Carol Burnett Gives ‘Hacks’ the Best Celeb Cameo of the Year

Since a large component of the show is focused on contemporary celebrity culture—and especially the late-night TV circuit—it’s only natural that so many famous people appear as themselves in the show. (The fact that Hacks is one of the best and buzziest shows of the last few years certainly helps matters, too.)

In previous seasons, comedians George Wallace, Margaret Cho, Carrot Top, Mario Cantone, Patton Oswalt, and Natasha Leggero, among others, have appeared on Hacks. We’ve even had the ladies of The View, who discussed the viability of Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) hosting a late-night show in Season 3.

With no disrespect to every person I just listed, Hacks ups the cameo game massively in its latest episode, making way for none other than Carol Burnett.

Yes, that Carol Burnett—Carol freaking Burnett!People overuse the word groundbreaking, but few words describe the comedic legend better. The 91-year-old has received just about every accolade you can imagine, including Golden Globes, seven Emmys, a Tony, a Grammy, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award.

And she’s far from finished, with recent roles in Better Call Saul and Palm Royale. As one of the first women to host a variety show on television, it’s no surprise that Deborah Vance would love the opportunity to speak to her. And thank the television gods, because Hacks makes it happen.In Episode 4, “I Love LA,” Vance is about to film her very first late-night show. The pressure is high, and in the rehearsal, she buckles, suffering from a panic attack—her first ever. She’s ordered to attend a cardiologist appointment, and it’s in the doctor’s waiting room that she finds Carol Burnett sitting there. An earnest smile flashes on Vance’s face, and she sits down right next to Burnett.