Posted on 05/07/2012 8:48:37 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Johnny Carson taking over “The Tonight Show” stage from Jack Paar. It is also the 20th anniversary of Carson’s retirement. But how much do most people really know about the television legend away from the lights and cameras?
In a new documentary, “American Masters Johnny Carson: King of Late Night,” filmmakers Peter Jones and Susan Lacy peel back the many layers of the comedian’s life and career, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the man who won the collective heart of a nation.
“The gift Johnny had was that he just had a magical way of connecting with the audience in a way no one had done before, or has done since,” Jones told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column. “He was able to connect with everyone -- from young and old -- while maintaining his own sense of self. He was the most famous man in America, and yet we really didn’t know who he was.”
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
what kind of mean mom would say he is not funny
CARNAC (Holding the envelope to his forehead): "Sis, Boom, Bah."
ED McMAHON (Reading the question): "What does it sound like when a sheep explodes?"
Carson was an outstanding entertainer and always displayed class with a sense oh humor. He had a right to his privacy and, in my mind, still does. What purpose does a psychological profile being televised at this point serve. He wasn’t a leader of a nation, church or ideology. Leave us our memories of his public side and spare us the trashing that usually comes with these documentaries.
What sets Carson apart from the rest was his ability to conduct both a serious or a comedic interview. And he was good at both.
Since Carson, the networks have chosen only professional clowns to do late-night. They don’t have anyone who can mix it up a bit. Leno can’t. Letterman can’t. Don Imus does both types of interviews, but sucks at both.
Thanks. I was worried. Glad this was not a continued assault on our memories.
Say what you will about the guy, but Howard Stern is one of the best interviewers out there.
I, too, remember watching the show that night. Absolutely hysterical. Time sure does fly!
Johnny as a political candidate giving a speech while hooked up to a polygraph is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen on TV.
One who was extremely jealous of his success. Johnny Carson was the kind of person that everyone loved and welcomed into their homes via the Tonight Show. There are a lot of Hollywood mothers who push their children into show business to live vicariously through them. Strangely, it's a double edged sword because when the children do attain success and popularity, the Mother's animus toward the child appears.
“Johnny barging in on the live taping of CPO Sharkey to confront Don Rickles over a broken cigar box.”
Yes!
That is the only time I ever saw Rickles without a snappy comeback! He just stood there with his mouth open. I bet nobody else ever made that happen!
CARNAC (Reading the question): "What forms on your dippity in the morning?"
I always thought he was at his funniest when he reacted to jokes in his monologue that didn't go over well. His ad-libbed comebacks were simply the best.
Everytime Rodney Dangerfield came on, I would miss half of the jokes because I’d still be laughing at the previous one.
Doesn't appear to be. It appears to be an attempt at an honest appreciation of Carson. It may displease both his admirers and his critics (whomever they may be and however misguided).
Bill Katz was a producer on the Tonight show and is an occasional contributor to Powerlineblog.com . He worked with Carson for over twenty years and is a big admirer of Carson both personally and professionally. Katz' remininscenecs (Parts I - IV) can be found at:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2007/06/017661.php
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2007/06/017710.php
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2007/10/018823.php
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/12/025263.php
Hs timing was so perfect you'd have thought he invented it.
I’m sure the gay community will say he was secretly gay.
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2007/06/017661.php
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2007/06/017710.php
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2007/10/018823.php
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/12/025263.php
I saw that CPO Sharkey invasion either in first run or a best of. Fabulous. One of the few times that Rickles was speechless.
I’ll never forget the night Ed Ames threw the tomahawk....Johnny looked truly...pained... through his hilarious fit. I almost peed my 14 yr. old pants.
A: Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.
Q: What’s the best thing to do if you swallow a hand grenade?
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