The Carol Burnett Show Season 4 Episode 3 with Nanette Fabray, Steve Lawrence
- September 28, 1970
The Carol Burnett Show season 4 episode 3 features the dynamic duo of Nanette Fabray and Steve Lawrence. The episode starts with a hilarious Burnett Family sketch, where Carol's character Eunice is trying to cope with her annoying mother. The audience is in for a treat as Fabray joins Carol Burnett in a song-and-dance number - Babes in Arms medley, which is a tribute to the golden age of movie musicals. The fantastic comedic timing of Burnett and the bubbly energy of Fabray makes it a memorable segment.
Next, the viewers get to see Lawrence making an entrance as a suave lounge singer in a satirical skit titled "The Old Folks." The sketch is a hilarious parody of a retirement home cabaret performance, featuring Steve Lawrence's show-stopping rendition of "We've Only Just Begun" with intentionally out-of-sync backup singers. Carol Burnett co-stars in the skit as an up-and-coming new performer who clashes with Lawrence.
In the next segment, Nanette Fabray and Carol Burnett team up again for a charming dance number called "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Their chemistry is delightful to watch as they twist and twirl while spreading holiday cheer.
The show continues with a "Family" sketch that features Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, and Vicki Lawrence. In this skit, Carol plays a woman who is invited to dinner at her boss's house and brings along her family. The comedy lies in the mismatched personalities of the hosts and guests. Harvey Korman and Vicki Lawrence play a hilarious couple, and the interplay between their characters is hilarious.
One of the highlights of this episode is the recurring "As the Stomach Turns" skit, which is a parody of daytime soap operas. The story revolves around Carol Burnett's character, who is trying to solve a murder mystery. Steve Lawrence makes a cameo appearance in the skit as the detective who is on the case. The ridiculous dialogue and exaggerated performances of the cast create a lot of laughter for the audience.
Towards the end of the episode, Nanette Fabray returns to the stage for a solo performance of "I Love a Piano." She taps her way through the Irving Berlin classic, leaving the audience in awe of her talent.
The show wraps up with a fantastic finale number, featuring the whole cast performing "Sunday in New York." Both Fabray and Lawrence, along with Carol Burnett and her supporting cast, show off their singing and dancing skills in this fun-filled number.
In summary, The Carol Burnett Show season 4 episode 3 is a delightful mix of sketches, song-and-dance numbers, and parody skits. The comedic talents of Nanette Fabray and Steve Lawrence add an extra layer of entertainment. The episode is a perfect example of why The Carol Burnett Show remains a beloved classic till this day.