Wednesday 13 June 2018

Book ~ "This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection" (2010) Carol Burnett

From GoodreadsCarol Burnett is one of the most beloved and revered actresses and performers in America. "The Carol Burnett Show" was seen each week by millions of adoring fans and won twenty-five Emmys in its remarkable eleven-year run. Now, in This Time Together, Carol really lets her hair down and tells one funny or touching or memorable story after another - reading it feels like sitting down with an old friend who has wonderful tales to tell.

In engaging anecdotes, Carol discusses her remarkable friendships with stars such at Jimmy Stewart, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, and Julie Andrews; the background behind famous scenes, like the moment she swept down the stairs in her curtain-rod dress in the legendary “Went With the Wind” skit; and things that would happen only to Carol - the prank with Julie Andrews that went wrong in front of the First Lady; the famous Tarzan Yell that saved her during a mugging; and the time she faked a wooden leg to get served in a famous ice cream emporium. This poignant look back allows us to cry with the actress during her sorrows, rejoice in her successes, and finally, always, to laugh. 

Now in her mid-80s, Carol Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer and writer. She is best known for her TV variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, which ran from 1967 to 1978. She has achieved success on stage, television and film in dramatic and comedy roles.

This book is Carol telling stories about her life ... each chapter is a different story.  She was  born in Texas and lived with her grandmother, Nanny, and sister, Chrissy, in Hollywood from the time she was a child (her parents were alcoholics).  They were big fans of movies and would see them often.  As such, Carol had dreams of being on Broadway.

The stories include her childhood, her first successful role in a play called Once Upon a Mattress, becoming regular on the Garry Moore Show, anecdotes from her shows and specials, famous people she's met and was in awe of, her friends and family (husbands and children), buying her first computer and more.

I like reading bios/autobios.  I thought this book was a light but interesting read.  I liked the writing style ... Carol's personality comes through.  She's not mean or gossipy.  The chapter/stories are quick and she doesn't go into a lot of detail (the stories are pretty high level).  I was too young to remember her earlier roles but did watch The Carol Burnett Show.  After reading this book, I'd like to rewatch some of the shows to see if they stand the test of time.

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