Some moments on television rise above their original era and only become more beloved as time passes. One such gem is the iconic sketch known as The Dentist from The Carol Burnett Show. With its perfectly timed humor and unforgettable performances, it remains one of the most cherished comedy sketches in television history. Decades after it first aired, it still brings roaring laughter to audiences of all ages.
The Carol Burnett Show ran for eleven successful seasons and earned a stunning collection of 25 Emmy Awards and eight Golden Globes. It wasn’t just a critical success—it became a cultural institution, launching the careers of some of comedy’s most enduring talents. Its legacy lives on through the characters and moments it brought to life, and The Dentist stands tall among the very best.
Starring Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, the sketch is celebrated for its incredible blend of physical comedy, clever writing, and spontaneous hilarity. The premise is simple yet brilliant. Korman plays a man suffering from a terrible toothache who, out of desperation, visits a dental office on a Sunday. Instead of his usual dentist, he’s met by a nervous and inexperienced young man—Conway’s character—who is the regular dentist’s nephew and clearly unprepared for the task ahead.
As the scene unfolds, the situation spirals out of control. The young dentist tries to act confident but quickly reveals he’s fresh out of dental school with more practice treating animals than people. Despite these red flags, Korman’s character is in too much pain to care.
What follows is a masterclass in comedy. Conway’s dentist accidentally injects himself with novocaine multiple times, leaving parts of his own body numb and useless. His clumsy, slow-motion movements, paired with Korman’s barely contained laughter, created one of the most genuinely funny and spontaneous performances ever captured on a comedy stage.
Part of what makes the sketch so enduring is how relatable it is. Almost everyone knows the nervous tension that comes with a dental visit. The show took that common experience and turned it into something playful and completely disarming. The humor wasn’t mean-spirited or cynical—it was joyful, built on human moments and brilliant physical timing.
Even today, thanks to social media and streaming platforms, this sketch continues to find new fans. It serves as a reminder that great comedy doesn’t rely on trends or special effects. All it takes is two performers in perfect sync, a simple setup, and the kind of timing that can only come from instinct and experience. The Dentist is more than just a sketch—it’s a timeless lesson in how laughter can connect us, no matter the decade.