The Carol Burnett Show Season 8 Episode 16 with William Conrad and The Jackson Five
- January 25, 1975
The Carol Burnett Show season 8 episode 16 is a classic episode that brings together two major talents of the time, William Conrad and The Jackson Five. This episode was originally aired on the 23rd of February, 1975.
The show features Carol Burnett, along with Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway. It opens with Carol Burnett doing one of her classic Q&A sessions with the audience, answering questions about the show and her life.
After the opening, Carol and Vicki perform a skit as Mrs. Wiggins and Mr. Tudball. They're both secretaries working for a boss played by William Conrad. The boss, Mr. Higgins, is a brash, no-nonsense character who's not especially fond of Mrs. Wiggins or Mr. Tudball. His office is located in a building that seems to be on a constant tilt, much to the dismay of the trio.
The Jackson Five is the musical guest for the evening, and they deliver one fantastic performance after another. They perform a medley of their biggest hits, including "Never Can Say Goodbye," "Dancing Machine," and "I Want You Back." The crowd goes wild, and for good reason – The Jackson Five are at the height of their popularity, and they're incredible performers.
In addition to their musical performances, The Jackson Five also take part in two skits during the show. The first skit is a parody of The Waltons, a popular TV show at the time. They all play members of a large family struggling to make ends meet during the Depression. However, this being The Carol Burnett Show, things get a little crazy as the family tries to deal with their problems.
The second skit involving The Jackson Five is a parody of The Honeymooners, another popular TV show from the '50s and '60s. The boys all play characters from the show, with Michael Jackson playing Ralph Kramden and Tito Jackson playing Ed Norton. They're all in a pool tournament, and things get heated when a valuable pool cue is destroyed.
Tim Conway is another highlight of the show, appearing in multiple skits throughout the episode. He plays a cowboy in a parody of a Western movie that has more than a few twists and turns. He later shows up as his popular character, "The Old Man," alongside Vicki Lawrence's character, Mama. They're playing cards in a room that's slowly filling up with water, and the results are predictably hilarious.
Throughout the show, there are also a number of musical interludes featuring Carol Burnett and the rest of the cast. There's an extended parody of the popular song "American Pie," with new lyrics that poke fun at various aspects of pop culture. There's also a skit in which the cast members all play different musical styles, from country to rock to opera.
All in all, The Carol Burnett Show season 8 episode 16 is a classic variety show that features some of the best talents of the time. From William Conrad's gruff boss to The Jackson Five's incredible musical performances to Tim Conway's hilarious antics, there's something for everyone in this episode. It's a perfect snapshot of the pop culture of the '70s – and a reminder of why The Carol Burnett Show remains an enduring favorite today.
