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Carol Burnett admitted the reason why she ended The Carol Burnett Show after 11 seasons
The actor wanted to leave on her own terms.
Carol Burnett was more than just talented and funny; she was also an incredibly intelligent businesswoman.
With her keen eye and entrepreneurial mind, Burnett was able to helm her own variety series, The Carol Burnett Show. Not only was the series wildly successful, but it also remained on television for 11 years, a feat that remains wildly impressive to this day. Before that, Burnett worked hard as an actress in the theatre, with her steely determination acting as a sort of boot camp that would eventually prepare her for a life in television.
"You have to pay your dues," said Burnett during an interview with the Intelligencer Journal. "I started out in summer stock. You got up at 7 a.m. and went to bed at 2 a.m. and did a different play each week." Still, after more than a decade on air, Burnett decided that the series would end in 1973. During an interview, Burnett admitted that she preferred to end the series on her own terms.
"Ratings do not have a thing to do with my decision," said Burnett. "They have been much lower before. And CBS picked the show up for a 12th year...But it's classier to leave before you're asked to go. I'm proud of our show. Now is the time to put it to bed."
While it certainly wouldn't be Burnett's last time in front of the camera, she was more than willing to admit that she'd miss the variety series after it had wrapped. Still, she was happy for the time she had.
"Nothing ever remains the same," said Burnett. "But a good time was had by all in those 11 years."
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