In Such Good Company

Carol Burnett takes readers backstage into the making of The Carol Burnett Show, drawing from her experience watching all 276 episodes to write this detailed memoir. The book chronicles the show's eleven-year run from 1967-1978, featuring stories about cast members, guest stars, and the creative process behind the scenes. The memoir presents candid accounts of working relationships with Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, and other television personalities of the era. It includes insights about costume designer Bob Mackie's contributions, the development of iconic sketches, and the technical aspects of producing a weekly variety show. This industry chronicle serves as both a television history and a personal reflection on a revolutionary period in American entertainment. Through its examination of The Carol Burnett Show's enduring success, the book illustrates the collaborative nature of variety television and the power of comedy to unite audiences.

Readers view this as a fun but lightweight behind-the-scenes look at The Carol Burnett Show. Many note it feels like having a casual conversation with Carol herself. Readers appreciated: - Personal anecdotes about guest stars and cast members - Details about costume changes and technical aspects - Carol's warm, conversational writing style - The inclusion of lesser-known show facts Common criticisms: - Too much familiar material covered in her previous books - Scattered organization and repetitive stories - Lack of depth about personal relationships - "Reads more like a list of memories than a narrative" - Goodreads reviewer Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (6,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,300+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Multiple reviews note this book works better as an audiobook since Carol narrates it herself, bringing her signature charm and timing to the stories.

Born Standing Up by Steve Martin This memoir chronicles Martin's path through television comedy writing and performing during the same era as Burnett, offering insights into the mechanics of comedy creation at network TV.

Yes, Please by Amy Poehler The memoir details Poehler's experiences as a female comedian in television, including her time at Saturday Night Live and the inner workings of TV comedy production.

Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball Ball's autobiography provides a behind-the-scenes look at television's golden age from another female comedy pioneer who, like Burnett, broke barriers in the industry.

Here's the Story by Maureen McCormick This memoir reveals the realities of working in television during the 1960s and 1970s, including the pressures and challenges faced by performers during that era.

My Life So Far by Jane Fonda The autobiography explores Fonda's career as an actress during the same period as Burnett, offering another perspective on being a woman in entertainment during television's formative years.

⭐ The iconic "curtain dress" from the show's Gone with the Wind parody was actually created after Bob Mackie saw the original curtain rod gag in the film and decided to make it even funnier by leaving the rod in the dress's shoulders. ⭐ Carol Burnett's signature ear tug at the end of each show was a secret message to her grandmother, letting her know that she was doing well and sending her love. ⭐ The show filmed two episodes every Friday, back-to-back, with different audiences - a practice unusual for its time but one that helped maintain the spontaneous energy the show was famous for. ⭐ Vicki Lawrence was only 18 when she joined the show, having been discovered by Carol Burnett after sending a fan letter that included a newspaper article about their striking resemblance. ⭐ The Carol Burnett Show ran for 11 seasons (1967-1978) and won 25 Emmy Awards, making it one of the most decorated variety/comedy shows in television history.