"Laughter and Reflection with Carol Burnett"
San Antonio, TX, October 2006
By Lori aka CajunLori

How it began: 38 years in the making ~
We lived in a small rent house when I was 3 and I started sneaking out of bed to watch Carol Burnett. Even though I got fussed at, it's my one clear memory from the time we lived in that house. It was the only show I could stay up late to watch. I began dance lessons in grammar school, hoping I could grow up and to be an Ernie Flatt Dancer on The Carol Burnett Show (mom didn't know this was the real reason). I'm glad I liked tap after 8th grade and continued anyhow. If any show with Carol came on and I knew about it, I watched it, recorded it, first on cassette, then on VCR, now on DVR. I bought magazines then, now whatever respectable, cool stuff I can find on Ebay, such as a coat she wore on her show. I had an iron-on tee shirt made that said, "Carol Burnett is the Greatest" when I was 10 with allowance money I saved. I even tried to call Larry King Live in the 80's only to be put on hold 45 min, then be hung up on b/c there wasn't enough time for my call. I was 21 and bawled in total disappointment.

After all, which fan hasn't felt inexplicably drawn to Carol's genuine kindness and humorous nature? This unique connection with the human spirit has captivated millions of fans over decades. Vicariously enjoying her successes and rooting for her triumph through the publicized trials were part of my growing up, and hence, a part of me. Since I can remember, my dream has been to meet her.

My husband surprised me with tickets to this show for my birthday last September, and I publicly admit to screaming when I opened the plain brown envelope, which contained a flyer advertising the show, airline tickets and of course, show tickets. For almost a month, my life was totally stressed trying make decisions about the event. Flight times, outfits, the question I would ask (same one from Larry King 21 years prior) kept me awake later than my usual late hours every night in anticipation of the event.

I decided to order an arm bouquet of yellow flowers (her favorite color) for her and send them to her dressing room with a special note...I was also toying with the idea of giving them to her at the end of the show. While talking with folks who worked at the Majestic Theater about my "dream" and my flowers, they told me to "Go and get them," and presented me with a special opportunity right then and there 3 hours prior to the show to give them to Carol. They liked my story and my accent, they said. So, while no other fans were around, I had just enough time to call my husband to run over with the digital camera just before Carol arrived. The 3 outfits I packed and the make-up I did not apply were sadly in my hotel room and these photos were snapped while I was dragging around in my "Hollywood Arms" t-shirt and jeans.

She walked right up to me, pointed to the shirt and smiled. "Hi, what's your name?" She has the kindest voice and it's not booming at all... I could barely speak, and folks, I am not shy, "Lori," I managed. She went on to ask where I was from, so nice and so sincere... just like I knew she would be. I gave her the flowers, and she hugged me, kissed me on the cheek, and called me "sweet". She asked about "Hollywood Arms," and we chatted for a few minutes - I was so nervous, and she was just a doll. I got to hug and squeeze her and tell her the one thing I always wanted to say, "Thank you for making my heart smile all my life!" She kissed me - same cheek - again, and asked me if I wanted to have my picture taken, and posed for this shot in particular.

Later for dinner, I was totally relaxed. The show was almost exactly as Red described in her narrative with a few different questions. My favorite question was from someone who asked "If you could come back in life as a man, who would you be and what would you do?" She replied, quick and Carol-like on her feet, "Osama Bin Laden and I'd kill myself." I could have done without so many clips and kept the show all Carol chat because that's who everybody is there to see. The show was over so quickly and I teared up as she walked off stage because I know I'll never see her in person again. Meeting Carol Burnett was nothing like I planned or imagined, and the funny thing is I never got to ask her my question...

But I'm superstitious... I'm holding it... just in case.