Carol Burnett, 91, is finally thinking about retirement.
In a recent interview with Variety, when asked if his recent AppleTV+ show “Palm Royale” will be his last on-camera gig, Burnett replied, Unless there is a cameo appearance or something interesting! ”
She also opened up about her choice to end The Carol Burnett Show, which ran for 11 seasons on CBS from 1977 to 1978, and aired nine more episodes in 1991.
The variety sketch series had a staggering 279 episodes and was an important part of Burnett’s career, which had been going strong since the 1950s. During its run, the show attracted 30 million viewers each week and won 25 Emmy Awards.
“I called it quits because I thought I had done pretty much everything I could, and I was starting to repeat myself in the sketches,” Barnett explained.
Carol Burnett from “The Carol Burnett Show.” Punkin/Wakko Inc./Kobal/REX/Shut Bob Mackie (left) and Carol Burnett attend a conversation between Bob Mackie and Carol Burnett after the screening of “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion” in October 2024 . Newport Beach Film Festival Getty Images Carol Burnett The Carol Burnett Show. “Punkin/Wakko Inc./Kobal/REX/Shut
“I said, ‘I want to leave before the network starts turning the lights on and off and saying ‘goodbye.'” No more of this. I wanted to say goodbye. ”
The star, who reunited with longtime friend Dick Van Dyke, 98, for a handprint ceremony in Hollywood in June, reflected on her childhood.
In the 1950s, she paid $18 a week and lived in a New York rehearsal club for women seeking a career in show business.
At casting meetings, her agent asked her to notify her “when something came up,” but in a Catch-22, it was nearly impossible to land a role without an agent.
“So I called a meeting,” she recalled.
“There were 25 girls, so we said, ‘Let’s put on a show.’ We wrote it, and everyone wanted to do their own thing…We were one of the best in town. I send out penny postcards to every agent, director, and writer and say, “You always say, “If you’re having trouble with something, let me know.” we are in something. This postcard is your ticket. Please come. ” And we put on a show. ”
Carol Burnett (left) and Vicki Lawrence on “The Carol Burnett Show” in 1973. Getty Images Carol Burnett at the 2024 Apple TV+ Primetime Emmy Party. WireImage
Mr. Barnett has participated in many equal pay conferences over the years.
“At one point, I was on the phone with a fellow celebrity. I won’t say who, but this one guy, a very big star, was making a fuss about it. He said, ‘Don’t do that. I don’t want to, because then all the women will be smoking cigars.” ‘got it? They can now smoke cigars! If they want to shine, we won’t stop them. ” Is that the stupidest thing you’ve ever heard? What about equal pay for equal work? ”
As a young woman, when Burnett lost the role to another woman, she said, “It was a great idea to not be disappointed or discouraged. It wasn’t my turn. It wasn’t my turn.” he said. It was her turn. That saved me from sadness. ”
Carol Burnett attended the screening of “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion” on October 20, 2024. Getty Images for Newport Beach Film Festival
Barnett also said he has made a conscious choice not to get involved in politics, as he has never publicly supported a candidate.
“It may sound cliché, but I want people to be happy and loving and having fun again. I think that’s a possibility.”
