Carol Burnett recently shared insights about her experiences appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show alongside iconic figures like Elvis Presley. During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the 90-year-old actress reminisced about her time on the renowned show, particularly when Elvis Presley was also featured during his army service.
Burnett humorously recalled being scheduled to perform before Elvis, jokingly rolling her eyes as she remembered the audience’s anticipation for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. “Nobody wanted to see me. I mean, it was Elvis, ‘Where the hell is Elvis?'” she quipped. Reflecting on her performance, Burnett candidly admitted, “I bombed. It was awful.”
When Colbert inquired if she had the chance to meet Presley, Burnett confirmed, “Yes, I met him. He was very sweet, and I got his autograph for my kid sister.” The conversation then shifted to Burnett’s song “I Made A Fool Of Myself Over John Foster Dulles,” inspired by the former secretary of state during the 1950s, known for his lack of charisma.
Detailing the genesis of the song, Burnett explained that her friend penned it about a young girl infatuated with John Foster Dulles amid the Elvis craze. She performed the song on The Jack Paar Show and reprised it after Dulles’ press advisor requested a repeat due to Dulles missing the initial performance.
Recalling a humorous moment involving Dulles, Burnett shared that during his appearance on Meet The Press, he was asked about the song, to which he replied, “I make it a policy never to discuss matters of the heart in public.”
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