NBC is celebrating the life of the incredible artist who’s brought joy to millions with Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love. The two-hour special event featuring dozens of Burnett’s famous friends and fans will air on April 26, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT.
“I’m so excited NBC decided to throw me a birthday party and invited all of my closest friends,” said Carol Burnett. “I can’t wait to look back at so many wonderful moments throughout my career, I feel so lucky to share this night with everyone.”
The career retrospective will include musical performances by Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, Jane Lynch, Katy Perry, and Kristin Chenoweth.
“It’s hard to imagine anyone in television more beloved than Carol Burnett,” said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “To throw this wonderful birthday celebration is clearly our honor, and we can’t wait to share the love that we all have for her with all her adoring fans.”
Aileen Quinn, Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Bob Mackie, Cher, Ellen DeGeneres, Julie Andrews, Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Lily Tomlin, and Marisa Tomei will join the celebration. Sofia Vergara, Steve Carell, Susan Lucci, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Vicki Lawrence are also on board to help Burnett celebrate.
Carol Burnett, Brian Miller, Steve Sauer, and Paul Miller are executive producing along with Baz Halpin, Mark Bracco & Linda Gierahn of Silent House Productions.
“This special is going to be the best party ever,” said Bracco. “It will be an evening of music, comedy, and dozens of big stars paying tribute to the one and only Carol Burnett. We look forward to everyone at home celebrating right along with us.”
NBC’s Description of Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love:
The special will share some of the funniest and most memorable moments of Burnett’s legendary career. From her Broadway debut in Once Upon a Mattress, her early appearances on The Garry Moore Show, her hit films The Four Seasons, A Wedding, Pete ‘n’ Tillie, her iconic role as Miss Hannigan in Annie, to her acclaimed sketch comedy series The Carol Burnett Show, which ran for 11 seasons on CBS and played an instrumental role in the evolution of comedy.
The musical tributes will pay homage to Carol’s renowned career performances, including: “Old Friends,” dedicated to Carol’s 60-year friendship with Julie Andrews; “Only an Octave Apart,” which Carol sang alongside Beverly Sills in the 1976 television special Sills and Burnett at the Met; Carol’s memorable songs from the hit film Annie; and a tribute to her classic theme song, “I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together” from The Carol Burnett Show.
