I couldn’t agree more! I started watching The Tonight Show in 1966, and I’ve been in mourning ever since he retired, until I’ve been able to watch him here. I’ve never watched a late night TV show since Johnny retired. You have excellent taste.
@janeceeastwood8035 good for you. I'm only 26 but I love johnny carson. I had a plan to watch every episode from beginning to end but then I found out the tapes are lost and most of the episodes are gone, especially the early ones 😢
NO KIDDING!!!?? The legendary Mr. De Cordova comes on camera with Johnny? I can hardly believe it! I love the way he comes on the stage from the wrong direction. What a character, and he himself rather comes across like Jack Benny. A very expressive voice and distinctive mannerisms. I'm keepin this one.
As someone who has just gotten into Carson a few weeks ago and has spent some time catching up and getting to know some of the legendary guests, it is a blessing to have even more stuff come out after almost 4 decades!
@@vap0rland In 1962 if i have the starting year for the John Carson,tonight show. John made you feel intelligent by watching his show. John made 500 dallors a show and i made 5 dallors a day on weekends,working in the fields clearing weeds 11:40 .
My Fred De Cordova story: He was a producer on the tonight show when Leno took over. Leno was annoying as an interviewer, would be busy thinking about what he was going to say next instead of listening to the guests. Patrick Stewart was on and said, there are 3 great chairs to sit in, The Oval Office, which he said he got a chance to sit in, the Captains chair on the Enterprise, which he obviously sat in and the tonight show chair/desk. It went right over Leno's head and he kept talking. I was furious how he stepped right on a chance to Let Stewart sit in the chair. The next day I called NBC and asked to speak to Freddie, expecting to get a secretary or an assistant. He answered he own phone, with that very distinct voice "Hello". I was speechless for a few seconds and then continued to tell him what happened the night before, he listened and we chatted back and for for a few minutes about how I was a fan of Benny, Burns & Allen, etc.... I have a huge autographed picture collection and asked if he could send me one. He laughed and said it's been YEARS since he's needed a head shot. But I persisted and said if you EVER get a chance and could send me one, I'd be grateful and he's be in good company in my collection, that I wasn't looking to sell it, it was only for me. About a month later his autographed pic arrived at my house with a note saying, I did a photoshoot so I could send this to you personally. How cool is that....they don't make people like this anymore.
One of my favorite exchanges between the two is when Johnny is bombing during his monologue (around 1987), and goes up to Fred standing offstage to ask this question: Carson: "Isn't it supposed to be that I do the jokes and get the big laughs?" De Cordova: "Why don't you try it for a while?" Oof! 😅
Wonderful exchange. The best late night talk show host of all time with his best executive producer in conversation. Perfection! Too bad Johnny never had him on after the incident after Johnny’s son’s untimely death. I will pray for America. Please pray for me. God Bless you.
Best line in that film The King Of Comedy is when Rupert Pupkin goes to the Jerry Langford show the night he’s supposed to go on. He’s talking to the police and FBI and says “gentlemen I’ll answer all your questions later but right now I have to go to makeup to put a little color on my face!” Then he looks at the cops and FBI guys and smiles. The FBI agent says to Pupkin “I’d like to put a little color on you face right now!”
After Carson’s son was killed in Automobile accident, Carson was showing his son Ricks photos he took before he died, Fred Decorva told Johnny Carson to hurry up because of a commercial break, Johnny Carson NEVER spoke to Decordva AGAIN, had him come into a different entrance of the NBC Burbank studio, Carson wanted him GONE but NBC said no, It was 3 Years later Carson Retired.
I remember visiting LA in the ‘80s and having dinner at Spago. Seated at the table next to me was Fred de Cordova and super agent to the stars, Swifty Lazar. You know I had to eavesdrop just a bit when they started taking about a party they had attended with Liz Taylor.
When Carson was talking about his son's death, toward the end of the show, Fred gave him a hurry up sign, Carson got hot and banned Fred from being there, and also Carson hated Hope as a guest.
💯 correct, and I have read enough of B Hope that portrays him in a different light than what he portrayed himself to be. I do give him lots of kudos for entertaining the military troops overseas for many decades though, but he certainly could be a feisty fellow, I reckon no one’s perfect.
Yes, sadly Fred & Johnny’s story didn’t end happily ever after. As you mentioned, Fred fell out with Johnny, and became financially stretched; he spent $$ like there was no tomorrow. When Fred passed, his widow wound up moving to Mexico to live with the maid that she & Fred employed. Johnny did send the widow a very handsome check which Johnny referred to as a bonus for all of Fred’s service on the Tonight Show.
@@joannaedwards6325 Johnny’s son died in June of 1991. Johnny was talking about his son at the end of a show. Fred was concerned that the show was going long and was trying to get Johnny to wrap it up. Johnny was somewhat understandable was annoyed. i say somewhat because Johnny didn’t have the best relationship with his kids. Nonetheless he forbid Fred from being in the studio during the taping of the show for the remainder of his run. don’t quote me on this but i believe Peter Lassally took over the studio seat.
He was on the tonight show til 1997. Leno kept him on as a consultant. He died of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Hospital in Woodland Hills, California on September 15, 2001 at the young age of 90. Carson did not attend the service but wrote a letter of condolence to Janet Thomas (his wife) that detailed his admiration alongside a monetary check. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
It's funny because, I'm 74 years old and just last week, i was bitten by a spider and for the first time in 25 years, i went to the doctors to get anti biotics to help cure those bites that infected my leg. I've smoked since I was 13, but i did stop drinking almost 24 years ago. I'm healthy, and never exercise, and people say I only look like I'm in my 40s-50s. My secret is, do what you like, and, "Dont Worry About It!"
Johnny sent Fred’s wife a check for $100 k when Fred died . Johnny however never buried the hatchet with Fred and was not speaking to him from 1991 to 2001 . We are all full of good and bad including Johnny Carson .
Fred has been around for a long time and knew everyone, why get married when you can have sex with some of the most beautiful woman in h-wood and drink a lot and smoke a lot too? The partying never stopped until he was in his '50's when he got married but I still think that didn't really stop him much.
A very smart man indeed Fred was, had I been in his shoes I would have waited until 60 to get married, meanwhile having fun and bedding those Hollyweird starlets.
They apparently had a falling out in 1991. After Carson's son Ricky was killed in an automobile accident; a month later, Carson paid tribute to his son at the end of a show. De Cordova was concerned that the show was going long and gave Carson the "wrap it up" sign😮. Carson was so infuriated that he no longer allowed de Cordova on the studio floor. Curious if there is any existing footage from that airing?
Not sure. He was fired and frozen out of Carson's life. A frequent occurrence with Carson. Fred imitated Jack Benny's mannerisms somewhat, as did Reagan.
I'm sure it had to be a difficult job for DeCordova if he was held responsible for the show running and at the same time apparently could be fired or told to stay off the floor by the people he was managing. Not sure if I'd want that job myself! Seems inevitable somebody will get mad at some point
Twice, when Jack Benny was on the show, and the next guest came out, Jack did not get up for the new guest to take the chair next to Johnny. I never saw any guest be so rude or, perhaps, absent minded. I could understand it happening the first time. But surely his wife, children, friends, show's staff, someone must have privately pointed out to him that he should have moved onto the couch so that the next guest could sit next to Johnny. And yet, Jack did it again on another show. The other guests that were on the couch moved over to make room for Jack. But Jack never left the chair next to Johnny. It was awkward to watch the next guest come out, greet Johnny, and then hesitate because Jack was sitting in their intended seat, and then the new guest took the couch. And the awkwardness continued, as Johnny and the new guest were talking passed Jack, and the new guest was leaning over. And the icing on the cake was that Jack kept interrupting, as if he was still the one being interviewed. Jack was either self-absorbed with himself, or clueless, or both. My money is on him being self-absorbed, because he did it on two of Johnny's shows.
Forgive my naive blinking lambness regarding Show Bizz but as "Producer" did Fred work for Johnny on the show, or was it the other way around? The jabs and jokes make it all kind of hard to figure out.
yes. when Johnny's son died, he was remember him on the air and Fred was signalling to Johnny to hurry it up. Like him talking about his son was like him talking to some other guest.
Carson does a terrible job of showing book or album covers while supposedly promoting them. Watch closely. He almost never shows the front and if so, very briefly. I find it odd and maybe suggests he actually hated ppl n wanted to on some level sabotage their potential success with a recent project. 😮😮😮😮😮😮
They mentioned a writers strike. This shows Carson new what is he was doing... He didn't need writers. Sure monologue was sorely missed but the show must go on. Unlike today losers that do it on their own.
Elegant and classy. I have the book. It is terrific. Mr. DeCordova lived an amazing life, and had an incredible career in Stage, Theater, Film, and Television.
*Pure class. There will NEVER be another late night host that can hold a candle to Carson.*
I couldn’t agree more! I started watching The Tonight Show in 1966, and I’ve been in mourning ever since he retired, until I’ve been able to watch him here. I’ve never watched a late night TV show since Johnny retired. You have excellent taste.
Perhaps a light bulb?😉
@@michaellinner7772 Not even a light bulb…just darkness.
@janeceeastwood8035 good for you. I'm only 26 but I love johnny carson. I had a plan to watch every episode from beginning to end but then I found out the tapes are lost and most of the episodes are gone, especially the early ones 😢
💯
NO KIDDING!!!?? The legendary Mr. De Cordova comes on camera with Johnny? I can hardly believe it! I love the way he comes on the stage from the wrong direction. What a character, and he himself rather comes across like Jack Benny. A very expressive voice and distinctive mannerisms. I'm keepin this one.
As someone who has just gotten into Carson a few weeks ago and has spent some time catching up and getting to know some of the legendary guests, it is a blessing to have even more stuff come out after almost 4 decades!
As a Johnny Carson fan for over 50 years, I’m glad you found him and appreciate him!
Way to go!
i remember as a teenager staying up late to watch johnny.
The one and only!
@@vap0rland
In 1962 if i have the starting year for the John Carson,tonight show.
John made you feel intelligent by
watching his show. John made 500 dallors a show and i made 5 dallors a day on weekends,working
in the fields clearing weeds 11:40 .
Fred was a LEGEND.
My Fred De Cordova story:
He was a producer on the tonight show when Leno took over. Leno was annoying as an interviewer, would be busy thinking about what he was going to say next instead of listening to the guests.
Patrick Stewart was on and said, there are 3 great chairs to sit in, The Oval Office, which he said he got a chance to sit in, the Captains chair on the Enterprise, which he obviously sat in and the tonight show chair/desk. It went right over Leno's head and he kept talking.
I was furious how he stepped right on a chance to Let Stewart sit in the chair.
The next day I called NBC and asked to speak to Freddie, expecting to get a secretary or an assistant. He answered he own phone, with that very distinct voice "Hello".
I was speechless for a few seconds and then continued to tell him what happened the night before, he listened and we chatted back and for for a few minutes about how I was a fan of Benny, Burns & Allen, etc....
I have a huge autographed picture collection and asked if he could send me one.
He laughed and said it's been YEARS since he's needed a head shot. But I persisted and said if you EVER get a chance and could send me one, I'd be grateful and he's be in good company in my collection, that I wasn't looking to sell it, it was only for me.
About a month later his autographed pic arrived at my house with a note saying, I did a photoshoot so I could send this to you personally.
How cool is that....they don't make people like this anymore.
Wow...great guy.
Never be a better show ever. RIP to the Legends!
I love this interaction with the executive producer!
I looked him up and he lived another 13 years = 90 years old. Passed in 2001, a month before his 91st birthday
That was cool of you to let us know that
Thank You Very Much
Attacks on the twin towers 2001. he died in 2001, coincidence? I don't think so...
Wow amazing if he didn't smoke and drank hed still be alive 😂😂
I think the smoking and drinking is what kept him going. I know that’s contrary to all medical science, but nevertheless
One of my favorite exchanges between the two is when Johnny is bombing during his monologue (around 1987), and goes up to Fred standing offstage to ask this question:
Carson: "Isn't it supposed to be that I do the jokes and get the big laughs?"
De Cordova: "Why don't you try it for a while?"
Oof! 😅
Interesting that Fred was born the same years as my dad, 1910, so at the time of this show, he was 78 years old! This is a great clip, thank you!
Wonderful exchange.
The best late night talk show host of all time with his best executive producer in conversation. Perfection!
Too bad Johnny never had him on after the incident after Johnny’s son’s untimely death.
I will pray for America.
Please pray for me.
God Bless you.
Look at the quality he had around him. Legends
He was so classy .. and so smart.. and so fast.. just a mega talented Giant in the industry.
During this interview De Cordova had been in show business for 55 years. That book could have been a lot bigger.
Back in the seventies I knew this nice guy for about 11 minutes.😊$
Kind of shy & soft spoken. Generous.
Johnny interviewed Fred (for the job) in 1970 with Henry Bushkin looking on. They both liked him immediately.
This is the executive producer who featured in the movie King of Comedy. The Scorsese film was based on the Carson show.
Scorsese wanted Johnny to star in that but he said no. Jerry Lewis played the role.
Best line in that film The King Of Comedy is when Rupert Pupkin goes to the Jerry Langford show the night he’s supposed to go on. He’s talking to the police and FBI and says “gentlemen I’ll answer all your questions later but right now I have to go to makeup to put a little color on my face!” Then he looks at the cops and FBI guys and smiles. The FBI agent says to Pupkin “I’d like to put a little color on you face right now!”
I LOVED this! Wish there were more, but thanks so much for the post!
After Carson’s son was killed in Automobile accident, Carson was showing his son Ricks photos he took before he died, Fred Decorva told Johnny Carson to hurry up because of a commercial break, Johnny Carson NEVER spoke to Decordva AGAIN, had him come into a different entrance of the NBC Burbank studio, Carson wanted him GONE but NBC said no, It was 3 Years later Carson Retired.
You would think Johnny would have understood why Fred did that after he cooled off.
In the airport waiting for my flight to London! Nice to see while I wait!
Prayerfully safe travels!
God Bless you.
I remember visiting LA in the ‘80s and having dinner at Spago. Seated at the table next to me was Fred de Cordova and super agent to the stars, Swifty Lazar. You know I had to eavesdrop just a bit when they started taking about a party they had attended with Liz Taylor.
Freddie sounds like Jack Benny
Totally agreed!
My vehicle's windshield has less glass than Fred's glasses.
Letterman once did a bit called "What's the deal with old guys and giant glasses?"
Lol! Right!
These guys on Tonight Show all were friends and chemistry between them. Never be another Show like Johnny Carsons Tonight!!!
When Carson was talking about his son's death, toward the end of the show, Fred gave him a hurry up sign, Carson got hot and banned Fred from being there, and also Carson hated Hope as a guest.
💯 correct, and I have read enough of B Hope that portrays him in a different light than what he portrayed himself to be. I do give him lots of kudos for entertaining the military troops overseas for many decades though, but he certainly could be a feisty fellow, I reckon no one’s perfect.
Yes, sadly Fred & Johnny’s story didn’t end happily ever after. As you mentioned, Fred fell out with Johnny, and became financially stretched; he spent $$ like there was no tomorrow. When Fred passed, his widow wound up moving to Mexico to live with the maid that she & Fred employed. Johnny did send the widow a very handsome check which Johnny referred to as a bonus for all of Fred’s service on the Tonight Show.
Very true.
Great guest!
*May 1988*
look how happy they look
*June 1991*
nevermind
So what happened in June of 1991?
Read the comment by tomburk8652 for your answer. They had a major falling out.
@@joannaedwards6325 Johnny’s son died in June of 1991. Johnny was talking about his son at the end of a show. Fred was concerned that the show was going long and was trying to get Johnny to wrap it up. Johnny was somewhat understandable was annoyed. i say somewhat because Johnny didn’t have the best relationship with his kids. Nonetheless he forbid Fred from being in the studio during the taping of the show for the remainder of his run. don’t quote me on this but i believe Peter Lassally took over the studio seat.
@@markjackson6431
👌 thanks for the
explanation.
I "HOPE" you will immediately upload Mr. Hope's segment for this particular broadcast, please.
I remember seeing this when it aired and wondered why fred wasn't a guest more often.
I read the book when it came out. Quite good,he had an interesting life.
Great interview
Freddy!!! 😁
He was on the tonight show til 1997. Leno kept him on as a consultant. He died of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Hospital in Woodland Hills, California on September 15, 2001 at the young age of 90. Carson did not attend the service but wrote a letter of condolence to Janet Thomas (his wife) that detailed his admiration alongside a monetary check. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
It's funny because, I'm 74 years old and just last week, i was bitten by a spider and for the first time in 25 years, i went to the doctors to get anti biotics to help cure those bites that infected my leg. I've smoked since I was 13, but i did stop drinking almost 24 years ago. I'm healthy, and never exercise, and people say I only look like I'm in my 40s-50s. My secret is, do what you like, and,
"Dont Worry About It!"
I'm 5 months late but here's what Mark Twain said:
Age is mind over matter. If you don't mind.... it doesn't matter!
Great show!
Thank you
"it's very important to never go to see a doctor, because it's their business to find something wrong with you."
Good lord, how many writer's strikes have there been?
It would have been great to see Rickles on with Freddie.. Don picked on Freddie non stop
Freddie De Cordeva De Cavida De Qivida
THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN JOHNNY AND FRED DID NOT END WELL
Johnny sent Fred’s wife a check for $100 k when Fred died . Johnny however never buried the hatchet with Fred and was not speaking to him from 1991 to 2001 . We are all full of good and bad including Johnny Carson .
I'd like to know about his afternoons with Ms. Garland, Ms. Crawford, Ms. Wyman, etc.
Aww, me too, I have read in so many articles that Joan Crawford was not only smart, but love men and women with the same ferocity.
That had to be a first in the industry
The pinnacle of talk show television ended when Johnny Carson retired. Television has been on a downward trajectory since the late 1970s.
Fred has been around for a long time and knew everyone, why get married when you can have sex with some of the most beautiful woman in h-wood and drink a lot and smoke a lot too? The partying never stopped until he was in his '50's when he got married but I still think that didn't really stop him much.
A very smart man indeed Fred was, had I been in his shoes I would have waited until 60 to get married, meanwhile having fun and bedding those Hollyweird starlets.
They apparently had a falling out in 1991.
After Carson's son Ricky was killed in an automobile accident; a month later, Carson paid tribute to his son at the end of a show. De Cordova was concerned that the show was going long and gave Carson the "wrap it up" sign😮. Carson was so infuriated that he no longer allowed de Cordova on the studio floor.
Curious if there is any existing footage from that airing?
Not sure. He was fired and frozen out of Carson's life. A frequent occurrence with Carson. Fred imitated Jack Benny's mannerisms somewhat, as did Reagan.
I'm sure it had to be a difficult job for DeCordova if he was held responsible for the show running and at the same time apparently could be fired or told to stay off the floor by the people he was managing.
Not sure if I'd want that job myself! Seems inevitable somebody will get mad at some point
Gold
Twice, when Jack Benny was on the show, and the next guest came out, Jack did not get up for the new guest to take the chair next to Johnny.
I never saw any guest be so rude or, perhaps, absent minded.
I could understand it happening the first time. But surely his wife, children, friends, show's staff, someone must have privately pointed out to him that he should have moved onto the couch so that the next guest could sit next to Johnny. And yet, Jack did it again on another show.
The other guests that were on the couch moved over to make room for Jack. But Jack never left the chair next to Johnny.
It was awkward to watch the next guest come out, greet Johnny, and then hesitate because Jack was sitting in their intended seat, and then the new guest took the couch. And the awkwardness continued, as Johnny and the new guest were talking passed Jack, and the new guest was leaning over. And the icing on the cake was that Jack kept interrupting, as if he was still the one being interviewed.
Jack was either self-absorbed with himself, or clueless, or both. My money is on him being self-absorbed, because he did it on two of Johnny's shows.
To think this was during a writer's strike.
Forgive my naive blinking lambness regarding Show Bizz but as "Producer" did Fred work for Johnny on the show, or was it the other way around? The jabs and jokes make it all kind of hard to figure out.
I wonder if Jack Devine aka “Jackie D” ever appeared on The Tonight Show.
Would have loved to have read what was left out of the book
Lets get a monologue with titles
We all got sick of Bob Hope always announcing his next big stupid special
let 70's used to be considered old
Carson like us all had his good sides and bad ones . Forgiveness wasn’t a good one for Johnny . He carried life long grudges.
This was a couple of years before Carson turned on him.
Didn’t Johnny and Fred have a falling out?
yes. when Johnny's son died, he was remember him on the air and Fred was signalling to Johnny to hurry it up. Like him talking about his son was like him talking to some other guest.
It's a shame the way their relationship ended .
Wonder what kind of money he made as boss of tonite show?
Until Johnny turned on him and never spoke to him again.
He died broke and JC gave his widow money to live on. She moved in with her former maid. He squandered 2 fortunes.
😉
Carson does a terrible job of showing book or album covers while supposedly promoting them. Watch closely. He almost never shows the front and if so, very briefly. I find it odd and maybe suggests he actually hated ppl n wanted to on some level sabotage their potential success with a recent project. 😮😮😮😮😮😮
They mentioned a writers strike. This shows Carson new what is he was doing... He didn't need writers. Sure monologue was sorely missed but the show must go on. Unlike today losers that do it on their own.
Fred was dead on correct when it comes to doctors.
Interviewing his Jew Overlord... gotta love it!
Haha! You know it.
That comment is disgusting and uncalled for.
What a dumb thing to say.
Johnny was the overlord.
Elegant and classy. I have the book. It is terrific. Mr. DeCordova lived an amazing life, and had an incredible career in Stage, Theater, Film, and Television.
Johnny was a sick person.
The last years in his life he was sick indeed. He said "The damn cigarettes". And the cigarettes was the cause to his ill health :(
Thank you