Tim Conway improvised during much of his appearances on the show which would cause the other cast members - especially Harvey Korman - to laugh during taping. The cast breaking character became a popular part of the series.
It was revealed years later that each week's show was taped twice in front of different audiences and the best parts from each taping were edited together. It was stated that the first performance had the actors sticking closely to the scripts, but the second was where the actors improvised and ad-libbed, which were usually the funnier versions.
Vicki Lawrence wrote a fan letter to Carol Burnett while still in high school, Carol received the letter on the day that Vicki was going to be in a Miss Fireball contest, having a feeling about her. Carol found her dad's number, called Vicki, and attended the contest. They talked for 5 minutes when Carol told her that she will keep in touch and they will discuss Vicki's Career. Vicki auditioned and got the part of Carol's kid sister and became Carol's protégée.
After Jim Nabors appeared on the premiere episode Carol Burnett would have him as the guest for each seasons first show because she considered him her "good luck charm."
Carol Burnett's trademark tugging of her ear was a message to her grandmother. When Burnett's grandmother died during the run of the series, Burnett continued to tug her ear in every episode as a tribute to her.