After Carol Burnett's attempts to get the legendary entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. on the show, she finally succeeds in Volume 8. A sketch about fame & racism kicks off the show, relying more upon character than jokes to get laughs, which is telling but not preachy. The show is capped with a Jamaican-flavored musical production which employs the entire cast.
Next, there is the wonderful Shirley MacClaine, who joins Carol in a nostalgically amusing number about fan mail, and the show's traditional musical production, a classy number, and again starring Carol & Shirley. As a performer, MacClaine shows us her versatility, and it's also a reminder that the Carol Burnett Show offers more than just laughs.