In the history of television comedy, there are moments so perfectly executed, so uncontrollably funny, that they transcend their era and remain hilarious decades later. One such moment features the incomparable Tim Conway, whose gift for physical comedy and impeccable timing turned a simple premise into absolute chaos—much to the delight of audiences then and now.
What begins as a polite, almost traditional scenario quickly spirals into comedic madness. Conway, playing a nervous young man eager to make a good first impression, simply wants the approval of his fiancée’s father. It’s a situation many viewers can relate to: meeting the future father-in-law, minding manners, choosing words carefully, and hoping nothing goes wrong. But this is The Carol Burnett Show, and when Tim Conway is involved, “nothing goes wrong” is never an option.
A Simple Setup with Explosive Potential
The sketch opens in a tidy apartment, calm and orderly—at least for now. Conway’s character explains, rather casually, that he was bitten by a monkey while visiting a veterinarian. No big deal, he assures everyone. He received a shot, and aside from some possible side effects, everything should be perfectly fine.
That single line plants the seed for what is about to unfold.
His fiancée, played by the endlessly expressive Carol Burnett, is already on edge. She wants the meeting to go smoothly, fully aware of how important her father’s approval is. Her concern mirrors the audience’s anticipation: something is coming, and it won’t be subtle.
Enter the father, portrayed by the legendary Harvey Korman—a master of the straight-man role. Calm, dignified, and serious, he begins asking the kinds of questions any protective father might ask. His tone is polite but probing, his posture confident. He is the immovable object.
Tim Conway is the unstoppable force.
When Manners Collapse into Mayhem
At first, the changes are subtle. A strange sound here. An odd movement there. Conway’s face twitches with barely contained energy, his body language betraying the internal battle he’s losing. Then, without warning, the side effects kick in—hard.
Suddenly, Conway is no longer a mild-mannered suitor. He begins hooting, hopping, scratching, and bounding around the apartment like a full-fledged monkey. Furniture becomes jungle terrain. Social norms evaporate in seconds.
What makes the scene legendary isn’t just the physical comedy—though Conway’s animal-like movements are astonishingly precise—but the contrast. Harvey Korman continues asking serious, logical questions as if nothing unusual is happening. Carol Burnett, meanwhile, fights a losing battle to keep her composure, clutching her chair, bending over, and desperately trying not to dissolve into laughter.
The apartment no longer feels like a living room. It feels like a zoo that has just lost its keeper.
The Art of Not Breaking Character
One of the most remarkable aspects of this sketch is the discipline on display. Tim Conway was famous for trying—often successfully—to make his fellow performers break character. In many sketches on The Carol Burnett Show, Harvey Korman frequently cracked under the pressure, laughing uncontrollably.
But here, something magical happens.
Despite Conway’s outrageous behavior, neither man fully breaks. Korman maintains his composure with heroic effort, though at one point a massive smirk creeps across his face—a silent acknowledgment of the insanity unfolding before him. It’s a fleeting moment, but it only adds to the humor. The audience can sense the tension, the restraint, the near-collapse of professionalism—and that makes the sketch even funnier.
Why This Sketch Still Works Today
Decades after it first aired, this sketch continues to rack up views online and earn new fans. Why? Because it taps into universal truths.
First impressions matter. Social expectations can be absurd. And sometimes, no matter how hard we try to control ourselves, chaos wins.
Tim Conway’s genius lies in his ability to exaggerate reality without losing its emotional core. Beneath the monkey noises and physical gags is a character who desperately wants to be accepted. That sincerity grounds the absurdity, making it relatable rather than random.
Carol Burnett’s reactions provide the emotional bridge to the audience. We laugh with her because she’s laughing with us. And Harvey Korman’s unyielding seriousness gives the comedy something to bounce off—proving once again that great comedy often comes from contrast, not excess.
A Masterclass in Classic Television Comedy
In an age of fast cuts, digital effects, and shock humor, this sketch is a reminder of how powerful simple, well-performed comedy can be. No flashy visuals. No complicated plot twists. Just brilliant performers, a clever setup, and the courage to let a gag fully breathe.
Tim Conway didn’t just “go bananas” in this sketch—he delivered a timeless lesson in comedic craft. Physical comedy, when done right, transcends language, culture, and generations. And when paired with performers as skilled as Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman, it becomes unforgettable.
If you’ve never seen this sketch, it’s a must-watch. And if you have? Watching it again only reinforces one undeniable truth: some comedy never ages—it just gets better.