On December, 2017, over 17 million people tuned in to watch the 50th anniversary special of one of the nation's most beloved television programs: The Carol Burnett Show. These fans proved that no matter how much time has passed, the comedy show will always be a hit.
The original series, which premiered in 1967, was one of the funniest comedy sketch series to grace our televisions. Starring the iconic Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner, the show went on to win 25 Emmys and eight Golden Globe Awards.
"I wanted our show to be more like a Broadway musical comedy review every week," Burnett told Inside Edition. "I also wanted belly laughs."
The show aired its final season, featuring Dick Van Dyke, in 1977, and many of the episodes have not been seen it went off-air in 1978.
In 1991, CBS brought the show back, but alongside Burnett were some new regulars. The show failed to catch on like it did back in the 70s, and as a result only nine episodes were aired.
After multiple spin-offs and failed attempts at a revival, CBS Television Distribution (CTD) has signed on a new deal that will see the original show returning to our small screens.
CTD has recently acquired the rights to The Carol Burnett Show, which includes 276 hours of programming and a number of rare episodes.
If you've been in need of a good laugh, you'll be happy to know that it's just a matter of time until you'll be able to watch all 11 seasons of the hilarious show.
"Carol Burnett is one of the very finest comedic performers in the history of television," CTD President Paul Franklin said. "Acquiring digital rights to her library allows us to not only ensure that the show's legacy is protected, but that her genius is also shared with audiences for years to come."
The legendary actress herself commented on the news, expressing her delight over the deal.
"I'm thrilled to be back home at CBS, and I'm so happy that future generations will be able to see and enjoy the fun we had in those 11 wonderful years," Burnett said in a press release.
84-year-old Burnett has previously talked about how happy she is that "so much of the funny stuff we did still holds up today," admitting that it's "what makes me the happiest."
There's no date set for the show's return to the small screen, but according to Variety, CTD is currently searching for digital multicast channels that will host the show.
We can't wait to see the Burnett and her co-stars return to the small screen!
Are you excited to watch The Carol Burnett Show? Let us know!
