Tuesday, July 26, 2011

This Time Together: Laughter And Reflection

This next book was written by another LEGEND of comedy, Carol Burnett. Beginning at the mere age of a young toddler, Carol realized where she was going in life after seeing idol/later friend, Jimmy Stewart, on the Big Screen.

Even though she came from Texas to California, after saying good-bye to her Grandmother "Nanny", mother, her sister, Crissy and pet bird, "Tweety". Working her way through school, UCLA, she KNEW she was going to Broadway in New York City. But none of it would've been possible w/o a wealthy benefactor who made a deal to make this possible.


It was after Carol had gotten a room in town w/ 4 roommates that they had ALL pitched their money together for open casting calls that they shared a dress and after an incident, carol changed her choice. After an incident in the rain, she got to an audition just right before closing an just spouted her information for an agent. After the news, Carol was given the advice to put on her own show. 'The Rehearsal Club Revue' came in 1955, which was how she met husband, Donn. 

Her job in 1957 was the Blue Angels Nightclub performing a John Foster Dulles joke - which BOMBED w/ "crickets" in the audience. Carol's lifelong dream of having her FIRST show - "Once Upon A Mattress" came true when directed by Mr. George Abbott and became a hit. Paying off her benefactor 5 years to the day to that loan. After 4 of marriage, in 1960, Carol and Donn divorced.

As a newcomer to the scene, in the 1950s, 'The Gary Moore Show' was Carol's first introduction to comedy writers and her BIG BREAK when being called in to replace an ailing Martha Raye. But it was after a stint appearance on the 70s game show, "Password", that took the show LIVE to being taped after a misspoken bleep. Early on what/how the infamous/trademark ear tug began was a signal for Nanny as a way of saying hello.

The Tarzan yell was infamous something she just taught herself from a young age. playing movies movies w/ he cousin, Janice. Janice was Jane to her Tarzan along with other games.

1963 was the year Carol had daughter Carrie w/ husband Joe Hamilton. After being on 'The Gary Moore Show' for a few seasons, CBS asked Carol to sign w/ them offering 10 yrs. and a one year TV special each year along w/ 2 regular guest appearances. But, if she wanted an hour show, she'd get 30. After a meeting w/ Mike Dann and Oscar Katz, in the end, she walked away w/ a show concealed on a card w/ what would be - Burnett Show! Now to find a repertoire TV family of her own.

Carol & Vicki
After tending to the mail one afternoon, Carol noticed a forwarded letter from a 17-yr-old senior asking for show biz advice and more. The picture that came w/ the letter amazed her by how much this girl looked like Carol at age 17. Something about the letter grabbed her attention. Hurrying to an event this girl was to be at that night, after a shocking phone call received by the unknown girl, Carol caught her act at her high school's 'Miss Fireball Contest'  in Inglewood, CA. On Jan. 18TH, Carol gave birth to a girl, Jody. After one audition, Vicki Lawrence got the job.

opening credits
Harvey Korman took Vicki under his wing. Giving her more to do and more confidence, Vicki was becoming a very good character actress .     .     . Then came "Mama".  Harvey Korman signed on after 'The Danny Kaye Show' finished. After Harvey came Lyle Waggoner. Then came the ESSENTIAL Tim Conway. Thus, 'The Carol Burnett Show' began.






One LEGENDARY standout was the 'Wiggins Walk' and THE DRESS made from curtains. Talking to the audience (Q/As) began idea from co-executive producer suggested they lift from 'The Gary Moore Show' - just being yourself. One of Carol's BIG dreams came to life one night at a party when the meeting of her idol, Cary Grant, came to life and a flabbergasted Carol tells a FUNNY story. Lucielle Ball was also a great friend as well. Julie Andrews was one to have a good time with, as well as pen pals w/ the LEGENDARY Joan Crawford. Carol also delves into her obsession w/ 'All My Children.'

After 10 seasons of  'The Carol Burnett Show', although asked to renew, Carol thought it was time to say good-bye. So in 1978, after one last ear tug, it was over. Although divorcing later in a friendly manner, Joe Hamilton died in 1991. In 1981, when Carol was given the chance to work w/ director John Huston for the film version of 'Annie' she jumped at the chance.

Carrie Hamilton (1963-2002)
In 1993, while performing a musical in LA, Carol had met a contractor/drummer, Brian Miller and married him in 2001. In 1998, Carrie had pitched an idea to her mother for a play 'Hollywood Arms' to her and began collaborating from Colorado to LA and put it together and everything became a real play. But then Carrie got sick in 2001 w/ lung cancer, initially losing the battle in 2002.
Carrie Louise Hamilton (1963-2002).


It was shortly after Carrie's passing that 'Hollywood Arms' opened to remarkable reviews.



This is just where the book ends in the life of this comedic legend. But here is a serious questions for fans of who remember:

What was your FAVORITE skit from 'The Carol Burnett Show' or favorite movie role of her's? And for those of you who would remember, out of ALL that was seen /asked during Q/As on her show, if EVER given the chance, BESIDES the Tarzan yell, what would you HONESTLY ask Ms. Burnett?



Enhanced by Zemanta

18 comments:

  1. This is a very witty book. It is new and reminiscing all at the same time. She reminds us of the day and brings us to see what she is up to now. Enjoyed this much!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello, I enjoy reading through your post. I wanted to write a little comment to
    support you.

    Here is my webpage rome total war ii (dailystrength.org)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Howdy! Quick question that's entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
    My weblog looks weird when browsing from my iphone.
    I'm trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able
    to fix this issue. If you have any recommendations,
    please share. Many thanks!

    my blog ... search engine optimization ()

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is very interesting, You're a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post.
    Also, I've shared your website in my social
    networks!

    Review my website games

    ReplyDelete
  5. Everyone loves what you guys are up too.
    This type of clever work and exposure! Keep up the good works
    guys I've you guys to my own blogroll.

    Have a look at my homepage ... minecraft.net

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate!
    He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post
    to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!


    Here is my web page ... minecraft.net

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think the admin of this web page is truly working hard in favor
    of his web site, as here every information is quality based material.


    Also visit my web blog ... EdwinaWBrogglin

    ReplyDelete
  8. you are really a just right webmaster. The website loading
    speed is amazing. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick.
    Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a
    magnificent task on this matter!

    Look at my homepage - RussXDuber

    ReplyDelete
  9. Shamrock Marketing Payday Loans Get $100$1500
    Cash Advance Now Mamie Hoefel
    an extra home loan payments calculator is often a very handy tool.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Considering the game has been around for a couple of years already, millions of user
    created contents have been given. If you're planning on leaving your
    Minecraft server running even when you're not playing on it, it might be a good idea to designate a few people
    as operators, or ops. You can keep them from spawning by planting torches, but they'll just spawn outside your base
    and wander into the light on their own.

    Also visit my weblog ... game minecraft 1.7.2

    ReplyDelete
  11. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!

    I'll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back
    later. All the best

    My web blog; DewayneLCammarn

    ReplyDelete
  12. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is valuable and all. But think about if you added some great
    images or video clips to give your posts more, "pop"!
    Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this site
    could undeniably be one of the greatest in its field.
    Very good blog!

    Here is my website CharleenGMayshack

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes! Finally someone writes about news.

    My homepage - AshtonAHamersly

    ReplyDelete
  14. Howdy! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give
    a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy
    reading your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same topics?
    Appreciate it!

    My page :: JeffryXUhde

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's an remarkable piece of writing in favor of all the
    internet users; they will take benefit from it I am
    sure.

    Check out my web site quest bars

    ReplyDelete
  16. hello there and thank you for your info –
    I have definitely picked up something new from right here.
    I did however expertise several technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the website many times
    previous to I could get it to load properly.
    I had been wondering if your web hosting
    is OK? Not that I'm complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will
    very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
    Anyway I'm adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more
    of your respective exciting content. Ensure that you
    update this again soon.

    Feel free to visit my blog quest bars

    ReplyDelete
  17. When you die, everything that you own, from your artwork to your underwear, will go into one of
    five piles: keep (whoever is cleaning out your home), discard, donate, sell,
    or recycle. The female hormone estrogen, encourages the appearance of cellulite because
    it relaxes the connective tissue and promotes water retention and
    accumulation of fat. In addition How to Get Rid
    of a Hickey at home () his Examiner duties
    covering the Kings and the Dodgers, Jon also is a featured contributor for Bowl Gamer,
    and is the co-host of the weekly web-TV shows INSIDE SPORTS and NFL SUNDAY TAILGATE.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Having read this I believed it was extremely informative.
    I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this information together.
    I once again find myself spending a lot of
    time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was
    still worthwhile!

    Feel free to surf to my blog post http://www.scoop.it/t/herbal-1/p/4056318553/2015/12/05/-

    ReplyDelete