Ep 10. Family Show
- November 26, 1977
In this episode of The Carol Burnett Show, titled "Family Show," Carol and her talented cast take us on a wild ride of hilarity and heartwarming moments. The show starts with a song and dance number by the entire cast, as they welcome us to their living room set.
Carol then takes on the role of a mother trying to get her family ready to leave the house for a special event. Her husband, played by Harvey Korman, is more interested in reading the newspaper and drinking his coffee than getting dressed. Her teenage son, played by Lyle Waggoner, is more interested in his hair and his girlfriend than getting dressed. And her daughter, played by Vicki Lawrence, is more interested in practicing her cheerleading routine than getting dressed. Through a series of comedic mishaps and one-liners, we see the family dynamic at play.
The next sketch takes place at a family dinner, with Carol playing the role of a grandmother who is trying to cook a traditional family recipe. The rest of the family, played by Korman, Waggoner, and Lawrence, are less than helpful as they argue and bicker over who gets to sit where and what side dishes they want. As the chaos unfolds, Carol's character becomes increasingly frazzled, until the scene ends with a classic Carol Burnett pratfall.
The show then takes a sentimental turn, as Burnett performs a touching rendition of the song "My Funny Valentine." The audience is treated to a rare moment of vulnerability from Burnett, as she pours her heart and soul into the performance.
The next sketch is a comedic take on a family vacation. The entire cast is dressed in Hawaiian shirts and leis, as they prepare to go on a family trip. Korman's character insists on driving, even though he gets lost at every turn. Lawrence's character wants to stop and take pictures at every scenic overlook, much to the chagrin of her brother. And Waggoner's character is more interested in chatting up the ladies than spending time with his family. Through a series of hilarious mishaps and one-liners, we see the family vacation go from bad to worse.
The final sketch of the show is a parody of a classic TV game show, where the entire cast plays members of a family trying to win a large cash prize. The game show host, played by Tim Conway, asks the family a series of increasingly silly questions, such as "What is the capital of Brazil?" and "What is the name of the 17th president of the United States?" As the family tries to answer the questions, they become increasingly tongue-tied and confused, until the entire set collapses in a heap of laughter.
Throughout the episode, we are treated to classic Carol Burnett sketches, such as her famous Tarzan yell and her signature ear tug. We also see the incredible talent of her cast, as they seamlessly transition from one sketch to the next, never missing a beat.
Overall, "Family Show" is a heartwarming and hilarious episode of The Carol Burnett Show, showcasing the incredible talents of Carol and her cast. Whether you grew up watching the show or are discovering it for the first time, this episode is sure to leave a lasting impression.
