Episode 22: Carol Burnett - The Trailblazing Queen of Comedy

From an aspiring playwright to the first woman to host her own variety show, Carol Burnett has been a trailblazer, a comedic genius, and a feminist icon. At 91 years old, she's still breaking ground as the oldest woman to be nominated for a comedy acting Emmy in 2024. A seven-time Emmy winner already, Burnett has been entertaining audiences since the 1960s with her blend of physical comedy, musical talent, and a signature tug of the ear.

In this episode we'll explore how she redefined what it meant to be a woman in comedy and how her philosophy of lifting others up and having fun is not only a  testament to her enduring optimism but can inspire us to take action today.

 #CarolBurnett #FeministIcon #ComedyLegend #HerStancePodcast #Trailblazer #EmmyNominee #TheCarolBurnettShow #HollywoodHistory 

https://www.biography.com/actors/carol-burnett
https://www.nickiswift.com/439440/inside-the-tragic-death-of-carol-burnetts-daughter/

The Carol Burnett Show YouTube Channel

The Lavender Pimpernel

Eunice and the game of password

Transcript

From an aspiring playwright to the first woman to host her own variety show, Carol Burnett has been a trailblazer, a comedic genius, and a feminist icon. At 91 years old, she's still breaking ground as the oldest woman to be nominated for a comedy acting Emmy in 2024. A seven-time Emmy winner already, Burnett has been entertaining audiences since the 1960s with her blend of physical comedy, musical talent, and a signature tug of the ear.

I’ll explain more about that in just a moment. First I want to thank you all for your ongoing support of this podcast. 

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Now, more about Carol Burnett

A Funny Lady and a Role Model

For many women who grew up watching television in the 60s and 70s, Carol Burnett was a true role model. In an era when most women on TV were relegated to playing a wife or a girlfriend, Burnett was a leading lady. Her iconic variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, ran for an incredible 11 seasons and won 25 Emmys, three of which were for Outstanding Variety Show. She wasn't afraid to be silly, goofy, and physical, yet she could also be glamorous and sing beautifully. This duality captivated audiences and proved that women could be funny and feminine at the same time.

Burnett's early life story is a testament to her drive and resilience. 

Born in San Antonio Texas, raised by her grandmother in Hollywood after her parents divorced, she was an aspiring playwright who studied theater arts at UCLA. But she had bigger dreams. She left college and moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting, with only a few early TV appearances under her belt. When she landed a 10-year contract with CBS, the network offered her an hour-long variety show. In a now-famous story, Burnett recounts how network executives tried to steer her toward a sitcom, telling her that "comedy variety is a man's game." She proved them spectacularly wrong.

"The Carol Burnett Show" was an innovative format which included memorable segments where Burnett would engage in lively questions and answers with her live audience, setting the stage for the comedic skits that followed. The show was noted for its range of characters and humorous narratives, showcasing Burnett's remarkable talent and expressive face. I encourage listeners to look up episodes and shorts on YouTube. I’ll put a few most memorable to me in the show notes

One might ask where she got all her material. One of her regular characters, Eunice, had a lot of her mother in her. Her mother always thought that 'if only...' and 'I could have...' and 'I should have...' It was always, 'If this hadn't happened...' or, to Nanny (the name she called her Grandmother), 'If you hadn't rained on my dreams.

Carol’s humor was born out of a pretty difficult childhood. Both of her parents were alcoholics and for a long time she thought it was her fault. So many children of alcoholics or addicts are prone to think so. Her ‘Nanny’ was practically destitute, but the one indulgence she allowed was going to the movies. Carol saw there that regardless of your circumstances, ‘everything’s possible,  you could be happy.”

Her parents never got to see her success, dying young. But her grandmother, Nanny, always got that ear tug at the end of her TV show to say hello and express her gratitude.

Lifting Other Women Up

One of the most inspiring aspects of Carol Burnett's career is her unwavering commitment to lifting up other women. It was an imperative.  Burnett was thrilled when she was accepted to UCLA after graduating from high school, but crushed when she had no way to raise the $50 tuition. And then, an envelope showed up in her mailbox, containing that exact amount.She never knew who it was that changed her life.

While attending UCLA, she gravitated toward theater, and eventually began dreaming of Broadway. Yet money still remained a problem. Everything changed when, after a performance with her fellow students, she was approached by a husband and wife who had just watched her perform. When she told them she hoped to go to New York City, he offered both Burnett and her boyfriend $1,000 interest-free loans to fund their move. 

But there were conditions attached: they must pay him back within five years; if they became successful they would promise to similarly help out other struggling young performers; and, most importantly, they must never reveal his identity. She had told an interviewer years ago that "Somebody had helped him get his start in this country," "So he was paying it forward."

And that’s what she has done all of her life too.

She became involved in women's issues early on, advocating for equal pay in a way that was both bold and humorous. In a recent interview, she recounted trying to rally fellow celebrities for the cause. One male star told her he wouldn't support it because it would mean "all the women are going to be smoking cigars." Burnett's response perfectly captured the absurdity of the argument: "OK? They could smoke cigars now! We’re not stopping them, if they want to light up."

Burnett’s philosophy of empowering others goes back to her early days in New York City. 

She lived at the Rehearsal Club, a residential home for women pursuing careers in show business. The club was a place of camaraderie and support, a place where Burnett and other aspiring actresses shared an audition dress bought for $5. 

When they couldn't get auditions without an agent and couldn't land an agent without a role, Burnett came up with a bold plan. She organized the 25 women in the club to write and perform their own show. They sent postcards to every agent and director in town that read, "You're always saying, 'Let us know when you're in something.' We're in something. This postcard is your ticket. Please come." The plan worked, and Burnett was one of three women who landed an agent. This story perfectly illustrates her belief that lifting up others doesn’t threaten your own success; it creates more success for everyone.

A Lasting Legacy

Beyond her groundbreaking variety show, Burnett has had a prolific career in film, television, and on Broadway. She has appeared in movies like Annie and The Front Page, and had memorable television roles on shows like Desperate Housewives and Better Call Saul. On the stage, she starred in productions like Once Upon a Mattress and Moon Over Buffalo.

Her legacy extends far beyond her on-screen work. A three-time author, Burnett's memoir Carrie and Me: A Mother-Daughter Love Story is a deeply personal account of her daughter's life, and her autobiography One More Time was adapted into a Broadway play she co-wrote with her late daughter.

Two of her daughters, one of them being Carrie, struggled with addictions. Carrie became an addict at 13 and Carol got her into the final rehab by 17, stating that "I put her in a third rehab place, and oh my God, she hated me. I came to the conclusion that I had to love her enough to let her hate me."

Carrie was in recovery since 17. They did make amends and worked together for years. But tragically her daughter died of lung cancer that metastasized to her brain at age 38.  

As Burnett explained in an interview with Fox News, she learned a valuable lesson about life by watching her daughter in her final days. Quote – "When she was in the hospital the last time one of the nurses came up to me in the hall and said, 'Carrie just cheers us up when we go in the room.' And I asked Carrie, 'How can you be up and so cheerful?' and Carrie said, 'Every day I wake up and decide today I'm going to love my life,'" said Burnett.

This is the way Carol comes across as well. Some have said her middle names should be Joy and Hope.  And she has been shown some prestigious recognition for bringing widespread hope and joy to this country.

A recipient of numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Carol Burnett is a legend who redefined what it meant to be a woman in comedy. Her philosophy of lifting others up and having fun is a testament to her enduring optimism and is a wonderful example for us all.

You’ve reached the HerStance Challenge:

In these troubled political and economic times that we are facing today, we might find ourselves wanting to curse someone, or ask ‘why me?’, place blame, curl up in a ball and feel hopeless.

But I bring you Carol Burnett as an example of a different way to move through the world. Everything is possible. You can be happy. We can decide that today we’re going to love our lives and see what we can make of it.

Here are three challenges inspired by our highlight of Carol Burnett today.  

The first is The "Our Turn" Challenge

• Challenge: Carol Burnett's motto for handling rejection was, "It wasn't my turn; it was her turn." This is a powerful perspective that replaces jealousy and disappointment with hope and solidarity. The "Our Turn" Challenge asks you to practice this philosophy in your own life for one week.
• How to Participate: When a friend, colleague, or even a public figure you admire gets a promotion, an award, or a success that you might have wanted, resist the urge to feel envy. Instead, say to yourself (or even better, to them), "It was their turn, and my turn is coming." Take a moment to genuinely celebrate their success and recognize that their win doesn't diminish your potential.
• Why it Matters: In a world that often pits women against each other, this challenge fosters a spirit of collaboration and mutual support, just like the women at the Rehearsal Club. It's an act of mental and emotional activism that promotes a more positive and empowering community.

2. The "Our Postcard" Challenge

• Challenge: Inspired by Burnett and her friends renting out a concert hall to create their own opportunity, this challenge is about taking matters into your own hands when you feel stuck or overlooked.
• How to Participate: Identify a problem, a need, or a community cause that you care about. Instead of waiting for someone else to fix it, find two or three friends who share your passion. Work together to plan a small-scale, creative action to bring attention to your cause or create a solution. It could be a fundraising bake sale, a social media campaign to highlight an issue, a community cleanup, or even a local petition drive. Document your process and share your "postcard" to the world, just as Burnett and her friends did.
• Why it Matters: This challenge embodies the "everything is possible" philosophy. It's a reminder that we don't need permission or a big platform to make a difference. Collective action, no matter how small, can lead to powerful change.

3. The "Cigar-Smoking Woman" Challenge

• Challenge: Carol Burnett's anecdote about the man who thought equal pay would lead to women smoking cigars highlights the absurd and often subtle ways that resistance to progress is framed. The "Cigar-Smoking Woman" Challenge asks you to actively identify and call out a gender stereotype or a nonsensical argument against equality that you encounter.
• How to Participate: For one week, be mindful of the media you consume, the conversations you have, and the arguments you hear. When you hear someone use a stereotypical or illogical reason to dismiss a women's rights issue (e.g., "She's too emotional to be a leader," or "That's not a woman's job"), take a mental note. When you feel it's safe to do so, politely and calmly challenge it by asking a question like, "Why do you believe that?" or "What does that have to do with the issue at hand?"
• Why it Matters: Like Burnett, this challenge is about not letting "the stupidest things you've ever heard" go unchallenged. It's an act of everyday activism that pushes back against the subtle misogyny and ridiculous arguments that hold women back. It's a fun and funny way to be a feminist.

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