“DRAW, IF YOU DARE…” — AND HE DIDN’T EVEN HAVE TO MOVE. He barely blinks. He barely breathes. But somehow, Tim Conway’s Old Sheriff steals the entire show without firing a single shot. Every pause, every slow blink, every dusty shuffle across the floor builds a tension so ridiculous it becomes pure comedy gold. Across from him, poor Harvey Korman tries to stay serious — and fails spectacularly. You can see it in his trembling lip, hear it in that desperate gasp as he fights to hold it together. By the end, everyone’s gone — the cast, the crew, even Conway himself, all laughing too hard to continue. No special effects. No punchline needed. Just one man proving that the quietest moments can make the loudest laughter.

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

Last night, we took a walk back to the golden age of television — a time when great comedy wasn’t about special effects or formulaic jokes, but about timing, instinct, and the sheer joy of two masters at work. On the set of The Carol Burnett Show, Tim Conway appeared as “the slowest sheriff in the West,” facing off not against outlaws, but against an increasingly frantic bank robber played by Harvey Korman. What followed became one of the most beloved sketches in TV history — a masterpiece of laughter born from patience and playfulness.

A Masterclass in Comic Timing

The scene opens in a dusty Old West saloon — the doors creaking, a lonely piano tinkling in the background. Then, in strolls Conway’s sheriff, moving at a pace so slow you could pour yourself a cup of coffee between his words. Every blink, every pause, every tiny gesture is perfectly timed. Across from him, Korman’s jittery robber grows more and more desperate, trying to push the story forward — but Conway’s sheriff refuses to be rushed.

The tension between Conway’s molasses-slow drawl and Korman’s barely contained frustration builds like music. The humor isn’t in the dialogue, but in the rhythm — the deliberate stillness against frantic energy. The audience’s laughter starts as a ripple, then grows into a wave as Conway turns the smallest movements — a stumble, a misplaced hat, an unnecessary pause — into comedic gold.

Comedy Chaos, Perfectly Controlled

As the sketch unravels, chaos and control dance perfectly together. Harvey Korman, trying desperately to keep his composure, begins to lose it. You can see the corners of his mouth quivering, his shoulders shaking, as he fights back laughter. Conway, meanwhile, remains utterly calm — deadpan and deliberate — milking every beat for maximum effect. It’s the ultimate contrast: one man unraveling, the other completely unfazed.

By the time the sketch reaches its hilarious climax, the stage is alive with laughter. The audience can barely breathe, Korman’s face is red from holding back giggles, and Conway is still taking his sweet time, every movement measured, every pause perfectly placed. When it finally ends, Conway simply tips his hat and slowly walks offstage — victory sealed in silence. The applause comes late but grows in waves as the audience realizes they’ve just witnessed something truly timeless.

A Timeless Reminder of What Comedy Can Be

“The Old Sheriff” isn’t just a funny skit — it’s a study in what makes comedy enduring. It’s raw, spontaneous, and built entirely on connection. Conway’s masterful slowness, Korman’s exasperation, and the live audience’s laughter blend into something unforgettable — a moment of pure human joy that television rarely captures today.

If you need a reason to smile, revisit this sketch. Watch the sheriff shuffle across the saloon floor. Watch Korman try — and fail — to keep a straight face. Feel the laughter build, not from jokes, but from two friends having the time of their lives. In that tiny Western saloon, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman turned silence into laughter — and laughter into history.

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

Categories: Classic TV | Comedy Legends | The Carol Burnett Show | Tim Conway | Harvey Korman | Television History