“Life Once Removed”
Found an interview with Carol Burnett in which she talks about the differences between comedy on TV now and in her heyday. the interview includes this little exchange between Ms. Burnett and Larry Gelbart
Ms. Burnett recalled having a conversation several years ago with Larry Gelbart, the veteran comedy writer. “I told him how predictable TV sitcoms were: set up, set up, joke, laugh track, set up, set up, joke, laugh track. And he said: `Carol, the writers today didn’t play stickball in the street. They’re writing about what they saw on television when they were growing up.’ ” Ms. Burnett said, “They’re writing about life once removed.”
