Burnett gives archival materials to library

Tuesday, November 17, 1998

Burnett gives archival materials to library

DONATION: Comedian bestows collection from long-running TV
series

By Marisa Yamane

Daily Bruin Contributor

One of UCLA’s distinguished alumni, actress and comedian Carol
Burnett donated an extensive collection of archival materials from
"The Carol Burnett Show" to UCLA on Monday.

"I’m just so thankful I could get all of this stuff out of my
apartment," joked Burnett.

The gift, which consists of rare musical scores, videotapes and
scripts will be housed on two parts of the campus: the UCLA Library
and the UCLA Film and Television Archive.

Included in the collection are videotapes documenting all 284
episodes and scripts, including rehearsal schedules and rundowns
for each show.

"If you are in a musical theater production … if you want to
do a duet, the tapes are there to go look at," Burnett said.

This collection includes each of the parts needed to recreate
any episode of "The Carol Burnett Show," Burnett added.

Gloria Werner, university librarian, said she and UCLA are
appreciative of this valuable addition.

"At the heart of any library or any film archive are really its
collections, and today, ours is significantly enriched with (this)
gift," said Werner.

These collections will be available to the UCLA community, as
well as to the public.

"What makes these collections very special is not only the
inspiration and information that they will provide to faculty and
students," Werner said.

"(It’s) also the fact that any citizen with a legitimate
research interest can arrange to study and use these materials,"
she added.

"The Carol Burnett Show" ran for 11 years on CBS, from 1967 to
1978. During that time, the show collected a total of 25 Emmy
awards and is now considered an American television classic.

"We all had such fun in the 11 years of our show," Burnett
said.

"There are wonderful medleys – there are salutes to composers,
there are original musical comedies … that shouldn’t die."

Part of the collection also includes original orchestral scores
and music numbers from "The Carol Burnett Show," as well as musical
arrangements from many of Burnett’s other performances.

In 1985, UCLA honored Burnett with the highest accolade given by
the university, the UCLA medal. The award was presented to Burnett
in recognition of her loyal dedication to the school.

Burnett also sponsors a scholarship. Given in her name, the
award is presented annually to students in musical theater and is
in memory of an anonymous benefactor.

Ironically, Burnett, who came to UCLA to announce her gift,
ended up receiving one in return.

Richard Eshleman, who was a cast member with Burnett in 1953,
presented her with a framed picture taken in front of a local
hangout for college students.

"This is a picture of us at Skippy’s, which was the local bar,"
said Burnett, as she showed the picture to the audience.

Burnett and Eshleman were part of the Stumptown Players, a
theatrical performing group made up of both undergraduate and
graduate students.

This coming winter quarter, Burnett will, for the first time,
guest direct the UCLA Musical Workshop’s production of "Once Upon a
Mattress."

"I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to come full circle
like this, and to be able to bring something home again, and to
come back to my school," Burnett said.

DERRICK KUDO/Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Alumna Carol Burnett spoke Monday afternoon at the Jan Popper
Theater. She donated a collection of music, videotapes and scripts
from "The Carol Burnett Show," which aired on CBS from 1967 to
1978.

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