The sketch unfolds with Carol Burnett’s signature comedic timing, as her nurse character becomes increasingly smitten with Lyle Waggoner’s dashing patient. From exaggerated swooning to hilariously inappropriate bedside manner, Burnett delivers a masterclass in physical comedy. Waggoner, ever the charming straight man, tries to keep a straight face as Burnett’s over-the-top infatuation escalates. The result? A classic Carol Burnett Show moment that still has audiences laughing decades later.
Hilariously Hunky Lyle Waggoner Leaves Carol Burnett in Stitches
‘The Carol Burnett Show’ featured a funny skit where the nurse is hot for the patient. Carol playing the role of a nurse already sounds hysterical, but she takes it to the next level when she falls in love with a handsome patient, played by Lyle Waggoner.
Carol switches shifts with Vicki Lawrence and asks if there were any phone calls, and the other nurse says, “We had two obscene phone calls.” Carol is disgusted and asks who did it, and Vicki says, “My boyfriend.”
Two men, Lyle Waggoner, and guest Jim Nabors come struggling in, covered in blood. Carol asks if they have an appointment, and they say no, but they just got into a car crash. Carol ignores the emergency and asks if they could make an appointment for next Thursday.
Carol tells them to hurry up, get in the room, and undress so she can check on him. Jim says he cannot do it because he comes from a very strict family. Lyle tells him that Carol has seen many undressed men, and Carol responds, “Well, of course, I have. Occasionally, even when I’m working. Follow me.”
Carol tells Jim to take off his shirt so she can inspect his chest. He refuses, and Carol tries talking to him like he is a five-year-old, and she offers him a lollipop if he’s a good boy. Jim says, “Well, you don’t have to treat me like a kid.” Carol asks why he won’t take it off, and he says, “Cause that’s a no, no.”
Carol tells hunky Lyle to take off his shirt to give Jim more confidence. Lyle takes it off as Carol explains how she is a reliable nurse, and then she turns back to see Lyle with no shirt and says, “Holy Mackerel!”
She begins to feel him, asking if anything hurts when she touches him. Jim is frustrated and keeps asking for help while she continues to yell at him for interrupting her. Carol swoons over Lyle multiple times, falling into his arms, and he catches her. She lays Lyle on the table to help his knee injury and pushes Jim off the chair, saying, “Oh, would you go bleed somewhere else.” The crowd laughs as Carol gets close to Lyle’s face and tries to kiss him.
