In Such Good Company

June 27, 2016
From 1967 to 1978, The Carol Burnett Show delighted television viewers of all ages from coast to coast. Now Burnett presents a look at her beloved variety hour. Though it may start with the show’s inauspicious beginnings (a forgotten clause in Burnett’s contract) and end with its star-studded finale, Burnett’s narrative is hardly chronological; instead, it resembles the conversational cadence of a relative reminiscing about the good old days. This is certainly a relatable approach, but it does lead Burnett to repeat details about her favorite stories. Nevertheless, Burnett’s fans will enjoy the wealth of knowledge as she reveals her close relationships with her crew, revisits highlights from audience q&a sessions, and shares anecdotes about the biggest stars of the 1960s and ’70s. Burnett watched every episode afresh to research this book, and that attention to detail shows in her exhaustive accounts of major sketches. However, even nonfans will enjoy the nuggets of intrigue Burnett scatters throughout, in which she shines a light on the sexism she faced during her tenure as a leading lady of the small screen.

October 31, 2016
It’s a real treat to listen to comedian Burnett reminisce on her variety show, from its early days, through its height, to its end. As Burnett traces the show’s history, she explains the challenges and issues that the show faced but also the cultural context in which it developed, as well as its legacy. No one could narrate this book better than Burnett, not just because of her professional experience, but because of the enthusiasm, love, and sheer joy that emanates from her performance. Her slightly warbly voice brims with amusement and self-deprecation as she recalls her obstacles, her follies, and her successes. Accompanying her story, Burnett includes the first person accounts of are a handful of firsthand narrations from cast, crew, and friends of Burnett who share their stories in working on the show. Altogether, the production adds depth and meaning to Burnett’s memoir that the prose alone cannot match. A Crown Archetype hardcover.