This unforgettable moment from a rarely seen episode of The Carol Burnett Show proves exactly why Tim Conway and Harvey Korman are still considered comedy royalty. The clip, hidden away for decades and now only available on DVD, is short—but it’s pure comedic gold.
During its legendary run from 1967 to 1978, The Carol Burnett Show became one of the most beloved programs in television history. It regularly appears on “Greatest TV Shows of All Time” lists and dominated ratings for years. At the heart of its success were performers like Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, whose chemistry was so natural that even unscripted moments became iconic.
In this particular sketch, Tim Conway appears dressed as a woman, with the two characters pretending to be a married couple on a covert mission. Tim warns Harvey not to hold him too closely, insisting they must stay professional. Harvey, confused but determined to sell the act, pushes back—until Tim casually flips his hair in response.
That single gesture completely breaks Harvey.
From that moment on, Harvey Korman can barely keep himself together. He clenches his fists, looks away, and desperately tries to stay in character as the audience erupts. Tim, sensing victory, stays just serious enough to make it worse. The breaking point comes when Harvey pulls out a compact mirror and starts powdering his face and mustache in a last-ditch attempt to regain composure—only to lose it entirely.
What makes the scene so special isn’t just the joke itself, but watching two master comedians lose control in real time. One viewer summed it up perfectly: “I can’t decide what’s funnier—Tim flipping his hair or Harvey fighting with every ounce of strength not to laugh.”
Over its 11-season run, The Carol Burnett Show earned eight Golden Globes and 25 Emmy Awards, launching careers and setting a gold standard for sketch comedy. Moments like this are a reminder that sometimes the best comedy happens when even the professionals can’t hold it together.
You don’t just watch this clip—you feel the laughter.