In this hysterical sketch from ‘The Carol Burnett Show,’ Harvey Korman plays ‘Roger,’ a boss who needs a temporary secretary, but it is slim pickings due to flu season. In walks’ Carol and Sis’. Carol wants Roger to take her to lunch, but he’s swamped and feeling the stress.
Carol tells him about a great outfit she just bought that she is wearing under her coat. Then, she insists on helping her husband, and Sis warns her it is dangerous for a husband and wife to work together in the same office. Roger objects to Carol’s help, but he goes for it after getting him out of an unwanted phone call.
He tells her to take off her coat and go to work. The audience sees Carol’s outfit, but Roger is so focused he walks right into his office. He runs back out yelling, ‘Carol!’ She looks back at him in her short overalls with stars on them, along with black stockings. Roger exclaims, ‘Where’s your dress?’ Carol explains they are ‘hot pants,’ and Roger asks if she is out of her mind.
Roger sits her down and tells her to stay at the desk. He tells her to type up a letter and not tell anyone that she is his wife. Carol doesn’t like it and asks why. Roger replies, ‘When was the last time you saw Mrs. Spiro Agnew in hot pants!’
Carol starts typing and copying. She attempts to call out using the phone but keeps failing and hitting the wrong buttons. Roger grows increasingly frustrated. They are arguing intensely, and the copier she was using started going crazy and spitting out papers. A new girl walks in and affectionately calls Carol’s husband, ‘Roggie.’ She walks close to him and straightens his tie. Roger tries to laugh it off. After she leaves, Carol begins to imitate the new girl and chokes Roger with his tie. The audience loves it!
Roger’s handsome business partner walks in and sees Carol in her outfit. He starts coming on to Carol, standing over her. He asks if she’s married, and Roger tells him she is taken. Carol seizes the moment and tells the handsome man, ‘My husband doesn’t understand me.’ The business partner thinks Carol is Roger’s mistress secretary. He exits to Roger’s office while calling him a ‘Swinger.’
In the end, Roger confesses his love for his wife and tells her she looks fabulous in those hot pants. The two embrace and kiss after the reconciliation. The phone rings and Roger stops Carol from answering it, saying, ‘Don’t answer that. It might be my wife!’ The two embrace and the sketch ends happily.
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