The Carol Burnett Show: The Lost Episodes Season 4 Episode 24 Bob Newhart and Chita Rivera
- February 22, 1971
- 22 min
The Carol Burnett Show was a variety show that aired from 1967 to 1978. It starred Carol Burnett and a rotating cast of comedic actors and musicians. Season 4 episode 24 featured two guest stars: Bob Newhart and Chita Rivera.
Bob Newhart was a popular stand-up comedian and actor, known for his dry wit and deadpan delivery. Chita Rivera was a Tony award-winning Broadway performer, best known for her roles in West Side Story and Chicago. The episode opened with a skit featuring Carol Burnett and Bob Newhart as a couple trying to enjoy a romantic evening at home, but constantly interrupted by their eccentric neighbors played by Harvey Korman and Tim Conway. The skit was full of classic Newhart humor, with his trademark pauses and sardonic commentary.
The second skit featured Carol Burnett in a sketch called "The Old Folks," in which she played a senior citizen trying to stay active and engaged in retirement. Chita Rivera joined the cast as a fellow retirement home resident, and the two danced and sang their way through a jazz-infused musical number.
Next up was a sketch called "The Charwoman," in which Carol Burnett played a humble cleaning lady who earned the respect of all the A-list celebrities she worked for. Bob Newhart played a movie star who is initially dismissive of the charwoman, but eventually comes to realize her value and treats her with the respect she deserves.
One of the highlights of the episode was a musical performance by Chita Rivera. She sang a passionate rendition of "All That Jazz" from the Broadway musical Chicago, with backup dancers in full costume and choreography. The performance was a showcase of Rivera's incredible vocal range and stage presence, and drew a standing ovation from the live audience.
The episode concluded with a sketch called "Hospital," in which Carol Burnett played a patient in a comically dysfunctional hospital. Bob Newhart played her doctor, who was constantly distracted by his own personal problems and unable to focus on her care. The sketch featured a hilarious cameo by comedian Dick Van Dyke, who played a janitor who accidentally causes chaos in the hospital.
Overall, season 4 episode 24 of The Carol Burnett Show was a classic example of the show's blend of comedy, music, and celebrity guests. Bob Newhart and Chita Rivera were both great additions to the regular cast, and brought their own unique styles to the sketches and musical performances. The show remains an iconic piece of American television history, and this episode is a great example of why it remains beloved by generations of viewers.