The Incredible Story Of How Carol Burnett Was Able To Afford College | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

[@greyforge27]

What a lovely, accomplished older woman. Carol's not bad either.

[@H-Vox]

😂

[@vyshnavshabunair8358]

This is such Conan humour 😂

[@Jezza819]

The Carol Burnett Show was do not miss television in our house during the 70's. She is a legend and deserves every bit of praise that she receives.

[@genemaurillo4162]

and then SNL the same night!

[@SteelGhost_]

What a legend Carol is, has literally had me and my family laughing our entire lives. Can’t say that about anyone else

[@danjohnson2986]

Carol Burnett is a national treasure. Every award that can be given (including the Nobel prize) should be awarded to her. She’s done more to bring happiness and hope to Americans in her lifetime than people realize.

[@davidhurtado2725]

If there was one for the Performing Arts, it'd be a no brainer

[@gkennedy2998]

ABSOLUTELY!! I cry openly whenever I see Carol Burnett on television and I don't care who sees me.

[@bobhiggins4276]

OMG she looks so terrific at 90! One of my idols!

[@playkma]

And she’ll actually be 91 on the 26th of April. I’m telling you, as long as I live, I will never be ageist lol.

[@Teatime4Tom]

All In The Family, M.A.S.H, Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newheart, And Carol Burnett. That may be the greatest TV lineup of all time.

[@ITIRICI]

By a lot, yes. ❤

[@ManChan-w5p]

Better than The Dukes of Hazzard, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island although split the networks?

[@davidhurtado2725]

​@@ManChan-w5pnot sure if you are serious

[@georgejorden6269]

I agree the best shows ever

[@BrunetteOnTheCouch]

It was. I feel sorry for those that didn't grow up in the 70's. They have no idea what they missed - across the board. NOTHING beats CBS Saturday night lineup in the 70's. Pure TV heaven.

[@DougPalumbo]

How can one not love Carol Burnett! One of the very rare instances where the terms ‘legend’ and ‘genius’ truly apply.

[@MISNM0]

Agreed (in the comedic realm)

[@michaelmurray258]

This interview was such a breath of fresh air in an otherwise crappy week. Carol is such a genuinely kind person, and watching Conan gush over her just brings a huge smile to my face. Thank you both.

[@carlhanson8845]

I can't begin to express what joy Carol has brought to my family. My parents have passed on, but their love for her allowed me to see what an amazing performer she has been and continues to be. Thank you Carol. Thank you Conan and crew.

[@TheDigitalDecade]

She was the guest on the only time I got to go to Conan’s show (on TBS) on my birthday. It’s one of my favorite memories.

[@alex0589]

She's fcking 90 (!) and she was sharper than a lot of the 40 year old guests on the podcast lol she remembers the names, the addresses, the people, the anecdotes from 60+ years ago... I'm always afraid older guests will be either boring or a bit lost or slow but she was amazing, what an incredible life for an incredible woman. This whole episode made me feel like the whole team had a great day. (the ford taurus outro killed me too)

[@fluxcapacitor1621]

Saturday nights at my grandparent's house, we were watching the line up that she mentioned. My grandmother adored Carol Burnett. She would talk about her during the commercials.

[@EmilyKresl]

I knew this story but it still gives me shivers everytime I hear it. God bless her secret guardian angel!!!

[@alviltayco3713]

I read it in A Readers Digest!!! Mr. C REALLY WAS AMAZING!

[@EmilyKresl]

She has another guardian angel story getting the money she needed to go to New York. Bless that person too!!!

[@H-Vox]

For some reason I have a feeling it was a teacher of hers who saw her brilliance

[@EmilyKresl]

@@H-Vox I always imagined a little spinster lady who lived down the hall from Carols' grandma, who was nosy enough to hear the predicament but sly enough to give it anonymously. I hope whoever did it got to watch her on TV and see she MADE IT!!!

[@Channel-cm7yc]

Carol it is always so wonderful to see you. You have been a part of my 53 years on this planet. I can say I’ve walked on the same planet with the greats like you and Lucille Ball etc etc that list is beyond extensive. I can’t imagine what the world would have been like without all the people of the greatest generation of American entertainment to ever take this planet by storm and leave an unparalleled legacy and body of work. ❤ you Carol and thank you for all the laughs!!!!

[@desmond-hawkins]

$43 in 1951 had the equivalent purchasing power to $516 in 2024. UCLA tuition in 2024 is $33k to $76k depending on whether you're a CA resident and if you live on campus or commute in. Regardless of inflation, the amounts involved are orders of magnitude apart.

[@WhateverHappenedToFun]

I was lookin' for this information, thank you.

[@doggedout]

I am about Conan's age and I remember that original "must see tv" lineup. It really was unprecedented for a network to put all their heavy hitters back to back like that in one night. CBS would make weird moves like that having earlier scrapped all their top shows in the "rural purge". where they "canceled every show with a tree in it" - Mr. Haney from Green Acres The theme songs alone were so iconic just looking at the titles conjures up memories. When I hear the Carol Burnett theme...I think "one more hour until bedtime..but no school tomorrow".

[@rscamp81]

The way Sona and Matt just gaze lovingly at Carol is all of us.

[@Tommyr]

A true legend! LOVE Carol! Miss her variety shows. Glad she is still with us! MORE PLEASE!

[@daruddock]

As a younger Brit i had no idea about Carol before she was announced to appear in Better Call Saul, and i was immediately blown away by her acting. I could also see that it was a big deal to have her in the show.

[@terioswalt1909]

Watch the Carol Burnett Show!!She is AWESOME

[@Drnaynay]

Watch some outtakes of her show, or Tim Conway making Harvey Korman knock himself out laughing. And if you can laugh at The Queen - watch Carol's QEII impression!

[@jlouis4407]

Watch her spoof of Gone With the Wind, it’s hilarious

[@klytus42]

She's at the top. No one is above her.

[@jlouis4407]

She’s probably the most legendary person still alive today

[@carlsagan495]

Such a beautiful icon...Laughter can cure the incurable.. Thank you, Carol and Conan.

[@SidPhoenix2211]

She was EXCELLENT on Better Call Saul 🫡✨

[@cooliostarstache5474]

Bryan Cranston, Bob Odenkirk, Patrick Fabian, Michael McKean, Carol Burnett. Comedians really do the best dramatic acting

[@DissyK]

She was the one who got Jimmy busted right? Legend

[@curtislindsey1736]

Glad that Sona and Gourly got to tag along on this one!

[@drizzt5788]

If Sona had not got to tag along she would be wearing a orange jump suit now🤣

[@georgejorden6269]

Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, Linda Lavin and Bea Arthur each paved the way for the entertainers of today.

[@Teeklin]

I really hope you end up interviewing Vicki Lawrence as well. Get these brilliant amazing ladies on the podcast while you can!

[@Enr227]

She's outstanding. So grateful for her

[@UncleFishbits]

Man. This is so legendary I am legit emotional. Wow.

[@john_avernia]

She's such a delightful person.

[@CharlieHillerman]

We all, absolutely adore Carol Burnett, here in her hometown, San Antonio

[@andrisplatypus6617]

Carol Burnett is a national treasure. GOATed.

[@georgejorden6269]

I loved (and still love) the Carol Burnett Show. She is a pioneer in entertainment. I still watch clips from the Carol Burnett Show on KZbin

[@H-Vox]

Two comedy legends of two generations!

[@BAYBAY_316]

Absolutely right !!

[@ct6852]

The BEST.

[@Youngstown529]

Carol Burnett is a gift.

[@encinobalboa]

Carol Burnett is a national treasure.

[@CausticLemons7]

She's amazing.

[@YouTubeDave-tp7ij]

At 90 years old, she is so sharp in her recollections of her memories. I am 50 and I can't remember too much about my own life. :P Of course, she has a more memorable life than I did. :P I very much love Carole Burnett.

[@pattigough7354]

I adore her! She is so talented and charming! There is no one like her.

[@ElChris816]

Love this woman and this interview. She was such a huge part of my childhood.

[@lightningjack9996]

Carol, my mom have passed away since, but she used to love you...I was too young to stay up and watch...but now I love your show too...from South Africa.

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

Love her dearly. One of the most beloved people ever in Hollywood or on the planet for that matter. I still laugh out loud at sketches that I've seen dozens of times. I loved the movie spoofs. When she played Bette Davis (A Swiped Life) or Joan Crawford (Torchy Song, Mildred Fierce) with such brilliant support from Harvey Korman as her leading man it was complete and total genius.

[@thinkplanetearth2946]

Gosh, I remember watching every single one of those shows she mentioned. It was 'appointment' TV. So great. And what an amazing set of circumstances, from the anonymous money to cover her tuition, to her having to take an acting class and figuring out she had a talent for it. It's what my father refers to as 'happy accidents'.

[@kmlgraph]

Check out Carol Burnett in a rare dramatic role in Better Call Saul season 6. She is excellent in the role.

[@judd442009]

Genuine mutual admiration society going on here. And we love it.

[@danawitta9739]

Saw her at the Chicago Theater in 2022. When I was a little girl, my grandmother took me to see Annie and I still love the dance scene with Tim Curry and Bernadette Peters. I use to watch Mama's family as a little girl too and some of the Carol Burnett show. She is wonderful and we are lucky to have her.

[@thecuriousquest]

Foundation builder, Carol! So much comedic flavor!

[@Arcturuseyes]

May God bless Carol. I love love love her

[@jermar1979]

She’s incredible! Love her! ❤️

[@muffinamy83]

The "wer wer WER!" scene in Palm Royale made us cry laughing. Love Carol!

[@sofiesummerbradley]

Omg yes!!! I just finished it! It’s so funny😂

[@Aaron-wn3kr]

Sona and Matt just watching adoringly is amazing. I would be too.

[@breathspinecore]

I couldn't click on this fast enough! My childhood Saturday nights were just like Conan's, except in warm Fla. She is the greatest sketch comedian ever to do it!

[@jazminratzlaff5357]

Love that going to the theatre, seeing films was a huge part of her youth, love hearing the stories about her and her grandmother. Love Carol’s iconic sarcastic sense of humour. She looks and sounds fabulous, she is in her 90’s now. Adore that she believes in guardian angels. 😇 🖤😍😘🥰🤩🌟✨👑🎙️⚜️💎🏆

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Many thanks to Conan, Carol and everyone involved! ⭐

[@llxxll]

She's hands down one of the greatest!

[@briefcasefullofbacon7291]

CAROL BURNETT BOUGHT MY MOM A DOG IN THE EARLY 70s.

[@EmilyKresl]

What kind of dog?

[@briefcasefullofbacon7291]

It was some poodle that actually didn't like my mom. It sounds like one of those stories that is an internet lie. My grandmother was asking my mom who she wanted to invite to her birthday and my mom kept saying Carol Burnett. My grandmother wrote to Carol to get my mom to shut up. On my mom's birthday she gets a call and is on the phone. Eventually my grandmother asks who are you talking to? She says Oh it's Carol Burnett. My grandmother says WHAT!?! Carol Burnett got the letter and called my mom up. My mom's dog had recently died and she was telling Carol Burnett about it. Carol asked to talk to my grandmother and wanted to buy my mom a new dog.@@EmilyKresl

[@briefcasefullofbacon7291]

It was some sort of poodle. It didn't really get along great with my mom. My mom kept asking my grandma to invite Carol Burnett to her birthday. My grandmother wrote Carol a letter inviting her to my mom's birthday party. She of course didn't show up, but she actually called my mom on her birthday without telling anyone that she was going to do that. It was a total shock to everyone. My mom's dog had just died and she was telling Carol about it. Carol asked to talk to my grandma and offered to buy my mom a new dog. Carol insisted and that's how my mom ended up with a dog that Carol Burnett paid for.

[@DanK520]

@@briefcasefullofbacon7291 the dog should have been naked Carol too

[@MackovaDraga]

Without any reason that makes so much sense to me

[@florete2310]

@ Team Coco: You guys have no idea, how much of a safe space this podcast has become. Thank you

[@Caveyacht]

Carol Burnett is timeless.

[@37BopCity]

Wonderful tribute by Conan to Carol Burnett. Carol is one of the funniest, most talented comedic geniuses of all time, male or female. Like Conan, I grew up as a teenager watching her show. I remain a huge fan to this very day. All of her fans love her like nobody else. Carol Burnett is still at the top of the list when it comes to the greatest and most legendary performers of all time.

[@johnanon6938]

Carol's the best and yes its obvious Conan wasn't able to fight for a spot near the warm heating vent. Seriously, it makes Carol's charwoman persona all the more real and also glad she was able to avoid "success" to appear on this video's team coco with Conan. :D

[@stevenjwiles]

The porch looks so fresh. The whole house looks so fresh. I'm with you on the faux plants. I'll miss the window boxes, but I get it.

[@DannerBanks]

I was born in the 80s and really only knew her from Annie, but I have always thought she is wonderful

[@ct6852]

Yeah same. lol. Terrifying. Figured out she was really nice later though.

[@easydoesit2572]

She’s iconic

[@luckystarpiano]

Wow what an incredible story ❤ thank goodness there was many a journalism major option at ucla 🙏

[@ManuelaZacchetti]

A few months ago I luckily came to watch the Carol BurNETT Show for the first time (I’m Italian .. sORRiii!!) and I found her Wanda Wiggins and Eunice simply adorable. All the best for this NET to the lovely crew

[@dizzy_derps]

Man, she's amazing for being 90.

[@imbombero]

How Carol Burnett was such a nice, classy and intelligent person: Born before the 1980’s.

[@natmonti5195]

My favorite carol🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@YesYouAreAbsolutelyCorrect]

One of my heroes 💚💚💚

[@LinzYoutube]

What an amazing episode!

[@megsie1424]

I was listening to the podcast today, and at the part of the 50 dollars, I literally audibly gasped. Thank you to that anonymous angel.

[@ct6852]

Conan I also think you're pretty terrific. Carol too. Can't think of two entertainers that I've been more loyal to; who've brought more happiness, and fun and laughter and peace than both of you. You debuted on your show when I was eight, and I've been a fan ever since. And Carol since you scared the s-- outta me in Annie (later discovered your other work). And Sonja and Matt are pretty great too. 💖💖💖💖🐓

[@adamcoe]

I looked up the address of the apartment she mentions and the building there certainly looks like it could easily be old enough to be the same one. Neat!

[@shannonallaround9490]

Carrol Burnett is one of my favorite comedic performers of all time.

[@marisoldominguez438]

One of the queens of comedy.

[@mark.r.gorden]

Absolutely remarkable. For me first there was Carol and Mary when i was a kid. Then Conan came.

[@gerbmcnuggets5466]

Carol reminds me of the mother from that movie “Brazil”

[@EmilyKresl]

That's mona from who's the boss lol

[@postmodernrecycler]

Yes! Katherine Helmond!

[@rebwhit4305]

Amazing writer and performer.

[@nancysantamarialatica1141]

Agree . And yes miss Burnett is one of the funniest female, comedians ever. Miss the other two that died.

[@postmodernrecycler]

May I guess? Gilda Radner and Madeline Kahn?

[@nancysantamarialatica1141]

@@postmodernrecycler them too but no Tim Conway and I forgot the other one may he rest in peace . Tim used to make him laugh a lot.

[@postmodernrecycler]

@@nancysantamarialatica1141 Ah, gotcha. I mistakenly thought you meant other women comedians of the time. Tim Conway was a great!

[@nancysantamarialatica1141]

@@postmodernrecycler it’s ok it might have been the way I type . I’m dyslexic . It sounds rite n my head . Your cool . And hey take care , and thanks for your time . 💚I appreciate you. But yea I’m a huge fan of the Carol Burnett, show. In the 70s..

[@ericleiter6179]

I believe the angel who brought the 50 dollar bill to her mailbox...was a teacher, bet you anything it was!

[@lynnecarter7628]

Thankyou Conan for having her on. Can you have her on again?

[@davidhurtado2725]

What a ray of sunshine

[@theck672]

We love you Carol ❤❤❤

[@theJohnGaltLine]

Shortly after this interview, Conan obtained that time machine, went back in time, and mailed a $50 bill to Carol Burnett. Paradox be damned. I've actually heard that story before, and I often wonder who the benefactor was.

[@steelers6titles]

Carol's movie parodies were a highlight of her show. Went With The Wind! Mildred Fierce Sunset Boulevard ("Nora Desmond")

[@jkneumann]

Now, all other prior guests deserved accolades aside... Carol Burnett is decidedly "The Greatest Of All Time"

[@jameshowe7924]

No ? How old is she at this time? Not dissing her k .wonderful comic!! Thanks utube for bringing her back in to my life 😊

[@andrewarmsley6806]

She needs a Mark Twain award

[@ct6852]

Pretty sure she's gotten the Kennedy Center Honors already.

[@dlxmarks]

Burnett received the Mark Twain Prize in 2013. It's mentioned in the podcast.

[@danyyyyyyy]

YAY MATT AND SONA ARE HERE TOO!!!

[@far22186]

It was easy back then. The government didn't guarantee bailouts so colleges had incentives to keep prices down to compete

[@ct6852]

The California government subsidized education in a lot of cases.

[@RandyLex-wu6jy]

But once again she is my most favorite tv person of the seventies college professors should be making one fourth of what their paid seriously that a understatement unless you are teaching surgical stuff

[@rangers11ization]

Thank god UCLA made her take an acting class😂

[@Rathana81]

those pre reqs.

[@anthonyjordan830]

few people can hold a crowd in such reverence.

[@TheMusicalArtist]

It’s about time !! ❤

[@friskyalison]

Apparently $50 in 1950 has buying power of $650 today. That is incredible. Was university education subsidized then in the USA?

[@amandawoods8323]

Women's scholarships were scant and limited to teaching as far as I know. That's how my mother was partially able to attend and this was only possible because of a teacher who thought she had exceptional journalism skills. Her stepfather was not supportive and thought business school, aka secretarial school, was good enough for her. But she did get the small scholarship, and her mother took a weekend job in the process. She went on to be editor of the college newspaper, later being one of the first female professional writers who had a 40-year career in professional journalism . She got paid.

[@amandawoods8323]

She was also a member of the college flying high circus, as a clown and rope acrobat.

[@friskyalison]

@@amandawoods8323 WOW ☺️. Sounds like an incredible person. What great stories to have to tell about her! 👏🌹🥰 And, yes I forgot about women's access to education in the 50 being an issue. Of course. Women could not graduate from Oxford University until the 1970s. 😱.

[@amandawoods8323]

Yes, she also earned her masters degree in public administration while working full-time with 2 children and my father was supportive of her career and also went to college on an rotc scholarship and small food stipend from his rural community church. He went on to become an attorney

[@jonshields5649]

In 1951, there wasn't as much technology and perhaps wasn't as competitive because it may been considerably smaller. Everytime my university had a new renovation or wanted to add a new sports facility we footed the cost. As well as the need to educate a larger population created a demand to build larger and newer buildings. I went to the same university as my mom and she said it was $1000 a semester in the 90s. My sister started in 2013 it was $3000 and by the time I started in 2016 it was $6000.

[@pavanatanaya]

"Between Two Ferns"? You can expect a call from Zach Galufunackis,,,Galifunekos,,,Gaulifunkasis...The guy from The Hangover!

[@drumcircler]

Carol is America’s most loved performer. Ever.

[@hap328]

This UCLA alum is tearing up.

[@JustSwivel2]

::tugs on ear::

[@beatnickblanket]

$30 a month in today's dollars would be about $530. I know they lived in a one room studio, and you can rent a one room studio in the bar part of Los Angeles today for about $600 so not much has changed.

[@82drumhead]

Legend

[@BAYBAY_316]

She looks amazing