The Carol Burnett Show Season 9 Episode 10 with Maggie Smith
- November 15, 1975
The Carol Burnett Show season 9 episode 10, titled "Maggie Smith," features the legendary English actress as the guest star. From the very beginning, this episode is full of laughs and entertainment thanks to the brilliant writing and performances of the cast.
The opening segment sees Carol Burnett, in her classic costume of a polka dot dress and ear-tugging gesture, welcoming the audience and introducing the special guest, Maggie Smith. The crowd cheers as Maggie Smith comes out, looking elegant in a beautiful white dress. She greets Carol, and they engage in some witty banter, which sets the tone for the rest of the show.
Soon after, the curtain rises on the first skit of the show, which features Carol Burnett and her co-star Tim Conway playing a couple of terrible actors auditioning for a play. The duo's bungling and ridiculousness give Maggie Smith and the audience an excellent show to watch. Throughout the skit, the hilarious antics of Carol and Tim's characters cause Maggie to break character and laugh out loud, making the audience laugh along with her.
The next segment features a musical number with the talented Harvey Korman and Vicki Lawrence. They perform a delightful rendition of "I Am What I Am," which Maggie Smith describes as a "showstopper." Her praise has a particular meaning since actors familiar with the theater know the term "show stopper" often signifies a fantastic performance.
Following the musical number, Carol Burnett and Maggie Smith take the stage again answering questions that the audience has submitted. Topics such as Maggie's preference for drama or comedy and if is it easier to cry or laugh are covered in a playful and engaging tone. Maggie also gives some inside information on her then-upcoming film "Death on the Nile".
In the next skit, Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, and Tim Conway play a family on vacation. Tim Conway hilariously portrays the father with an ongoing tiff with his wife, played by Carol Burnett. Things go from bad to worse when they discover their room has only one bed. The hilarity of the skit reaches new heights with Maggie Smith's priceless facial expressions as an onlooker to the comedic spectacle.
The penultimate segment is where Carol Burnett takes on the persona of Eunice, a character that has been a regular feature of the show. Eunice has invited her mother, played by Maggie Smith, over for dinner. Eunice complains about her life, while her mother tries to console and cheer her daughter up. What starts as an innocent and touching mother-daughter conversation soon turns into a hilarious bickering match as Eunice and her mother's personalities clash.
The final skit of the show finds the cast in a "pirate movie," complete with oversized hats and hilarious accents. Carol Burnett plays the one-legged pirate, who is continually challenged by Tim Conway playing a sailor. The scene proves to be another hit with the audience as the actors deliver lines and perform stunts that leave Maggie Smith chuckling.
The show concludes with Carol thanking Maggie for her time and talent, with the two sharing a hug as the credits roll.
Overall, The Carol Burnett Show season 9 episode 10 with Maggie Smith is a must-watch. The skilled writing and fantastic performances guarantee laughter and entertainment from beginning to end. Even though the episode originally aired in 1975, it still holds up as a classic, and it's easy to understand why this show won countless Emmy Awards.