Tim Conway and Harvey Korman: “The Old Sheriff” — A Lesson in Laughter and Timing

Last night, we revisited one of television’s most iconic moments — a time when comedy didn’t rely on flashy effects or formulaic jokes, but on instinct, rhythm, and chemistry. On the set of The Carol Burnett Show, the incomparable Tim Conway appeared as “the slowest sheriff in the West,” facing off not against villains, but against a hilariously panicked bank robber portrayed by Harvey Korman. What followed became one of the most beloved sketches in  TV history — a perfect storm of chaos, control, and uncontrollable laughter.

A Masterclass in Comic Timing

The sketch opens in a dusty Western saloon — swinging doors, a soft piano tune, and the slow shuffle of Conway’s sheriff making his entrance. Every word, every blink, every tilt of his hat is drawn out to agonizing perfection. Across from him, Korman’s jittery robber tries to rush the action forward, desperate to finish the heist before the sheriff can react. But Conway’s sheriff refuses to hurry. The slower he moves, the funnier it gets.

It’s comedy in its purest form — timing stretched until it snaps back into laughter. Korman pleads, “Hurry up, Sheriff!” and Conway somehow slows down even more, his every movement exaggerated just enough to tip the scene from absurd to hysterical. The studio audience roars louder with each pause, each sideways glance, each exaggerated delay. The humor doesn’t come from the lines — it comes from the space between them.

Comedy Chaos, Perfectly Controlled

By the time the sketch nears its finale, the stage has descended into beautiful chaos. Korman, his face flushed red and shoulders shaking, struggles to stay in character. Conway, unbothered and impossibly calm, continues to drag out every word with deliberate patience. The audience’s laughter rolls in waves — the kind of deep, infectious laughter that builds until no one can stop it.

And then, just as suddenly as it began, it’s over. Conway tips his hat, ambles offstage, and the crowd erupts into thunderous applause. It’s not just laughter now — it’s admiration. They’ve witnessed something rare: two comedic geniuses turning simplicity into brilliance.

A Timeless Reminder of What Comedy Can Be

“The Old Sheriff” isn’t just a skit — it’s a study in what makes comedy timeless. It’s not about punchlines, but presence. It’s not about perfection, but the joy of watching two performers lose themselves — and each other — in laughter. Conway’s deliberate slowness, Korman’s exasperated energy, and the genuine connection between them created something larger than scripted television ever could.

It reminds us that great comedy doesn’t age — it breathes. It lingers in those moments of silence before the laugh, in the way an audience leans forward, waiting, then bursts into joy. And in that small Western saloon, under the studio lights, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman showed us what happens when patience meets pure genius.

So if you need a smile, watch it again. Watch the sheriff move at the speed of molasses. Watch Harvey Korman try — and fail — to contain his laughter. Feel the magic of two legends reminding us that sometimes, the funniest moments come from doing absolutely nothing fast.

Watch: “The Old Sheriff” – Tim Conway and Harvey Korman