You’ve probably seen the clip. It’s grainy, 1970s-era television, and everyone is losing their minds. Harvey Korman is doubled over. Carol Burnett has her face buried in a sofa cushion. They’re supposed to be playing a game of Password in a "The Family" sketch, but Tim Conway has other plans. He starts talking about a Siamese elephant, and suddenly, the script is dead.
Comedy gold.
Honestly, the Tim Conway Siamese elephant story is one of those rare moments where the "making of" is just as funny as the actual bit. Most people think it was just a random blooper that happened once. It wasn't. There’s a whole layer of professional sabotage and a legendary "F-bomb" (well, almost) from Vicki Lawrence that made this the most famous outtake in TV history.
The Setup: Why Tim Conway Was a Menace
Tim Conway wasn't originally a series regular. He was a guest who kept coming back because he was essentially a human wrecking ball for every scene he touched. By 1977, when the Tim Conway Siamese elephant bit went down, he had a routine.
The Carol Burnett Show taped twice. They’d do a dress rehearsal at 4:30 PM and the "real" show at 7:30 PM. The first taping was for the writers. The second taping was for Tim Conway to ruin everyone’s career.
He knew that if he could break Harvey Korman, the audience would go nuts. Korman was the ultimate "straight man," but he had the structural integrity of a wet paper towel when it came to holding back laughter.
What the Heck is a Siamese Elephant?
The sketch was "The Family," which eventually became Mama's Family. Conway played Mickey Hart. During the Password game, he was supposed to just keep the scene moving. Instead, he decided to launch into a story about a circus he visited.
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He starts describing these elephants. They were joined at the trunk.
"I was at this freak show one time and I saw these Siamese elephants... they was joined at the end of their trunks like that."
Conway starts using his hands to show how they were connected. He describes a trainer making them stand on their back feet, stretching their trunks out like a tightrope. Then, out comes a "little monkey" who starts dancing the merengue.
It’s absurd. It’s long. It’s completely unscripted.
The genius of the Tim Conway Siamese elephant story isn't just the words; it's the timing. He keeps going. He describes the sound they make—a pathetic "huuuu-huuuu" noise because they can't breathe or blow properly. He’s basically suffocating his castmates with a story about suffocating elephants.
The Two Versions: The One You Saw vs. The One That "Killed"
Most people don't realize there are two versions of this story.
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In the first taping, the story was relatively short. It was funny, but the cast mostly held it together. But Tim knew he had more in the tank. Before the second taping, he told the director to just keep the cameras rolling no matter what. He didn't tell Carol. He didn't tell Harvey.
When the second taping started, he went into the "Siamese elephant" routine again, but he added the monkey. He added the sound effects. He added the detail about one elephant sneezing and the other one's eyes popping out.
Harvey Korman literally could not stand up. He was leaking tears. Carol Burnett was trying to hide her face because she knew if she looked at Tim, she’d be done for.
Vicki Lawrence: The Assassin
Then came the moment that turned a funny sketch into a legend.
Vicki Lawrence, playing "Mama," sat there in character through the whole five-minute ordeal. She watched Tim derail the show. She watched her colleagues crumble. As the story finally wound down and Tim took a breath, the room went quiet for a split second.
Vicki didn't break. She leaned in, stayed perfectly in her "Mama" voice, and asked:
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"Are you sure that little asshole's through?"
The set exploded. Tim Conway, the man who never broke, actually fell off his chair laughing. He’d been out-sniped by his own target.
Why This Bit Still Ranks #1
There’s a reason people still search for "Tim Conway Siamese elephant" fifty years later.
- Pure Improv: It wasn't a "bit" written by a room of writers. It was one guy trying to make his friends laugh.
- The "Breaking" Culture: The Carol Burnett Show was famous for actors breaking character, but this was the heavyweight championship of it.
- Vicki's Payday: Interestingly, that outtake became so famous that it was sold to Dick Clark for his Bloopers and Practical Jokes shows. Vicki Lawrence has joked in interviews that the royalties from that one sentence helped put her kids through college.
How to Watch the Real Deal
If you’re looking for the footage, don't just watch the 30-second clips on social media. You need the full 5-minute version to see the slow-burn destruction of Harvey Korman. Look for the "Password" sketch from Season 11, Episode 7.
Most official DVD collections and streaming versions (like on Shout! Factory or Pluto TV) include the blooper version because the "clean" version is nowhere near as good.
Actionable Tips for Comedy History Buffs
If you want to dive deeper into why the Tim Conway Siamese elephant bit worked, or if you're a student of classic TV, here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Watch the Hands: Pay attention to Tim's hand gestures during the "merengue" part. He uses his fingers to mimic the monkey's feet, which is what finally finishes Harvey Korman off.
- Check the "Dentist Sketch": If you like the elephant bit, the "Dentist Sketch" is the other half of the Conway/Korman Mount Rushmore. It’s arguably more famous for the physical comedy.
- Study the "Straight Man": Watch Harvey Korman. It is a masterclass in someone trying—and failing—to maintain dignity. It’s the tension between the "serious" character and the "laughing" actor that creates the magic.
- Verify the Source: Be careful with "re-enactments" on YouTube. Always look for the official Carol Burnett Show channel to ensure you're seeing the unedited timing, as the rhythm of Tim's speech is 90% of the joke.
The Siamese elephant story isn't just a joke about animals. It’s a testament to a time when TV felt dangerous and spontaneous. Tim Conway knew that the best comedy happens when you stop trying to be funny and start trying to be a nuisance.
Next Steps:
Go to the official Carol Burnett YouTube channel and search for "The Family Password." Compare the two tapings. You’ll see exactly where Tim decides to "turn it on" for the second round. Notice how he changes the "blow and go" description to be just a little bit longer, just to see how long he can keep Harvey in suspense.