[applause] [applause] Welcome to our show uh this evening. Aside from Harvey Corman and Lyall Wagner and Vicky Lawrence, our special guests are, I guess, two of the most beautiful voices in the world. Marvelous opera stars, Miss Eileene Farrell and Miss Marilyn Horn. [applause] ; [applause] ; And they are two of the earthiest dames you’ll ever want to meet.
They are absolutely hoodie. Could we turn up the lights so we can talk to the audience? Have any questions you might want to ask? ; Yes, ; Carol. I am Bob Ross mother from Chicago and I have a little gift for you. ; All right. ; Sure. How’s How’s Bob? ; Bob is wonderful. ; This is Bob Roth’s mother. ; [laughter] ; Come on up, Mrs. Fro.
; Be careful of the cables there. ; Thank you. ; Well, it’s just something for you, my dear. ; Get it out. ; What’s tall and green with a star on top covered with tensils? Tencil and carries a mop. Oh, that’s marvelous. ; [applause] [applause] ; Well, how did you get to this? ; This is all the way from Chicago to you.
; Well, who did it? ; My son owns this company and I represent him. ; Aren’t you? ; But we made this. ; But we made this especially for you. ; Well, I just love it. Thank you very wonderful meeting you, darling. of Mayor Daly. I’ll give him [applause] ; Thank you very much. Any other gifts? ; Oh, he’s got one.
; Well, thank you. ; My wife and I are from Finland. ; Your wife and you’re from Finland? ; Yes. And this is a special gift for you from Finland. ; Well, that’s very sweet. Thank you very Is it all right, ma’am? Thank you very much, my merry Christmas. Gifties, gifties. Oh, yes. [applause] ; Oh, there’s Ernie Anderson.
[applause] [applause] ; We uh I’ve been informed that we have a very distinguished gentleman in our audience tonight. I have never met him and this is the first time he’s ever come to a television show. Um he is a top surgeon I guess in uh the world one of the top surgeons and he worked uh for six months with uh Dr.
Schweitzer in Africa and he is head of the Tom Douly Foundation Dr. William Van Valen, where are you? There he is. [applause] What’s up, Doc? ; Yes. Vicky Lawrence was doing in Vietnam this summer. ; Could I tell you what Vicky Lawrence was doing in Vietnam? No. But the fellas could. She uh she went uh last summer with the Johnny Grant and his troop and uh she was there for about 17 days and visited the fellows and they entertained them and uh everything and she said it was one of the most marvelous experiences she’s ever had in her life and the
fellas fell in love with her and she’s still getting mail from. She’s a great girl. ; Yes. ; How long have you been in show business? ; How long have I been in show business? How long do you think? ; Take a guess. H ; a long time. ; Long long. ; Yes. I’m going to rise above it. ; White teeth. ; How do I get my white teeth? Um I They are mine.
You don’t think I’d buy these? I was born with these and uh buck teeth and well, no, they took a few months before I got them. I wasn’t really born that day with them. Uh one was hanging down. Uh and I I don’t have uh caps or anything, but I’m nut about brushing my teeth. I’m going to give you some good medical advice.
I brush my teeth at least uh six or seven times a day. And [applause] [laughter] go home and pick yours up off the bedside table. [applause] And I haven’t had a cavity. Are you ready? I haven’t had a cavity in 10 years. ; So, ; yes. ; Know what these two weapons are? ; Those two weapons that they’re those are the microphones.
Shotgun mics they call them. That’s all it is. You can relax. [laughter] Uncross your legs. ; [laughter] [cheering] [applause] [applause] ; Don’t make you look tense. ; Okay, don’t go away. We’ll be right back. [applause] ; [applause] ; I first met the lady I’m going to introduce now when she was on uh the Gary Moore show a few years ago and I’ve
loved her ever since. U she not only possesses one of the most truly glorious operetic voices in the world, but she can match ballads with the best of them. My dear and delightful friend, Miss Eileene Farrell. [applause] ; ; Heat. Heat. Before you have remember what his smile was
like. Before you have recall the day you found him. Kiss him now. ; [singing] ; while he’s young. Kiss him now while he’s [singing] yours. Kiss him now while he needs your arms for all. Sorry if you let a moment come between you now. It soon becomes a day, a year, a liime.
Link your eyes. Turn [singing] your head and you’ve lost him and you spend half your life wondering. ; [snorts] ; So before [singing] you forget how you love him. Kiss him now. Kiss him no. Kiss him now. ; [singing] ; You
turn your head and you lost him and you’ll spend half your life wondering So before you forget how you loved him. Kiss him. Kiss him now. Kiss him. [singing] ; [applause]
; One moment, please. I only have two legs. ; Yes. ; How do you do? I’m Charlene Fosco, and I’m here to interview Mr. Hugh handsome. ; And what fan magazine are you from? ; True movie fiction trash. ; Well, you’re no Arthur Treacher yourself. ; Mr. Hansen will be with you momentarily. ; You know, I’ve never seen him in person as he is gorgeous as he appears to be on the screen.
; Gorgeous, sir. He recently made the uh the list for the 10 most unbelievably attractive men in the world. Oh, ; where was he on the list? ; Number one. Mhm. ; through nine. ; His mirror came in 10. ; Well, I do wish he’d hurry. I’m a little behind schedule. ; I do hope that you’re emotionally mature enough to handle this interview.
; Look, to me, he’s just another actor. You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. You know what I mean? ; We’ll see about that. Oh, Mr. Handsome. Mr. Handsome. Uh, there’s a Miss Fusco to see you, sir. Hello there. ; Here we go again. Shall I? ; Oh, that’s quite all right, Smithers. I’ll pick up ; then. If you’ll excuse me, sir.
I’m getting a bit woozy myself. [laughter] Miss, let me help you. ; Oh. Oh, I’m I’m I’m terribly sorry. I I didn’t think I I I I would swoon like that, Mr. Hans. ; That’s quite all right. That’s quite all right. It even happens to me. ; What [laughter] does? ; As a matter of fact, Miss Bone, I swoon twice this morning while shaving.
[laughter] ; Mr. Handsome. ; Yes. ; Would you do it for me? ; Do what? Uh, give me that look that you gave Monica Savage in your last movie. [laughter] ; Why not? Brace yourself. ; Ha, baby. [laughter] ; Works every time. Miss Fusco, let me help you again. ; I think for the rest of the interview, you’d better sit down.
; Yeah. No. ; Oh, ; the couch would be more comfortable. ; Oh, yes. Thank you. Now, um, ; shall we get started? ; Anytime. [laughter] Let the interview. ; Oh, yes. Uh, now, where were you born? ; I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. ; St. Paul, Minnesota. ; Right. ; And did you go to school there? ; Yes, I went to school there.
And while I was in school, ; Miss Fusco? ; Yes. ; There’s no pencil in your hand. ; How about that? ; Perhaps it’s in your purse there on the floor. ; Yes, it might be in my purse there on the floor. I’ll get it. ; Oh, thank you. ; Here you are. ; Oh, thank you very much. Just kind of ; clumsy. ; Here’s your pad ; and your pencil.
; Oh, thank you. ; I’ll get the other things. ; Oh, don’t bother. I’ll get them the next time I faint. ; Very well. Please continue. ; Um U um when did you first get interested in acting? I believe it was in high school. ; In high school? ; Yes. In high school, I starred in all the class plays.
And then a talent scout from Hollywood discovered me. Any ; Are you all right? ; I don’t know. I’ve never had a chance to find out. Please continue. ; Mr. Mr. Handsome, do good looks run in your family? ; Oh, yes. My parents were excruciatingly beautiful. ; Oh, then you inherited your good looks from them. ; They inherited theirs from me.
[laughter] ; Hot stuff. ; Mr. Hansen, uh, do you uh do you This is so difficult. Do you uh sleep with or without pajamas? ; Without. ; Would you like to see the upstairs? ; What’s up there? ; My bedroom. [laughter] ; Perhaps we better forget the upstairs. Miss Fusco, are you all right? Oh, yeah. ; I think you’d be interested in seeing this rare sculpture over here done by Pablo Picasso.
; Oh, how interesting. ; I posed for it myself. ; Um, Mr. Handsome. Uh when when [laughter] ; you paused for this, were you uh were you uh ; completely? ; We must be crawling right along now, Miss Musco. I’m running late. I wanted you to see this bronze. This bronze Oh boy. Loin cloth. [laughter] This happens to be the loin cloth I wore in all my jungle pictures.
; Me jang. ; Well, you didn’t last as long as the others. Smithers. ; Yes, sir. ; I think Miss Fusco had about all she can take. ; Indeed, sir. I knew she wouldn’t be able to cut it. Well, I’m glad this is my last interview. Now I can get out of these uncomfortable things. ; These elevator shoes. ; Yes, sir.
; The smoking jacket with all the padding. ; Yes, sir. ; My hairpiece. ; Yes, sir. ; And the girdle. ; Now I can relax and be myself. ; Yes. ; [applause] [applause] [applause] ; I’ve got to thank this lovely man for coming over to be with us tonight because he’s on his way again to Vietnam tomorrow uh to entertain our boys over the Christmas holidays.
[applause] We are you know [applause] you were so kind to me when I wanted you to come over and do a spot for uh our first show that I there’s no way I could have turned you down tonight because I just love you. ; A that’s sweet this for that. The only trouble was I tell you one thing. I I sat back there.
That sketch was so funny. I sat back there and hissed all the time you were on. ; Wasn’t it great? ; Well, thank you. ; You’re right. [applause] ; Also, be sure this this coming Thursday night to watch Bob on his own NBC, the network with the bird. Watch that his special [laughter] on this coming Thursday night ; and uncross your legs.
; [applause] ; I do want to thank Bob for dropping by. He’s something pretty special indeed. And now I would like to say how how indebted I am to my buddy Jim Neighbors for many many things. And one of them is for introducing me to a marvelous opera star Marilyn Horn. She’s a completely charming and completely talented lady and soon she’s going to make her debut at both Lascala and the Metropolitan.
Here’s my new friend, Miss Marilyn Horn. [applause] [applause] No blessing. Sorry. Not blessing you. Sorry. ; [groaning and screaming] ; Sorry. She
fool. So early sea [singing] ; [singing] [singing] ; was Dream. [screaming]
; [singing] [singing] [singing] ; New queen of Heart of Shy. ; [crying]
[screaming] [singing] ; Ha! [applause and music] [applause] ; ; Good evening and welcome to the 50,000 consecutive broadcast of your opera theater of the air. I am your host Milton Crass. [laughter] Tonight we are proud to bring you the premier performance of Jean Carlo Bernstein’s brilliant folk opera of passion and lust entitled El Trios Piccolo Pigos
or in English the three little pigs. We are doubly thrilled this evening since the prolific young composer shall be conducting his own work. [applause] I believe that my scroll is entering now. ; [applause] ; It is such Such a lovely, lovely day. A perfect day to sing and love and the sky is blue.
; The sun is hot. ; She’d rather work. ; She’d rather work. ; We’d rather not. ; We’d rather not. ; We’d rather play a game and sing a song and dance a little. ; I’d rather work like a horse. ; Well, I would rather be a pig. ; [laughter] ; What are you going to do when the wolf comes? Sing him a song, play [singing] a little game, or dance a je.
The wolf will never ever see us hiding here. behind this tree. He t you can make your little jokes, but when the wolf comes around, [singing and music] that’s awful. ; [applause] ; You want to build a shelter to protect you in case the wolf [singing] comes. ; I’ve already built a house of straw. ; A house of straw.
; And I’ve already built a house of sticks. ; A house of sticks. ; Homes of sticks and straw can’t last. And you built them much too fast. That’s why I’m building my new house of bricks. I am the big bad wolf and I am hungry for some dinner. When it comes to dirty tricks, you know [singing] I’m no beginner.
I’ve got to surprise those three little pigs and not arouse [singing] suspicion. I’ll go out and fake them or steal them or take them or the big bad wolf and I am for some bacon. A slice of ham would be so nice. I’d settle for some pork fried rice. I love pig. It is such a lovely lovely day. How perfectly to sing and that little lady looks delicious.
I mustn’t do a thing that looks suspicious. She will remain quite unaware. [singing] If I act and she’ll think I’m just a traffic salesman passing through. ; How do you do and who are you? I’m the wolf. Knock knock knock. It’s not the wolf. ; Now that’s a croc. Argue with you.
Open the door or I will blow your house down. ; Oh no you won’t. ; Oh yes I will. ; Oh no you won’t. ; Oh yes I will. ; Oh no you won’t. ; Oh yes I will. ; Oh no you won’t. ; Oh yes I will. [laughter] ; [laughter] ; My days. Help me. Oh, help me. The wolf just blew my house down. ; I can’t understand you. Catch a
breath and tell me once again. ; Oh, help me. The wolf just blew my house down. ; The boob just your house. ; The wolf just blew my house down. ; I hate you. I hate you. Knock knock. ; Who is it? ; It’s Harry. ; Harry. ; Harry up and open the door. I’ll blow your house. Stupid is the we’ll never never never let you in no matter what you do.
; Okay for you [laughter] breath. [laughter] Help us. for help. But the wolf just blew our houses down. ; Sure, sure. Now you come to me for help. Where were you when I was working? You were busy singing songs and you were busy playing games and you were busy dancing. ; Hurry up. Hurry up. He’s coming.
The wolf is coming. ; Sure. Sure. Sure. Sure. Can we talk about it later? ; Sure. Sure. ; Let’s all go inside the house and talk. Those three little piggies are in for a surprise. Watch the way I trick them with this fabulous disguise. ; Who is [singing] it? Aon who? ; Avant to come and then eat you up. Guess who thinks he’s coming to dinner? [singing] The feedback.
I’ll count to three and if the doors [singing] not open, I’ll blow [screaming] your house down. One, two, three. That big bad wolf is not so smart. ; Those little pigs are pretty smart. ; He’ll never blow this house aart. ; I’ll never blow this house apart. ; He can’t get in. ; I can’t get in.
; I guess we will. ; I guess they win the force. I climb up on the roof and down the chimney. ; Unless of course he climbs up on the roof and down the chimney. The chimney. The chimney. Only a wood try to use a chimney ; to the chimney. ; Hot water and plenty of it.
I didn’t know you were expecting. ; We’re all expecting a visit from the wolf. And when he comes, we’re going to have a big surprise for him. ; Hot water and plenty of it. And when he tries to surprise us, there’ll be a hot tonight. ; Ready or not, here I come. It is such a lovely lovely day. He won’t be bad.
; He’s gone for good. ; I’m gone for good. ; Let him go. ; Let him go riding. We’re riding home. ; Now we can sing our song and play our games and dance our little ; [applause] ; The minute you [singing] walked in the joint, I could see you were a man of distinction, [singing] a real big spender.
Good looking, [singing] so refined. Say, wouldn’t you like to know what’s going on [singing] in my mind? So, let me get right to the point. I don’t pop my cork for [singing] I see. Hey, big spender. Spend [singing] a little time with me. [singing] Do you want to have fun? How about a few laughs? I can show you a
good time. Do you want to have fun? Fun. Fun. ; How about a view? ; Fun. ; Laughs. ; Fun. ; Laughs. ; Fun laughs. ; I could show you. ; Laughs. ; Fun. ; Laughs. ; Good time. ; Fun. ; Laughs. ; Good time. ; Fun. ; Laughs. ; Good time. ; Fun. ; Laughs. ; Good time. ; [bell] ; What do you say to her? Hey, how’s about a laugh? ; I could give you some.
; Are you ready for some fun? How would you like a ; Let me show you a good time. ; Hey. Hey. The minute you walked in the joint, I could see you were a man of distinction, [music and singing] a real big spender, good looking, [singing] so refined. Hey, wouldn’t you like to know what’s going on in my mind? So, let me get right to the point.
I don’t pop my cork for every [singing] guy I see. Hey big spender. Hey big spender. Hey big [singing] spender. Spend a little time with me. [singing] Fun last good time. Fun last good time. [singing] Fun last good time. ; How about it, palsy? ; Yeah. [singing] Hey, [applause]
heat. Hey. [applause] ; [applause] ; I never ; [applause] ; What child is [singing] this who laid to rest on Maryy’s breast is sleeping? Whom angels [singing] ring with lamps sleep while shephers watch [music and singing] our keeping.
This is Christ the king whom [singing] shephers guard and angels sing. Joy [singing and music] joy for Christ is born the son of Mary. The tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas is a very beautiful one, and all too often we tend to forget its true meaning. The gifts of frankincense and myrr on that first Christmas Eve were offerings of peace and goodwill.
It is in this spirit that we wish to thank the Mil Bradley Company for joining us in distributing these and many thousands more toys to the children of the following institutions and welfare organizations. Here [singing and music] we come. A caring among the leaves so green. Here [singing] we come so fair to see.
Love and joy come to you and to you like Christmas too. And God bless you and send you a happy new year. And God send you a happy new year. Good King [singing] looked out on the feast of Steven. When the snow lay round [singing] about deep and crisp and even brightly shown the wound at night, though the frost was cruel, when a [music and singing] poor man came in sight, gathering winter ; ; God bless [singing] you gentlemen.
Let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day to save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray. Oh [singing] tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy. Oh, tidings [singing] of comfort and joy. Angels we have heard on high, sweetly [singing] singing on the plain and the mountains in reply, echoing [singing] their joy.
Oh, glorious day of glory. [singing] [singing] [music and bell] Shepherds by this journey grow. Watch the glad tidings be which [music and singing] are your heavenly song. Oh, [singing] glorious day of glorious. [singing]
[singing] ; [applause] ; Thanks for watching. If this made you smile, tap that like button and subscribe. And don’t forget to share your favorite moment in the comments.
Laughter, Legends, and Loincloths: The Unforgettable Night Bob Hope and Carol Burnett “Broke” the Holiday Spirit
In the golden age of television variety shows, few names carried as much weight as Carol Burnett. Her ability to blend slapstick comedy, heartfelt musical numbers, and genuine audience interaction made The Carol Burnett Show a staple of American culture. However, even by her high standards, the Christmas special featuring the legendary Bob Hope and opera titans Eileen Farrell and Marilyn Horne stands out as a masterclass in entertainment. It was a night where the boundaries between high art and low-brow humor didn’t just blur—they completely evaporated in a cloud of laughter and holiday cheer.
The evening began with Burnett’s signature “Question and Answer” segment, a tradition that allowed the audience to see the woman behind the characters. The interactions were as earthy and unpredictable as ever. From receiving a handmade Christmas gift from “Bob Roth’s mother” all the way from Chicago to fielding questions about her “buck teeth” and dental hygiene, Burnett handled the crowd with the effortless grace of a seasoned pro. She even shared a bit of “medical advice” with the audience, jokingly bragging about her ten-year cavity-free streak while mocking the idea of dental caps. It was this raw, approachable energy that set the stage for the heavy hitters waiting in the wings.
The first major musical guest was Eileen Farrell, a woman Burnett described as possessing “one of the most truly glorious operatic voices in the world.” Farrell, known for her versatility, didn’t disappoint. She performed a soul-stirring rendition of “Kiss Him Now,” a performance so powerful it momentarily silenced the comedic chaos of the evening. It was a reminder that beneath the wigs and the sketches, the show was a platform for world-class talent.
But the energy shifted back into high gear with the arrival of Bob Hope. Hope, who was famously on his way to Vietnam the next day to entertain the troops, brought a level of star power that was palpable. In one of the night’s most memorable sketches, Hope played “Hugh Handsome,” the world’s most attractive man, being interviewed by Burnett’s “Charlene Fusco.” The sketch was a relentless barrage of physical comedy, with Burnett’s character repeatedly swooning at Hope’s “smoldering” looks.
The real comedy gold, however, came at the end of the sketch. As the cameras rolled, Hope’s character began to “deconstruct” his handsome image, revealing the uncomfortable reality of being a Hollywood icon. He joked about his elevator shoes, the smoking jacket with hidden padding to broaden his shoulders, his hairpiece, and even a girdle. It was a rare, self-deprecating moment from the “King of Comedy” that resonated deeply with the audience. Hope’s presence was a gift in itself, especially considering his imminent departure for a USO tour—a fact Burnett acknowledged with deep emotion, thanking him for his kindness and dedication to the troops.
The night then took a turn into the surreal with an “Opera Theater of the Air” presentation. Burnett, Farrell, and Marilyn Horne performed a “folk opera” titled El Trios Piccolo Pigos—or, as the host Milton Crass explained, The Three Little Pigs. Seeing two of the world’s greatest opera stars, along with Burnett, dressed as pigs and singing about houses made of straw, sticks, and bricks was a sight to behold. The Big Bad Wolf, played by the incomparable Harvey Korman, added a layer of comedic menace as he attempted to “blow the house down” in full operatic baritone. The sketch was a brilliant subversion of the genre, proving that true talent doesn’t take itself too seriously.
The operatic madness didn’t stop there. Marilyn Horne, who was soon to make her debut at both La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera, showcased her incredible range with a performance that combined her technical mastery with a surprising sense of comedic timing. Later, she joined Burnett for a high-energy rendition of “Big Spender,” complete with stylized choreography and plenty of “Fun, Laughs, and Good Times.” The juxtaposition of Horne’s operatic pedigree with the brassy, Broadway energy of the song was a highlight of the season.
As the show drew to a close, the mood transitioned from manic laughter to a more traditional holiday spirit. The cast and guests gathered for a medley of Christmas carols, including a hauntingly beautiful “What Child Is This?” led by Farrell. The special also highlighted a partnership with the Milton Bradley Company to distribute thousands of toys to children’s institutions, grounding the evening’s glitz in a message of genuine goodwill and peace.
The Carol Burnett Christmas special with Bob Hope was more than just a television broadcast; it was a snapshot of a time when the greatest entertainers in the world weren’t afraid to look silly, share a laugh at their own expense, and offer a moment of comfort to those serving abroad. Decades later, the image of Carol Burnett in a pig costume singing alongside opera legends and Bob Hope joking about his girdle remains a testament to the power of variety television. It reminded us that the best holiday gifts aren’t the ones wrapped in tinsel, but the ones that make us “uncross our legs” and laugh until our sides ache.
In a world that often feels divided, the “unfiltered chaos” of that night in 1970 remains a beacon of joy. It was a night where Bob Hope “broke” the audience, where opera stars became comedians, and where Carol Burnett proved, once again, that she was the undisputed queen of the small screen. If you’re looking for a reminder of what holiday magic looks like, look no further than this historic, hilarious, and deeply human special.
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