The mockumentary format of filmmaking, specifically for sitcom television, is one of the most popular and quickly growing. It's been around for quite some time, but gained extreme popularity through smash-hit shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation. The mockumentary style has become super beloved. For comedy specifically, the format helps people feel a bit more connected and believe in the content a bit more.

National broadcaster RTÉ accused of antisemitism for decision to screen satirical 1996 Eurovision episode in boycott of contest

It is considered one of the funniest episodes of a beloved sitcom, but the Father Ted storyline about Eurovision has been dragged into the row over Israel’s participation in this week’s song contest.

Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, which is boycotting the competition in protest against Israel’s inclusion, will instead broadcast the 1996 episode A Song for Europe, in which the characters Father Ted and Father Dougal perform their song My Lovely Horse and earn nul points.

Actor and comedian speaks publicly for the first time since his 42-year-old daughter died by suicide in February

Martin Short has spoken for the first time about the death of his daughter, Katherine Short, saying her death has been “a nightmare for the family”.

Katherine died in February aged 42, at her home in the Hollywood Hills. The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s office confirmed she died by suicide.

In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org

Comedian pulled from stage in Birmingham about 45 minutes into performance and audience told to leave

A live show by comedian Peter Kay in Birmingham has been stopped after a “potential suspicious bag” was found around the venue.

The Utilita Arena Birmingham was evacuated and a 19-year-old man was taken into custody, West Midlands police said on Friday evening.

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards has unveiled the Sterna People's Choice Award winner for the 2025 competition. Photographer Alison Tuck from the United Kingdom earned top honors for her hilarious portrait of a gannet getting a face full of grass and weeds.

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The Millionairess (1960)

https://archive.org/details/the-millionairess-1960

When her father dies, Epifania Parerga, an Italian in London, becomes the world's richest woman. She feels incomplete without a husband and falls in love with a humble, Indian physician, Ahmed el Kabir, much loved by his indigent English patients.

#movies #film #video #comedy #beehappy

LIFE was into Carol Burnett early. Her first appearance in the magazine came in 1957, when she was just 24 years old and still building her name in show business. LIFE identified Burnett as a “singer” in a story about novelty song she had performed, “I Made a Fool of Myself Over John Foster Dulles,” in which Burnett pretended to have an unrequited crush on President Eisenhower’s Secretary of State.

The next year Burnett would collaborate with LIFE staff photographer Nina Leen for a high-concept shoot that satirized a popular novel called The Best of Everything, about young career women in New York City. The shoot shows that even early on. Burnett was establishing a distinctive brand of wit. The next year Burnett would win a Tony award for her breakout performance in the musical Once Upon a Mattress, and land her first regular TV role, on a variety series knows as The Garry Moore Show.

Burnett would be before LIFE’s cameras many more times, including when she made the cover in 1971. That happened in the middle of her career-defining run on The Carol Burnett Show, which was the first variety show hosted by a female, and which would earn 23 Emmy awards over its 11 seasons.

Burnett reflected on her magnificent career in early 2026, at the age of 92, when she appeared on the podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler. Much of the conversation centered on Burnett’s experiences in her early years in show business. After their chat was over, an emotional Poehler addressed the audience, reflecting on her conversation with the comedy pioneer, and said “…It just also makes me think about all the women that we talked about in this interview: Lucille Ball, Betty Grable, Linda Darnell, Phyllis Diller, Elaine May. All these different actresses, do yourself a favor and check them out.”

And so, inspired by that interview, we present this gallery of images of Carol Burnett and also all those other women Poehler named, each of whom posed for the photographers of LIFE.

As Ms. Poehler said, check them out.

Carol Burnett made her first appearance in LIFE magazine in 1957 for singing a comedic song called “I Made a Fool of Myself Over John Foster Dulles,” about a woman who had a crush on the U.S. Secretary of State.

Yale Joel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett posed for a conceptual photo shoot inspired by the Rona Jaffe novel “The Best Of Everything,’ about young career women in Manhattan, 1958.

Nina Leen/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett posed for a conceptual photo shoot inspired by the Rona Jaffe novel “The Best Of Everything,’ about young career women in Manhattan, 1958.

Nina Leen/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett posed for a conceptual photo shoot inspired by the Rona Jaffe novel “The Best Of Everything,’ about young career women in Manhattan, 1958.

Nina Leen/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett posed for a conceptual photo shoot inspired by the Rona Jaffe novel “The Best Of Everything,’ about young career women in Manhattan, 1958.

Nina Leen/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett posed for a conceptual photo shoot inspired by the Rona Jaffe novel “The Best Of Everything,’ about young career women in Manhattan, 1958.

Nina Leen/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett during a TV appearance, 1959.

Peter Stackpole/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett during a TV appearance, 1959.

Peter Stackpole/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett guest starred on “The Jack Benny Program,” 1962.

Allan Grant/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett guest starred on “The Jack Benny Program,” 1962.

Allan Grant/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett guest starred on “The Jack Benny Program,” 1962.

Allan Grant/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett guest starred on “The Jack Benny Program,” 1962.

Allan Grant/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett performing on set, 1963.

Yale Joel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett performing on set, 1963.

Yale Joel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Lucille Ball, 1942

John Florea The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Lucille Ball, 1951

Loomis Dean The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Original caption: “In the course of a day Betty’s legs walk, climb stairs, dance and are generally flexed like other legs. Here the legs are shown as she prepares morning shower at home.”

Walter Sanders The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Betty Grable, in her dressing room at 20th Century-Fox studios, pulled on black mesh stockings for a scene that would feature her famous legs, 1943.

Walter Sanders The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Actress Linda Darnell, 1950.

Ed Clark/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Actress Linda Darnell, 1950.

Ed Clark/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Comedian and actress Phyllis Diller read a copy of Vogue magazine, St. Louis, April 1963.

Francis Miller/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Phyllis Diller read the names of the well-known (including Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone and the Vagabonds) and the not so well-known on a wall after circling her own name (center), 1963.

Francis Miller/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Mike Nichols and Elaine May doing skit on recent TV scandals during “Fabulous Fifties” TV special, 1960.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Elaine May doing voice work for the movie “Luv,” a 1967 romantic comedy that also starred Jack Lemmon and Peter Falk..

Bill Ray/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Carol Burnett

DMI

The post Comedy Pioneer Carol Burnett, Plus Her “Good Hang” Heroes appeared first on LIFE.