About
"The most important thing for a talk show host is to listen. If they don't listen they're going to miss great opportunities. Try to make the guest look good, not necessarily make yourself look good."
In his two-hour interview, Peter Lassally talks about his early years and his family fleeing Germany during World War II. He describes his first jobs in broadcasting at WOR and as a page at NBC. He recounts his time working with Arthur Godfrey and scouting talent for him. Lassally recalls going to work for Johnny Carson and talks about the many aspects of producing The Tonight Show, including booking and briefing guests and splitting producer duties with Fred De Cordova. He outlines his personal and professional relationship with Carson, and speaks of Carson's retirement in 1992. Lassally talks about his involvement in starting The Late Show with David Letterman for CBS, and producing The Late Late Show with hosts Tom Snyder and Craig Ferguson. He concludes by offering advice to aspiring talk show hosts and producers, and discussing how he'd like to be remembered. Beth Cochran conducted the interview on February 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Peter Lassally on going to work for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on booking guests for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on his involvement in sketches and other elements of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on leaving The Late Show with David Letterman to produce The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder
Peter Lassally on how his German family was affected by World War II
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on how his family was affected by World War II; on working as a page for NBC and working at WOR radio
On going to work for Arthur Godfrey; on going to work for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; on working with Fred De Cordova as producer of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
On his day-to-day responsibilities on The Tonight Show; on collaborating with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show; on booking guests for The Tonight Show
On sexual tension between host and guest on talk shows; on Joan Rivers as guest host of The Tonight Show; on Johnny Carson retiring from The Tonight Show
Chapter 2
On briefing guests for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; on Jay Leno succeeding Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show; on starting The Late Show with David Letterman
On leaving The Late Show with David Letterman to produce The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder; on being a consultant for The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
On guest hosts to replace Craig Kilborn; on producing The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
On appearing on David Letterman's tribute to Johnny Carson; on being known as "The Host Whisperer"; on advice to aspiring producers and how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Arthur Godfrey Show, The
Peter Lassally on going to work for Arthur Godfrey and scouting talent
Late Show with David Letterman
Peter Lassally on Jay Leno succeeding Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show; on starting The Late Show with David Letterman
Peter Lassally on leaving The Late Show with David Letterman to produce The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder
Peter Lassally on David Letterman as a performer
Peter Lassally on appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman's tribute to Johnny Carson
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
Peter Lassally on going to work for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on splitting producing duties with Fred De Cordova on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on his personal and professional relationship with Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on his day-to-day responsibilities as a producer on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and dealing and with talent
Peter Lassally on collaborating with Johnny Carson as producer of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on booking guests for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on sexual tension between a host and a guest on a talk show
Peter Lassally on Joan Rivers guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and leaving for her own show
Peter Lassally on Johnny Carson retiring from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on briefing guests for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on his involvement in sketches and other elements of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on Jay Leno succeeding Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show; on starting The Late Show with David Letterman
Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The
Peter Lassally on Jay Leno succeeding Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show; on starting The Late Show with David Letterman
Topics
Advice
Peter Lassally on advice to aspiring producers
Peter Lassally on advice to aspiring talk show hosts
Historic Events and Social Change
Peter Lassally on how his German family was affected by World War II
Television Industry
Peter Lassally on advice to aspiring producers
Peter Lassally on advice to aspiring talk show hosts
War
Peter Lassally on how his German family was affected by World War II
World War II
Peter Lassally on how his German family was affected by World War II
Professions
Genres
Talk Shows
Peter Lassally on producing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (Part 1)
Peter Lassally on producing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (Part 2)
Peter Lassally on producing The Late Show with David Letterman
Peter Lassally on producing The Late Late Show
People
Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on going to work for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on his personal and professional relationship with Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on Johnny Carson retiring from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peter Lassally on appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman's tribute to Johnny Carson
Fred de Cordova
Peter Lassally on splitting producing duties with Fred De Cordova on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Arthur Godfrey
Peter Lassally on going to work for Arthur Godfrey and scouting talent
Jay Leno
Peter Lassally on Jay Leno succeeding Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show; on starting The Late Show with David Letterman
David Letterman
Peter Lassally on Jay Leno succeeding Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show; on starting The Late Show with David Letterman
Peter Lassally on leaving The Late Show with David Letterman to produce The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder
Peter Lassally on appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman's tribute to Johnny Carson
Joan Rivers
Peter Lassally on Joan Rivers guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and leaving for her own show
Tom Snyder
Peter Lassally on leaving The Late Show with David Letterman to produce The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder