Ep 3. Family Show

The Carol Burnett Show season 11 episode 3 is entitled "Family Show," and it is as heartwarming and hilarious as you might imagine from that title. The episode opens with a musical number featuring Burnett herself, along with her co-stars Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, and Vicki Lawrence. Throughout the episode, the cast explores different aspects of family life, poking fun at the quirks and idiosyncrasies of parents, siblings, children, and grandparents.

One of the most memorable sketches of the episode is a parody of the popular TV show "Little House on the Prairie." Burnett stars as "Ma," with Korman playing her hapless husband, "Pa." The sketch starts off innocently enough, with the family gathered around the hearth singing hymns. But things quickly go off the rails when Pa accidentally sets the fireplace ablaze and the whole house catches fire. The physical comedy is top-notch, with Korman and Burnett dodging flames, falling down stairs, and struggling to carry each other to safety.

Another standout moment of the episode comes when Lawrence takes center stage to perform a touching rendition of "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows." Clad in a simple, elegant gown, Lawrence delivers a heartfelt performance that showcases her impressive vocal range. The audience is clearly moved, erupting into applause and cheers as she brings the song to a close.

Throughout the episode, the cast also explores themes of sibling rivalry, with several sketches featuring Burnett and Lawrence as feuding sisters. In one sketch, the two play tennis together, with Lawrence employing some questionable tactics (like hitting Burnett over the head with a racket) in order to win. In another, the sisters compete to see who can give their mother the best birthday present. While the sketches are silly and exaggerated, they also tap into the very real dynamics that can exist within family relationships.

Perhaps the funniest sketch of the episode, though, is one where Korman and Conway play a father and son who are trying to build a doghouse together. The sketch plays out like a classic Abbott and Costello routine, with the two characters constantly getting their wires crossed and speaking in completely different languages. Conway's performance is particularly hilarious, as he adopts an absurd accent and spouts off nonsense syllables in response to Korman's increasingly exasperated attempts to communicate.

Overall, The Carol Burnett Show season 11 episode 3 is a delightful romp through the ups and downs of family life. Whether you're laughing at the absurdity of sibling rivalry or tearing up at Lawrence's beautiful performance, there's something for everyone in this episode. It's a testament to Burnett's talents as a performer and a writer that the show remains so enjoyable to this day, more than 40 years after it originally aired. If you're a fan of classic comedy, you won't want to miss this episode.