just to have a laugh

This week's episode of "Pioneers of Television" was about variety shows. The stuff about "The Ed Sullivan Show" was fascinating and all new to me. I don't remember my parents ever watching the Sullivan show during my early childhood.

I've been enjoying "Pioneers." When they focused on "The Carol Burnett Show," I heard something that reminded me of why I love performing with an improv group.

Narrator: One key to Burnett’s long success was her willingness to share the laughs with her co-stars.

Tim Conway: We were all participants. We were contributors. She accepted every contribution of a line, or a thought or a thing from everybody.

Vicki Lawrence: I remember Harvey saying, “You have no idea because most stars are very selfish. They’ll have things rewritten to where they get the joke lines and they will not be supportive of you.” I think one of the most important things that I learned from Carol is that you are as good as the people that surround you.