Johnny Carson

John William "Johnny" Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American actor, comedian and writer best known for his iconic status as the host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

The Tonight Show

Carson became the host of NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in October 1962. His co-host was Ed McMahon throughout his entire tenure with the program.

Related Topics:
NBC - The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson - 1962 - Ed McMahon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

With millions of people, watching The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson at the end of the evening became a ritual, and Carson became a well-known entertainer loved by many. Most of the later shows began with music and the announcement by Ed McMahon "Heeeeeere's Johnny!," followed by a brief comedic monologue by Carson. This was often followed by comedy sketches, interviews, and music. Carson's trademark was a phantom golf swing at the end of his Tonight Show monologues, aimed at stage left where the band was. Guest hosts would sometimes parody that gesture. Bob Newhart, for example, would finish by simulating rolling a bowling ball toward the audience.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The show was originally produced in New York City, with occasional stints in California. It was not live in its early years. The program had been done "live on tape" (uninterrupted unless a serious problem occurred) since the Jack Paar days. In May 1972 the show permanently moved from New York to Burbank, California.

Related Topics:
New York City - California - 1972 - Burbank, California

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the move, Carson stopped doing shows five days a week. Instead, on Monday nights there was a "guest host" (leaving Carson to do the other four each week). Joan Rivers became the "permanent" guest host from September 1983 until 1986. Thereafter, The Tonight Show returned to using various guest hosts, with Jay Leno the most frequent. Leno then became the exclusive guest host in the fall of 1987. Eventually, the pattern became relatively set. Monday night was for Jay Leno. Tuesday night was for the Best of Carson, which were rebroadcasts of earlier episodes (usually of a year previous but occasionally back into the 1970s with edited episodes).

Related Topics:
Joan Rivers - "permanent" guest host - Jay Leno

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carson was often at his best, however, when sketches went wrong, as they often did. If the opening monologue fared poorly, the band would start playing the song "Tea for Two" and Carson would start to dance, which invariably earned laughs from the studio audience. Alternately, Carson might pull down the boom mike close to his face and announce "Attention K-Mart shoppers!" Carson had a talent for declaring quick quips to deal with unexpected problems.

Related Topics:
Boom mike - K-Mart

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carson's show was the launching pad for many talented performers, notably comedians. Many got their "big break" by appearing on the show, and it was considered the crowning achievement to not only get Johnny to laugh out loud, but also to be called over to the guest chair. In many ways, Carson was the successor to The Ed Sullivan Show as a showcase for all kinds of talent, as well as continuing the Vaudeville variety-show tradition.

Related Topics:
The Ed Sullivan Show - Vaudeville

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Critical acclaim

Carson was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987. His other awards include 6 Emmy Awards, and a George Foster Peabody Award. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 1993.

Related Topics:
Television Academy Hall of Fame - 1987 - Emmy Awards - George Foster Peabody Award - Presidential Medal of Freedom - 1992 - Kennedy Center Honors - 1993

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~