Carol Burnett’s Lifetime Achievement Award Speech At The Globes Prompted An Outpouring Of Fan Emotion

The winner of the first annual Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globes was, as it happened, Carol Burnett. The TV legend — whose classic comedy variety show The Carol Burnett Show ran for 11 seasons, starting in 1967 — came to the stage amidst rapturous and sustained applause in an auditorium of talent in awe of a true legend.

“Does this mean I get to accept it every year” Burnett joked, though she mostly stayed serious. She spoke longingly of the past. “Sometimes 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.” Burnett speculated that the cost of the show would likely be prohibitive. She said today’s networks would never take a chance on something so lavish. “So here’s to reruns and YouTube,” she quipped.

Still, Burnett remained positive. “What has remained the same, for every person lucky enough to be on television, is the belief that we’ve been given the opportunity to do something special,” she said. “We’ve been granted a gift, a canvas to paint with our talent, one that can make people laugh or cry or maybe do both.”

Burnett’s bittersweet words slayed Twitter — both the normies and the rich and famous.

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) January 7, 2019

Thank GOD ABOVE for Carol Burnett! There is only one HER! Spectacular in every way! Being there at the right time! I LOVE YOU CAROL! @goldenglobes

— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) January 7, 2019

CAROL. ❤️❤️❤️

— billy eichner (@billyeichner) January 7, 2019

I never missed a Carol Burnett Show and then I got to meet her!! I can only say that she was as wonderful as I’d dreamed her to be!! #GoldenGlobes

— Sharon Stone (@sharonstone) January 7, 2019

Carole Burnett made me cry! #GoldenGIobes

— lisa rinna (@lisarinna) January 7, 2019

Congratulations to the incomparable #CarolBurnett #goldenglobes

— Loni Love (@LoniLove) January 7, 2019

Carol Burnett = genius + talent + class + hilarious + legend. Thank you for making me laugh during the good times and the very sad times of my childhood. Laughter brings people together. #GoldenGlobes2019

— Judy Gold (@JewdyGold) January 7, 2019

https://twitter.com/RheaButcher/status/1082093429427818497

— Wesley Morris (@Wesley_Morris) January 7, 2019

The great Carol Burnett talking about how unlikely her show would be to get green-lit today due to all the expenses, from a live orchestra to its dancers.

Netflix: #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/L2eMp1FaoB

— Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) January 7, 2019

me after Carol Burnett’s speech #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/mY9qQvmxaz

— Matt Erspamer (@erspamer_matt) January 7, 2019

carol burnett left me in tears. we live in a culture that doesn’t honor early pioneers of **anything** that was so necessary and needed

— Jenna Wortham (@jennydeluxe) January 7, 2019

Carol Burnett should host the Oscars

— Maddie Whittle ‍♀️ (@maddiewhittle) January 7, 2019