I just found out Carol Burnett is going to be performing/having a Q&A in my town. I think I may have to go. The Carol Burnett show was a huge part of my childhood and part of the best memories I have of my mother when she was well. We used to watch the show together, sometimes with my older sisters when they were around. I remember Mom laughing so hard she would cry over the antics of Carol, Harvey Korman and especially, Tim Conway. I admit that I was young enough that sometimes the subtle humor escaped me but even I knew funny when I saw it. Who can forget Mrs. Ha-wiggins or the Went With the Wind skit?

I was so upset when the show ended. Most of my memories of it weren’t just of the funny skits and my mother’s enjoyment, but of the cast’s enjoyment as well. Harvey Korman simply could not keep a straight face whenever Tim Conway cut loose. Imagine what fun they must have had on that set!

Yes, I think I’ll have to pick up tickets and go see Carol, if for no other reason than when you have a chance to see a legend in the flesh, you should go. This has been a new mantra of mine. A couple of years ago, when he was fresh out of rehab, we rounded up a bunch of our friends and went to see Robin Williams live at a little theater here in Connecticut. Talk about amazing! We barely had time to ‘get’ one joke and he’d already fired off two or three more! The man was as quick and funny and as sharp-witted as I had hoped. I will admit this to you and you alone, my friends — I used to have a crush on Mork from Ork.

I’m sure this is no surprise to those of you who know me. So, when given the opportunity to see my favorite alien in the flesh, how could I pass it up? I couldn’t. I’m so glad it wasn’t a disappointment. So often by the time people become ‘legends’ life has caught up with them and not always in a good way. I once saw Vince Neil from Motley Crue in an airport. He looked like he did 20 years ago — not a good look for a man in his 40s who has had some awful plastic surgery, poor thing. Oh, and when a girlfriend and I went to see Duran Duran in concert, I was heartbroken to see that it looked as John Taylor was getting a ‘cookie’ on his crown. Look, it just ain’t right that JT lose his hair. I’m just sayin’.

Oh, there’s one more legend I’ve seen and I’m not ashamed to admit to it! I made my poor, long-suffering husband go to the Mohegan Sun casino with me to see David Cassidy. Yes, I have been in the same room as Keith Partridge. Now, I was more a Shaun girl than David, being about a decade too young to truly appreciate the magic that was DC, but I love the Partridge Family and he’s a legend, so I had to go! We were amongst the youngest people there and I sang along with every song! He’s a tiny little man, but he knows how to work a crowd and I was not disappointed. David Cassidy knows how to live up to expectations, just as Robin Williams did.

I haven’t really seen too many legends yet, but I have a list of people I want to see before I’m dead (or they are!). I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to romance legends and say that I’ve met both Nora Roberts and the late (and great) Kathleen Woodiwiss. Both ladies were exactly what you would hope them to be — classy and down to earth. Oh, and I also met Jayne Anne Krentz (Amanda Quick) because she was standing there alone and I am such a complete fan girl.

Who are some legends that you have seen or want to see? Did they live up to expectations or were you disappointed? Anyone you don’t want to see/meet for fear of being disappointed?

By the way, if I do go see Carol Burnett, I’ll tell you how it was!