The “Christmas with Carol” DVD from Time Life isn’t much of a visit to the show’s best comedy offerings, as it’s mainly a singing and dancing compilation, but it definitely puts on display why Carol Burnett is such a wonderful comedian with a humongous fan base. This compilation of two “Carol Burnett Show” Christmas specials, along with chosen holiday segments in the extras features really isn’t based around the comedy of the show, so much as the whimsy. Carol Burnett has a love for Christmas, and doesn’t partake in the classic segment comedy, but fills her two episodes with musical numbers and sweet comedy skits.
“Christmas with Carol” features two episodes from the Carol Burnett Show that are more sweet than actually funny. There isn’t much laughs to be had, but it is cute to see how the humble and sweet Carol Burnett welcomes the holidays. She also has fun showing off her singing and dancing chops for her fans. The first episode features the usual cast of the show, along with Alan Alda. He almost takes center stage, sharing almost all of the segments with Ms. Burnett. He’s the prime focus of a “Mama’s Family” segment, and then partakes in a musical number with Burnett.
The pair play two down on their luck mall employees stuck working for Christmas that find solace in their company. The show begins on a sweet note with Carol Burnett taking a Q&A with her fans, and then receiving gifts from them. To make things funny, one of her fans asks her to give a rose to Alan Alda, and Mr. Alda is kind enough to come out and kiss her on the cheek for the rose. From there, it’s mostly Alda-centric segments without much laugh out loud antics, but it’s still a pleasing time, with some fun Christmas celebrations to be mined here.
The first episode only garners two Christmas segments realistically, with the second episode donning more segments in the holiday spirit, but not by much. The extras features a Q&A between Ms. Burnett and Jonathan Winters, along with a Christmas themed sketch with Carol and Sid Caesar, as well as Carol Burnett singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” She also sings the comedic “The Twelve Days After Christmas.” I imagine for folks that grew up watching this show, the pairing of Christmas episodes will be a fun nostalgic trip. And you can’t help but appreciate Mr. Burnett who is humility, charisma, and comedic skill all rolled in to one. Be Sure to Buy It Here!