Allison Janney has given fans a delightful insight into her daily routine with comedy legend Carol Burnett. The two have developed a close friendship while co-starring in the Apple TV series Palm Royale, which recently concluded. Their bond has led to a unique ritual: Burnett sends Janney a daily text.
A Daily Dose of Wordle
During an appearance on CNN’s Coming Up podcast, Janney revealed, “I play Wordle with her every day, so I get a text from Carol Burnett every day of my life for the last four years.” The excitement in her voice was evident as she added, “It’s pretty exciting. Every time it doesn’t get old, I say, ‘Yep. Carol Burnett texted me!’ So that’s pretty great.”
The Beginnings of Their Friendship
Earlier this year, Burnett herself mentioned on Live with Kelly and Mark that she and Janney have been enjoying this daily game, asserting that they are close competitors in honing their skills. Burnett proudly stated that she has achieved a Wordle-in-1 seven times, meaning she guessed the word in just one try.
Influences and Inspirations
The friendship blossomed from their work on Palm Royale. Janney expressed her admiration for Burnett, referring to her as “my idol.” She shared, “Carol Burnett is probably the reason why I wanted to be an [actress], aside from my mother being an actress. Watching Carol Burnett, I dreamed of having my own Carol Burnett Show.”
Janney continued, “It’s so exciting for me. I pinch myself,” showcasing her excitement about having formed a friendship with her childhood icon, whom she now considers a close friend.
A Legacy of Inspiration
In discussions with PEOPLE, Janney noted that Burnett holds a special place in her list of Hollywood inspirations alongside notable names like Mary Tyler Moore and Meryl Streep. Reflecting on her father’s perceptions of her career, Janney humorously remarked that it was only after working with Burnett that he truly believed her career had legitimacy.
Besides Janney and Burnett, Palm Royale features a talented ensemble cast, including Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Ricky Martin, and Leslie Bibb.
