Carol Burnett and Kristin Chenoweth – Yodeling News!

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My Dear Friends,

What happens when you pair a female entertainment legend (Carol Burnett) with a multi-talented television, stage and film actress/singer (Kristen Chenoweth) and put them on a stage in front of a packed house at The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences? …..You get a lively, fun, touching and memorable panel discussion! The event was called “An Evening with Carol Burnett” and it was so awesome that it commanded a standing ovation at both the start and the close of the panel. Your little Cyndi Sleuth was there.

Psssssst! Come with me!

(photo credit: Paul Kirby)

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Young and old Television academy members alike were thrilled to spend “An Evening with Carol Burnett.”  She is after all a comedienne, singer, actress and writer. Most people know her for her long-running TV variety show, The Carol Burnett Show which ran on CBS. She has performed on stage, television, and film in varying genres including dramatic and comedy roles and has been successful at it all. Yep- we LOVE Carol Burnett. In person, she is just as funny and warm with everybody as she is on the screen – maybe even more so because we got a glimpse of the REAL Carol chumming with her peers. Now “REAL” is a good word to describe this lady who exudes JOY! Perhaps that is why we all feel connected to her. We feel good around her. We feel like she really cares about all of us and that is comforting. She inspires!  Shhhh!

Now for more fun stuff from that evening – Carol and Kristin both looked stunning on the red carpet. Kristin debuted a new bob hairstyle wearing a dress by Cushnie et Ochs from Intermix. Carol was quick to offer her best wishes to Cameron Diaz who will be playing Ms. Hannigan in the adaptation of “Annie”. This is a role that Carol played in the 1982 film version of the same name.

Below is a shot of Carol (r) and Kristin (l) on the red carpet. (photo credit: Scott Kirkland- AP-Invision)

There were so many light hearted and fun moments that night that I feel blessed to have been there. One of my personal favorites was the discussion between Kristin and Carol when Kristin asks Carol a question relative to how Carol prepares to perform.  Kristen asked, “How did you warm up? What was your regimen like? Carol answered, “The Tarzan yell”. Kristin replied, “May I ask…what is the trick?” Carol answered, “It’s a yodel”. Carol then started yodeling. It was a hoot! Kristin then looks as the audience and responds in awe, “That’s why there’s one of her.” The moment was priceless.

Another special moment was when Carol discussed the time she agreed to perform at the Lincoln Center for a new version of “Follies”. Carol explained to us, “I hated that night. I was so scared….I did not know those lyrics.” Carol then shared that renowned composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim had originally asked her to do a recording of “Follies”. If it was recorded there was no reason to memorize the lyrics. When she got to NYC six months later she learned that it was an actual evening on stage. OMG! With only a week to prepare they decided to give her cue cards.  This might have been nice; however, when her performance began she couldn’t see the cards based on the way the stage was set up. Carol humbly explained to us that, “What you saw was a terrified performance… I just played like I was scared to death.”  Kristin replied, “Well you nailed it…it worked.” Wow! This is the stuff that legends are made of.

Below is a shot of me mugging with the Carol Burnett sculpture outside the Television Academy. Too much fun! Shhhh!

(Photo credit – Paul Kirby)

During the evening Carol and Kristin discussed the state of current television. Kristin asked, “Who do you love on television right now?” Carol responded, “I’ve gone over to cable. Netflix. I’m watching “Orange is the New Black.” It’s great….House of Cards…. I love good dramas…Newsroom. All of those.”

Another highlight was when Carol graciously acknowledged that former Detroiter and major celebrity actress and comedian Lily Tomlin was in the audience. Tomlin is also the Governor of the TV Academy’s’ Performers Peer Group. 

It truly was a special evening. The energy in the air was exhilarating. To have the opportunity to be at “An Evening with Carol Burnett “will never be forgotten. As Carol Burnett would famously sing on her TV show and at other venues, “I’m so glad we had this time together….”!  Yes – Carol Burnett, I am so glad we have had this time together. You have brought us all great joy!

And until next time……….Strut your stuff on the red carpet of life! My Cyndi’s Secrets! Shhhh!™

(photo credit: Dan Tan)

Life is too short so I say – InJOY!

Cyndi Targosz 

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