There was always a special anticipation preceding a Tim Conway-Harvey Korman skit on « The Carol Burnett Show. » It wasn’t what either was going to…
There was always a special anticipation preceding a Tim Conway-Harvey Korman skit on « The Carol Burnett Show. »
It wasn’t what either was going to say or do. It was when Korman was going to laugh. Conway, who died Tuesday at 85, was that funny.
Breaking character to laugh is something actors try not to do. It’s not considered professional and Korman tried to avoid it, Burnett told me in a 2010 interview
« Harvey used to get mad at himself because he was a consummate comedic actor. Put him in with Conway and there was no hope, » she said.
Burnett raved about Conway’s comic skills, and many comedy professionals I’ve spoken to over the years have praised him and pointed to his influence. It says something when a performer impresses his peers and Conway certainly did.
Conway appeared in many TV shows and movies over a long, celebrated career, winning six Emmys, including his last for a 2008 guest appearance on « 30 Rock, » the brilliant creation of another brilliant talent, Tina Fey. Genius recognizes genius.
But the Ohio native is best known for « Burnett, » where he picked up four Emmys, and an earlier comedy series, « McHale’s Navy » (1962-66).
In « McHale’s, » a World War II comedy set in the Pacific Theater, Conway played Charles Parker, a naïve, befuddled ensign on a PT boat full of sharpies always trying to make a buck when they weren’t fighting the Japanese.
