For those of us Americans between thirty and forty-five who were occasionally allowed to stay up past the specified bedtime, there was always Johnny Carson.
Those who are older mostly appreciate his comedy, his comic timing, his ad-libbing talent and his class. I feel sorry for those who are younger; who never saw him live; who now never can.
Aside from Jack Benny (who?), never was there a man who could deliver a funnier line with a straighter face.
And, unlike the major stars of today, Mr. Carson never seemed to think that his political views (or any other views) were important enough for him to inflict them on an attentive public.
He did his job, that alone and quite well to boot. For that, I thank him.
Yes u lucky girl u gotta see him live..:)
how many seasons did u see him for?
Posted by: ricardo | January 23, 2005 at 09:18 PM
I just stumbled upon your blog, read your profile and see we have a few things in common: your father's a socialist, you were once a movie extra, you enjoy writing, you have similar political views and grew up watching Johnny Carson.
I had an old clunker of a t.v. in my bedroom and watched him almost every single weeknight of my life from about 1973 until he left television. I didn't care who his guests were; it didn't matter. He could make anyone entertaining.
He's spoiled me. I can't watch any other late night show without thinking how much better Johnny was.
Great site!
Posted by: Michele | January 23, 2005 at 09:48 PM
Michele: You've got the gist. :-) I'm also retired military.
Johnny Carson was the greatest in what he did, no?
Posted by: baldilocks | January 23, 2005 at 09:54 PM
"For those of us Americans between thirty and forty-five who were occasionally allowed to stay up past the specified bedtime, there was always Johnny Carson."
Hear, hear. I'm 43, and I remember my biggest treat in jr high was being able to stay up past the news on school nights to watch JC's monologue. Occasionally, if I was quiet enough, I could sit there longer, but then mom or dad would eventually notice and tell me to go to bed. He was, and always will be, the best.
Posted by: cardeblu | January 23, 2005 at 10:33 PM
"No more to come"
Posted by: Born Free | January 24, 2005 at 06:06 AM
I first enjoyed seeing Carson on his first TV show Do You Trust Your Wife later changed to Who Do You Trust. He was great even then.
One of my favorite bits from the Tonight Show was wnen he dressed as Willie Nelson and sang To All the Girls I've Loved Before with Julio Iglesias. He was convincing as Willie but the sparkle in his eyes gave him away.
Posted by: StinKerr | January 24, 2005 at 06:32 PM
(Might not be word-for-word.)
"To all the girls I loved in Life
"Who now are someone else's wife..."
LOL
Posted by: baldilocks | January 24, 2005 at 10:09 PM
yea johnny was great and could handle just about everybody im ancient compared to you guys and probably watched most of them {with a beer] If there was some one on there that was arrogant or eve obnoxious I remember it because I loved him and felt for him for having to deal with the akwardness heres my list No.! arrogant prick-jerk charles bronson No 2 human dildo bronsons freind 1 arm pushup nazi whose name I cant remember because I block out peoples names who I hate Its a pity that the indians didnt really kill him on wagon train but WHY was he in city slickers THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN JACK ELAM the real deal NO 3 I cant remember this a holes name either but he thought he was bigtime 20 yrs ago and was a total boring smuck everytime he was on carson it was like Im here and you have to pay me now you do all the work what an arrogant SOB this scumbags mame I cant remember either but he was luky to play ROSS and his sisters asshole dad on the ignorant sitcom FREINDS yea you know who I men curly head big nose floor wipe luckily johnny could handle these toads and put them right out there where they belonged how they got work afterwards is beyond me God bless Johnny with peace and love more laughs are awaiting alot of us thanks
Posted by: kyle skinner | January 25, 2005 at 02:52 AM
Remember Jack Paar? I saw his last show and Johnny's first, and mamy after that. I guess my all time favorite skit was the one Johnny did with Ed Ames (throwing the tomahawk). I don't believe anyone will ever replace him. RIP
Jerry
Posted by: Gerald Williams | January 25, 2005 at 03:19 AM
sorry about that last post how negative was that I also loved it when don rickles holy crap !!! the Insultanator how somebody that buttugly can pull off what he says to people is a thing of total amazement rodney dangerfeild was just as funny but self inflicted cosby what can you say hillarious jonatan winters THE KING OF ADLIB robin williams took the torch from winters and hes still running with it richard pryor great charchtor comedy and so lovable { I rarely say that and Im 70048 degrees from being a faggot } noone remembers broderick cambridge but his on liners were killer I could keep going but holy shit its 3.20 pm and i have a job as of yesterday goodnight
Posted by: skinner | January 25, 2005 at 03:24 AM
Skinner,
One-arm push-up guy: Jack Palance?
Posted by: baldilocks | January 25, 2005 at 06:18 PM
Gerald,
Skinner might remember Paar, but I was born in 1961 and, as I recall, Johnny took over the Tonight Show reins in '62.
Skinner: Robin Williams is always fun to watch!
Posted by: baldilocks | January 25, 2005 at 06:20 PM
I thought the Julio and Willie takeoff included some line about "in Willie's case it's 'Here to All the Barnyard Animals We've Loved Before' - Just kidding Willie!"
Or was that someone else's schtick.
Posted by: RichinJapan | January 25, 2005 at 09:45 PM
Thanks baldilocks jack palance He might have mellowed otherwise billy crystal probably wouldnt be freinds with him but he sure came off as a major ahole 20 or so years ago when johnny was interviewing him I dont remeber what it was about but he threatened to have his buddy BRONSON {charles] kick johnnys but My brother and I used to rent those old DEATH WISH movies just to crack up I cant remember but I think there were 14 of them it seemed that way anyways Ill never foget one of the last ones they had a phoney looking motorcycle gang terrorizing and trying to take over an old folks neighborhood with people in wheel chairs living in two story tenements Bronson talked them into standing up for theyre rights and supplid them with automatic weapons grenades and missle launchers when the shit hit the proverbial fan It was incredibally hillarious we were rolling on the floor then wed compose ourselfs and and both say lets rewind and once again end up in stiches if this wasnt academy award stuff what is ?,,,,,,,,,,,,, I did remember who the other guy was that was an arrogant completely boring joke while being interviewed by johnny Elliot Gould he made 2 maybe 3 films his swelled up and he didnt do anything afterwards until he got his lame bit part on tv 20 something years later I wish I could see these old clips because I really dont remember the details I just remember thinking what a bunch of self=absorbed stuffed-shirt culls these guys are ........ I was born in 52 but I dont remember Parr much I think he was pretty good too as was steve allen the piano stuff though I could do without he was no stevie wonder
Posted by: skinner | January 25, 2005 at 10:27 PM
I know this is late, but I needed to add it anyway.
Johnny Carson was born here in town, though he didn't grow up here.
Several years ago, the kids in town started a drive to build a skate park. They were told if they could raise the funds, it was theirs.
Johnny Carson donated the entire amount to build the park.
They named it Carnac Family Skate park..after one of his characters.
He wasn't just funny, but he was a good man.
Oh, and I still swear he FINALLY put me into labor with my son (who was 24 days late) The show that night? The one where he and an ape were spitting grapes at each other..I laughed so hard I swear it caused my water to break.
I don't know what I thank him for more, the skate park for the kids, or saving me from the pritocin IV that my Doc had planned to do the next day.
Posted by: Tink | January 27, 2005 at 07:31 PM
Skinner: Thanks for those memories. ;-)
Tink: Both those stories are way too cool. These are the types that we only get to learn of when someone of note dies.
I hope that Mr. Carson was happy with his life and died with the name of the Savior on his lips. Those are the best things that I can wish for someone who brought so much happiness to so many.
Posted by: baldilocks | January 27, 2005 at 08:59 PM
AMEN
Posted by: skinner | January 30, 2005 at 12:32 AM