Carol Burnett curtain dress still makes us laugh

Ah, "Went with the Wind!" - the sketch that gave us one of television's most iconic moments and had us howling with laughter until our sides ached. This masterpiece of parody graced our screens on November 13, 1976, as part of Season 10, Episode 8 of The Carol Burnett Show. Under the deft direction of Dave Powers and penned by the comedic geniuses Roger Beatty, Elias Davis, and David Pollock, this sketch became an instant classic that we're still talking about nearly half a century later.

Carol Burnett, in all her glory as "Starlet O'Hara," gave us a moment for the ages when she descended that staircase wearing Bob Mackie's stroke of genius - a dress made from curtains, complete with the rod still attached. The audience's laughter was so prolonged it had to be edited down, but those of us watching at home probably paused our own guffaws just long enough to catch Harvey Korman's pitch-perfect "Rat Butler" exclaim, "That-that-that gown is gorgeous!"

The exchange that followed - Starlet's nonchalant "I saw it in the window, and I just couldn't resist it" - was the cherry on top of this comedic sundae. It wasn't just funny; it was the kind of humor that made you feel clever for getting the joke, a hallmark of the show's ability to blend highbrow references with slapstick comedy.

While the curtain-rod dress stole the show (and rightfully earned its place in the Smithsonian), the full 20-minute sketch was a treasure trove of Gone with the Wind references. From Tim Conway's "Brashley Wilkes" to Vicki Lawrence's "Sissy," every character was a loving send-up of the original, proving once again why The Carol Burnett Show was the gold standard of variety television.

For those of us who grew up with the show, "Went with the Wind!" isn't just a funny skit - it's a time capsule. It takes us back to Saturday nights spent with family, laughing together at Carol's antics. It reminds us of a time when comedy could be both sophisticated and silly when a perfectly timed sight gag could become a cultural touchstone. In our memories, just like Starlet's dress, this sketch will always hang beautifully, curtain rod and all.

#carolburnett #harveykorman #vickilawrence #classictv #1970s #gonewiththewind

[TiffyRuggles]

One of the best skits on the Caril Burnett show.

[Linda-skhl]

One of the top ten funniest moments in TV history.
It was the idea of Bob Mackie, the show's costume designer, to leave in the curtain rod.
I think it was brilliant!

[scook]

The "I saw it in the window and I just couldn't resist" is classic.

[emv]

People not old enough to have watched this live can not appreciate the comic genius of this moment....❤

[patrickfreeman]

In mid 2011 both my parents were showing signs of dementia. Almost daily an infomercial would come on the TV selling the collection of Carol Burnett DVDs. I can still hear them both howling with laughter watching the highlights from that infomercial. The very next day, when the infomercial came on again, they would both be howling again, having no memory of having watched all the funniest bits just the day before. I will always be grateful to Carol Burnett for that memory.

[ritagreen]

One of the benefits is being old is being there I was there for this skit the first time they showed it everybody talked about it for weeks. I love you Carol Burnett❤❤❤

[eileenentler]

Bob Mackie was an AMAZING designer with an AWESOME, WICKED sense of humor. He got that idea and pulled Carol into the costume room and ran it by her. She LOVED it but they didn't use it during the dress rehearsal -- they saved it til the night of the show/taping and EVERYONE went crazy ... not even the rest of the cast knew.

One of the BEST and MOST ENTERTAINING shows ❤

[scottzema]

BEST - LINE - IN - THE - WHOLE - SERIES!

[robinboyle]

This was the funniest skit I had ever seen. To this day, it's still the funniest. Pure comedic genius. ❤

[joebeeler]

Bob Mackey hit a homer. I loved this show every Saturday night at ten.

[bcfb]

As soon as she walked out. I'm back in 1976. I'm cracking up all over again as though it's my first time seeing that Bob Mackey curtain gown.😂
Classics. I was 16.😮

[marthabaker]

This is the best skit ever every time I watch it I still lmao love it

[sheila]

1st time I saw this skit, I was laughing so hard. I rolled off the couch and still was laughing. This is by far one of the funniest skits from her show. I miss this show so much. I love you Carol and your gang. Miss, miss, miss.

[victoriasandelsteinbakingc]

That to me is a Clasic!! They were indeed very good!!! Miss the show and everyone, very much. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤✌️👍

[dianeyoung]

Scarlet's gown was made from curtains after the Civil War. A hiliarious take on the movie, "Gone With The Wind."

[kitlindsay]

I remember seeing this and I had to change my jeans from laughing so hard. I believe I saw every episode of the CB Show with her partners in crime. Everything was over the top and so much fun.

[charityvoelker]

I dream of good genuine laughter like that show brought... And still brings many. Kiddos these days are missing out. ❤❤

[j.]

I remember watching this ……that’s when tv was enjoyable to watch…..

[stevefreedman]

I will NEVER forget that skit....it was so funny! LOVE CAROL BURNETT❤

[edwardlittle]

Paul Lynd was hilarious too. That laugh of his would cracke up just hearing it even when i was in the other toom and didnt know what was going on! Him, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Carol Burnette, and ...now i can't think of that other...Vicky Lawrence...were the best. ❤