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IMDbPro

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

  • TV Series
  • 1962–19921962–1992
  • TV-GTV-G
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,309
124
Johnny Carson in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
Host Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.
Play trailer0:31
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyTalk-Show
Host Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.Host Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.Host Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,309
124
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Stars
      • Johnny Carson
      • Ed McMahon
      • Doc Severinsen
    Top credits
    • Stars
      • Johnny Carson
      • Ed McMahon
      • Doc Severinsen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 20User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
    • Won 8 Primetime Emmys
      • 12 wins & 38 nominations total

    Episodes9804

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos2

    Funny Women of Television
    Clip 3:41
    Funny Women of Television
    Carson Collections Trailer
    Trailer 0:31
    Carson Collections Trailer

    Photos634

    Johnny Carson and Carl Reiner in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    Selma Diamond in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    Johnny Carson and Selma Diamond in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    Jay Leno and Jerry Van Dyke in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    Muhammad Ali and Della Reese in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    Diana Ross in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    Johnny Carson and Betty White in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    Johnny Carson and Betty White in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    Johnny Carson and Betty White in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    Alice Neel and Elaine Stritch in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Johnny Carson
    Johnny Carson
    • Self - Host…
    8098 episodes8098 eps • 1962–1992
    Ed McMahon
    Ed McMahon
    • Self - Announcer…
    9527 episodes9527 eps • 1962–1992
    Doc Severinsen
    Doc Severinsen
    • Self - Bandleader…
    5125 episodes5125 eps • 1963–1992
    Skitch Henderson
    Skitch Henderson
    • Self - Bandleader…
    1037 episodes1037 eps • 1962–1966
    Tommy Newsom
    • Self - Bandleader…
    480 episodes480 eps • 1970–1992
    Jay Leno
    Jay Leno
    • Self - Guest Host…
    349 episodes349 eps • 1977–1992
    Joan Rivers
    Joan Rivers
    • Self - Guest Host…
    301 episodes301 eps • 1963–1986
    Joey Bishop
    Joey Bishop
    • Self - Guest Host…
    210 episodes210 eps • 1963–1988
    Milton Delugg
    • Self - Bandleader
    208 episodes208 eps • 1963–1967
    David Brenner
    David Brenner
    • Self - Guest Host…
    156 episodes156 eps • 1971–1991
    Bob Hope
    Bob Hope
    • Self…
    137 episodes137 eps • 1963–1992
    Bob Newhart
    Bob Newhart
    • Self - Guest Host…
    136 episodes136 eps • 1963–1992
    Don Rickles
    Don Rickles
    • Self - Guest Host…
    131 episodes131 eps • 1963–1992
    Bill Cosby
    Bill Cosby
    • Self - Guest Host…
    129 episodes129 eps • 1963–1992
    David Steinberg
    David Steinberg
    • Self - Guest…
    128 episodes128 eps • 1968–1992
    John Davidson
    John Davidson
    • Self - Guest Host…
    124 episodes124 eps • 1963–1987
    Alan King
    Alan King
    • Self - Guest…
    111 episodes111 eps • 1962–1991
    Frederick De Cordova
    Frederick De Cordova
    • Self - Producer…
    110 episodes110 eps • 1972–1992
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In September 1983 Joan Rivers was officially designated Carson's permanent guest host, a role she had been filling for more than a year. In 1986 she abruptly left for her own show, The Late Show (1986), on the then-new Fox Network. Carson first learned of the show when he saw her press conference on TV. When Rivers called Carson after the announcement, he was so furious at Rivers for failing to tell him personally before the press conference that he refused to take the call. He banned Rivers from his show, canceling her three remaining weeks as guest host. Carson never forgave her for leaving and never spoke to her again. When Rivers sent Carson flowers and a note after his son Ricky died in an accident, Carson sent them back. Rivers later said that she didn't want to tell Carson before the press conference because she was afraid FOX would cancel the deal if word leaked out. Carson said he felt betrayed, not because Rivers dared to compete with him, but because she wasn't honest with him about her intentions and didn't ask for advice and his blessing.
    • Quotes

      [Ed Ames has thrown a tomahawk across the stage, hitting a painting of a cowboy straight in the "crotch". The entire studio erupts in hysterical laughter]

      Johnny Carson: I didn't even know you were Jewish!

      [uproarious laughter continues]

    • Crazy credits
      Whenever Carson added a skit to an episode, the "Mighty Carson Art Players" would be announced as guest stars.
    • Alternate versions
      Select comedy sketches from the Tonight Show were taken and placed into syndication into "Carson's Comedy Classics" during the mid 1980's.
    • Connections
      Edited into Carson's Comedy Classics (1983)
    • Soundtracks
      Time to Shine
      (uncredited)

      Music by Roger Dexter

      [Plays over the Carson Productions Logo]

      [Antenna TV airing only]

    User reviews20

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    Johnny Carson was the best at what he did.
    We all received the sad news today that Johnny Carson, in his 80th year of life, died today. Carson had long been retired from his Tonight Show, a show taken over capably by Jay Leno. But there never was anyone like Johnny Carson, and there may never be.

    What I most liked about Johnny was his humble approach to his show. He opened with a monologue, he told his jokes plainly and simply, and waited for the laughter. It usually came. Some times it didn't. When the laughs did not come, he took on that familiar sad look of his, and that became the joke.

    I was a working person during the run of his show, but Johnny Carson's tonight show was one that I often stayed up late for, it was that good. When the show was still in New York, he of course told New York jokes. One I remember vividly was during one particular cold winter, Johnny simply said, "It was really cold today." Ed McMahon, his trusty sidekick, asked, "How cold was it?" Johnny answered, "It was so cold today, a cab driver was saying something to a pedestrian and his middle finger froze." Another I remember was, when doing his 'Carnac' routine, the answer was "Four on the floor." The question was, "Describe two 80-year old topless go-go dancers."

    Johnny of course went to Los Angeles, and there the show took on another dimension. Johnny was quite a prankster, and played a good one on Ed McMahon, not as part of the Tonight Show, but funny anyway. Ed was "set up" by placing some studio property in the trunk of his car. Leaving the studio, guards made a random trunk check, and "discovered" the stolen property. Johnny Carson actually dressed up as one of the guards, Ed McMahon was so flustered, declaring his innocence, it didn't even register to him that he was face to face with his boss!!

    But the best thing I liked about Johnny Carson was his interview style. He was the best ever. He would ask a question then shut up and let the guest talk. He didn't have a big ego, like many current TV personalities, and try to show how much he knew. He simply let the other person talk.

    Farewell and Godspeed, Johnny Carson.
    helpful•8
    0
    • TxMike
    • Jan 23, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1, 1962 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Carson Productions
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Carson
    • Filming locations
      • Studio 6B, NBC Studios - 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Carson Productions
      • NBC Entertainment
      • NBC Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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