After eleven seasons on a hit series, Carol Burnett had earned her place in the sketch comedy hall of fame, if there ever was one. For ten years, Burnett starred in the CBS series, The Carol Burnett Show, appearing as countless characters, each one funnier than the last.

When asked whether she had a favorite sketch during an interview with The Santa Barbara News, Burnett didn’t need a moment to think it over. The comedian expressed a love for a sketch featuring the Harper Family. The recurring sketch would later be developed into the popular series, Mama’s Family.

“It really was a one-act (play),” said the actor. “The laughs were character-driven, and we were over the top. If you just did it as a straight play, you wouldn’t get any laughs.”

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Originally, Burnett was slated to star in the sketch as Eunice Harper, though this idea was scrapped. “First, (the producers) thought I would play Mama,” said the actor. “But Eunice reminded me more of my mother, who had a lot of (unfulfilled) dreams. I recognized the desperation in Eunice that my mother had.” The role later went to co-star Vicki Lawrence, a young actor who idolized Burnett. The role served as Lawrence’s masterclass in comedy.

“Harvey Korman took her under his wing and taught her accents,” said Burnett. “Vicki really learned her craft in front of millions of people. She got to be really comfortable.”