Charlize Theron, Bob Odenkirk and More Celebrate Carol Burnett

What began as a panel with key cast members to discuss the jaw-dropping second season of “Palm Royale” turned into a star-studded surprise tribute to celebrate Carol Burnett’s final appearance on the Apple TV series,

Following a special screening of the show’s Season 2 finale on Thursday at the Wolf Theater in North Hollywood, Vince Gilligan, Rhea Seehorn, Bob Odenkirk, Charlize Theron, Jane Lynch and Bob Mackie made unexpected appearances as Yvette Nicole Brown, who moderated the event, asked if anyone in the audience had any questions for the “Palm Royale” cast as the lights turned on. 

“I can’t believe you’re here!” said Burnett when she saw Gilligan, who she worked with on “Better Call Saul.” Keeping the reunion going, Seehorn stood up and asked Burnett, “How do you become a legend?” (“You live to be 93,” Burnett laughed, to raucous applause.)

Odenkirk also quipped about acting alongside Burnett in the show: “What was it like working with Carol? Now, you must know that I know the answer to this question,” he said. “She’s always on time and I was late. That made me look bad and she doesn’t count her lines. I do, which I consider the actor’s first job, count your lines. Make sure you have the most,” the actor joked. 

Jane Lynch, who worked with Burnett on “Glee,” said, “Your sublime performance in what we just watched up on this enormous screen reminds all of us of the love that we have for you. We couldn’t adore you more.”

After hailing Burnett as “so much more than a legend,” Theron said, “You’re just a fucking broad.” Theron also shared a fun fact: “Did you know that I play Wordle with Carol Burnett? And she’s a fucking cheat.”

“You can’t cheat at Wordle!”  Burnett proclaimed. Even Michelle Obama made a virtual appearance to mark the occasion, sending her congratulations to the icon. 

Bernadette Peters closed the evening with an emotional rendition of “I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together,” fittingly finishing her performance with Burnett’s classic ear tug. 

On “Palm Royale,” Burnett played Norma Dellacorte, a central figure in the lives of the ladies of Palm Beach. But Burnett became a Hollywood fixture long before she stepped into the role — the star is perhaps best known for “The Carol Burnett Show,” which ran for 11 seasons from 1967 to 1978. Previously, Burnett told Variety that “Palm Royale” would likely be her last acting job as she began to retire from being onscreen. “Probably,” she said, before adding, “Unless there’s a cameo or something fun!”

Before the panel turned into a celebration of Burnett, the legendary actress talked about playing Norma. “When [Abe Sylvia] called me, he said, ‘We’re going to do this show and we’d love you to be in it.’ I said, ‘Well, who’s in it?’ He said, ‘Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney, Leslie Bibb, Laura Dern, Ricky [Martin].’ I said, ‘Stop. I’m in. I don’t care what you want me to do. I want to lock eyeballs with all of these people,’” she recalled. “We had a great time and now I’ve got all these new young friends. It’s wonderful.” 

“Palm Royale” creator Sylvia and cast members Wiig, Martin, Bibb, Mindy Cohn, Julia Duffy, Amber Chardae Robinson and Josh Lucas also joined the panel to discuss their experiences working on the season. 

See more photos from the night below.