“We would be editing packages and we would send them to her to look at, and she’d say, ‘You know, are you sure that’s not 1963 or 1960?’ because we put the year on a graphic. She just remembers everything. It’s amazing.”

Gierahn said the star is “everything you would imagine her to be,” adding, “she has such a vision. Clearly she’s had it throughout her career, but even having this celebratory night, she had such a vision for what it should include and what should be highlighted. And it was just an absolute joy to work with her. She is so inspiring and I think just a role model to all of us and really paved the way for so many people, so many women. So, it was really an amazing experience, and yes, I pinched myself the whole time.”

Many of the night’s performers sat in the audience until it was their time to pay tribute. Sheryl Lee Ralph recalled memories of being a child in the 1960s and the impact of seeing Black artists like Sammy Davis, Jr. and more be welcomed onto The Carol Burnett Show. Amy Poehler tried her hand at Burnett’s famous audience Q&A warmups, which hilariously proved to be much harder than it looked.

In a shout-out to both Burnett’s guest-star role as Sue Sylvester’s mother on Glee and their mutual connection to Annie, Jane Lynch performed “Little Girls” and was then joined by Bernadette Peters and Billy Porter for a rendition of “Easy Street.” To wrap the Annie medley, the original Annie herself, Aileen Quinn, sang “Tomorrow” while holding Burnett’s hand.

Peters and fellow former Lily St. Regis, Kristin Chenoweth, treated viewers to two performances. The first was a tribute to Burnett and Beverly Sills with “Only an Octave Apart,” and then they honored Burnett and Andrews’ 60+ years of friendship by singing Stephen Sondheim‘s classic “Old Friends.” Two of Burnett’s old friends, Cher and Bob Mackie, each appeared to pay tribute to the star. And in one of the highlights of the night, Vicki Lawrence came out for a touching tribute to her Burnett Show co-star.

No one who was asked to participate in the special said no. If they could make it, they were there, the EPs said. And if they couldn’t, they figured out a way to virtually partake. To that end, video tributes from Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, former First Lady Michelle Obama, President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Dolly Parton, Martin Short and Steve Martin, Bill Hader (Burnett’s cousin, they both recently learned!), and more were peppered throughout the event.

“There were a lot of big stars in the room, and they were all in awe of Carol and Julie,” Bracco shared, “because you recognize, in the history books of Hollywood and entertainment, these are two incredible legends and icons and people who influenced so many millions of people all over the world.” Because of that, the energy in the room was incomparable. “Everyone was just so happy to be a part of it,” he added.

Casey Durkin/NBC

“As we were filming and watching all the different cameras as they were shooting, you just saw so much joy on people’s faces looking up at the screen when we were rolling the retrospective packages,” he went on. “It wasn’t something we thought about when we were shooting, but in the edit, we ended up doing those little picture-in-picture boxes showing some of the stars in the audience watching those retrospective packages because they were laughing and had tears in their eyes at points. Their reactions were so great that we just knew we needed to capture that … including Carol as she was watching those packages. There was just an overwhelming feeling of love in the room. That’s the best way to describe it.”

“There was so much love between all the celebrities and those attending,” Gierahn added. “There was also so much love with just the crew and the production team. We were all so happy to be a part of it and make this night happen. And, you know, you don’t always get that either. So, there was just a lot of positivity that was really felt throughout the load-in and the whole night of the show, which was really nice.”

“There were a lot of really nice moments where various crew members from various departments just kind of would offhandedly like, as you were walking by them, say, ‘This is really special.’ We’ve all worked on a lot of shows and all that, but everyone working on the show recognized that this was a very special special.”

A special night for a special talent. Andrews turns 90 in three years. Is this team down for a tribute to Burnett’s beloved friend?

“Let’s do it. Yes, 100 percent,” Bracco said. Gierahn added, “Absolutely. I mean, who wouldn’t be?”

Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love, Streaming Now, Peacock

It’s basic vampire orthodoxy at this point that if you’re dealing with Dracula, he’d better be sexy. Or, barring that: Funny. Those are the two versions of Dracula we’ve settled on in our society: He’s either gotta be a Byronic blood-drinker who smolders as he kills, or Nicolas Cage schticking it up.

Hence our surprise—bordering on dismay!—at the trailer for upcoming horror film The Last Voyage Of The Demeter, in which the movie’s version of Bram Stoker’s infamous vampire is neither erotic nor chuckle-ready, but is, in fact, a pretty damn scary horror movie monster who is just going to eat a whole bunch of people. What is the world coming to?

Drac-heads will recognize that the book’s title and premise both come from Dracula itself, and specifically the chapter “The Captain’s Log,” which details the miserable tale of the ship that Dracula hires to carry his coffin, some native earth, and himself to England after he gets sick of snacking on Romanian peasants. True to the book, the Drac in the film doesn’t do sensual neck nibbles or goofy jokes: He just fucking eats people, none of whom (including stars Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, and Game Of Thrones’ Liam Cunningham) seem especially well-equipped to deal with a ravenous bat-man killing off their comrades.

And we might joke around a little, but Demeter actually looks pretty damn cool: A ship is a great “locked” location for a horror movie to take place in, and this version of Dracula seems legitimately scary, raising genuine questions about how any of these people might survive their voyage. (Spoilers for a century-old book: Most of them won’t.)

The Last Voyage Of The Demeter sails into theaters on August 11.

A teenager who was told he had no chance of making it to Cambridge due to his background is now studying law at the prestigious university.

Callum Stevens, 20, from Bolton, Manchester, came from a single-parent family after his mum, Maria, gave birth to him when she was just 16.

Although the odds were stacked against the aspiring lawyer, the dedicated student managed to bag a spot at one of the most prestigious universities in the world thanks to a mentoring scheme. 

The 20-year-old explained that he would ‘never change’ where he grew up as it has taught him important life lessons. 

Speaking to the Metro, he said: ‘I would never change where I come from, there is a true camaraderie to be had and I thoroughly believe that such an upbringing will teach you things that formal education never will.

Callum Stevens, from Bolton, Manchester, who was told he had no chance of making it to Cambridge due to his background, is now studying law at the prestigious university

At Callum’s state school, 50 per cent of students were eligible for free school meals and only 30 per cent achieved a Grade 5 or above in English or Maths.

As such, he says his teachers never expected him to be applying for such an elite university – especially as his mother or grandmother didn’t go on to higher education.

He said: ‘When I was at school it was often said that ”people like you don’t go to places like Cambridge”, so I decided to apply as a joke at first.

‘The comments were not only disheartening but difficult to overcome as they did not come from a place of animosity, but misinformation.’

Callum landed a work experience placement with a law firm in Year 10 which ignited his passion for law.

He then moved to Holy Cross College in Bury with a new support network and input from the Zero Gravity social mobility tech company. 

As Callum didn’t see Cambridge as a ‘serious option’, he applied for several other universities.

However, he secured his place at Christ’s College with A*’s in Law, English Literature and Mathematics.

Callum came from a single-parent family after his mum, Maria, gave birth to him when she was just 16

Callum said the primary barrier that his place of upbringing put before him was mindset (pictured as a child)

While applying for Cambridge, Callum received help through the process through his Zero Gravity mentor Annabelle, who had recently graduated with a degree in Law.

In hindsight, Callum says this support was ‘vital’ to him and he continues to receive help from the organisation.

The Zero Gravity Fund, also gave the law student a £1,000-a-year scholarship for the duration of his course. 

He admitted: ‘It has opened me up to so many opportunities which otherwise wouldn’t have been available. I hope that no matter what I go on to achieve in life, I will make an active contribution to bring those opportunities to those from upbringings like mine.

‘Getting to university is just one hurdle, funding it is entirely different. This has allowed me to focus on my studies, attend prestigious internships and make the most out of university life.’

Callum was raised by his mother and his grandmother also had a huge impact on his life (pictured with his mum)

Callum posed for a snap with fellow Christ’s student Laura at the college’s May Ball in 2022

Zero Gravity was started by Joe Seddon when he was just 21, after he grew up in a single-parent family and went to state school before attending Oxford.  

He came from a single parent, state school background and grew up in Morley, West Yorkshire before going on to study at Oxford.

As a result, he witnessed first-hand how challenging it can be for someone from his background to enter elite institutions such as Oxbridge, which is what encouraged him to set up Zero Gravity with the last £200 of his student loan. 

Zero Gravity have supported over 8000 students from low opportunity backgrounds into top universities around the UK.

Share or comment on this article:

I was told I’d never get into Cambridge – I only applied as a joke and bagged a place on Law course

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?

Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.

Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?

Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual

We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.

You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.

I don’t know I made a conscious decision to always look at the bright side. It’s probably a bi-product of my parents and grandparents being wonderful people. Even my social media, for the most part, focuses on the fun, light-sided parts of life. I say “for the most part” because lately I’ve struggled to find the “bright side”. Maybe that’s the bi-product of Divorce?

I’ve done all the things I was supposed to do. I kept a positive attitude. I didn’t speak ill of my ex. I filed all my paperwork, spent countless hours toiling over car insurance, health insurance, setting up therapy for myself and my kids and spoke openly with friends about their experiences to keep myself in some type of “support group” for divorcees. I worked out, I bought new underwear, sold my “Marital Bed” and renovated my house. I did all the things. But it’s nine months post divorce and I feel more lost now than I did before.

Sure, so many things are better. I’m happy, my kids are in a better place and I’m EVEN….I don’t know if that word means anything to you but there’s no more “ups and downs”. No more wondering what kind of day it’s going to be. My days are EVEN and I FEEL calm. I think it’s when you add up all the other changes that occurred over the last 2 years (losing my dad, the kids moving out to college and beyond and no longer being “partnered”) I really struggle with who I am now.

I feel like I’m in my 20’s again, trying to start a life for myself. In so many ways, I know I’m lucky. I know I SHOULD be grateful and I am. I guess I just am reminded of how easy things used to be….when the kids were young and I my biggest stressor was getting the kids to stop fighting over a Bob the Builder cup. Of course, I’m going WAY BACK, which just makes the comparison seem unreasonable. If I’m honest with myself, I should be comparing it to where I was 2 years ago….and when I do that, I’m in a better place.

Change is so hard. Finding a new routine is hard. Being on your own is hard. So many amazing women do it….everyday. And I guess, at some point, we all do it, whether we are ready or not. When I tell people I’m divorced the reactions are so funny. Some give a sad face and I’m compelled to say, “It’s okay, it’s for the better.” Other times I’m met with a “Congratulations!”, which feels equally uncomfortable.

I guess I thought that the hardest day in this process was my divorce day. And it was…it was horrible. In my mind, I thought “well, every day after this should be better” and, most days, it is. Sometimes though….the days last forever and I think too much and then I think “I should make a cake” and well….it’s just a downward yummy slope from there.

My friendships have become so much more important to me and connecting with people on the hardships of change, whether through divorce, losing a loved one or a job change, has been therapeutic. So…Thanks for being there with me every morning….”in good times and in bad”. What a weird way to use that phrase now? Know that I appreciate everyone’s kind words as I figure myself out….at fifty.

Recently, an old interview of Kareena Kapoor Khan has gone viral on social media. In the video, a reporter can be heard asking the actress about a rocket being sent to Mars in pure Hindi, and Kareena seems to be completely unaware of the subject matter. Her response has garnered mixed reactions from people online.

The video clip shows the reporter asking Kareena about India’s Mars Orbiter Mission, which was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2013. The question seemed to be too technical for Kareena, who struggled to comprehend it at first. She then requested the reporter to repeat the question in English, stating that she needed a translator to understand it.

After comprehending the question, Kareena responded by saying, “Very scientific. I also want to go to space. Meri bhi yahi icchaa hai. Mujhe bhi le chalo sath mein.” While some people found Kareena’s response amusing, others criticized her for not being aware of such a significant scientific event.

space exploration ke liye isro aur mere college juniors hain
can we let the cuteness be cuteness? https://t.co/U8XCNNxy1u

— Pulkit Saraf (@Pulkit_Saraf)

Why take potshot at an actor for her knowledge or lack of it? 🤷🏼‍♂️

— Seriously Foolstop. (@bhatkahua)

kareena Kapoor is an actress, an entertainer and one of the best in the world. Questioning her about Mars in a promotional event which seems to be of a shampoo only shows how desperately the questioner is trying to show off his oversmartness! pic.twitter.com/mVfcRXFjaT

— kashif Qureshi (@kashiflion)

Bebo is the last real celebrity before filters (instagram and otherwise) took over the glam world

— Shoaib Zulfi Nazeer (@nazeer_e_aazam)

Mujhe bhi aisaich banna hai.

— Catty Stark. (@CatWomaniya)

Good response, real and unfiltered. Theres no need to be gyaan givers all the time like so many actors now days are.

— vodkaDietcoke (@VDietcoke)

Rest of the actors/actresses: My politics needs to be 100% perfectly curated lest I be cancelled for any problematic/ignorant stance

Meanwhile Bebo: pic.twitter.com/GlcA2zVwLQ

— Fatima Khan (@khanthefatima)