Tim Conway’s Legendary Dentist Sketch: The Unscripted Chaos That Broke Harvey Korman on The Carol Burnett Show

One of television’s most enduring comedy moments unfolded on The Carol Burnett Show in Season 2, Episode 20, originally aired in March 1969: the infamous “Dentist” sketch featuring Tim Conway as a bumbling novice dentist and Harvey Korman as his hapless patient. What began as a scripted routine devolved into pure, unbridled chaos, cementing its place as a masterclass in improvisational hilarity.

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The Dentist from The Carol Burnett Show (full sketch)

Tim Conway as the rookie dentist in the iconic sketch from The Carol Burnett Show.

Conway portrays a fresh-out-of-school dentist on his first day, nervously treating Korman’s toothache-stricken patient. The humor escalates when Conway repeatedly injects himself with Novocain—first his hand, then his leg—leading to increasingly clumsy attempts at dentistry. Inspired by a real incident from Conway’s own dentist, the bit was designed for laughs, but Conway’s deliberate improvisations turned it legendary.

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Harvey Korman struggles to maintain composure as Conway’s antics intensify (left and right).

Known for his mission to “crack up” co-stars—especially Korman—Conway adhered to the script in rehearsals, only to unleash ad-libs during taping. Korman, fighting desperately to stay in character, covers his face as laughter overtakes him. The audience roars, cameras wobble from chuckling operators, and crew members collapse backstage.

The turning point: Conway’s calm delivery of lines like “This might sting a little” amid self-inflicted numbness sends Korman over the edge. Later interviews revealed Korman actually wet his pants from laughing so hard—a testament to Conway’s comedic sabotage.

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Harvey Korman breaking character, overwhelmed by laughter during the sketch.

Conway’s tiny “accidental” slips—numb limbs flailing unpredictably—fuel debates: scripted genius or happy fluke? Fans agree it’s unparalleled unhinged comedy. One viewer captured the sentiment: “I don’t think we’ll ever see anything that perfectly unhinged again.”

Part of a show renowned for family-friendly sketches, starring Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and regulars like Conway (joined full-time in 1975), this bit exemplifies why The Carol Burnett Show won 25 Emmys and remains beloved.

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The original cast of The Carol Burnett Show, including Harvey Korman, Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner (Conway joined later as regular).

Decades later, clips rack up millions of views on YouTube, proving timeless laughter transcends eras. In a world of scripted perfection, Conway and Korman’s genuine breakdown reminds us: sometimes, the best comedy is beautifully broken.

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Tim Conway’s First Day as a Dentist | The Carol Burnett Show Clip

Tim Conway’s nervous dentist in action—a moment of TV gold that continues to delight generations.