Saturday, April 26, 2008

Feast of Saint Carol

Brothers, Sisters, and Transgendered Comedists Everywhere,

This week we celebrate the feast of Saint Carol. Carol Burnett turns 75 this weekend. She was born in Texas, but raised by her grandmother in Hollywood. Working her way up through small parts, she met Lucille Ball who took her under her wing. The two became dear and close friends and with her advice and help, she became more and more successful, gaining bigger and bigger roles on Broadway and in television.

When she was ready for her own show, Lucy proposed a sit-com which Desilu would produce, but Carol's idea was for a variety show, and what a show it was winning 22 Emmys over its run from 1967-1978. Starting with a monologue and ending with her famous signature ear tug (which began as a signal to assure her grandmother that she was doing well), the sketches including Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Lyle Waggoner, and Vicki Lawrence were as funny for the interactions and attempts to stifle their own laughs as they were for the writing. Some of them, however, were just plain funny.Favorite Carol Burnett moments?

Thank you for all the laughs Carol Burnett. Happy birthday.

Live, laugh, and love,

Irreverend Steve