Burnett’s ‘Better Call Saul’ role showed how dynamic of a performer she still is.
Even more so than its sister series Breaking Bad, the spinoff show Better Call Saul featured some of the most outstanding performances in the history of dramatic television. While Bob Odenkirk’s nuanced role as the titular shady lawyer Saul Goodman offered a far more idiosyncratic protagonist than what may have been expected, Better Call Saul offered its guest stars the opportunity to deliver impactful performances, despite their limited screen time. In addition to appearances by Breaking Bad favorites like Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, the final season of Better Call Saul featured a guest performance by Carol Burnett.
Considering the tremendous expectations that the final season of Better Call Saul had to wrap up the show’s twisty storyline, the announcement of Burnett’s casting was more than a little unusual. Burnett has been a popular culture icon for decades, as her work on The Carol Burnett Show changed the television comedy landscape forever. However, seeing her appear for just a few installments in an intense crime series seemed like an odd decision that could have been very distracting. Thankfully, Burnett reminded viewers why she was an icon with a dynamic performance that stood out in Better Call Saul’s shocking conclusion.
‘Better Call Saul’ Has a Non-Traditional Finale
Like many of the show’s best co-stars, Burnett brings a surprising amount of depth to her characterization of Marion. Despite her initial feelings of warmth towards Saul for his influence on her son, Marion proves to be far more aware of her surroundings when she uncovers his identity through some rudimentary Internet research. Although Jeff’s arrest puts her in a precarious position, Marion is able to inform the authorities of Saul’s ruse and get him arrested. Ironically, Burnett’s performance is effective for many of the same reasons that Odenkirk’s is; both characters mask their intelligence based on the diminutive expectations that others have for them.
Although the final episode of Better Call Saul is not a traditionally rewarding television finale, Burnett voices a resentment towards Saul that represents the feelings viewers have had over the course of the show’s six seasons. In a fiery monologue, Marion lambasts Saul for taking advantage of her kindness, and assures him that his lifelong prison sentence is very much what he deserves. While it’s somewhat unusual to see someone as endearing as Burnett speak with such venom, the anger is righteous within the situation. After all the horrible deeds that Saul has committed, it’s rewarding to see Burnett give him a taste of his own medicine.
‘Better Call Saul’ Proves Why Carol Burnett Is an Icon
Her impressive resume speaks for itself, but Burnett’s Better Call Saul role showed how dynamic of a performer she still is. Casting a celebrity of her fame for what amounted to little more than a guest role could have been a distraction, but Burnett seamlessly fit within the unique tone of Vince Gilligan’s universe. It speaks to her incredible specificity as an actress that after years of iconic performances, Burnett was once again able to disappear into a new character.
Although her work helped end the show on a high note, Burnett’s Better Call Saul performance is one of many memorable guest roles in her career. Between playing herself on a classic episode of The Larry Sanders Show and a recurring guest star turn on Mad About You, Burnett has frequently improved shows with brief appearances. A brief stint on one of the most acclaimed drama shows of all time only further solidifies her status as one of the entertainment industry’s living legends.
