News / TV

CBS to celebrate 50th anniversary of “The Carol Burnett Show” with a primetime reunion and tribute special

A few days before the 50th anniversary of the premiere of The Carol Burnett Show on CBS, the Eye Network has announced plans to broadcast a two-hour primetime special tribute to Burnett and her funny friends, to air this December.

The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special will air from 8 to 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017.

Burnett and original cast members Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner will be joined by costume designer Bob Mackie, plus the likes of Jim Carrey, Kristin Chenoweth, Stephen Colbert, Harry Connick Jr., Bill Hader, Jay Leno, Jane Lynch, Bernadette Peters, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short and more.

Original cast member Harvey Korman died in 2008. Conspicuously absent from the press release, then, is the hit sketch comedy showcase’s other original cast member: Tim Conway, now 83.

The Carol Burnett Show premiered on Sept. 11, 1967 and starred Burnett, Korman, Lawrence, Waggoner and Conway. Over its 11 seasons and 276 episodes, the series won 25 Primetime Emmy Awards and eight Golden Globes.

The 50th anniversary special will film on the show’s original soundstage: Stage 33 at CBS Television City in Los Angeles.

Burnett will reminisce about her favorite sketches, Q&As with the studio audience, guest stars, her memorable wardrobe and bloopers, as well as the tremendous effect the show continues to have on television today as a true pioneer of sketch comedy.

“I can’t believe how fast the time went, and what makes me the happiest is that so much of the funny stuff we did still holds up today, and we can share it with generations to come,” said Burnett. “What a great ride!”

The Carol Burnett Show was a comedy showcase that was years ahead of its time. If social media existed then, clips from the broadcast would have quickly gone viral,” said Leslie Moonves, Chairman and CEO, CBS Corporation. “We are very proud of the show’s significant place in CBS’ legacy, as well as in television history, and we look forward to this primetime celebration of incredible talent, led by the incomparable Carol Burnett.”

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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