Being born in May of 1963, Johnny Carson was ALWAYS there in my life ... ALWAYS ... until my 29th birthday, May 22nd 1992. An event that still brings me to tears to this day, Johnny did his last tonight's show, ending sitting on a stool on stage with a tear in his eye, I bawled like a baby. I literally felt like a family member was dying and I could do nothing to stop it. I'll be 60 in a few weeks, the memory of that final show still causes a FLOOD of memories of all the events of my life that took place with Johnny right there on TV when they were happening in real time. There are many talented and funny late night TV hosts, but Johnny, and the feeling that that show gave so many of us, will never be replaced. He was truly one of a kind. All it takes is reading a few comments here to see what a beloved anchoring figure he was to so many of us. If I could sit and talk to a person who has passed on, Johnny would be my choice. Growing up in the era I did, I, like so many others, can't imagine what the world would have been like with out him. Johnny, you were loved beyond your wildest imagination. Sweet dreams old friend.
Great comment. I’m 2 years younger than you, but it was always Carson then letterman. Johnny was a gem. His take on politics having no place in late night TV is what wrong with the crap on the air today.
Well-said. "Beloved anchoring figure" is the perfect description of Johnny Carson. I loved how he kept politics off his show and kept the focus on entertainment we could all enjoy together. I really miss him. Even today after all these years, it still seems unreal he is gone.
I was born in 1964 and I felt the same way. Only three times in my life has the death of a celebrity brought a tear to my eye: Don Knotts, Lucille Ball...and Johnny Carson.
Did you ever see the Documentary about him on American Masters. His mother was a Grade A Beyotch, she never said I'm proud of you, way to go, etc. I think it deeply affected his relationship with his Wives.
Just watched the cnn doc about late night and now my smartphone that “doesn’t listen” everyone says had this in my UA-cam feed lol so here I am watching it lol
Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show were a cornerstone of my growing up years. When I would plead with my parents to let me stay up just long enough to see who was on Johnny Carson on a school night. Taping my favorite impressionists' interviews by jamming a cassette recorder to the speaker on our console TV. Being able to hear, faintly, my Dad laughing to the monologue in the living room as I faded off to sleep. The day I got the text bulletin from a news site that he had died, I wept as if I'd lost a lifelong friend. In effect, I had.
I enjoyed this. Carson Show always makes me laugh, especially just hearing Ed McMahon's hearty laugh. Johnny had a very dark side also but could separate professional and personal behavior. Thanks for the entertainment!
Note the phrase at 9.00 ... "It's tougher to make people laugh than it is to make them think" .. that's how depressing times are now compared to those days ... back then, it was EASY to make people think ... now it's the other way around
The way Johnny reacted to Jack Benny's passing,a lot of us reacted to losing Johnny.I got the news on a Sunday.If it had been a Monday I would have had to take a sick day,or a bereavement day.Johnny was like family/Rest in peace and power Johnny Carson,Mike Wallace,Ed McMahon,Ed Bradley
Myself as well @ Bubba Still. Johnny Carson was amazing. As were the other 3 gentlemen. Mike Wallace was a very good journalist and you could tell that Johnny and he were very much at ease with each other. R.I.P. to all 4. 💜
Loved Johnny. I worked at Comedy Store in Hollywood for years.las a comic It's true when a stand-up did great usually after years of learning his craft Carson smiled and if th ey got to sit on the couch well that was gold Louie Anderson just comes to mind this was a nice interview to watch thanks
what Ali was to boxing, what Elvis was to rock n roll, Johnny was to late night...the Gold Standard by which all others have and will forever be measured...if u combined all of today's late nighters they wouldnt come close to him...
The Entire interview is Golden especially the Card trick portion . Who's interviewing who? Equals in different professional ways. Both excellent at the interview. Johnny in bringing put the best in people. It's who is interviewing who at it's best. I've only experienced that once since on public radio. With a Investagative Newspaper reporter Freind of mine from London turning it around on the Radio Host 😁😁😁 great show
California License Plate 360-GUY. Even in a much less "tech world," it's still a bit surprising CBS would broadcast Carson's license plate number to America.
That was a personalized license plate Johnny came up with. You have 360° degrees, which is a complete circle and it meant all around guy. The MBZ and the plate went soon after and Johnny drove a white Corvette. Johnny did have a .38 at close reach because he drove himself alone.
ahh the good old days. before everything had become hyper-politicized. Johnny had the sense to know that people watched him for the escape. not to be brow-beaten with ideology.
It was. LWT aired an edited compilation show on Saturday nights from around 1981 to 1983. It was offered to the network, but not every ITV region took it. Johnny didn't like the way LWT produced the compilation editions. He felt it should have aired nightly like it did in the US. He actually welcomed British viewers in 1981 during his monologue.
Great to hear how Johnny had a 40- minute -commute.. Coming down the valleys of Colorado mine is about 45 minutes.. You wonder if you're wasting time , so it is nice to hear.
I saw the Documentary about him on American Masters on PBS. I feel his Mother`s treatment of him affected him more than he realized. Also when he drinks, I heard he was very nasty, angry and cruel. He also never forgave Joan Rivers. Berry Gordy of Motown was like that as well. He would hold such hard grudges that when he did Motown 25 he didn`t ask alot of folks to attend.
28:44 Unfortunately, since this program aired in 2003 Johnny Carson has already been diagnosed of Emphysema, and until his death in 2005 preferred to be on board of his yacht Serengeti in order to breathe fresh air than being stuck on his Malibu home.
Carson's personal attorney published a memoir of his remembrances of working for the talk show host. One interesting tidbit was that Carson was six feet tall. Now one understands the man's appeal to women----tall, nice-looking in a Midwestern square sort of way, and quick-witted funny when necessary to break the ice of an underlying shy sadness during a requisite public engagement.
I rather cringed when Mike Wallace was combative. I mean, so Johnny is a private guy, why does Mike Wallace have to push him on that? Johnny handled it with integrity and class. I thought Mike Wallace was a bit crude and off-base at times.
Idk It's Mike Wallace, that's what he does. I think Carson wasn't expecting softball questions and he opened up much more than usual. I found the parts about him being in control with an audience as compared to his private life and his behavior when he drank to be very interesting. More than if he talked about his favorite guests.
No one could have interviewed Johnny as masterfully as Mike did. .....And poor Ed. He was always such a pathetic figure. I found his sidekick bit absolutely unbearable. Tens of millions of people watching a man living off the scraps of a far more talented man seems such a sad way to make a living. He may have earned a lot of money but at what cost to his own image.
Yes, but keep in mind he had his own side project with Star Search, the only show where the non winners are superstars and icons and the winners don't go far with the exception of Usher.
October 23 2025 will be Mr. Carsons 100th birthday. RIP Legend. Your fans miss you.📺
It's crazy to think how long commercials used to be and now people get upset because they have to watch them for 30 seconds.
Being born in May of 1963, Johnny Carson was ALWAYS there in my life ... ALWAYS ... until my 29th birthday, May 22nd 1992. An event that still brings me to tears to this day, Johnny did his last tonight's show, ending sitting on a stool on stage with a tear in his eye, I bawled like a baby. I literally felt like a family member was dying and I could do nothing to stop it. I'll be 60 in a few weeks, the memory of that final show still causes a FLOOD of memories of all the events of my life that took place with Johnny right there on TV when they were happening in real time. There are many talented and funny late night TV hosts, but Johnny, and the feeling that that show gave so many of us, will never be replaced. He was truly one of a kind. All it takes is reading a few comments here to see what a beloved anchoring figure he was to so many of us. If I could sit and talk to a person who has passed on, Johnny would be my choice. Growing up in the era I did, I, like so many others, can't imagine what the world would have been like with out him. Johnny, you were loved beyond your wildest imagination. Sweet dreams old friend.
Great comment. I’m 2 years younger than you, but it was always Carson then letterman. Johnny was a gem. His take on politics having no place in late night TV is what wrong with the crap on the air today.
Well-said. "Beloved anchoring figure" is the perfect description of Johnny Carson. I loved how he kept politics off his show and kept the focus on entertainment we could all enjoy together. I really miss him. Even today after all these years, it still seems unreal he is gone.
I was born in 1964 and I felt the same way. Only three times in my life has the death of a celebrity brought a tear to my eye: Don Knotts, Lucille Ball...and Johnny Carson.
I grew up with him too. I cried when he did his last show
Absolutely the end of an era
Jonny has been gone for so long that it almost seems like a dream that he was even there. Did any of us truly understand just how good we had it?
Well said
He had the most gorgeous smile
Dave, Conan, Craig are all amazing, but there will never be another Johnny.
Thoroughly agree. Conan and Craig are second and third best late night hosts. Dave, not really besides an awkwardly grumpy man.
@@SonofHardrada they are the only ones who deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Johnny Carson.
I really appreciate anything on Johnny. Ultimately, now, seeing Johnny is a reminder of our mortality.
Time keeps on slippin
My grandparents used to play bridge with his parents. My grandmother would remark how Carson's dad had the most beautiful white hair.
T/y & R.I.P. Johnny. At 66, I think that you were a big happy part of many people's lives including me.
He was a complex man. Focused on his career intensely, found marriage difficult, not a good dad, amazing comedic timing and charm. An American icon
Did you ever see the Documentary about him on American Masters. His mother was a Grade A Beyotch, she never said I'm proud of you, way to go, etc. I think it deeply affected his relationship with his Wives.
Just watched the cnn doc about late night and now my smartphone that “doesn’t listen” everyone says had this in my UA-cam feed lol so here I am watching it lol
Johnny's so good he calls out Mike about hands over the mouth. Which Mike did before.
GREAT MAN SORELY MISSED BY ALL
Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show were a cornerstone of my growing up years. When I would plead with my parents to let me stay up just long enough to see who was on Johnny Carson on a school night. Taping my favorite impressionists' interviews by jamming a cassette recorder to the speaker on our console TV. Being able to hear, faintly, my Dad laughing to the monologue in the living room as I faded off to sleep. The day I got the text bulletin from a news site that he had died, I wept as if I'd lost a lifelong friend. In effect, I had.
Thank you for this. RIP Johnny, Mike Wallace, and Ed Bradley. 🙏🙏🙏🎤🎤🎤📺
What wit. Oh loved Johnny. Wish we still had ones like him
Thanks for sharing this
As a 32 year old man, I would pick Carson over any other host ever. He was the best
I enjoyed this. Carson Show always makes me laugh, especially just hearing Ed McMahon's hearty laugh. Johnny had a very dark side also but could separate professional and personal behavior. Thanks for the entertainment!
Note the phrase at 9.00 ... "It's tougher to make people laugh than it is to make them think" .. that's how depressing times are now compared to those days ... back then, it was EASY to make people think ... now it's the other way around
It wasn't true then, it's not true now.
Actually it’s very true. It’s the heart of comedy. Intelligence. It’s very easy to put fear into people, which is the opposite of comedy.
It’s very true now. These days are depressing compared to those and comedy like everything else, has been “dumbed down” for the masses..
I think I remember this series. I wish I had taped these. Thank you so much for uploading!
They have a great collection on Amazon
The way Johnny reacted to Jack Benny's passing,a lot of us reacted to losing Johnny.I got the news on a Sunday.If it had been a Monday I would have had to take a sick day,or a bereavement day.Johnny was like family/Rest in peace and power Johnny Carson,Mike Wallace,Ed McMahon,Ed Bradley
Myself as well @ Bubba Still. Johnny Carson was amazing. As were the other 3 gentlemen. Mike Wallace was a very good journalist and you could tell that Johnny and he were very much at ease with each other. R.I.P. to all 4. 💜
Great video ! Thanks for sharing this !!
Oh and I love the commercials for realz ❤hated them at the time but love them now
Johnny we hardly knew ye. RIP.
Loved Johnny. I worked at Comedy Store in Hollywood for years.las a comic It's true when a stand-up did great usually after years of learning his craft Carson smiled and if th ey got to sit on the couch well that was gold Louie Anderson just comes to mind this was a nice interview to watch thanks
rarely missed an episode and miss his version of the show to this day.
Loves these commercials more than the show! Brings me back to 2003(?).
this was wonderful!
Johnny Carson was the Best!
Great Show
With the original commercials = COOL!
what Ali was to boxing, what Elvis was to rock n roll, Johnny was to late night...the Gold Standard by which all others have and will forever be measured...if u combined all of today's late nighters they wouldnt come close to him...
Those were the days ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
The Entire interview is Golden especially the Card trick portion . Who's interviewing who? Equals in different professional ways. Both excellent at the interview. Johnny in bringing put the best in people. It's who is interviewing who at it's best. I've only experienced that once since on public radio. With a Investagative Newspaper reporter Freind of mine from London turning it around on the Radio Host 😁😁😁 great show
If you didn't grow up during this time, to bad for you! I did. Damn it I miss this time in America!!
The good old days.
I'm 47 and lucky enough to remember watching Johnny as a kid. I thought he was great. Dave afterwards was great back then too.
19:16 "It takes one to know one". That's cringeworthy to the max after Johnny JUST said he wouldn't do Fanne Foxe jokes because it would be CHEAP. 😞
That's how you knew that him and Mike and a friendship outside of that interview.
California License Plate 360-GUY. Even in a much less "tech world," it's still a bit surprising CBS would broadcast Carson's license plate number to America.
That was a personalized license plate Johnny came up with. You have 360° degrees, which is a complete circle and it meant all around guy. The MBZ and the plate went soon after and Johnny drove a white Corvette. Johnny did have a .38 at close reach because he drove himself alone.
Thanks for this!
Let’s give a like for commercials as well .
Loved it lol
Scully!
HECCCCCCCK YEAH!!!!
LOVE THE OLD COMMERCIALS
RIP to both of them.
Also Burbank is where Dick Clark started his Production Company dc productions. Him, Merv Griffin, and Dick Clark's legacy still exists to this day.
Watching Johnny try and quickly back out into that super busy highway was making me anxious
I miss Johnny Carson, I watch the reruns on Sling.
…..too too much love for him, those people that you just love so much and they are so rare.
ahh the good old days. before everything had become hyper-politicized. Johnny had the sense to know that people watched him for the escape. not to be brow-beaten with ideology.
Amen, and well said sir. Very true.
His band was stacked with talent. Allman Brothers Band playing with the Tonight Show band was a scorcher. Dizzy Gillespie was another great one.
Where Johnny is backing the Corvette out was the 22000 block of Pacific Coast Highway. Johnny sold that house after he bought the house on Pt. Dume.
I know that NBC built him tennis court it's still there.
I thought they said he lived in Bel Air.
@skeena59 Johnny lived in Bel Air with the 3rd Mrs. Carson and had a house on St. Cloud. The Malibu house was a weekend get away.
I wish his show had been aired in England.
It was. LWT aired an edited compilation show on Saturday nights from around 1981 to 1983. It was offered to the network, but not every ITV region took it. Johnny didn't like the way LWT produced the compilation editions. He felt it should have aired nightly like it did in the US. He actually welcomed British viewers in 1981 during his monologue.
The Great Carsoni!
Great to hear how Johnny had a 40- minute -commute..
Coming down the valleys of Colorado mine is about 45 minutes..
You wonder if you're wasting time , so it is nice to hear.
8:12 if only today's late night tv followed this advice
And ignore the failed 45th's threat to America...thankfully no.
@@Kurt-ci1dk Reruns of Carson still funny, reruns of Colbert DOA.
At 8:21. Half the country doesn't laugh. And will tune out. Johnny was the Best.
I saw the Documentary about him on American Masters on PBS. I feel his Mother`s treatment of him affected him more than he realized. Also when he drinks, I heard he was very nasty, angry and cruel. He also never forgave Joan Rivers. Berry Gordy of Motown was like that as well. He would hold such hard grudges that when he did Motown 25 he didn`t ask alot of folks to attend.
rip Johnny Carson,ed McMahon,ed bradley
28:44
Unfortunately, since this program aired in 2003 Johnny Carson has already been diagnosed of Emphysema, and until his death in 2005 preferred to be on board of his yacht Serengeti in order to breathe fresh air than being stuck on his Malibu home.
This was originally recorded in 79 or 80.
$100 million in 1979 wow.
Johnny Carson
23/10/25
23/01/05
All you need to know is, Johnny appeared on Letterman numerous times. To my knowledge he was never on Leno.
Carson's personal attorney published a memoir of his remembrances of working for the talk show host. One interesting tidbit was that Carson was six feet tall. Now one understands the man's appeal to women----tall, nice-looking in a Midwestern square sort of way, and quick-witted funny when necessary to break the ice of an underlying shy sadness during a requisite public engagement.
WHEN JOHNNY RETIRED HE TOOK LATE NIGHT TV WITH HIM
I rather cringed when Mike Wallace was combative. I mean, so Johnny is a private guy, why does Mike Wallace have to push him on that? Johnny handled it with integrity and class. I thought Mike Wallace was a bit crude and off-base at times.
Idk It's Mike Wallace, that's what he does. I think Carson wasn't expecting softball questions and he opened up much more than usual. I found the parts about him being in control with an audience as compared to his private life and his behavior when he drank to be very interesting. More than if he talked about his favorite guests.
Well, that's because Mike was a condescending jerk.
His son, Chris, proves the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
This is how Mike's interviews were for the first 10 years on 60 Minutes. After awhile he cut the crap and did much better interviews.
22:53 sounds like Harry Shearer!
It’s remarkable how defensive he is. Over, and over, he jabs, and not kindly as an interviewer, interviews.
Gee he seemed a lovely man 😢
People who've never seen him know who Carson was. Nobody remembers Kelz.
C'mon Mike. Corning IOWA. You were better than that.
He look so old to be only in his 40's legend
He should have dyed his hair waitress-black. Like Wallace.
Smokes and booze
I did like Leno but he wasn't as good as Johnny
Cannot stand Mike Wallace. He is not a journalist....he is a smart mouth
No one could have interviewed Johnny as masterfully as Mike did.
.....And poor Ed. He was always such a pathetic figure. I found his sidekick bit absolutely unbearable. Tens of millions of people watching a man living off the scraps of a far more talented man seems such a sad way to make a living. He may have earned a lot of money but at what cost to his own image.
Yes, but keep in mind he had his own side project with Star Search, the only show where the non winners are superstars and icons and the winners don't go far with the exception of Usher.