AMERICAN MASTERS: CAROL BURNETT: A WOMAN OF CHARACTER (TV)
Summary
One in this documentary series that explores the lives and achievements of America's most celebrated native-born and adopted artists, performers, and creative talent. This program profiles the life and career of American comedienne and actress Carol Burnett. The production includes interviews with Burnett as well as her friends and colleagues. The program opens with scenes from "The Carol Burnett Show" as celebrities comment on her abilities. Seen at a 2007 Santa Barbara one-woman show, Burnett takes questions from the audience before reflecting on her first stunt on "The Garry Moore Show" in 1959. She then tells about heading to New York at an early age to star in musical comedies on Broadway. Burnett talks about getting an agent and how a song about "unrequited love" for secretary of state John Foster Dulles helped put her on the map. Substituting for an ill Martha Raye, Burnett debuted on "The Garry Moore Show" to great acclaim. Carl Reiner talks about how Burnett's four years with Moore resulted in her first Emmy. Burnett admits that her professional success led to the dissolution of her seven-year marriage to Don Saroyan. Burnett says that observing the relaxed atmosphere on Moore's show proved a template for the working relationships on her own variety hour. She also imitated Moore's opening question-and-answer period with the audience, which became a favorite segment with viewers. Tracey Ullman and Garry Shandling comment on Burnett's skills at showcasing her natural rapport. Dancer Don Crichton reflects on how Burnett won over critics when headlining "Once Upon a Mattress" in 1959 on Broadway. Next, Burnett comments on how she could only sing a song when in character, exemplified by a series of clips. Co-star Harvey Korman tells how the "Burnett Show" began to include classic film parodies, with designer Bob Mackie revealing what led to the iconic "Gone With the Wind" sketch. Burnett next talks about her origins in San Antonio, Texas, in 1933, recalling how her alcoholic parents left for Hollywood and she was left in her grandmother's care. Burnett, at age seven, followed with her grandmother, and lived in near-poverty conditions in a run-down hotel. Her first professional job came in 1955 on "The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show.'" Burnett tells how her signature ear action -- tugging on her lobe -- was a way to say hello to her grandmother from the NBC show's set. Burnett also tells how a sponsor soon funded her way to Broadway, starting a new chapter in her career. Next, Julie Andrews talks about becoming friends with Burnett in the '50s, beginning a lifelong friendship and several professional teamings. Burnett recalls marrying producer Joe Hamilton in 1963 and later giving birth to three children, forcing her to strike a balance between family life and performing. Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, and Lyle Waggoner discuss Burnett's "bravery" in being a female host on a variety hour in the '60s. They talk about cast members' penchant to make each other laugh on camera, and how Burnett rarely broke character. Korman also recalls why Burnett almost fired him, and how she made him a team player. Burnett reveals that the character of Eunice was based on her mother, then addresses her dramatic film roles, including celebrated turns in "Pete 'n' Tillie," "Friendly Fire," and "Seasons of the Heart." Actor Jon Cryer, a friend of Burnett's eldest daughter, Carrie Hamilton, talks about how Burnett handled Carrie's drug addiction by going public with it. Next, the manner in which Burnett approached politics is addressed, along with archival shots of her actions for the Equal Rights Amendment. Harold Prince, director of the play "Hollywood Arms," tells how that production - co-written by Burnett with Carrie -- was a fictionalized version of Burnett's growing-up days. Burnett then talks about Carrie dying of lung cancer shortly before the play opened. Burnett's divorce from Hamilton and subsequent marriage to Brian Miller is then addressed. Next, Burnett tells why she ended her variety show after eleven years, followed by a clip of the charwoman character singing "I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together. " The program concludes with Burnett admitting that she's proud of being "a survivor," followed by a montage of her career highlights. Includes one show-sponsored commercial.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: November 5, 2007 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:26:47
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:91741
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries; Women's Collection - Comedy; Biography; Comedians; Women comedians
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1986-
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Hallmark stores
CREDITS
- Susan Lacy … Executive Producer
- Julie Sacks … Supervising Producer
- Kyra Thompson … Producer, Director, Writer
- Amber Howell … Co-Producer
- Prudence Glass … Series Producer
- Michael Kantor … Segment Director
- Laura Karpman … Music by
- Nora Kroll Rosenbaum … Music by
- Thomas Wagner … Theme Music by
- Julie Andrews
- Tim Conway
- Don Crichton
- Jon Cryer
- Carol Burnett
- John Foster Dulles
- Carrie Hamilton
- Joe Hamilton
- Harvey Korman
- Vicki Lawrence
- Bob Mackie
- Brian Miller
- Garry Moore
- Martha Raye
- Carl Reiner
- Don Saroyan
- Garry Shandling
- Tracey Ullman
- Lyle Waggoner
- Paul Winchell