Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

A long-running late night program, The Tonight Show was the first, and for decades the most-watched, network talk program on television. Since 1954 NBC has aired a number of versions of the show which has, as of the mid-1990s, seen four principle hosts and one consistent format except for a brief diversion in its early days. What started out as a music, comedy and talk program first hosted by Steve Allen became, for a time, a magazine-type program, broadcasting news and entertainment segments from various correspondents located in different cities nationally. That short-lived format, however, lacked the appeal of a comedy-interview show revolving around one dynamic host. From mid-1957 until the present, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Jay Leno have all three followed Allen's lead and hosted a show of celebrity interviews, humor and music, each host leading his show with signature style. Late night talk in the first three decades of television was dominated by the Tonight Show, and for the majority of that time by Johnny Carson. However, during the 1980s and early 1990s the late-night landscape began to change as more talk shows took to the air. Change was accelerated by the appeal of David Letterman and a combination of other factors, including inexpensive production, audience interest in celebrity and entertainment gossip, and an overall increased reliance on the talk show as forum for information and debate about the important as well as unimportant issues of the day. The late-night talk genre expanded as network competitors and comrades sought the kind of success that was originally the province of the Tonight Show.

Each of the Tonight Show principal hosts brought his own unique talent and title to the program. All of the shows featured an opening monologue, a sidekick or co-host, in-house musicians and cadre of guest hosts. Steve Allen's Tonight! featured his musical talents and penchant for unique comedy. He was well known for performing his own musical numbers on the piano and for humorous antics such as on-the-street improvisations and bantering with the audience, both of which were forerunners to the kinds of comedy stunts that became a staple much later on Late Night with David Letterman, also on NBC. In 1957 Allen left Tonight! to concentrate on another variety show he hosted on Sunday evenings. Allen's version of the show was immediately followed by the unsuccessful magazine format, Tonight: America After Dark, which lasted only a few weeks. That show was led by Jack Lescoulie, but he was never the central figure Allen had been. Essentially, Lescoulie introduced the segments and correspondents around the nation.

In July 1957 Jack Paar took over as new host of The Jack Paar Tonight Show. Paar brought the show back to its in-studio interview format. More a conversationalist than comedian, audiences were drawn to Paar's show because of the interesting guests be brought on, from entertainers to politicians, and for the controversy that occasionally erupted there. Paar did not shy away from politics or confrontation, and often became emotionally involved with his subject matter and guests. He had a few stormy run-ins, both on camera and off, and finally left the show following controversy surrounding his broadcast from the Berlin Wall in 1962. With another change in hosts came a complete change in tone and style.

In October, 1962 Johnny Carson took over as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Carson was more emotionally detached and less political than Paar. He, like Allen, was a comic. Named the king of late night, Carson hosted the show for thirty years, from 1962 to 1992. During that time the show moved from New York City to Burbank, California. Carson was known for his glib sense of humor and his middle-American appeal, and quickly recognized his increasing popularity as well as the strain of doing comedy and talk five nights a week. He threatened to leave the show, but was lured back with a generous offer that included a huge salary increase and more time off. 

When Carson retired Jay Leno was appointed the next principal host of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Leno, a well-known stand-up comedian, brought to the show his own writers and comic style, showcasing it in his opening monologues and banter with guests.

Changes in Leno's show reflected other major changes in television since its earlier days. By the late 1980s late-night talk had become slightly less a white male domain. Joan Rivers hosted her own talk show for a short time, and popular black comedian Arsenio Hall had his own show which enjoyed a wide following, attracting mostly a young black audience, a segment previously ignored in late night talk. The first leader of Jay Leno's late night studio band was the accomplished black jazz musician Branford Marsalis. The second band leader and Leno sidekick was Kevin Eubanks, also black. A big change for The Tonight Show during Leno's tenure was its first serious competition.

Starting in the mid- to late-1980s, television talk shows, both daytime and late-night, multiplied in number. The in-studio talk program was inexpensive to produce and audiences were increasingly drawn to the sensationalism and celebrity showcased each day and night on television. Some late-night talk shows--including those hosted by Joan Rivers, Chevy Chase and Pat Sajak on the FOX network--came and went quickly. Arsenio Hall's show was on the air for several years before cancellation. Especially successful in late night was the up-and-coming David Letterman. Late Night with David Letterman started out on NBC, airing immediately after The Tonight Show from 1982 until 1993. Passed over for the host position on The Tonight Show when Leno was chosen for the post, Letterman moved to CBS where his new show ran in direct competition with Leno.

For the first time The Tonight Show shared the late-night spotlight. The two host/comedians, Leno and Letterman, were polished performers with large audiences. They became, as Carson had been, the gauge by which mainstream entertainment and politics were measured. On both programs comedy was delivered--and guests and issues of day treated--the same way, as gossip and light entertainment. After four decades The Tonight Show was still outlining and defining, even when not at the forefront of, the essence of contemporary televised culture.

-Katherine Fry

THE TONIGHT SHOW

September 1954-January 1957

HOST

Steve Allen

Ernie Kovacs (1956-1957)

REGULAR PERFORMERS

Gene Rayburn

Steve Lawrence

Eydie Gorme

Pat Marshall (1954-1955)

Pat Kirby (1955-1957)

Hy Averback (1955)

Skitch Henderson and His Orchestra

Peter Handley (1956-1957)

Maureen Arthur (1956-1957)

Bill Wendell (1956-1957)

Barbara Loden (1956-1957)

LeRoy Holmes and Orchestra (1956-1957)

TONIGHT! AMERICA AFTER DARK

28 January 1957-26 July 1957

HOST

Jack Lescoulie (January-June)

Al "Jazzbo" Collins (June-July

THE JACK PAAR SHOW

July 1957-March 1962

HOST

Jack Paar

REGULAR PERFORMERS

Hugh Downs

Jose Melis and Orchestra

Tedi Thurman (1957)

Dody Goodman (1957-1958)

THE TONIGHT SHOW

2 April 1962-28 September 1962

ANNOUNCER

Hugh Downs

John Haskell

Ed Herlihy

REGULAR PERFORMERS

Skitch Henderson and His Orchestra

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON

October 1962-May 1992

HOST

Johnny Carson

REGULAR PERFORMERS

Ed McMahon

Skitch Henderson (1962-1966)

Milton Delugg (1966-1967)

Doc Severinsen (1967-1992)

Tommy Newsom (1968-1992)

THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO

May 1992- May 2009

March 2010-February 2014

HOST

Jay Leno

REGULAR PERFORMERS

Branford Marsalis (1992-1995)

Kevin Eubanks (1995-2009)

THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN

May 2009-January 2010

HOST

Conan O'Brien

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON

February 2014--

HOST

Jimmy Fallon

PROGRAMMING HISTORY

NBC

September 1954-October 1956   Monday-Friday 11:30-1:00 A.M.

October 1956-January 1957   Monday-Friday 11:30-12:30 A.M.

January 1957-December 1966   Monday-Friday 11:15-1:00 A.M.

January 1965-September 1966   Saturday or Sunday 11:15-1:00 A.M.

September 1966-September 1975   Saturday or Sunday 11:30-1:00 A.M.

January 1967-September 1980   Monday-Friday 11:30-1:00 A.M.

September 1980-August 1991   Monday-Friday 11:30-12:30 A.M.

September 1991   Monday-Friday 11:35-12:35 A.M.

FURTHER READING

Carter, Bill. The Late Shift: Letterman, Leno, and the Network Battle for the Night. New York: Hyperion, 1994.

Cox, Stephen. Here's Johnny!: Thirty Years of America's Favorite Late-Night Entertainment. New York: Harmony, 1992.

De Cordova, Frederick. Johnny Came Lately: An Autobiography. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1988.

Metz, Robert. The Tonight Show. New York: Playboy, 1980.

Munson, Wayne. All Talk: The Talkshow in Media Culture. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press, 1993.

Smith, Ronald L. Johnny Carson: An Unauthorized Biography. New York: St. Martin's, 1987.

Tynan, Kenneth. Show People. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1979.

Highlights
Ed McMahon on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson moving from New York City to Burbank, CA in 1972, and on the show later being shortened to an hour
04:55
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on being involved in sketches on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:12
Garry Shandling on getting discovered as a stand-up comic and getting booked on The Tonight Show
06:59
Fred de Cordova on comedians on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:13
Joan Rivers on becoming permanent guest host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and her difficulties with NBC
04:56
Della Reese on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:55
Who talked about this show

Alan Alda

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Alan Alda on the network's objection to his showing a clip from his movie "The Four Seasons" on The Tonight Show
02:12

Steve Allen

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Steve Allen on being in awe of how Johnny Carson stayed at The Tonight Show for thirty years
00:36

Shelley Berman

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Shelley Berman on his appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as an established comedian
01:42

Allan Blye

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Allan Blye on the popularity of Bob Einstein's "Super Dave Osborne" character, including appearances on The Tonight Show and in a Nike commercial
01:00

Pat Boone

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Pat Boone on performing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
07:24

Al Borden

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Al Borden on working on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
04:20

Ernest Borgnine

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Ernest Borgnine on his many appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
04:26
Ernest Borgnine on the thoughts on saying "I love you" that he expressed on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:57

Ken Burns

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Ken Burns on his appearance on Tonight after the broadcast of his documentary, The Civil War
01:15

Robert Caminiti

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Robert Caminiti on stage managing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on working at 30 Rockefeller Plaza
01:11

Marcy Carsey

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Marcy Carsey on her low level job at The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and transitioning to Assistant to the Associate Producer
02:09

Dick Cavett

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Dick Cavett on writing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and his friendship with Carson
02:27

Roy Clark

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Roy Clark on being a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson while Jimmy Dean was guest-hosting
03:29
Roy Clark on guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:47
Roy Clark on guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on deciding what to play on shows
03:02
Roy Clark on some of the guests he had on while guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on his friendship with James Cagney
06:37

Hal Cooper

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Hal Cooper on Allan Sherman insisting Bill Cosby be a guest on The Tonight Show
02:00

Billy Crystal

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Billy Crystal on his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
08:43

Fred de Cordova

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Fred de Cordova on becoming the producer of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
05:51
Fred de Cordova on his duties as producer on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:48
Fred de Cordova on the format of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:07
Fred de Cordova on the talents of Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:30
Fred de Cordova on his personal relationship with Johnny Carson
03:32
Fred de Cordova on his daily routine on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson including Johnny Carson's monologue
04:18
Fred de Cordova on getting guests and guest hosts for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
05:16
Fred de Cordova on Ed McMahon and Doc Severneson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:34
Fred de Cordova on Bobby Quinn as the director of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and various coordinators
01:54
Fred de Cordova on Johnny Carson's fondness for having Jimmy Stewart as a Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson guest
01:42
Fred de Cordova on David Letterman as a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
00:53
Fred de Cordova on the non-celebrity guests on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:04
Fred de Cordova on comedians on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:13
Fred de Cordova on the sketches of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:54
Fred de Cordova on the commercial breaks on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
00:45
Fred de Cordova on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson moving from New York to Burbank and the studio audience 
02:29
Fred de Cordova on issues with standards and practices on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:21
Fred de Cordova on choosing the guest hosts for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and the show's relationship with NBC executives
03:36
Fred de Cordova on Joan Rivers and Jay Leno guest hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:10
Fred de Cordova on Johnny Carson's retirement from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:08

Milton Delugg

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Milton Delugg on the genesis of The Tonight Show with host Steve Allen, and on getting called to be the conductor on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:39
Milton Delugg on being hired as conductor (replacing Skitch Henderson) on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, on working with the band, on working with musical guests, and on being on-camera on the show
09:46

Phyllis Diller

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Phyllis Diller on being a guest on the Tonight Show for the wedding of Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki (airdate: December 17,1969)
03:00

Mike Douglas

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Mike Douglas on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:00
Mike Douglas on The Tonight Show producer Fred De Cordova
00:42

Hugh Downs

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Hugh Downs on not being offered the Tonight Show despite having substituted for Jack Paar the most
00:49

Stephanie Edwards

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Stephanie Edwards on her appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:27

Bob Elliott

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Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and various other talk shows
04:16

Kevin Eubanks

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Kevin Eubanks on watching The Tonight Show when he was a kid
00:31

Charles Fox

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Composer Charles Fox on arranging for The Tonight Show early in his career; on Ed Ames' famous tomahawk stunt
06:35

Brad Garrett

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Brad Garrett on appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
01:13

Mitzi Gaynor

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Mitzi Gaynor on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:01

Carl Gottlieb

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Carl Gottlieb on doing comedy advertising spots during The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
09:08

Lee Grant

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Lee Grant on causing a stir on The Tonight Show when she appeared shortly after the cancellation of her sitcom Fay
01:38

Charles Grodin with Emerson College

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Charles Grodin on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman
05:30

Florence Henderson

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Florence Henderson on working with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
07:04

Skitch Henderson

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Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on returning to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:32
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on working with Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
04:30
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on how the music on Steve Allen's Tonight differed from the music on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:12
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on being involved in sketches on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:12
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on the "Stump the Band" segment from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on other recurring segments featuring the band on the show
03:53
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on dealing with sound on television as opposed to a live performance
01:11
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on doing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson from 11:15pm to 11:30pm with Ed McMahon in the early years, and on the wardrobe of the band
03:29
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on leaving The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1966
01:56
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on the legacy of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:00

Al Jean

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Al Jean on writing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
06:00
Al Jean on writing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:45

Lynwood King

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Lynwood King on filling in as director of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on working with Carson, Ed McMahon, and Doc Severinsen
05:43
Lynwood King on some of his favorite moments of directing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:03

Arnie Kogen

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Arnie Kogen on being hired to write for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and on the process of writing for the show
04:40

Peter Lassally

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Peter Lassally on going to work for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:51
Peter Lassally on booking guests for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:12
Peter Lassally on his involvement in sketches and other elements of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:49
Peter Lassally on splitting producing duties with Fred De Cordova on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:11
Peter Lassally on his personal and professional relationship with Johnny Carson
06:23
Peter Lassally on his day-to-day responsibilities as a producer on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and dealing and with talent
07:46
Peter Lassally on collaborating with Johnny Carson as producer of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
05:48
Peter Lassally on sexual tension between a host and a guest on a talk show
04:27
Peter Lassally on Joan Rivers guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and leaving for her own show
05:06
Peter Lassally on Johnny Carson retiring from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:12
Peter Lassally on briefing guests for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:09
Peter Lassally on Jay Leno succeeding Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show; on starting The Late Show with David Letterman
17:35

Warren Littlefield

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Warren Littlefield on The Tonight Show's transition from host Johnny Carson to Jay Leno
07:23

A.C. Lyles

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A.C. Lyles on Johnny Carson plugging Here's Boomer on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on his friendship with Carson
04:50

Barry Manilow

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Barry Manilow on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:32

Bob McGrath

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Bob McGrath on singing "Danny Boy" in Japanese on The Tonight Show
00:31

Ed McMahon

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Ed McMahon on Edward R. Murrow's Person to Person, and on a favorite Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson sketch of his, which spawned a running joke
04:12
Ed McMahon on Who Do You Trust? and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson producer Art Stark
01:19
Ed McMahon on his and Johnny Carson's first night on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on October 1, 1962, and on Fred de Cordova eventually taking over as producer
05:20
Ed McMahon on his and Johnny Carson's first Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson broadcast, and his "Here's Johnny!" introduction
05:18
Ed McMahon on the early set of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Johnny's golf swing, and on filling ninety minutes each night
04:38
Ed McMahon on the style and tone of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as opposed to earlier talk show hosts like Jack Paar, and on how Carson's style evolved over the years
08:10
Ed McMahon on first doing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson live, and late switching to "live to tape," taping a few hours before air
04:23
Ed McMahon on what he remembers about the aftermath of the very first Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson broadcast, and on avoiding staff meetings
02:29
Ed McMahon on the succession of Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson producers, including Perry Cross, Art Stark, Rudy Tellez, and Fred De Cordova
01:57
Ed McMahon on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson theme song, co-written by Paul Anka and Carson
02:04
Ed McMahon on his on-screen chemistry with Johnny Carson and Skitch Henderson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on Henderson leaving the show
03:54
Ed McMahon on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson moving from New York City to Burbank, CA in 1972, and on the show later being shortened to an hour
04:55
Ed McMahon on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson going to one hour in 1980, and on cutting back to three nights a week
04:34
Ed McMahon on how his role on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson expanded over the years, and on being considered Carson's "second banana"
06:26
Ed McMahon on the Carnac "sis-boom-bah" joke on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on what Carson would do if a joke bombed
04:56
Ed McMahon on the famous Ed Ames tomahawk throwing incident on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:00
Ed McMahon on Tiny Tim getting married on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:14
Ed McMahon on Johnny Carson dealing with animals on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:16
Ed McMahon on a 1971 earthquake that occurred while he was in Los Angeles to tape The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on an aftershock happening live on the air
02:10
Ed McMahon on Myrtle Young, the "potato chip lady" appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:25
Ed McMahon on Jimmy Stewart's many Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson appearances, and on Ed and Johnny's fondness for him
03:27
Ed McMahon on Michael Landon's last Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson appearance
00:51
Ed McMahon on Elizabeth Taylor appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:05
Ed McMahon on what makes a great talk show guest, and on the importance of non-celebrity guests on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:22
Ed McMahon on Lucille Ball appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:24
Ed McMahon on Jack Benny appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:56
Ed McMahon on Freddie Prinze appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on the various comedians who appeared on the show over the years
04:31
Ed McMahon on the musical guests of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, including Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett
01:49
Ed McMahon on the various guest hosts of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, including Joan Rivers and David Letterman
03:49
Ed McMahon on Johnny Carson announcing he was leaving The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
04:06
Ed McMahon on the guests during the final weeks of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on the final episode
02:50
Ed McMahon on the second-to-last show for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, featuring Bette Midler and Robin Williams
05:48
Ed McMahon on his favorite moments of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
08:25
Ed McMahon on the legacy of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
04:44
Ed McMahon on Johnny Carson post-The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:35
Ed McMahon on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson moving from New York City to Burbank, CA in 1972, and on the show later being shortened to an hour
04:55

Tony Mottola

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Tony Mottola on becoming a guitarist for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson  
02:49
Tony Mottola on working with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson  and teaching Carson to play the guitar
05:21
Tony Mottola on a photo with Skitch Henderson and Johnny Carson on the set of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
00:45

Bob Newhart

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Bob Newhart on guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
04:23

Gail Parent

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Gail Parent on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:56

Suzanne Pleshette

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Suzanne Pleshette on guest-hosting The Tonight Show
01:46

Della Reese

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Della Reese on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:55
Della Reese on suffering an aneurysm while working on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:04

John Rich

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John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")
01:04

Hank Rieger

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Hank Rieger on publicity for The Tonight Show and working with Johnny Carson
01:30

Joan Rivers

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Joan Rivers on dealing with censorship on television
02:00
Joan Rivers on her first time appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:35
Joan Rivers on becoming permanent guest host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and her difficulties with NBC
04:56
Joan Rivers on her relationship with Johnny Carson
02:00
Joan Rivers on her final appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:05

Paul Rodriguez with Emerson College

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Paul Rodriguez on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:41

Fred Rogers

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Fred Rogers on imitations of him on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and by Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live
03:24

Mickey Rooney

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Mickey Rooney on not being invited back on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
00:49

Pat Sajak

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Pat Sajak on possibly guest hosting for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:04

Herbert S. Schlosser

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Herbert S. Schlosser on NBC's relationship with Bob Hope and Johnny Carson
07:00

Garry Shandling

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Garry Shandling on getting discovered as a stand-up comic and getting booked on The Tonight Show
06:59
Garry Shandling on his interest in hosting The Tonight Show when Joan Rivers left
02:44

Cybill Shepherd

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Cybill Shepherd on talk show appearances: with Johnny Carson as host
00:35

G.E. Smith

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G.E. Smith on playing guitar for David Bowie and appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:32

Suzanne Somers

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Suzanne Somers on how she first came to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in her early career
03:12
Suzanne Somers on how she was cast on Three's Company by ABC exec Fred Silverman, who had seen her on The Tonight Show
03:02

Bruce Vilanch

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Bruce Vilanch on helping Bette Midler with her farewell appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
00:57

Jimmie Walker

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Jimmie Walker on his goal to appear on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and on working with Bette Midler at the Continental Baths
06:23

Joseph A. Wapner

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Joseph Wapner on trying a case between David Letterman on Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:54

Keenen Ivory Wayans

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Keenen Ivory Wayans on first appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1983 and what it meant for him personally ("it's like stepping into your dream"); on being asked to sit with Johnny after his act; on what re-living that moment in later years and how that appearance impacted him
04:45

Dr. Ruth Westheimer

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Dr. Ruth Westheimer on being a guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; on crediting her popularity with college students to David Letterman
01:06

Vanna White

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Vanna White on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:01

Fred Willard

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Fred Willard on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
03:31

Jonathan Winters

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Jonathan Winters on the special quality Johnny Carson brought to The Tonight Show
04:39

Steven Wright with Emerson College

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Steven Wright on his first time performing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and getting asked to come talk to Carson after his set
08:24
Steven Wright on wanting to be a comedian because of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
00:24
Steven Wright on first watching The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson with his older brother (who loved Johnny Carson), and then wanting to become a comedian
02:19
Steven Wright on being influenced by the comics he saw on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
00:28
Steven Wright on how his first time on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson came about
05:52
Steven Wright on his second time performing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson -- less than a week after his first performance
02:03
Steven Wright on his performance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson that was interrupted (his fourth or fifth performance on the show)
03:03

Alan Zweibel

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Alan Zweibel on learning to write jokes by watching shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show
03:52

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