[kidd]

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.

[dfwgator]

Say what you will about the guy, but Howard Stern is one of the best interviewers out there.

[tarheelswamprat]

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.

In addition, unlike these others, Carson was never ideological, petty or just plain mean.