Sometimes, it's the unexpected but downright simple comedy sketches that hit home with the audience. The Cafe Argentine from the classic Carol Burnett Show is one sketch that still cracks us up.
A recent video clip featuring the comedic genius Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, and Harvey Korman leaves us in stitches in this incredible skit. It all starts when two friends, Blanche (Lucille Ball) and Selma (Carol Burnett), decide to catch up over a meal after work. Selma is curious about why her friend is late.
Blanche says her boss accused her of being a clock-watcher, leading to an argument. Selma playfully asks if her boss is a real man, but Blanche admits she didn't notice because she was too busy watching the clock.
Moving on with their conversation, the two friends can't decide where to eat. Selma suggests the cafeteria, but Blanche rejects it as she doesn't want to stand because her feet are getting fat. Selma, in return, doesn't want to eat somewhere where she'd have to sit outside for the same reason.
Eventually, they settle on Cafe Argentine, so Blanche can have her beloved Spanish food. Upon entering the restaurant, they meet the host, Pedro (Harvey Korman), who demands their identification papers and names in a peculiar German accent.
Pedro even asks them if they have a reservation for the tables. Selma quickly requests two chairs, claiming her friend can't stand for long. Making the audience burst out laughing. As they sit down, Blanche finds Pedro's behavior strange and considers leaving, but Selma is too hungry to go. Blanche finds it odd that a Spanish restaurant hired a foreign maître d'.
To which Selma explains that many places do so. Furthermore, Blanche notices the beer steins on display, which don't seem Argentine. The innocent Selma dismisses her concern, saying they were probably made in West Argentine.
However, Pedro catches them examining the beer steins and sternly warns them not to touch anything in the restaurant. He even orders the two women to follow him in a single file to their table, saying he's the only one who knows where the minefield is.
After sitting down, Pedro leaves to take their order. This is when Blanche suggests they escape, but Selma points out they're being watched by another table. Poor Blanche now wishes they had chosen an Italian restaurant instead. To which her nervous friend asks why? With a serious face, Blanche tells her friend that they'd probably surrendered by now.
As Selma contemplates an escape through the back door, she finds Pedro standing there. However, she still excuses herself to the restroom, leaving Blanche alone. Pedro, taking advantage of this situation, asks Blanche if she'd like to date him. Flustered and confused, the poor woman just wants to escape.
This is when Selma returns to the table and demands Pedro leave her friend alone. She asks for the manager, and soon a man resembling the German leader enters. This terrifies the women, who then fled the restaurant. At the same time, Pedro instructs a sharpshooter to aim at them, who misses the shot as they successfully run away from the restaurant.
The hilarity of this sketch continues to leave viewers in stitches even after all these years. The comedic timing & the expressions are pure comedic gold. It reminds us of a time when comedy was more straightforward, less complicated, and funnier.
So, if you haven't seen this funny Carol Burnett Show sketch yet, we recommend you do so. Remember to share it with your friends and family because everyone deserves a good laugh.
Liked this one? There's a fair bit of Carol Burnett on Amazon. We get a little something when you go through us.
