Carol Burnett achieved widespread acclaim through her dynamic performances, notably on The Carol Burnett Show, an innovative variety and sketch comedy series that aired from 1967 to 1978. Later in her career, the actress transitioned to television, captivating audiences with her unparalleled range and charm and solidifying her status as a cultural icon.
However, despite her immense success, Burnett recently reflected on a moment of disappointment early in her career. She found herself sharing the stage with the legendary Elvis Presley in an encounter that remains memorable but left her feeling overshadowed.
Carol Burnett shares awful experience performing before Elvis Presley
In her recent appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the 90-year-old actress took a trip down memory lane, reflecting on her illustrious television career while promoting the Apple TV+ series Palm Royale. During the discussion, she shared a moment from her past, recounting an unforgettable experience as a guest on the legendary Ed Sullivan Show in a historic episode that also featured the King of Rock and Roll himself.
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Burnett revealed that even though she took the stage before Presley, the audience was overwhelmingly anxious to see the “Heartbreak Hotel” crooner, leaving her feeling somewhat overlooked and sidelined. “I was on when Elvis was on when he was in the army. And they did a whole big thing when he was in the army on the stage,” Burnett told the host. “And they put me on first. Nobody wanted to see me. It was Elvis. ‘Where the hell is Elvis?’ I bombed. Oh my god, it was terrible. It was awful.”
She enjoyed talking to Elvis Presley backstage
Following her “awful” performance, Burnett explained that she had an opportunity to meet with the iconic Presley backstage, and despite feeling overshadowed during her performance, she found her interaction with the King of Rock and Roll quite pleasant.
“I met him, he was very sweet,” she confessed. “And I got his autograph for my kid sister.”