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A PRESCRIPTION FOR FUN by Eric Tiansay
Tim is best known for his 11 years on The Carol Burnett Show, where his unscripted antics often caused his fellow players to fall out of character by bursting out in laughter. For many, the show represents a time when funny was clean. The actors elicited laughs with their physical comedy and wit—a sharp contrast to the crude and lewd remarks that often pass for humor today. Tim, 76, has always believed that comedy should be family friendly. "I don't appreciate humor that's suggestive," he says. "I've turned down quite a few things because of content and language. In the old days, the entire family sat around to watch TV shows. I don't think it ever should come to what it is now. It's embarrassing. It's not subtle anymore; it's blatant." A member of the TV Hall of Fame, Tim was awarded the Parents Television Council Integrity in Entertainment Award earlier this year, which recognizes "those who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to creating, distributing and sponsoring quality entertainment that is free from graphic and gratuitous sex, violence and profanity." PTC President Tim Winter says Tim, a member of PTC's advisory board, "epitomizes the very best in the entertainment industry. He has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to entertaining mass audiences—including parents and families—in a manner that allows everyone to enjoy his comedic genius without fear of shocking, inappropriate, or indecent content. That is the mark of a brilliant entertainer." The comedic icon has entertained multiple generations—from his beginnings on radio to stints on The Steve Allen Show, McHale's Navy, and The Carol Burnett Show, for which he earned five Emmy Awards, along with lead roles in dozens of films. In recent years, he's appeared as a guest star on numerous sitcoms, and kids might recognize his voice as that of Barnacle Boy on SpongeBob Squarepants. Far from being retired, Tim will do approximately 75 shows this year in theaters and casinos around the country, featuring sketch comedy that the whole family can enjoy.
Sometimes Serious "I've always had a strong faith," says Tim, who, in recent years, has been involved in faith-based projects such as Regent University's film school and its Hollywood Candlelight Forum events. Additionally, he hosted Thou Shalt Laugh: The Deuce, a DVD of Christian comedians. Jonathan Bock, producer of the video, says Tim knows how to have fun with his faith. "During shoot day [of The Deuce] at the church, Tim fell into the baptismal pool," Bock recalls. "He said it was an accident, but only seemed upset when he realized that it didn't have Jacuzzi jets." Since 2003, Tim has also supplied the voice of Hermie the caterpillar for Hermie & Friends, a popular Christian video series for children. Tim's longtime friend, Don Knotts, who died in 2006, played Wormie in the first seven episodes of the animated series. "The series offers great little lessons for kids," Tim says. "It's subtle enough and kids pick up on it. It has cute, little, biblical lessons." Rick Eldridge—founder of Charlotte, North Carolina-based ReelWorks Studios, which produces the Hermie & Friends series—says he has witnessed Tim grow and deepen his faith "by being able to create and give lessons of faith and value to kids" through the inspirational videos. Rick says plans are in the works for a theatrical Hermie movie in the near future. Active with several charities, including various drug-abuse programs and the Spastic Children's Foundation, Tim is also the co-founder of the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund, which aids injured and disabled jockeys. Because he's often silly, sometimes people don't realize how deeply he cares for the causes he supports. As Rick observes, "you never know when Tim is serious or pulling your leg." For example, Rick says, one of the ReelWorks producers, used to Tim's off-the-wall personality, thought he was telling a joke when he went into a long, rambling description of his philanthropic initiative that involved supporting the needs of former horse jockeys. "The producer kept chuckling all the way through the rest of the interview as Tim told these heart-wrenching stories, thinking any minute he was going to hear the punch line; it never came," says Rick. "The stories were very true and [the charity is] a huge passion of Tim, so the producer was totally embarrassed."
Fishing for Faith Although his parents were not churchgoers when he grew up in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Tim says he has "always believed that there was a God." "I always believed that there was somebody that you could communicate with besides your friends, your parents, whatever," he says. "I always selected God. I truly believe that He was there and was with me my entire life." Tim's early belief in prayer began as an 11-year-old during a carnival in Chagrin Falls. "There was this fish pond [game] and you threw in this rod," he recalls. "It had a magnet on it, and it would go down and catch another magnet with all these fish. You could pull it up and you would have a surprise. I saw a little piece of green ribbon, and it had a little white cross on it that glowed in the dark. I wanted that so badly." But Tim had already spent his money on a Ferris wheel ride and cotton candy, and he was unsuccessful in winning the prize with his remaining dimes. "As I'm walking home, I look down on the ground and here was a dime," Tim says. "I pick this dime up and I say to God, 'Could you please, if I do that again, could I win that cross?' I go back to the game, steadily held the fishing pole, and I pulled up the cross . . . I kept that cross under my pillow all through college, and I still have it." Tim, who became active in church during his college years at Bowling Green State University, says his faith has kept him "on the straight and narrow," helping to guide his career.
The Yankees of Comedy Tim made his mark as a writer and performer on The Carol Burnett Show, which ran from 1967 to 1978, won 22 Emmys, and remained one of the highest-rated shows on the air until its final broadcast. Featuring Tim's sharp wit, impeccable timing, and improvisational genius, his characters—including The Old Man and Mr. Tudball—often stole the Burnett sketches, especially when he was matched up with straight man Harvey Korman. "We picked on funny things," says Tim, who performed live shows with Korman until he died in 2008. "For instance, medication that has preventive tops on bottles—a lot of people die with the medication in their hand because they can't get the top off. "We were not making fun of people," continues Tim, who talks to Burnett at least once a month. "It was about situations that people could relate to. We were all going in the same direction. We were the New York Yankees of comedy. We all understood each other. It was fun—11 years of messing around and getting paid for it." Tim, who received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989, tries to bring that same kind of energy to his live shows, which feature performers Chuck McCann and Louise DuArt. "It's kind of like a traveling Burnett show," says Tim. "It's all kinds of sketches and things that the whole family can enjoy. Nobody hears a swear word and sees nudity. And thank goodness I don't have to apologize." Tim has no plans to retire from performing. "I just really enjoy it," says Tim, who has been married for 26 years to his second wife, Charlene, Burnett's secretary for 35 years. "When I look out at an audience and see 12-year-olds and 90-year-olds, and there's such a spread in the group of people that you're entertaining, it really is satisfying." Always ready to have fun with his faith, Tim believes there will be jokes in heaven. "I hope so," he says. "I've got a few new ones that I'm saving. I don't know what I'll do if I don't get an opportunity to tell them. I don't play the harp." To learn more visit www.timconway.com. |
