The 1974 Emmy Awards delivered one of television’s most legendary unscripted moments when Tim Conway turned Harvey Korman’s acceptance speech into pure comedic anarchy. On May 28, 1974, at the 26th Primetime Emmy Awards (hosted by Johnny Carson), Harvey Korman won Outstanding Supporting Actor in Comedy-Variety for The Carol Burnett Show. Standing onstage beside Tim Conway—his frequent scene partner and co-star—Korman began a gracious, dignified thank-you. What followed became comedy gold: Conway hijacked the moment with deadpan absurdity, refusing to let Korman finish without cracking up.

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How Tim Conway cracked up the Emmy Awards in 1978 – Los Angeles Times

Korman approached the podium confidently, Emmy in hand, thanking the academy, Carol Burnett, the crew, and his family. Conway, positioned just to his side, remained eerily calm and straight-faced. Then he interjected with improvised nonsense—rambling about an absurd, made-up story involving everyday scenarios twisted into hilarity (accounts describe him spinning tales of mundane jobs gone wrong, delivered in his signature slow, innocent delivery). Korman tried valiantly to stay composed, but Conway’s relentless, escalating ridiculousness proved too much. Shoulders began shaking first. Then came stifled giggles, red-faced straining, and finally full-body convulsions as tears streamed down Korman’s face. He doubled over, clutching the podium, barely able to speak through laughter.

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How Tim Conway cracked up The Emmys in 1978

The audience erupted into roaring applause and laughter. The house orchestra, unsure whether to play exit music, froze in hesitation. Cameras captured every second of the meltdown—Korman’s desperate attempts to regain control only fueled more chaos, as Conway pressed on without breaking character. The moment stretched on, turning a standard acceptance into an impromptu comedy routine. Viewers at home witnessed live TV history: one of the rare instances where genuine, uncontrollable laughter hijacked a formal awards show.

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Harvey Korman’s Hilarious Emmy Mishap ft. Tim Conway – YouTube

This wasn’t the only time Conway tormented Korman onstage—The Carol Burnett Show fans know their chemistry produced endless “breaking” moments, like the infamous dentist sketch or elephant story where Korman famously lost it. But the 1974 Emmys elevated it to a new level: national broadcast, high stakes, no retakes. Conway’s genius lay in his unflappable delivery—never cracking himself while methodically dismantling his co-star. Korman later admitted in interviews that Conway’s timing was lethal; he could feel the laughter building but couldn’t stop it.

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My Emmy Moment: Tim Conway and Harvey Korman

Clips of the incident have resurfaced endlessly on YouTube, TikTok, and social media, often titled variations like “Tim Conway Crashes Harvey Korman’s Emmy Speech” or “The Night Laughter Broke Live TV.” In one popular short, fans time how long Korman holds out—typically mere seconds before the first visible crack, then full collapse within a minute. The Emmy moment endures because it captures pure, unfiltered joy: no script, no rehearsal, just two comedy masters at their peak.

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Tim Conway Wins Outstanding Supporting Performer For THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW | Emmys Archive (1973)

Decades later, the scene remains a benchmark for improvised comedy. Tim Conway (who passed in 2019) and Harvey Korman (who died in 2008) left an indelible mark on TV—proving that sometimes the best award isn’t the statuette, but the laughter it inspires. For those who haven’t seen it, search for archival footage from the 26th Emmys; it’s worth every second watching Korman fight—and ultimately lose—the battle to keep a straight face. This wasn’t just an acceptance speech. It was the night laughter officially became legend.