An iconic figure in the history of American television comedy and an inspiration to female (and male) comics for almost 50 years, Carol Burnett rose from a difficult childhood to become one of the most beloved performers on television, both as a featured performer on series like “The Garry Moore Show” (CBS, 1950-1967) and as the star of her own acclaimed sketch comedy series, “The Carol Burnett Show” (CBS, 1967-1978). Burnett was also an accomplished musical performer, netting a Tony Award for her starmaking Broadway debut in 1959’s “Once Upon a Mattress....