Skip to main content

Carol Burnett Argues With Rock Hudson as News Anchors in Passive-Aggressive Newscast

Television studio set with two adults in formal attire, mid-20th century decor and bright lighting.

Season 10, Episode 8 of 'The Carol Burnett Show' featured the Passive-Aggressive News Network. Rock Hudson and Carol play married newscasters who are obviously having relationship trouble.

A television studio set with a news desk, large '7 NEWS' sign, camera on a tripod operated by an adult male in an orange sweater and blue jeans. A young adult female in her late teens or early twenties wearing glasses and a yellow top with black trim stands to the left of a middle-aged man in a green blazer over a white shirt with a tie from the mid-20th century, and another adult male holding papers or notes.

As they sit at the news desk to begin, Rock says, "We're on in ten, honey?" Carol tells him not to "honey" her with an angry look on her face. They both quietly argue as the lights dim before the newscast.

Once the lights come on, they smile with frozen faces. Rock says his opening, "From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam, a gracious good evening."

Young adult female in white high-collared blouse, mid-20th-century style, indoors with neutral walls and soft lighting.

Rock tells the viewers that a phone company's communications are down, but he speaks to Carol in a passive-aggressive way throughout the story. Rock mentions how once the problem is conveyed, they can learn how to solve it.

Carol reads her news story and says, "I have no interest in answering questions at this time! Stated senate investigator Ralph J. Spoolman." The crowd laughs as Carol gives Rock a dirty look and says the investigator, "...will give the filthy liar what he deserves!"

An adult male singer and an adult female guest wearing tailored green blazers with white collars, sitting at a table in a television studio set up for a talk show or news program.

Carol's next story is about secretaries getting raises for all the little extra things they help their bosses with. Rock looks worried as Carol asks, "Do you have a comment on that, Steve?" Rock replies, "A good secretary always keeps their bosses' affairs in order." Then, he glances at Carol in terror because of what he said. Rock tries to save it by saying it's because they have a loving wife at home.

Carol is fuming and says, "Divorce rates are up 18 percent this year! Due to unstable, middle-aged husbands who are insecure about their masculinity." Carol ends the newscast by telling the viewers she will be hosting "For Housewives Only: Making his guilt your gain."