A routine trip to the dry cleaner becomes an unforgettable test of patience when Harvey Korman encounters Tim Conway as television’s oldest—and slowest—clothing attendant.
In “The Dresser” sketch from The Carol Burnett Show, Korman simply wants to collect his clothes. Unfortunately, Conway’s elderly dry cleaner moves so slowly that completing the transaction seems almost impossible.
The longer Harvey waits, the funnier the scene becomes.
A Simple Visit Quickly Goes Wrong
Korman enters the shop expecting an ordinary customer-service experience. He presents his request and waits for the attendant to retrieve his clothing.
Then Tim Conway begins moving.
With tiny steps, a hunched posture and shaking hands, the elderly attendant starts the long journey across the store. Every movement requires enormous effort, and every basic task creates another delay.
Harvey’s character can do nothing except watch.
The audience immediately understands that picking up one item of clothing could take the rest of the day.
Tim Conway Turns Slowness Into Comedy Gold
Most comedy sketches attempt to maintain a fast pace. Conway achieves the opposite effect by slowing the action almost to a stop.
He knows exactly how long to delay each movement. Just when viewers think he is finally about to reach the clothing, another obstacle appears.
He turns around.
He forgets something.
He struggles with a hanger.
He may even begin moving in the wrong direction.
The pauses create anticipation. Audiences know that the task will eventually go wrong, but Conway makes them wait for the disaster.
Harvey Korman Faces the Ultimate Test
Korman’s character wants his clothes, but Harvey the performer faces a much greater challenge: remaining serious while Tim Conway works beside him.
Conway’s painfully slow movements give Harvey far too much time to anticipate the next surprise. Korman watches closely, attempting to determine whether Tim is following the script or preparing an unexpected addition.
A smile begins to appear.
Harvey looks away.
His shoulders start shaking.
The harder he tries to regain control, the more determined Conway seems to extend the routine.
The Clothes Become Part of the Chaos
A dry-cleaning shop provides Conway with the perfect collection of comedy props.
Hangers, jackets, trousers and garment bags should make the job easier. In the Oldest Man’s hands, they become nearly impossible to control.
Removing one piece of clothing could cause another to fall. Carrying a garment across the room becomes an exhausting physical achievement. Identifying the correct item may require an investigation lasting several minutes.
Conway does not need constant dialogue. His struggle with ordinary objects tells the entire story.
The Oldest Man in Another Impossible Job
“The Dresser” uses one of Conway’s most successful comedy ideas: placing the Oldest Man in a profession requiring efficiency.
A dry cleaner must organize clothing, move quickly and serve customers without creating long delays. Conway’s character appears completely unsuited for each responsibility.
Yet he never admits that he is struggling.
The attendant behaves as though everything is proceeding normally. His innocence makes the situation more entertaining because he cannot understand why Korman’s customer is becoming increasingly frustrated.
Harvey Korman’s Reactions Complete the Sketch
Conway creates the slow-moving chaos, but Korman’s reactions give it additional energy.
Harvey had an extraordinary ability to communicate frustration through his face and body. Every glance reveals what his character is thinking: How much longer can this possibly take?
As the performer, however, Korman is also fighting laughter.
That combination produces two performances at once. He is playing an impatient customer while genuinely trying not to break character in front of Tim Conway.
Why Conway and Korman Worked So Well Together
Their contrasting comedic styles created the perfect partnership.
Conway was patient, understated and unpredictable. Korman was expressive, dramatic and easily frustrated.
Tim introduced disorder without changing his expression. Harvey reacted as though the entire world were collapsing around him.
They also trusted each other enough to take risks. Conway could add unexpected details because he knew Korman would respond brilliantly. Harvey’s laughter never weakened the routine—it made the moment feel genuine.
Everyday Frustration Becomes Timeless Humor
The sketch remains relatable because almost everyone has experienced slow or confusing customer service.
You enter a store expecting a simple transaction. Then something goes wrong. The employee disappears, the item cannot be found and a task that should take seconds begins consuming your entire afternoon.
Conway takes that familiar frustration and pushes it to an absurd level.
Korman’s reactions mirror the audience’s feelings, while the Oldest Man remains completely unaware that there is a problem.
A Masterclass in Physical Timing
Conway’s movements appear clumsy, but the performance requires precise control.
Each hesitant step must be slow enough to generate anticipation without completely stopping the sketch. Every interaction with a garment or hanger must look accidental while serving the comedy.
Conway makes the character appear physically helpless while maintaining total control over the room.
That contradiction is what makes his comedy so impressive.
