Sneak Preview: Behind the Scenes at Carol Burnett’s Upcoming 90th Birthday TV Special

Lily Tomlin was totally starstruck to meet Burnett, then transformed

When Tomlin, 83, first burst into prominence as the snarky, snorting telephone operator Ernestine on Laugh-In, she was on the CBS-TV lot — then the province of Burnett. “I’d only been on the air two or three weeks, and I was totally rigid with fear that I would run into you and you didn't know who I was,” she told Burnett from the stage. One day, as Tomlin was in the bathroom, “I was just about to leave, and I heard your voice in the hall and I didn't have time enough to fake my own death.” In the next moment, however, “You [said you] knew that I was the phone operator, and you were so kind and so generous to me. You talked to me for a long time, and you gave me all the compliments.​

“You have always been a gold standard to me and to Jane [Wagner, Tomlin’s wife and colleague] in our work,” Tomlin said. “Total commitment to characters.”

Entertainment

Ancestry

30% off a 1-year subscription

View Details

See All

See more Entertainment offers >

{"hideCategory":false,"useAlternateLanguage":false,"headlineIconAltText":"","listItems":[{"categoryTitle":"Entertainment","categoryUrl":"/membership/benefits/entertainment/","categoryDeeplinkParam":"entertainment","isLimitedTimeOffer":false,"offerJson":{"dbr_offer_id":"b270af1fb49dd39e9cfbdbf986c1f0ed","source_name":"Ancestry","offer_title":"30% off an All Access or World Explorer Subscription","offer_description":"\u003cp\u003eMembers save 30% on the first year of an All Access or a World Explorer subscription and get access to records and online tools to search, save and share their family history.\u0026nbsp; If you’re new to Ancestry, you’ll receive the discount on the first year of your subscription only. If you already have an Ancestry account, you’ll receive the discount when you renew your subscription for a year.\u003c/p\u003e","offer_short_description":"30% off a 1-year subscription","category_list":"entertainment","subcategory_list":"","tags":[{"tagID":"dbr:entertainment","title":"Entertainment","name":"entertainment","deeplink_url":"/membership/benefits/entertainment/","deeplink_param_value":"entertainment","get_offers_url":"/etc/aarp/dbr/ws.api/offers/entertainment.json","sub_tags":[]}],"vertical_image_url":"/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ancestry/258x334-ancestry-two-men-smiling-multi-generational-tablet-feb-2020.jpg","image_url":"/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ancestry/1140x641-ancestry-three-men-smiling-multi-generational-tablet-feb-2020.jpg","advertisement_flag":"","advertisement_sort_order":"","merchant_phone":"1-800-514-4645","merchant_phone_label":"or, call Ancestry at","howto_redeem":"Learn More","howto_redeem_url":"https://www.ancestry.com/s123495/t47308/rd.ashx?","howto_redeem_expired":"Renew to Learn More","howto_redeem_expired_link":"https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew","howto_redeem_non_member":"Join to Learn More","howto_redeem_non_member_link":"https://secure.aarp.org/applications/membershipChallenge/showChallengeForm.action?appName\u003daccount","howto_redeem_anonymous":"Join to Learn More","howto_redeem_anonymous_link":"https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid\u003dUASMBP1\u0026intcmp\u003dEWHERE-MBCHAE-LP-MMA-JOIN","howto_redeem_desc":"Enter your AARP membership number on the Ancestry website, or mention it by phone.","member_exclusive_flag":"no","offer_type":"EverGreen","hideLeavingAARP":"false","interstitial_desc":"You\u0027ll leave AARP.org and go to the website of a trusted provider. The provider\u0027s terms, conditions, and policies apply.","dbr_offer_type":"discount","restrictions":"\u003cp\u003eAARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs an AARP member, if you sign up for an Ancestry membership through a special AARP members-only offer, you agree to the \u003ca href\u003d\"https://www.ancestry.com/cs/legal/termsandconditions#disputes\" data-overlay-msg\u003d\"AARP.Everywhere.LeavingModal.drawOverlay(this,\u0027\u0027,/mnt/overlay/wcm/core/content/sites/properties.html,\u0027\u0027,\u0027You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.\u0027);return false;\"\u003eAncestry Terms and Conditions\u003c/a\u003e (the “Terms”), including the dispute resolution procedures set forth in the Terms.  In addition to those procedures, you also have the option to initiate arbitration through the American Arbitration Association (AAA). If you so choose, the following applies:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute informally by contacting Ancestry customer service.  If any dispute between us is not resolved within 30 days after contacting us, then you and Ancestry agree that we will resolve it through final and binding arbitration.  The term “dispute” is intended to be as broad as legally permissible and includes, but is not limited to, all disputes between you and any other person on whose behalf you have interacted with Ancestry, on the one hand, and Ancestry, including any of its parents, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, assigns, or affiliates, on the other, that arise out of or relate in any way to the Terms, this arbitration agreement, or your interactions or relationship with Ancestry, with the following three exceptions:\u003c/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003eYou and Ancestry shall each have the option to resolve any dispute, if it qualifies, in the small claims court with jurisdiction over your place of residence.  To the extent any dispute involves claims for both (1) monetary damages or relief and (2) equitable or injunctive relief, to the extent the small claims court with jurisdiction will not resolve claims for equitable or injunctive relief, you and Ancestry shall each have the option to resolve the claims for monetary relief or damages in small claims court, and any claim for equitable or injunctive relief shall be resolved in arbitration pursuant to this agreement.    \u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eBoth you and Ancestry may bring a suit in court in the state of Utah only for a claim of infringement or other misuse of intellectual property rights. In this case, we both waive any right to a jury trial.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eIf it qualifies, you may bring a claim to the attention of a relevant federal, state, or local agency that may seek relief against us on your behalf.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eArbitration Rules:\u003c/b\u003e This arbitration agreement is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).  Arbitration will be conducted by AAA in accordance with the then-applicable AAA rules, excluding any rules or procedures governing or permitting class actions. Where no disclosed claims or counterclaims exceed $25,000, the dispute shall be resolved by the submission of documents only/desk arbitration pursuant to AAA Consumer Arbitration Rule 29 (or the then-applicable AAA Consumer Arbitration Rule governing documents-only arbitration procedures).  Either party may file dispositive motions in arbitration, including without limitation a motion to dismiss and/or a motion for summary judgment, and the arbitrator will apply the standards governing such motions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.  The arbitrator, and not any federal, state, or local court or agency, shall have exclusive authority to resolve all disputes arising out of or relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or formation of this arbitration agreement, the Terms, or the \u003ca href\u003d\"https://www.ancestry.com/cs/legal/privacystatement\"\u003eAncestry Privacy Statement\u003c/a\u003e, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this arbitration agreement, the Terms or Privacy Statement is void or voidable, whether a claim is subject to arbitration, or the question of waiver by litigation conduct. The arbitrator shall be empowered to grant whatever relief would be available in a court under law or in equity. The arbitrator’s award shall be written and shall be binding on the parties and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo initiate an arbitration proceeding through AAA, you must send a certified letter describing your claim and requesting arbitration to Ancestry Legal Department, Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 1300 W Traverse Parkway, Lehi, UT 84043. You must also send a copy of this demand to the AAA at the same time the demand is sent to Ancestry and follow all required procedures under the then-applicable AAA rule governing starting an arbitration under an arbitration agreement in a contract.  The arbitration will be conducted by AAA under its \u003ca href\u003d\"https://www.adr.org/Rules\"\u003erules\u003c/a\u003e, as modified by the Terms (collectively, \u0026quot;AAA Rules\u0026quot;). The AAA Rules and costs are available online at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.adr.org/\"\u003ewww.adr.org\u003c/a\u003e or by calling the AAA at 1-800-778-7879.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe parties shall select the arbitrator by mutual agreement.  If the parties are unable to mutually select an arbitrator, the arbitrator shall be selected as follows: AAA will give each party a list of nine (9) arbitrators drawn from its panel of arbitrators. Each party will have ten (10) calendar days to strike all names on the list it deems unacceptable. If only one common name remains on the lists of all parties, that individual will be designated as the arbitrator. If more than one common name remains on the lists of all parties, the parties will strike names alternately from the list of common names by telephone conference administered by AAA, with the claimant to strike first until only one remains. If no common name remains on the lists of all parties, AAA will furnish an additional list of nine (9) arbitrators from which the parties will strike alternately by telephone conference administered by AAA, with the claimant to strike first, until only one name remains. That person will be designated as the arbitrator. If the individual selected cannot serve, AAA will issue another list of nine (9) arbitrators and repeat the alternate striking selection process.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArbitration may take place in the county where you reside at the time of filing. You and Ancestry further agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of any federal or state court in San Francisco County, California in order to compel arbitration, to stay proceedings pending arbitration, or to confirm, modify, vacate, or enter judgment on the award entered by the arbitrator.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFees: \u003c/b\u003eYou will be required to pay $200—or the amount otherwise required under the then-applicable AAA rules—to initiate an arbitration against us. If the arbitrator finds the arbitration to be non-frivolous, Ancestry will pay all other fees invoiced by AAA, including filing fees and arbitrator and hearing expenses. You are responsible for your own attorneys’ fees unless the arbitration rules and/or applicable law provide otherwise.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eClass, Representative and Consolidated Action Waiver. \u003c/b\u003e There will be no right or authority for any dispute to be brought, heard or arbitrated as a class, representative and/or consolidated action (the “\u003ci\u003eClass Action Waiver\u003c/i\u003e”).  Nor shall any arbitrator have the authority to hear or arbitrate any such dispute, regardless of any other language in this arbitration agreement, or any provision of any of the rules or procedures of the AAA that might otherwise apply including, without limitation, the AAA Supplemental Rules for Class Action Arbitration.  This Class Action Waiver shall be severable from this arbitration agreement if there is a final judicial determination that the Class Action Waiver is invalid, unenforceable, unconscionable, void or voidable.  In such instances, the class, representative or consolidated action must be litigated in the courts of the State of Utah—not in arbitration.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeverability.  \u003c/b\u003eOther than as set forth in the Class Action Waiver, if any provision of this arbitration agreement is adjudged to be invalid, unenforceable, unconscionable, void or voidable, in whole or in part, such adjudication will not affect the validity of the rest of the arbitration agreement. All remaining provisions will remain in effect.\u003c/p\u003e","lto_daysleft_start_control":30,"is_redeemable_in_person":"false","is_redeemable_only_in_person":false,"state_blacklist":[],"offer_timing":"anytime","line_of_business":"ASI discounts","asi_category":"ASI Shopping","analytics_brand":"Ancestry","analytics_offerid":"ancestry-10074","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon":"Member Log In","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon_link":"https://login.aarp.org/online-community/loginform.action","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember":"Link your membership","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember_link":"https://secure.aarp.org/applications/membershipChallenge/showChallengeForm.action?appName\u003daccount","offer_keywords":["ancestry discount","ancestry subscription discount"," aarp benefits","aarp discounts"],"offer_keywords_spanish":["Ancestry","hogar","familia","historia","búsqueda","beneficios","socios","descuentos","Ancestry","historia familiar","ancestry.com","beneficio de ancestry","descuento de ancestry","búsqueda de familia","genealogía","ahorros en ancestry","descuentos de ancestry","ofertas de ancestry","world explorer","membresía","suscripción","hogar y familia","descuentos para el hogar","beneficios para el hogar","ahorros para la familia","beneficios para la familia","herramientas genealógicas"],"provider_logo":"/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ancestry/ancestry-logo-jan-2023.png","provider_logo_alt_text":"ancestry logo","provider_logo_cdn_uri":"https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ancestry/ancestry-logo-jan-2023.imgcache.revf5c18e2b2bd93f24d406af271c536d72.png","provider_logo_width":"640","provider_logo_height":"114","enable_utm_parameters":"","append_aid_paramter":"","lto_model_heading":"Limited Time Member Offers","lto_advertisement":"Member Exclusive Advertisement","ty_socialMissionFlag":"true","deeplink_param_value":"ancestry-10074","pixel_learn_more_value":"","howto_redeem_2":"Learn More","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember_label":"Already a member?","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon_label":"Already a member?","image_alt_text":"","image_title":"Three smiling men looking at table","image_cdn_uri":"https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ancestry/1140x641-ancestry-three-men-smiling-multi-generational-tablet-feb-2020.imgcache.revb030d83b47d0d1bf2713a936a9a4091b.jpg","tab_label_offer_details":"Details","tab_label_restrictions":"Disclosures","geoloc_tab_label":"Locations","disclaimer_label":"","geoloc_provider_legal_info":"","geoloc_miles_label_text":"Miles","geoloc_show_results_within_label_text":"Show results within","geoloc_see_more_button_text":"See More","geoloc_find_location_label":"Find a Location","geoloc_total_results_label":"Result(s)","geoloc_no_results_view_message":"There are no locations within a 100 mile radius. Please try another location","geoloc_tab_hint_text":"Enter an address, city, or ZIP","geoloc_mobile_list_cta":"LIST VIEW","geoloc_mobile_list_cta_url":"","geoloc_mobile_map_cta":"MAP VIEW","geoloc_mobile_map_cta_url":"","geoloc_provider_link_cta_url":"","geoloc_experience_type":"","ty_ctaText":"Continue","geoloc_hide_tab":"true","ty_interstitialText":"Thanks for visiting aarp.org! Come back again to check out all of the AARP Member Benefits and unlock the full power of membership.","howto_redeem_label":"How to Access","ty_interstitialDesc":"Come back again to check out all of the AARP Member Benefits and unlock the full power of membership.","ty_cancelText":"Cancel","ty_interstitialTitle":"Thanks for visiting aarp.org!","lto_daysleft":"Days Left","provider_logo_title":"ancestry logo","geoloc_hide_see_more_button":"false","geoloc_provider_link_cta":"","offer_page_path":"/benefits-discounts/all/ancestry-10074/","redemption_content":"","show_phone_number_above_cta":"","restrictions_label":"Disclosures","show_state_availability":"","state_availability_text":"SEE AVAILABILITY IN YOUR STATE","hideRestrictionsTab":"","ltos":[]},"parentOfferJson":{}}]}

(Left to right) Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews

Photo by: Amy Sussman/WireImage

Great pal Julie Andrews revealed an “I kissed a girl” stunt the pair pulled that went off the rails

Both women were in Washington for the 1965 inauguration of Lyndon Johnson, explained Andrews, 87. Their mutual friend, director Mike Nichols, suggested a drink in their hotel after the gala. The pair posted themselves on a couch facing the elevator bank, and as Andrews said, “I don't remember which one of us came up with it, but one of us said, 'Why don't we just pretend to be kissing?’​

“We thought this was terribly funny, by the way. The elevator at that point went ping and so I flung her across my lap and bent down in a deep embrace.​

“And that elevator was absolutely packed with Secret Service men.”​

Mortified but still game, they again faced the elevators. With the next ping, “We bent over once again.” This time, it was Mike Nichols. “And all he did was say, `Hi, girls,’ and walked on.”

Steve Martin is a lifelong fan, and Cher leaned on her for support when Sonny was gone​

Martin, 77, and comic partner Martin Short, 73, offered zealous congrats via video. Said Martin, “We’re sending our birthday greetings to you because you are 90 years old, and we have loved you for every year of our lives [pausing]... to the point where we weren't born.”

Cher, 76, appeared in a glittering gold gown with a matching headdress, saying, “I always think of just her being so kind and helping me because I wasn't really sure what I was doing … on my own. I was really frightened. [Turning to Burnett just below the stage] And you helped me, you know you did.​

“I just love her. I want her to be just like her. And I'm not just like you, but I'm my own version of you.”​

Neighbor Ellen DeGeneres called Burnett out as a porch pirate​

Fixing a warm gaze on Burnett, DeGeneres, 65, said, “She didn't just pave the way for me and female comedians everywhere, she blazed the trail.” The talk show host added, “When I watched her, growing up, I did not know I would be working in this business. I never could have imagined this. Not only do I know her, I actually get to call her my friend and we actually are neighbors, which I can’t believe.​

“Also,” she cracked, “my Ring camera caught you stealing three packages.”

Bob Odenkirk called out a dicey moment for the legend, who memorably appeared in the final episodes of 'Better Call Saul'​

Starting with a shout-out for Burnett’s upcoming Apple TV+ comedy series Mrs. American Pie (costarring Kristen Wiig, 49, and Allison Janney, 63), Odenkirk, 60, recalled what he claimed was showrunner Vince Gilligan’s initial plan for a scene in the penultimate Better Call Saul episode, in which her endangered character faces off with Saul in a hair-raisingly dark dramatic moment.

“[Gilligan’s] exact words to me were, ‘Saul ends up killing Carol Burnett,’” Odenkirk said. “He didn’t say, ‘Kill Carol's character.’” Fixing his gaze on Gilligan in the audience, he added, “He’s shaking his head. No, no, he said ‘Kill Carol Burnett!’”

After the taping, Gilligan said, “Carol is a living legend, one of the finest entertainers America has ever produced. We're just as proud as we can be that we got to work with her.”​

Gilligan’s fellow showrunner Peter Gould, who wrote and directed the finale episode, was quick to add his tribute after the taping. “She’s not just a legend in the world, she's a legend in my heart because she’s so brilliant and fast and fun, and she raised everybody's spirits. We were in the middle of the pandemic, it was a very long shoot, and people were getting very tired. And then Carol showed up and raised all our spirits. I really don't think we would have made it without her.”

Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC

And what did Carol Burnett have to say to AARP?

When asked how she’d counsel fans in the AARP constituency to sustain her brand of vitality in their own lives, she smiled and replied, “Do what you love.”

Watch it: Carol Burnett: 90 Years Of Laughter + Love (NBC, April 26, 8 p.m. ET, streaming on Peacock April 27).