The Carol Burnett Show Season 5 Episode 5 with Peggy Lee, Dom DeLuise
- October 20, 1971
The Carol Burnett Show season 5 episode 5 featured two unforgettable guest stars: Peggy Lee and Dom DeLuise. Lee, a jazz singer and songwriter who gained fame in the 1940s and 50s, is perhaps best known for her rendition of "Fever." DeLuise, on the other hand, was a comedian and actor who appeared in numerous films and TV shows throughout his career, including the cult classic "The Cannonball Run."
The episode opened with one of Burnett's famous Q&A segments, in which she answered questions from the audience. This was followed by a sketch in which Burnett, playing a harried housewife, received a visit from her eccentric neighbor (played by Vicki Lawrence). The two engaged in a hilarious game of one-upmanship, with each trying to outdo the other in terms of bizarre behavior.
Next up was a musical sketch featuring Lee, who performed a medley of her hits accompanied by Burnett and the show's resident music director, Ray Charles. Lee's soulful voice and charismatic persona proved to be a perfect match for Burnett's comedic sensibilities, and the two put on a memorable show that left the audience on its feet.
After the musical number, Burnett and DeLuise took center stage for a skit in which they played a married couple attending a dinner party. As expected, chaos ensued as the couple drank too much wine and proceeded to cause all sorts of trouble, much to the chagrin of their host and fellow guests.
Another highlight of the episode was a parody of the popular game show "What's My Line?" In this version, the panelists (played by Burnett, Harvey Korman, and Lyle Waggoner) had to guess the occupation of a decidedly unconventional guest (played by DeLuise). The result was a hilarious send-up of the iconic show that left both the audience and the panelists in stitches.
Rounding out the episode were a series of sketches and musical numbers, including a bit about a theatrical producer trying to put on a show with little to no budget, and a rendition of "Hey, Look Me Over" performed by Burnett and company.
Overall, The Carol Burnett Show season 5 episode 5 was a prime example of the show's winning formula: a combination of top-notch comedy and music performed by some of the era's biggest stars. With Lee and DeLuise in tow, Burnett and her talented cast were firing on all cylinders, delivering one hilarious moment after another. For fans of classic TV, this episode is not to be missed.