Unfortunately, Carol Burnett was forced to cancel her upcoming stage appearance in "What's been bothering you, lately?" due to an unexpected family situation.
Now there's an old familiar face I haven't seen for a season or two.
Of course, many are familiar with Ms. Burnett's award-winning variety hit - The Carol Burnett Show - which aired on CBS almost perennially.
A handful of her television characters (such as the Charwoman and Mrs. Wiggins) wiggled their way into our hearts - and when recalled - bring a smile to the face.
The Carol Burnett Show basked in the limelight for 11 successful seasons.
Critics and an at-home audience heaped praise on the weekly variety show over the years which ended up winning 25 Emmy awards, 8 Golden Globe Statuettes and 3 People's Choice Awards.
Along the way, Ms. Burnett introduced an ensemble of fine, versatile character actors: Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Viki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner - to name a few.
Each week, side-cracking skits, and a bevy of superstar giants - Rock Hudson, Art Carney, Lucille Ball, Jonathan Winters, Carol Channing, Vincent Price, Liza Minnelli, Paul Lynde - too many to name here, really - held a worldwide audience in its charming sway.
Burnett became known for her Tarzan scream which she often offered up when requested by any number of her adoring fans - usually at the Q & A at the end of each show each night - a signature moment on the hilarious Carol Burnett Show.
Each night, as she waved a heartfelt goodnight to her guests, she tugged on one ear - a coded message, of sorts, to her grandmother - to signal all was well.
Ms. Burnett's first taste of success arrived on her doorstep when she appeared on Broadway in the 1959 musical, "Once Upon a Mattress".
Then, she landed a plum assignment as a regular player on the "Garry Moore Show" which boosted her into the National spotlight, and later, International recognition.
I had the good fortune to rub elbows with Ms. Burnett on a TV mini-series.
The comedy was a spoof on glitzy, melodramatic Night-time Soap Operas - such as Dynasty, Dallas, and the like - set in (a drum roll, please!) FRESNO, the wine-growing country in Southern California. It was a real hoot, if memory serves me right.
I played a reporter slash photographer in the climatic court-house scenes where the plot sickened most...ha!
The production Ms. Burnett was scheduled to appear in was written by Charles Grodin, capable actor and former talk-show host.
The celebrated comedienne would have starred in the role of Ms. Michaels, a qualified life coach, specializing in couples' therapy.
I was looking forward to the production, weren't you?
I trust that Ms. Burnett will resolve her personal problems and be back on the boards soon!
Now an old familiar tune starts playing inside my head...
Carol, "I'm so glad we had this time together..."
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