Reading Carol Burnett’s memoir This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection felt like a walk down memory lane for me. I was around for those days when her show was a regular feature on TV. The hour-long presentations would not be on the network lineups these days.
But in her book, her self-deprecating humor came through on every page, from the simplest anecdote to her spin on her life and its moments. Short chapters and great photos made the story a quick yet fun read.
Not only does she describe some earlier childhood “defining moments,” like feeling a connection to Jimmy Stewart when she first saw him in the movies, to the actual meetings of the greats over the years, but she imbues the pages with her gratitude and reflections about the opportunities and successes she enjoyed.
The people she met and knew came to life just as the characters she portrayed in her variety shows resonated with those in her audiences.
One of the most vivid realizations that I took from this book was how magical the Golden Age of television once was, and how much everything has changed. Not that we don’t have a much bigger selection of shows to watch, with cable TV, etc., but the kinds of shows on the networks do not have that same magic to them. At least not in my opinion.
Near the end, Ms. Burnett shares personal stories and reflections, like her chin enhancement surgery, her divorce from Joe Hamilton, her new marriage…and finally, the sadness of the death of her oldest daughter Carrie.
Her story made me smile, laugh, and shed some tears. I won’t forget the story…or her. Five stars.
AN INTERIOR JOURNEY 
I used to love tht show as corny as it was…it sounds like lovely reflective book.
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Yes, and as I read the book, I realized that I didn’t see them all…probably because we didn’t have VCRs (or, of course DVRs) back then.
Thanks for stopping by, Patty.
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I used to love the Carol Burnett show when I was a kid! She was hilarious. You’re right that TV shows have changed. I constantly have to screen them for my kids because there is so much junk out there now.
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Sometimes I wonder why I even watch, Laura, but occasionally there will be something I enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.
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I bet that is good – I used to love her TV show.
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Oh, so did I, Kathy. And when it was on, I remember missing it many times, and we didn’t have VCRs or DVRs back then! I’ll bet they have some DVDs of the shows, though. Thanks for stopping by.
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Carol Burnett is so cool. I bet this was such fun to read. When I saw this on your September reading wrap-up post, I had to come see what you thought of it.
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It really was, Melanie…I learned a lot, because in the time before VCRs and DVRs, I missed a lot of her shows. Thanks for visiting.
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