This hilarious clip from an episode of The Carol Burnett Show featuring Tim Conway and Harvey Korman has been unseen for nearly 40 years. Despite its brevity, it’s guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
During its original run from 1967 to 1978, The Carol Burnett Show was one of America’s most beloved series. It consistently ranked among the top 30 most-watched shows each season and has since earned a place on numerous “Best/Greatest TV Shows of All Time” lists.
Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, both iconic comedians, were regulars on the show. Although they weren’t an official comedic duo like Abbott and Costello, they frequently teamed up in sketches due to their popularity with audiences. In this particular episode, which is only available on DVD, Tim dresses up as a woman, and he and Harvey go undercover as a couple.
The humor escalates when Tim warns Harvey not to get too close to “her,” but Harvey insists on maintaining appearances. Their attempt to remain professional quickly devolves into laughter as Tim flicks his hair and Harvey struggles to keep a straight face. The audience joins in on the laughter, making the scene even more uproarious.
Harvey’s attempts to maintain composure by combing his bangs and applying compact powder to his mustache only add to the hilarity. Commenters have noted that it’s hard to decide what’s funnier: Tim flicking his hair or Harvey trying not to laugh.
The Carol Burnett Show amassed an impressive eight Golden Globes and 25 Emmys in just eleven years. It launched the careers of numerous comedians and remains a benchmark of television comedy.
The chemistry between Tim Conway and Harvey Korman is a testament to their comedic genius and ability to turn a simple skit into a memorable comedy routine.