Actors: Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Lyle Waggoner
Number of discs: 22
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Time Life Entertainment
Run Time: 1500 minutes
Collection: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars
Who doesn’t love “The Carol Burnett Show”? I wasn’t able to watch the show during its original run but I have always been a fan and have watched the show as a kid and now as an adult. The show debuted on CBS in 1967 and ran for 11 years, it received 25 Emmy Awards and five Golden Globes and it will always be one of the most honored shows in television history. With that being said about the show, this DVD “ultimate collection” isn’t really the ultimate collection. This 22-DVD boxed set, which was originally released in late 2012 including 50 episodes of the classic series, along with a 24-page memory book, a replica curtain from the show, and over 12 hours of bonus features. If you realize that this isn’t the complete series and are looking for a collection of hand-picked episodes then you should be happy with this release.
What this set does have is a wonderful presentation. This comes in a very sharp looking collectible box, which is opened by drawing up the replica curtain. In terms of special features, there are three episodes from “The Garry Moore Show”, which is where Carol got her start, including the “Supergirl” episode, where Carol did her Tarzan yell, for the first time on television. There are some rare sketches from the first five seasons, which have not seen anywhere in over 40 years including guest appearances by Lucille Ball, Jerry Lewis, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, plus one of the most beloved sketches in the history of the show– “The Dentist,” with Harvey Korman and Tim Conway. There is a great 100-minute Cast Reunion with Carol, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner.
“I Want to Push That Button…” The History of The Carol Burnett Show” is a great look into the show and its legacy. “Leading Lady” takes a look into Carol Burnett and her role in television. There are some Q&A’s from Carol with “Bring Up the Lights”. There is a focus on the episode “The Family”. There is a featurette on “Tudball and Wiggins” in “Ahhhh, Mrs. Ha-Wiggins?”. There is a celebration of movie parodies in “Starlet, Mildred, and More”. Next Stop, Broadway is a featurette on musicals. “Breaking Up Is Hard…Not to Do” looks into the ensemble’s chemistry and the famous “break-ups” on The Carol Burnett Show. “Where Do You Get Your Ideas?” is a showcase on the writers of the show. Lastly “Gags and Gowns” is a ode to the Designer Bob Mackie.
