The Carol Burnett Show: The Lost Episodes Ultimate Collection also features many spoofs on popular commercials, TV shows and movies, such as "Sinful Woman" (Tearjerker Theatre); "Arriverderci, Summertime" (Insomnia Theatre); "The Most Happy Stella" (The Early Early Show); "Sonja Honey - Love in an Avalanche" (Metro Golden Mouth); "Dr.Nose" (Midnight Theatre); and "The Lavender Pimpernel" (Wednesday Night Adventure Movie). The Show also saluted Warner Bros. Studios with "Mildred Fierce" (cartoons/medley) and MGM was saluted on "Blackboard Jungle." Tribute was paid to the Oscar for "The Jungle Kook." "Mission Improbable" spoofed the popular TV show and brought stars Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, Peter Lupus and Greg Morris out for applause.
Carol had such an engaging personality and a welcoming generous spirit that people loved to chat with her in her Question & Answer intro to the show. She would always enter in a spectacular gown created by her famous costume designer Bob Mackie. She would point out celebrities in the audience, sign autographs, and if she or the cast would have a request for a hug or a kiss, they would gladly accommodate. It wasn't unusual for handsome Lyle Waggoner to be brought out at the request of a young lady. Probably her most popular request was to hear her Tarzan yell. Carol also used this platform as an opportunity for guest stars to share with the audience.
Comedy, drama, song and dance filled the show and the guest stars were more than happy to try anything from serious drama to total silliness in their performances. Where else could you see sophisticated ballet stars like Edward Villella dance Swan Lake with a Charwoman in army boots! Or have world famous opera singers Eileen Farrell and Marilyn Horne play dominant parts in the operatic version of the "Three Little Pigs?" It was a fun and happy time and everyone could express their "inner child" when they were with Carol. In "The Lavender Pimpernel," handsome Burt Reynolds reached into his stuntman skills as he rolled down and off a staircase to everyone's amazement.
Comedy skits and monologues always got everyone laughing and in a good mood. Harvey Korman was a genius and little Vickie Lawrence added that splash of youth. Lyle offered a sense of refinement and Carol was all over the place singing ballads, portraying the underwater swimmer in an Esther Williams' movie spoof, or dancing with her stars in the most incredible costumes and choreography, while Tim Conway stole the show with his "Oldest Man" routine.
One thing that was so commonly heard in the interviews was that Carol was a generous hostess. She always wanted the stars to get the greatest applause, and seemed unconscious of her own stardom. And when it came to comedy, she had the best: Phyllis Diller, Jonathan Winters, Nanette Fabray, Barbara Feldon, Paul Lynde, Soupy Sales, Art Carney, Mickey Rooney, Minnie Pearl, Ken Berry, Totie Fields, Jim Nabors, Lucille Ball, Garry Moore, Durwood Kirby, Imogene Coca, Frank Gorshin, Martha Raye, George Carlin, Jackie Mason, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles, Don Adams, Andy Griffith, Ruth Buzzi, Bob Hope, and many more. Of course, comedian Flip Wilson did a hilarious routine with his "Geraldine."
Tim Conway became a regular on The Carol Burnett Show during the 1975-76 season. He was so funny that he cracked up Harvey Korman so much in "The Dentist" episode, he couldn't regain composure. In 1970, future President Ronald Reagan appeared on Carol's intro Q&A when he assured an audience member that he had no intention of going to Washington D.C. Lucille Ball was referred to by Carol as her mentor; Jim Nabors is Godfather to one of her children and appeared on her first show; and Martha Raye and Nanette Fabray were also good friends and appeared several times on the show. Garry Moore and Durwood Kirby were great friends as Carol sharpened her comedic skills on The Garry Moore Show.
Star-studded artists appeared as singers/dancers in The Carol Burnett Show: The Lost Episodes Ultimate Collection: Dionne Warwick, Sonny & Cher, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Bing Crosby, Carol Channing, Jack Jones, Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence, Shirley Jones, Ken Berry, Mel Torme', Vikki Carr, Pat Boone, Leslie Ann Warren, Bobbie Gentry, Gwen Verdon, John Davidson, Minnie Pearl, Bernadette Peters, Mike Douglas, Violette Verdy, Diahann Carroll, Nancy Wilson, Cass Elliot, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Goulet, Chita Rivera, Gloria Loring, George Chakiris, Randy Doney and many others. It must be mentioned how The Ernie Flatt dancers performed brilliantly to round out the show, and we can't forget the endearing friendship between Carol and the talented Julie Andrews.
Bonus features are listed above including a Collectible Guest Book with autographs and comments from guest stars, as well as a Backstage Tour of Studio 33 where the show was filmed. Included is a Roundtable Conversation with The Carol Burnett Show writers where they discussed guest stars, sketches, other writers and shows. "The Making of a Mackie" shows the incredible talents of designer Bob Mackie and his extraordinary costumes.
This entertainment package includes two collections of Exclusive Bonus Features of The Carol Burnett Show: The Lost Episodes (two discs each). There's The Carol Burnett Show: The Lost Episodes - Treasures from the Vault (six discs), and The Carol Burnett Show: The Lost Episodes - Classic Carol (six discs), plus The Carol Burnett Show: The Lost Episodes (six discs) with accompanying booklets. These three packages have been previously reviewed on Game Vortex as individual sets and you can get more detailed info in the links to those reviews below. There are some flaws in the audio and video of this Collection due to the age of the shows, but even so, in my opinion this is family entertainment at its best.
The Carol Burnett Show: The Lost Episodes Ultimate Collection is brimming over with entertainment, hilarity and good ole fun! I thoroughly enjoyed every zany minute and highly recommend this package to all -- especially those who want to sit, remember, and enjoy the work and talent of the most beloved Carol Burnett.
