Carol Burnett accepted the Golden Globes inaugural Carol Burnett Award for lifetime achievement in television on Sunday night with an altogether elegant and funny speech that waxed nostalgic on the golden days of television and The Carol Burnett Show, which ran for 11 years. “I catch myself daydreaming about being young again, and doing it all over, and then I bring myself up short when I realize how incredibly fortunate I was to be there at the right time,” she said. “Because what we did then, it couldnt be done today.”
Perhaps its true that a variety show of that caliber could never be remade in this era; it certainly wouldnt have the Carol Burnett touch. But you know what could still happen in 2019, a year in which the Academy Awards are somehow still host-less? Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews emceeing the show, thats what.
Though Andrews appeared only in a short clip during the video montage that preceded Burnetts speech Sunday night, these two spent large swaths of their respective careers performing together. Between 1962 and 1989, they collaborated on three variety specials: they wore ball gowns. They did an all-time-great 60s music medley. They threw cake at each other. Most importantly, they rapped while eventually shedding their layers to reveal short, glittery neon dresses.
In case any of those bits dont seem like theyd translate to the Oscar stage, Andrews and Burnett also have enough old Hollywood yarns to captivate an audience for hours. Theyve long been telling a story about how they once pretended to make out in front of Lady Bird Johnson, after mistaking her for Mike Nichols—and it hasnt gotten old yet.
This pair also has plenty of awards experience, of course, both as presenters and as winners. Burnett, as Steve Carell noted while introducing her at the Globes Sunday, is the most decorated television performer in Globes history; she also has six Emmys, a Grammy, and a Tony under her belt. Andrews, meanwhile, has six Globes, three Grammys, two Emmys, and an Oscar for Mary Poppins.
She won that prize in 1965. “Id like to thank the man who made this all possible, Jack Warner,” Andrews said in her speech, a polite but cheeky nod to the studio chief who passed her over for Eliza Doolittle, freeing her up to do Poppins. There was no reason to bleep her speech, which contained no straightforward insults—just a polite little burn. Certainly, any Oscar nominee would be happy to receive some backstage coaching from Andrews on how to execute such a well-done dig.
Andrews and Burnett gave a preview of what they could do as co-hosts when they presented at the Tony Awards in 1999, where their bit singing Sondheims “Old Friend” had the audience captivated. (“Dont you love these keys?” Burnett joked good-naturedly, as the songs range had clearly been transposed in order to accommodate Andrews—whose high-octave days are now past.) Theyve also honored each other at awards shows—including the Kennedy Center Awards, in separate years, with Andrews dressing up in a curtain to re-create Burnetts famous Scarlett OHara spoof.
Sunday night, Burnett simply walked onstage and received a long, luxurious standing ovation when she gave her speech; Andrews received the same in 2015 after Lady Gaga introduced her at the Oscars that year. (Andrews saying “Lady Gaga” in her posh accent deserved an Oscar of its own.)
The choice is clear. Burnett and Andrewss legacy precedes them. Theyve got stories; theyve got gimmicks; theyve got years of friendship behind them. And they must still have those sparkly, neon getups somewhere, which pretty much seals the deal right there. Are you listening, Academy?
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