RIP Tim Conway

1933-2019

Thomas Daniel “Tim” Conway is perhaps best known for his portrayed of bumbling Ensign Parker in the 1960s World War II situation comedy “McHale’s Navy,” as well as his wide array of comic characters created on the “The Carol Burnett Show".  Before he became a series regular, he guest-starred on the same show as Lucille Ball on October 2, 1967.  Tim played a mild-manner traveler at an airport who becomes the victim of a power struggle by two airline representatives (Lucy and Carol) vying for passengers. 

Naturally, both Lucille Ball and Conway were present when the Variety Arts Clubs honored Burnett with an “All-Star Party” on December 12, 1982. Lucy hosted the special while Tim performed a sketch using a bank of telephones  for viewers to call in to pay tribute to Carol. Much to Tim’s chagrin (and the audience’s delight), despite the large number of phones and open lines – no one calls.

The last time that Lucy and Tim appeared on the same broadcast was the “36th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards” (1984) in which Tim Conway joined Harvey Korman to present the comedy writing award, but couldn’t fathom why they weren’t recipients themselves. Lucille Ball was honored as one of the first inductees to the brand new Television Academy Hall of Fame. That ceremony took place several months earlier.