most well-known skit.
She even touches upon one of my all-time favorite of her portrayals, Miss Hannigan
She’s from a different time, one when you don't dish. When she does tell tales, it’s gentle and vague or she admits that someone she was parodying didn’t like her sketch. There’s nothing vicious and her few barbs aren’t sharp. This isn't the tell-all we're so used to hearing today and there's an elegance to that.
She says there’s only one person who was a pain in the ass - they later dubbed him “The Pony’s Ass” - and who didn’t stay the entire week, didn’t do a show. She said they found out later he had been on some drug or another that week and she also mentioned he was short.
My suspicion? Paul Williams.
But who is to know for sure?
I am so glad she mentioned the show being cut in syndication and that it only included the skits when re-aired. I watched more in syndication than I did when it was on TV but I’ve always had overlapping memories of music and dance numbers that weren't funny. I can never seem to corroborate these memories and now I know why. Thanks, Carol! You've saved my brain!
At the end of the final disc is the theme song in piano. It was like finding a treasured memory, like a jewelry box or grandfather's long-lost shaving kit, something for which I had such fond memories but had forgotten about until just now. I loved it.
Here’s my review of This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection and it says almost all the same stuff I want to say about this one so maybe just read that if you want something sensical because I'm going to blather from here on out.
My mom quoted Carol’s character, Stella, often. Carol talks about that character in this book and it made me feel nostalgic and happy.
“I’ve been hurt a lot, you know”
When I need cheering, I watch this one, which Carol also discusses and Vicki Lawrence explains in further detail here.
She shares her thoughts on Bob Mackie’s brilliant dress design in what was perhaps her most well-known skit.
She even touches upon one of my all-time favorite of her portrayals, Miss Hannigan
She’s from a different time, one when you don't dish. When she does tell tales, it’s gentle and vague or she admits that someone she was parodying didn’t like her sketch. There’s nothing vicious and her few barbs aren’t sharp. This isn't the tell-all we're so used to hearing today and there's an elegance to that.
She says there’s only one person who was a pain in the ass - they later dubbed him “The Pony’s Ass” - and who didn’t stay the entire week, didn’t do a show. She said they found out later he had been on some drug or another that week and she also mentioned he was short.
My suspicion? Paul Williams.
But who is to know for sure?
I am so glad she mentioned the show being cut in syndication and that it only included the skits when re-aired. I watched more in syndication than I did when it was on TV but I’ve always had overlapping memories of music and dance numbers that weren't funny. I can never seem to corroborate these memories and now I know why. Thanks, Carol! You've saved my brain!
At the end of the final disc is the theme song in piano. It was like finding a treasured memory, like a jewelry box or grandfather's long-lost shaving kit, something for which I had such fond memories but had forgotten about until just now. I loved it.
September 13, 2016
A memoir of the Carol Burnett show, her guests, the skits, and a bit of the background. If you loved the show, you will recognize many of the stories she tells here. If you've never seen the show and love either comedy, old movies, or musicals, you should stream it. The bits with Tim Conway and Harvy Korman are usually hysterical. The book does a good recap of the eleven years without giving away old secrets or gossip. Classy. Just like the author.
August 22, 2016
I am so glad that I had reading time together with Carol Burnett! From 1967 to 1978 The Carol Burnett Show entertained my family as arguably the best musical variety show on television. In conversational style, Miss Burnett reminisces about the show's beginning, casting of the five main players, the dancers, costume designer, and orchestra. This memorable show garnered twenty-five Emmy Awards in its eleven years on national T.V.
The tone of the book is always playful and positive as Miss Burnett describes her admiration for Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway. She tells anecdotes and humorous stories that she has amassed during the show's eleven year run including details about my favorite skit "Went With the Wind". I was happy to read that the curtain rod dress is proudly displayed in the Smithsonian.
Lesser known facts are presented as well. One night Lucille Ball was in attendance at the Off Broadway musical "Once Upon a Mattress" starring Carol Burnett. After the performance, Lucy went backstage and complimented the young, up and coming star. Lucy would eventually guest star on The Carol Burnett Show. We learn that costume designer Bob Mackie created about seventy costumes for each weekly show and that Carol employed Ernie Flatt to direct an orchestra of twenty-eight musicians.
Carol Burnett describes clean, healthy humor in her trip down memory lane. I would have liked to hear more about the musical aspects of the variety show especially the musical medleys sung with Julie Andrews. All in all, a delightfully funny read.
Thank you Crown Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "In Such Good Company"
The tone of the book is always playful and positive as Miss Burnett describes her admiration for Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway. She tells anecdotes and humorous stories that she has amassed during the show's eleven year run including details about my favorite skit "Went With the Wind". I was happy to read that the curtain rod dress is proudly displayed in the Smithsonian.
Lesser known facts are presented as well. One night Lucille Ball was in attendance at the Off Broadway musical "Once Upon a Mattress" starring Carol Burnett. After the performance, Lucy went backstage and complimented the young, up and coming star. Lucy would eventually guest star on The Carol Burnett Show. We learn that costume designer Bob Mackie created about seventy costumes for each weekly show and that Carol employed Ernie Flatt to direct an orchestra of twenty-eight musicians.
Carol Burnett describes clean, healthy humor in her trip down memory lane. I would have liked to hear more about the musical aspects of the variety show especially the musical medleys sung with Julie Andrews. All in all, a delightfully funny read.
Thank you Crown Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "In Such Good Company"
November 28, 2017
3.5 Stars
SO MUCH FUN!!
SO MUCH FUN!!
September 14, 2016
Incredibly thrilled that Carol Burnett wrote In Such Good Company. I have adored Carol and her show since I was a little girl. MeTV airs The Carol Burnett Show every week day night. It still has me rolling and roaring with laughter. This book covers every little bit you might want to know about each episode with wonderful behind the scenes details. There is nothing mean or unkind which I am grateful for. I have these actors on a well deserved pedestal and that is where I plan to always keep them. Thank you Carol for giving even more of yourself. You are the ultimate best!
November 22, 2017
I do own a paperback edition of this but when I saw that this was on the OverDrive app, I snatched it up:).
Reading Carol's words are enjoyable but the experience for me is heightened by hearing her voice tell the stories. It makes you feel more connected to the material and gives off a feeling of being warm and cozy, like you are sitting in the same room with a blanket on your legs:).
A nice surprise too was interview clips with some if the cast and Carol about those times. It was fun to hear from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
Some of the stories are repeats but it was nice to hear them hear them again and the new ones were just as wonderful.
They had something very special back then. The stars aligned and we got lightning in a bottle. Like Carol said, it wouldn't be possible today to do what she and the gang accomplished.. no one woul want to put up the money (their loss).
Another nice touch at the end had mom and I smiling as well (she listened to this with me and remembered most of what Carol was talking about. A couple stories had her bursting out laughing😁).
"So glad we had this time together."
Reading Carol's words are enjoyable but the experience for me is heightened by hearing her voice tell the stories. It makes you feel more connected to the material and gives off a feeling of being warm and cozy, like you are sitting in the same room with a blanket on your legs:).
A nice surprise too was interview clips with some if the cast and Carol about those times. It was fun to hear from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
Some of the stories are repeats but it was nice to hear them hear them again and the new ones were just as wonderful.
They had something very special back then. The stars aligned and we got lightning in a bottle. Like Carol said, it wouldn't be possible today to do what she and the gang accomplished.. no one woul want to put up the money (their loss).
Another nice touch at the end had mom and I smiling as well (she listened to this with me and remembered most of what Carol was talking about. A couple stories had her bursting out laughing😁).
"So glad we had this time together."
January 16, 2020
This audiobook won a grammy for best spoken word recording and it deserved it! Carol Burnett makes a fabulous narrator. The book was well written and documented--she rewatched every single episode of the Carol Burnett show before writing this. The book was 3 stars with or without the audiobook because I wasn't always interested in hearing as much detail about some of the skits, but if you remember this show and liked it (we liked it at my house when I was growing up) you might love that part of it.
One of the things I liked was that it didn't get into a lot of gossip and many stories about nasty things. She touches on a couple of things, but doesn't even name one idiot. That is Carol Burnett to a tee as I remember her. That's not to say that memoirs were there was abuse (it sounds like she had a good childhood overall and that's okay, too) are wrong, but I think that it doesn't need that to be interesting, particularly when it's about a comedy show.
I am happy I "read" this (listened on audio in the van).
One of the things I liked was that it didn't get into a lot of gossip and many stories about nasty things. She touches on a couple of things, but doesn't even name one idiot. That is Carol Burnett to a tee as I remember her. That's not to say that memoirs were there was abuse (it sounds like she had a good childhood overall and that's okay, too) are wrong, but I think that it doesn't need that to be interesting, particularly when it's about a comedy show.
I am happy I "read" this (listened on audio in the van).
February 4, 2017
I remember watching The Carol Burnett Show with my parents as a youngster, but it wasn't until I was older and watched it in syndication that I could appreciate just how funny the skits were and the caliber of Stars (with a capital S) that were guests on the show. To this day, watching Tim Conway and Harvey Korman play off each (especially Tim -- dentist scene anyone??) can bring me to tears laughing. And the classic curtain rod in the dress in the Went With the Wind skit -- pure genius!
Reading this book was like getting a peek behind the curtain. I loved how Carol talks about how the skits came to be, what it was like working with each other, and her insights on the many guest stars over the years. I laughed several times thinking about the shows she was talking about, and it made me a little sad that there will never be another show like that on TV because of all the reasons she cites at the end of the book (reason #1: too expensive).
There were a few times I was a little bored, mainly when she would recite the entire script from one of the skits. However, I found the rest of the book so interesting and nostalgic, and was fascinated by her take on the guest Stars and her stories about them, that a few bored humps didn't bother me in the least.
Anyone who is a fan of the show will enjoy this book. I know I sure did.
(2017 reading challenge category: a book written by a celebrity)
Reading this book was like getting a peek behind the curtain. I loved how Carol talks about how the skits came to be, what it was like working with each other, and her insights on the many guest stars over the years. I laughed several times thinking about the shows she was talking about, and it made me a little sad that there will never be another show like that on TV because of all the reasons she cites at the end of the book (reason #1: too expensive).
There were a few times I was a little bored, mainly when she would recite the entire script from one of the skits. However, I found the rest of the book so interesting and nostalgic, and was fascinated by her take on the guest Stars and her stories about them, that a few bored humps didn't bother me in the least.
Anyone who is a fan of the show will enjoy this book. I know I sure did.
(2017 reading challenge category: a book written by a celebrity)
May 6, 2017
I have no idea why this book did not make it onto the Goodreads Choice Awards list! It's a d*** sight better than all the other books on the humor category.
The memoir itself would be wonderful in itself, with its memories of Harvey, Tim, Lyle, and Vicky. But what makes it even better is the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Carol herself and has clips of interviews with Harvey, Tim, Vicky and even an interview with Carol by Dick Cavett. As well as a clip of Carol singing "This Time Together" from the last episode of the series.
I remember this series with such fondness. It was so funny, it was comedy gold! I still love all those people. Though, truth be told, I remember Lyle Waggoner more for being on Wonder Woman with Lynda Carter.
Her memories of her guest stars is wonderful too. I loved it!
The memoir itself would be wonderful in itself, with its memories of Harvey, Tim, Lyle, and Vicky. But what makes it even better is the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Carol herself and has clips of interviews with Harvey, Tim, Vicky and even an interview with Carol by Dick Cavett. As well as a clip of Carol singing "This Time Together" from the last episode of the series.
I remember this series with such fondness. It was so funny, it was comedy gold! I still love all those people. Though, truth be told, I remember Lyle Waggoner more for being on Wonder Woman with Lynda Carter.
Her memories of her guest stars is wonderful too. I loved it!
October 12, 2023
While I'm not old enough to have seen the Carol Burnett show when it was airing "live." I did catch the re-runs of Carol Burnett and Friends. I just loved this show and can still remember a number of sketches. It was fun to learn about the behind the scenes hijinks and about how the show came together. I didn't remember who all the guest stars were so I did tune out at times when I'd no idea who she was talking about. Listening to this was pure nostalgia and not recommended for anyone who never saw the show!
September 27, 2016
Every once in a while you've gotta read something that you know is going to make you smile and remember good times. Carol relates memories of her time doing The Carol Burnett Show. If you're as fond of that show as I am, you'll love the book. She gives loving plot descriptions of a few of the big musical production numbers, and that might sound odd, but since so few of the hour long shows are available uncut on dvd, I appreciated it. I'd love to know who the "pony's ass" was, though!
December 22, 2016
I love Carol! I listened to the audio of this and I really can't imagine enjoying it any other way than that. She has clips of interviews with other actors as well. Quite a few times I paused to find the YouTube video to match the skits she describes, which only added to the fun.
She feels like a friend. I'm so glad we had this time together.
She feels like a friend. I'm so glad we had this time together.
September 19, 2016
I read two of Carol's previous books and enjoyed them very much. But this one was a let down. This book is all about her TV show that ran for 11 years in the 60's and 70's. While some of the behind the scenes stories were interesting, there was far to much rehashing of the sketches they did. At the beginning of the book, Carol explains the difference between a comic and a comedic actor.. A comic says funny things and a comedic actor says things funny. Carol is a comedic actor. She says things funny. So the humor of the sketches was lost on the written page. I love Carol Burnett. She is a classy, funny lady. If she writes another book, I will read it. But if you want to enjoy her TV show, you are much better off renting DVD's or watching on Youtube than reading this book.
October 17, 2017
No disrespect to Carol & company but this reflective account was disappointing. Ms. Burnett relies heavily on summarizing entire sketches of the show's eleven year run with hardly any behind the scenes insight.
April 18, 2021
I loved the show...the book not so much.
***Read for 2020 summer reading program “book by a celebrity”
***Read for 2020 summer reading program “book by a celebrity”
March 10, 2017
If you grew up in the 1970's like I did, you'll remember The Carol Burnett Show as one of the funniest and most popular TV shows of that era. What I didn't realize was that it was on the air for 11 years. In Such Good Company is Carol Burnett's recollection of the show. And not just the show, but things connected to the show such as how the regulars were hired and how they evolved, her guests and her relationships with them, the costumes, her cameramen and so on. The title fits the book as she speaks fondly of everyone, gives credit to everyone else and reminisces about the show. The only reason I did not give this book five stars is that I thought the play-by-play of some of the sketches in the book was a little tedious.
The writing felt like you were sitting down and talking to Carol. She shared so many anecdotes about the sketches that I loved that I found myself smiling and remembering my youth. I absolutely loved the Mama sketches and the Gone with the Wind sketch was one of my favourites. Many of the other descriptions has me remembering things that I had forgotten. I definitely need to check out clips on youtube. A great, relatively quick read that was thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for generously providing me with a copy of this book.
The writing felt like you were sitting down and talking to Carol. She shared so many anecdotes about the sketches that I loved that I found myself smiling and remembering my youth. I absolutely loved the Mama sketches and the Gone with the Wind sketch was one of my favourites. Many of the other descriptions has me remembering things that I had forgotten. I definitely need to check out clips on youtube. A great, relatively quick read that was thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for generously providing me with a copy of this book.
January 13, 2021
I listened to this audiobook and first of all, I just want to say that it was a fantastic idea to have Carol read this herself. She is so funny even reading just reading this book. She is so expressive and I actually found myself laughing out loud in my car alone during several chapters.
Secondly, the clips of Vickie Lawrence talking about how she met Carol and ended up on the show, Tim Conway talking about his family, Bob Mackie on the Went With the Wind dress, and Harvey Korman talking about the time that Carol fired him were wonderful additions! I couldn’t have loved this more but I recommend watching some of the Carol Burnett show before reading this because you will appreciate it so much more!
Secondly, the clips of Vickie Lawrence talking about how she met Carol and ended up on the show, Tim Conway talking about his family, Bob Mackie on the Went With the Wind dress, and Harvey Korman talking about the time that Carol fired him were wonderful additions! I couldn’t have loved this more but I recommend watching some of the Carol Burnett show before reading this because you will appreciate it so much more!
March 3, 2017
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this. I've read Carol Burnett's autobiography, This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection and I liked it. She comes across as so wonderfully authentic and kind. This book is less of a personal autobiography and instead it is more of a history about her television show that ran 11 years. She talked about guests, cast members, skits, the writers, costumes, etc. I'm a little too young to remember her show, but this book was a great collection of her thoughts and memories about that time of her life.
I enjoyed this. I've read Carol Burnett's autobiography, This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection and I liked it. She comes across as so wonderfully authentic and kind. This book is less of a personal autobiography and instead it is more of a history about her television show that ran 11 years. She talked about guests, cast members, skits, the writers, costumes, etc. I'm a little too young to remember her show, but this book was a great collection of her thoughts and memories about that time of her life.
September 26, 2016
When I saw that Burnett had published a memoir of her years as America’s favorite comedic performer on The Carol Burnett Show, which ran from 1967 through 1978, my first thought was, what, another memoir? She’s already published at least three others, one of which I have read and reviewed. But the fact is, she hadn’t used up all her juice yet. Each of her memoirs focuses on some particular aspect of her life, and so this book is new, it’s original, and it’s probably the stuff you were hoping she’d talk about in her other memoirs. Lucky me, I read it free thanks to Net Galley and Crown Archetype. It was published September 13 and I am sorry to be on the late side, but I scored my own copy just prior to publication; I had no idea it was available till Crown put a promotion up on Facebook and it showed up on my home page. I genuinely held my breath as I logged onto Net Galley to see if I was too late, and the literature fairy smiled on me.
As the memoir begins, I am at first a trifle disappointed, because it appears as if she is just going to list every single person that’s ever appeared on her show and gush about how nice they were. But she’s just warming up, and it gets more interesting. She describes how she made her way into show business, and though she skims over the early years, knowing that the reader wants to get to the show, it sounds very much as if she was the overnight success that aspiring actors only dream of becoming. She was on a show that I wasn’t around yet to watch called “The Garry Moore Show”, and she must have made not only a tremendous impression, but also a lot of friends, because she was offered her own variety show—think of it!—and then was able to bring a head writer, a choreographer, a bunch of dancers and some other people west with her from New York to Los Angeles.
This show was a fixture in my childhood and adolescence. One of Burnett’s regular satirical sketches lampooned soap operas, and it was called “As the Stomach Turns”. It was one of the few things that made my parents and me laugh out loud at the same time. My friends and I spent ridiculous, late night hours creating our own satire of a satire, which we dubbed “As the Stomach Churns”, and which featured imaginary illicit relationships among our own teachers along with the administration, janitorial staff, and especially our librarian, a book hoarder that chased away all potential clientele from her sacred gates. So when I saw that Burnett was writing about the show, I had to see what she’d written, because she had been an intrinsic part of my own development.
All comers that want to read this should do it near an internet source if at all possible, because the comedic sketches can be viewed on television and now also on YouTube. This is fairly new: I tried to view them a couple of years ago and they weren’t there yet, so this is exciting all by itself.
And if you have never seen any of her work and wonder what I am carrying on about, check it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUKYH...
The life that she led sounds like something most actors could only dream of. She got up, got her kids off to school, started work on the show mid-morning Monday-Friday, with a single run-through on Thursday followed by a live show before a studio audience Friday, and then they were done at three o’clock and she was done by the time her kids were out of school. It came down to disciplined behavior on the part of the cast and crew, and to the unusually respectful atmosphere in which the show was done. Once a guest misbehaved and when he threatened to storm off the set, she let him go and said good riddance; they did the show without him. (She won’t give us a name, but he was short. I have been speculating ever since.)
She does tell the many spoofs that were done on movies of the past, and which actors called to say they just loved what the show had done with their film, and which either called up and were angry or sent indirect messages that they were not amused. And she offers a retrospective look at the way women in show business were expected to behave back then; she was sometimes a doormat, and exultantly recounts how Edie Gourmet, on a guest visit, gave some of it back to those that bullied Carol.
Some of the funniest bits of writing are included, and some of the regular cast’s best onstage moments are recounted, along with those of favorite guest stars. A complete list of every show and which guests were featured is at the back of the book for those that want to look up particular entertainers, or peruse it for fun.
But the bottom line is that this is pure gold for those that love Burnett and the show, and that can follow along some of the high performance points online. If you aren’t interested in her work, then the memoir won’t mean much to you.
Recommended to Burnett’s many fans.
As the memoir begins, I am at first a trifle disappointed, because it appears as if she is just going to list every single person that’s ever appeared on her show and gush about how nice they were. But she’s just warming up, and it gets more interesting. She describes how she made her way into show business, and though she skims over the early years, knowing that the reader wants to get to the show, it sounds very much as if she was the overnight success that aspiring actors only dream of becoming. She was on a show that I wasn’t around yet to watch called “The Garry Moore Show”, and she must have made not only a tremendous impression, but also a lot of friends, because she was offered her own variety show—think of it!—and then was able to bring a head writer, a choreographer, a bunch of dancers and some other people west with her from New York to Los Angeles.
This show was a fixture in my childhood and adolescence. One of Burnett’s regular satirical sketches lampooned soap operas, and it was called “As the Stomach Turns”. It was one of the few things that made my parents and me laugh out loud at the same time. My friends and I spent ridiculous, late night hours creating our own satire of a satire, which we dubbed “As the Stomach Churns”, and which featured imaginary illicit relationships among our own teachers along with the administration, janitorial staff, and especially our librarian, a book hoarder that chased away all potential clientele from her sacred gates. So when I saw that Burnett was writing about the show, I had to see what she’d written, because she had been an intrinsic part of my own development.
All comers that want to read this should do it near an internet source if at all possible, because the comedic sketches can be viewed on television and now also on YouTube. This is fairly new: I tried to view them a couple of years ago and they weren’t there yet, so this is exciting all by itself.
And if you have never seen any of her work and wonder what I am carrying on about, check it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUKYH...
The life that she led sounds like something most actors could only dream of. She got up, got her kids off to school, started work on the show mid-morning Monday-Friday, with a single run-through on Thursday followed by a live show before a studio audience Friday, and then they were done at three o’clock and she was done by the time her kids were out of school. It came down to disciplined behavior on the part of the cast and crew, and to the unusually respectful atmosphere in which the show was done. Once a guest misbehaved and when he threatened to storm off the set, she let him go and said good riddance; they did the show without him. (She won’t give us a name, but he was short. I have been speculating ever since.)
She does tell the many spoofs that were done on movies of the past, and which actors called to say they just loved what the show had done with their film, and which either called up and were angry or sent indirect messages that they were not amused. And she offers a retrospective look at the way women in show business were expected to behave back then; she was sometimes a doormat, and exultantly recounts how Edie Gourmet, on a guest visit, gave some of it back to those that bullied Carol.
Some of the funniest bits of writing are included, and some of the regular cast’s best onstage moments are recounted, along with those of favorite guest stars. A complete list of every show and which guests were featured is at the back of the book for those that want to look up particular entertainers, or peruse it for fun.
But the bottom line is that this is pure gold for those that love Burnett and the show, and that can follow along some of the high performance points online. If you aren’t interested in her work, then the memoir won’t mean much to you.
Recommended to Burnett’s many fans.
October 5, 2016
I grew up watching the Carol Burnett show and saw her speak at UCLA once. While it was enjoyable to hear her share her memories (she narrates the audio book) I felt it was a bit repetitive and inconsistent. I did laugh for days after hearing the inside scoop on the Scarlet O'Hara curtain rod outfit. And I thoroughly enjoyed hearing how the cast would improv the second take. Truly some comedic genius in their cast.
June 17, 2020
What a trip down memory lane! I have fond recollections of sitting on the couch with my parents as a little kid, watching this show. I haven't seen the show since it went off the air when I was 10 years old but once I started reading about the various skits, I was surprised at how many memories of them came back to me.
I hadn't realized just how many skits were parodies of old movies. I wonder how the skits would hold up today with a younger audience who has no knowledge of the movies being referenced? It reminds me a bit of when I read Don Quixote, which has a lot of "funny" bits that weren't funny at all to me because I did not understand what Cervantes was referring to (even with reading the annotated version of the novel). If your humor is based on events that are commonly known to all, what happens to the humor when what you are basing the joke on is unfamiliar to the audience? It's not so funny anymore. It made me stop and ponder what sort of humor is timeless. I think it is humor based on human emotions/behaviors that remain unchanged no matter what era you live in. Don't get me wrong, I love timely, of-the-moment humor as well. It doesn't age well, though.
Carol(I'm going to refer to her as Carol instead of Burnett because that's the warm fuzzy vibe I get from her) - anyway, Carol writes about how one of her earliest hits was a parody song about Dulles. No, not the airport. The man the airport is named after. Quick, think of five things you know about him! Unless you are over 65, I doubt you can. It turns out he was known for his dour expressions and generally uptight fusty old man vibe. Her act was her pretending to be a teenager, singing a sappy love song about how cute & sexy he was. Very funny assuming you know what he's like. Less funny when you have no idea who she is singing about.
What I enjoyed most about this book were her detailed descriptions about the actual making of the show, down to the weekly schedule and all. Man, she had a great work/life balance! She worked 10-3 on Monday through Wednesday with an hour long lunch break to watch All My Children. Thursday, rehearsal day, was a regular 9-5 day. On Fridays she taped the show but was still finished by 9pm so she & her husband could go out to dinner at Chasens. They went after every taping, bringing whomever was the guest for the week to dinner. She was able to take her kids to school & also pick them up most days. She had summers off, 2 weeks off at Christmas....she really makes the case for making a tv show instead of movies.
She discusses everyone who worked on the show, not just the stars. The writers, the cameramen, the make up artist, the set designer, the clothing designer(A young Bob Mackie!)....it sounds like it was a great work gig. She also writes about many of the guests on the show. All positive except for one unnamed guy who was a jerk and on drugs. The only clue she gives it that he was short. Hmmm, wondering who it was! Paul Williams?
Carol also tells a lot of funny anecdotes a la David Niven's memoirs. Wow, she knows a lot of famous people. Obviously, non are super negative or mean spirited. I think the worst she says is that Joan Crawford and Doris Day were upset over Carol's portrayal of their movie characters. Sure, I can totally believe those actors don't have a sense of humor. She mentions Cary Grant being somewhat rude about her show at a dinner party but then later that same evening apologizing to her & being extra charming.
This book is worth reading if you watched her show when it aired, if you enjoy reading about the nuts & bolts of how a tv show is created, or if you are a fan of old Hollywood movies and the actors who starred in them. If none of those things apply to you, then you would find it all incredibly dull.
I hadn't realized just how many skits were parodies of old movies. I wonder how the skits would hold up today with a younger audience who has no knowledge of the movies being referenced? It reminds me a bit of when I read Don Quixote, which has a lot of "funny" bits that weren't funny at all to me because I did not understand what Cervantes was referring to (even with reading the annotated version of the novel). If your humor is based on events that are commonly known to all, what happens to the humor when what you are basing the joke on is unfamiliar to the audience? It's not so funny anymore. It made me stop and ponder what sort of humor is timeless. I think it is humor based on human emotions/behaviors that remain unchanged no matter what era you live in. Don't get me wrong, I love timely, of-the-moment humor as well. It doesn't age well, though.
Carol(I'm going to refer to her as Carol instead of Burnett because that's the warm fuzzy vibe I get from her) - anyway, Carol writes about how one of her earliest hits was a parody song about Dulles. No, not the airport. The man the airport is named after. Quick, think of five things you know about him! Unless you are over 65, I doubt you can. It turns out he was known for his dour expressions and generally uptight fusty old man vibe. Her act was her pretending to be a teenager, singing a sappy love song about how cute & sexy he was. Very funny assuming you know what he's like. Less funny when you have no idea who she is singing about.
What I enjoyed most about this book were her detailed descriptions about the actual making of the show, down to the weekly schedule and all. Man, she had a great work/life balance! She worked 10-3 on Monday through Wednesday with an hour long lunch break to watch All My Children. Thursday, rehearsal day, was a regular 9-5 day. On Fridays she taped the show but was still finished by 9pm so she & her husband could go out to dinner at Chasens. They went after every taping, bringing whomever was the guest for the week to dinner. She was able to take her kids to school & also pick them up most days. She had summers off, 2 weeks off at Christmas....she really makes the case for making a tv show instead of movies.
She discusses everyone who worked on the show, not just the stars. The writers, the cameramen, the make up artist, the set designer, the clothing designer(A young Bob Mackie!)....it sounds like it was a great work gig. She also writes about many of the guests on the show. All positive except for one unnamed guy who was a jerk and on drugs. The only clue she gives it that he was short. Hmmm, wondering who it was! Paul Williams?
Carol also tells a lot of funny anecdotes a la David Niven's memoirs. Wow, she knows a lot of famous people. Obviously, non are super negative or mean spirited. I think the worst she says is that Joan Crawford and Doris Day were upset over Carol's portrayal of their movie characters. Sure, I can totally believe those actors don't have a sense of humor. She mentions Cary Grant being somewhat rude about her show at a dinner party but then later that same evening apologizing to her & being extra charming.
This book is worth reading if you watched her show when it aired, if you enjoy reading about the nuts & bolts of how a tv show is created, or if you are a fan of old Hollywood movies and the actors who starred in them. If none of those things apply to you, then you would find it all incredibly dull.
August 10, 2016
I received an e-ARC of this book through NetGalley and Crown Publishing.
If you are fortunate enough to have seen some (or all) of the live performances of the eleven seasons of The Carol Burnett Show, this book is sure to have you remembering, laughing, and even sighing gently to yourself about "the good old days". Even though the programs have gone into syndication that doesn't mean you get to see the entire show; those programs only show the comedy sketches. If you want to see the musical segments included in each show you can purchase the full seasons on videos. Just imagine, doing eleven years of a comedy-variety show and holding it all together for all but the final year with the returning performers. Quite an undertaking.
This book is also quite an undertaking because Ms. Burnett lets us all go with her behind the scenes of the entire 276 shows from 1967 to 1978. That's a tall undertaking. There are summaries of many of the comedy skits and anecdotes about the ideas which worked well and those which were not quite as successful. Reading this book is like opening the pages of who's who in the entertainment industry of those years. This is a very positive book, perhaps because Carol Burnett seems to have a positive personality in real life, but there are not any snippy comments or negative incidents included. Even when she had to gather up her courage and fire one of the original cast members there are no negative comments at all. That is quite an accomplishment and one of the things which makes this book such a relaxing, fun filled, joy to read. At the end of the book there is a wealth of information included in Appendix 1 listing every show during each season with things such as date the program originally aired and who the guest star is. Appendix 2 lists who the writers were for each of the eleven seasons.
Some of my favorite segments of the book deal with the Q & A times with the audiences and the skits which included Tim Conway. Really, it's hard to not enjoy this book if you liked watching the series because the writing of Carol Burnett feels exactly like the off-script Carol Burnett - someone you could meet in the grocery store and have a good, old fashioned gossip with. Thank you, Ms. Burnett, this was a wonderful escape back into a time when comedy didn't have to bristle with profanity to be considered funny. Many is the time I ended up reaching for the Kleenex box to wipe away the tears streaming down my face from laughing so much my face and sides hurt. What great television that was.
If you are fortunate enough to have seen some (or all) of the live performances of the eleven seasons of The Carol Burnett Show, this book is sure to have you remembering, laughing, and even sighing gently to yourself about "the good old days". Even though the programs have gone into syndication that doesn't mean you get to see the entire show; those programs only show the comedy sketches. If you want to see the musical segments included in each show you can purchase the full seasons on videos. Just imagine, doing eleven years of a comedy-variety show and holding it all together for all but the final year with the returning performers. Quite an undertaking.
This book is also quite an undertaking because Ms. Burnett lets us all go with her behind the scenes of the entire 276 shows from 1967 to 1978. That's a tall undertaking. There are summaries of many of the comedy skits and anecdotes about the ideas which worked well and those which were not quite as successful. Reading this book is like opening the pages of who's who in the entertainment industry of those years. This is a very positive book, perhaps because Carol Burnett seems to have a positive personality in real life, but there are not any snippy comments or negative incidents included. Even when she had to gather up her courage and fire one of the original cast members there are no negative comments at all. That is quite an accomplishment and one of the things which makes this book such a relaxing, fun filled, joy to read. At the end of the book there is a wealth of information included in Appendix 1 listing every show during each season with things such as date the program originally aired and who the guest star is. Appendix 2 lists who the writers were for each of the eleven seasons.
Some of my favorite segments of the book deal with the Q & A times with the audiences and the skits which included Tim Conway. Really, it's hard to not enjoy this book if you liked watching the series because the writing of Carol Burnett feels exactly like the off-script Carol Burnett - someone you could meet in the grocery store and have a good, old fashioned gossip with. Thank you, Ms. Burnett, this was a wonderful escape back into a time when comedy didn't have to bristle with profanity to be considered funny. Many is the time I ended up reaching for the Kleenex box to wipe away the tears streaming down my face from laughing so much my face and sides hurt. What great television that was.
August 3, 2016
I've always adored Carol Burnett and her show regulars, and this was a fun way to spend a few hours. The disclosures about her guests and regulars is fun and good-spirited but the rundowns and and scripts of some of the skits got a little tiresome (I mean how many times have we seen "Went With the Wind"? I expect most of us know the jokes by heart). I would rather sit down and watch them again on YouTube or get a DVD of the shows. But it was fun to get a few behind-the-scenes nuggets and chuckle again at how the "elephant" scene (with Tim Conway) was for the actors (if you have only seen the edited TV version, YouTube the uncut video).
For more memories of the show, try Tim Conway's What's So Funny?: My Hilarious Life, and for the same kind of reminiscing about old-time show business, try Debbie Reynolds' Make 'Em Laugh: Short-Term Memories of Longtime Friends.
Thanks to the publisher (Crown) and Edelweiss for the advance digital copy.
For more memories of the show, try Tim Conway's What's So Funny?: My Hilarious Life, and for the same kind of reminiscing about old-time show business, try Debbie Reynolds' Make 'Em Laugh: Short-Term Memories of Longtime Friends.
Thanks to the publisher (Crown) and Edelweiss for the advance digital copy.
March 28, 2017
I'm one of those kids who knows about Carol Burnett from my mom. She's the one who gifted me with my fairly extensive knowledge of classic movie stars and the like--I know all the original members of the Rat Pack (not just Dean and Frank); I know why Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made such an epic team; I know where the phrase, "I'm ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille" comes from. It shouldn't be hard to believe then that I watched several episodes of Carol Burnett's variety shows with my mom.
She's just a classy dame with a love of schtick, and I love her for it. The title of this book is perfect because it succinctly tells you exactly what it is: Carol Burnett extolling the virtues of the people she worked with. There are small anecdotes about each person, always with just enough detail to make you feel like you're in on a secret but never enough detail to make you feel like it's dirty information.
I did have to look up many of her costars though. I knew all the guest stars, but never learned the name of the ones who were in each episode with her. I'm glad I learned something new!
She's just a classy dame with a love of schtick, and I love her for it. The title of this book is perfect because it succinctly tells you exactly what it is: Carol Burnett extolling the virtues of the people she worked with. There are small anecdotes about each person, always with just enough detail to make you feel like you're in on a secret but never enough detail to make you feel like it's dirty information.
I did have to look up many of her costars though. I knew all the guest stars, but never learned the name of the ones who were in each episode with her. I'm glad I learned something new!
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