THE TONIGHT SHOW
STARRING JOHNNY CARSON



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My family and I would like to send our prayers and heartfelt sympathy to the immediate family, friends and worldwide fans of Johnny Carson! ENJOY the many photos, stories, & biography of one of the greatest American icons to ever live! The enclosures within this Email are for Your pleasure! Feel free to forward this Email with our many heartfelt thanks to friends and family! David Harrison Levi

October 2, 1962 - May 22, 1992
NBC Late Night Talk Show - 4531 Episodes

Host:
Johnny Carson

Johnny Carson






Birth name
John William Carson
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Height

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Mini biography
Johnny Carson was born in Corning, Iowa, but raised in Nebraska. He started out in radio. Then he moved on to game shows before becoming a writer for Red Skelton and going on to host his own late night talk show for almost 30 years.


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mini-biography
David Harrison Levi
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Spouse
Alexis Maas (20 June 1987 - 23 January 2005) (his death)
Joanna Holland (30 September 1972 - 1985) (divorced)
Joanne Copeland (17 August 1963 - 1972) (divorced)
Joan Morrill Wolcott (1 October 1949 - 1963) (divorced) 3 children

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Trade mark
His unmistakable laugh.

Golf swing at the end of his "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson"(1962) monologues.

Jokes about his alimony payments.


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Trivia
Quadruple bypass surgery, Santa Monica, California, USA. [19 March 1999]

Graduate of Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.

Hometown is Norfolk, Nebraska. He has made several monetary donations at citizens' requests and also on his own to the town for various reasons.

Was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1987.

Served in the U.S. Navy, 1943-1946.

Until the record was broken by Bob Barker in 2002, hosted the same network series for the longest time: 29 years, 7 months, 21 days.

Plied his magic tricks in early performing days of the 1950s in places like the Seven Seas lounge in Omaha, Nebraska.

Once appeared on "Bandstand" (1952) and stood in for a drummer.

One of his early jobs was as a ventriloquist.

At "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962)'s tenth anniversary party on 30 September 1972, he announced that he and former model Joanna Holland had been secretly married that afternoon, shocking his friends and associates.

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.

First wife, Joan "Jody" Morrill Wolcott, was his college sweetheart.

In April 1967 he walked off "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962) convinced that NBC had violated his contract by showing reruns during an AFTRA strike. He refused to go back to work when the strike ended and won a new contract that reportedly guaranteed him an income in excess of $4 million for the following three years.

Served on the USS Pennsylvania.

The story goes he met his current wife, Alexis Mass, when he saw her strolling along the beach near his Malibu home holding an empty wine glass. He left his house and offered to fill the glass up for her.

Won six Emmy Awards, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' Governors' Award in 1980 and a George Foster Peabody Award in 1986.

Son Richard Wolcott Carson was killed after his car plunged down a steep embankment along a remote coastal road. The accident apparently occurred while Carson was taking pictures along a paved service road off Highway 1 near Cayucos, a small town north of San Luis Obispo about 215 miles from Los Angeles. (21 June 1991)

Father Homer Carson was manager of the Iowa-Nebraska Light & Power Co.

First wife Joan lost a suit to increase her 1970 alimony award in 1990.

On 8 March 1983, third wife Joanna Holland filed for divorce. Under California's community property laws, she was entitled to 50% of all the assets accumulated during the marriage even though Carson earned virtually 100% of the couple's income. During this period, he joked on The Tonight Show, "My producer, Freddy de Cordova, really gave me something I needed for Christmas. He gave me a gift certificate to the Law Offices of Jacoby and Meyers." It finally ended in 1985 with a whopping 80-page settlement, Holland receiving $20 million in cash and property.

Has a brother, Dick Carson, and a sister, Catherine.

Father of three sons.

Member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Although he announced during his final "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962) that he hoped to return soon with a new project, he chose to fully retire from the public eye instead and has declined invitations to appear on talk shows and NBC anniversary specials. He has made a few exceptions to over the years: he provided a guest voice for "The Simpsons" (1989) (the famous Krusty the Clown Telethon episode), and he brought the house down with a brief, surprise appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) to congratulate Letterman on his new show.

After a protracted divorce from his second wife, Joanne Copeland, she got nearly half a million dollars in cash and art and $100,000 a year in alimony for life.

His very first guest on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962) on 1 October 1962, was Groucho Marx, who actually introduced Carson to his new audience. Reacting to the ensuing applause Carson said, "Boy, you would think it was Vice President Nixon." Johnny's last guest on 22 May 1992, was Bette Midler, who sang him out.

Co-wrote "Johnny's Theme" with Paul Anka when he signed on in 1962 as the new host of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962).

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 95-97. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

During one live dog-food commercial on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson"(1962), when a stunt dog failed to appear on cue, Johnny came out on all fours, panting and licking announcer Ed McMahons hand, to keep the commercial going.

Celebrated New Year's Eve once in his teens by shooting off his father's rifle at midnight - accidentally taking out the family water heater.

Is a member of the exclusive Hollywood Gourmet Poker Club with fellow card players Chevy Chase, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Carl Reiner, Barry Diller and Neil Simon.

When Carson announced his impending retirement, there was fierce competition between David Letterman and Jay Leno to be Carson's "Tonight Show" successor. Leno eventually won the coveted spot, and an angry Letterman moved over to rival network CBS to host a competing show. Many, including Leno, took Carson's walk-on appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) as a signal from Carson that he preferred Letterman to Leno. (Carson has never appeared on Leno's show to congratulate his "Tonight Show" successor).

In January 2005, one-time "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) producer Peter Lassally revealed that Carson occasionally contributes material for Letterman's monologues. What he missed most in retirement was performing his own "Tonight Show" monologues, according to Lassally.

In addition to his walk-on appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) stage, he also appeared on another episode in a filmed segment where Letterman has car problems while visiting Hollywood, and Carson drives past, shaking his head in disapproval.


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LOS ANGELES (Jan. 23) - Johnny Carson, the "Tonight Show" host who served America a smooth nightcap of celebrity banter, droll comedy and heartland charm for 30 years, died Sunday. He was 79. NBC said Carson died of emphysema at his Malibu home.
"Mr. Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning," his nephew, Jeff Sotzing, told The Associated Press. "He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable."

The boyish-looking Nebraska native with the disarming grin, who survived every attempt to topple him from his late-night talk show throne, was a star who managed never to distance himself from his audience.

His wealth, the adoration of his guests - particularly the many young comics whose careers he launched - the wry tales of multiple divorces: Carson's air of modesty made it all serve to enhance his bedtime intimacy with viewers.

"Heeeeere's Johnny!" was the booming announcement from sidekick Ed McMahon that ushered Carson out to the stage. Then the formula: the topical monologue, the guests, the broadly played skits such as "Carnac the Magnificent."

But America never tired of him; Carson went out on top when he retired in May 1992.

McMahon said Sunday that Carson was "like a brother to me."

"Our 34 years of working together, plus the 12 years since then, created a friendship which was professional, family-like and one of respect and great admiration," McMahon said in a statement. "When we ended our run on 'The Tonight Show' and my professional life continued, whenever a big career decision needed to be made, I always got the OK from 'the boss."'


Carson's personal life could not match the perfection of his career. Carson was married four times, divorced three. In 1991, one of his three sons, 39-year-old Ricky, was killed in a car accident.

Nearly all of Carson's professional life was spent in television, from his postwar start at Nebraska stations in the late 1940s to his three decades with NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."

Carson choose to let "Tonight" stand as his career zenith and his finale, withdrawing into a quiet retirement that suited his private nature and refusing involvement in other show business projects.

In 1993, he explained his absence from the limelight.

"I have an ego like anybody else," Carson told The Washington Post, "but I don't need to be stoked by going before the public all the time."

Carson spent his retirement years sailing, traveling and socializing with a few close friends including media mogul Barry Diller and NBC executive Bob Wright. He simply refused to be wooed back on stage.

"I just let the work speak for itself," he told Esquire magazine in 2002.

Carson did find an outlet for his creativity: He wrote short humor pieces for The New Yorker magazine, including "Recently Discovered Childhood Letters to Santa," which purported to give the youthful wish lists of William Buckley, Don Rickles and others.

Carson made his debut as "Tonight" host in October 1962 and quickly won over audiences. He even made headlines with such clever ploys as the 1969 on-show marriage of eccentric singer Tiny Tim to Miss Vicki, which won the show its biggest-ever ratings.

The wedding and other noteworthy moments from the show were collected into a yearly "Tonight" anniversary special.

In 1972, "Tonight" moved from New York to Burbank. Growing respect for Carson's consistency and staying power, along with four consecutive Emmy Awards, came his way in the late 1970s.


His quickness and his ability to handle an audience were impressive. When his jokes missed their target, the smooth Carson won over a groaning studio audience with a clever look or sly, self-deprecating remark.

Politics provided monologue fodder for him as he skewered lawmakers of every stripe, mirroring the mood of voters. His Watergate jabs at President Nixon were seen as cementing Nixon's fall from office in 1974.

He made presidential history again in July 1988 when he had then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton on his show a few days after Clinton came under widespread ridicule for a boring speech at the Democratic National Convention. Clinton traded quips with Carson and played "Summertime" on the saxophone in what was hailed as a stunning comeback.

Competing networks tried a variety of formats and hosts to challenge Carson, but never managed to best "Tonight."

There was the occasional battle with NBC: In 1967, for instance, Carson walked out for several weeks until the network managed to lure him back with a contract that reportedly gave him $1 million-plus yearly.

In 1980, after more walkout threats, the show was scaled back from 90 minutes to an hour. Carson also eased his schedule by cutting back on his work days; a number of substitute hosts filled in, including Joan Rivers, Jerry Lewis and Jay Leno, Carson's eventual successor.

Rivers was one of the countless comedians whose careers took off after they were on Carson's show. After she rocked the audience with her jokes in that 1965 appearance, he remarked, "God, you're funny. You're going to be a star."

"If Johnny hadn't made the choice to put me on his show, I might still be in Greenwich Village as the oldest living undiscovered female comic," she recalled in an Associated Press interview 20 years later. She tried her own talk show in 1986, quickly becoming one of the many challengers who could not budge Carson.

In the '80s, Carson was reportedly the highest-paid performer in television history with a $5 million "Tonight" show salary alone. His Carson Productions created and sold pilots to NBC, including "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes." Carson himself made occasional cameo appearances on other TV series.

He also performed in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J., and was host of the Academy Awards five times in the '70s and '80s.


Carson's graceful exit from "Tonight" did not avoid a messy, bitter tug-of-war between Leno and fellow comedian David Letterman to take over his throne. Leno took over on May 25, 1992, becoming the fourth man to hold the job after Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Carson. Letterman landed on rival CBS.

Born in Corning, Iowa, and raised in nearby Norfolk, Neb., Carson started his show business career at age 14 as the magician "The Great Carsoni."

After World War II service in the Navy, he took a series of jobs in local radio and TV in Nebraska before starting at KNXT-TV in Los Angeles in 1950.

There he started a sketch comedy show, "Carson's Cellar," which ran from 1951-53 and attracted attention from Hollywood. A staff writing job for "The Red Skelton Show" followed.

The program provided Carson with a lucky break: When Skelton was injured backstage, Carson took the comedian's place in front of the cameras.

Producers tried to find the right program for the up-and-coming comic, trying him out as host of the quiz show "Earn Your Vacation" (1954), the variety show "The Johnny Carson Show" (1955-56), the game show "Who Do You Trust?" (1957-62).

A few acting roles came Carson's way, including one on "Playhouse 90" in 1957, and he did a pilot in 1960 for a prime-time series, "Johnny Come Lately," that never made it onto a network schedule.

In 1958, Carson sat in for "Tonight Show" host Paar. When Paar left the show four years later, Carson was NBC's choice as his replacement.

After his retirement, Carson took on the role of Malibu-based retiree with apparent ease. An avid tennis fan, he was still playing a vigorous game in his 70s.

He and his wife, Alexis, traveled frequently. The pair met on the Malibu beach in the early 1980s; he was 61 when they married in June 1987, she was in her 30s.

Carson's first wife was his childhood sweetheart, Jody, the mother of his three sons. They married in 1949 and split in 1963. He married Joanne Copeland Carson that same year, but divorced nine years later. His third marriage, to Joanna Holland Carson, took place in 1972. They divorced in 1985.

On the occasion of Carson's 70th birthday, former "Tonight" bandleader Doc Severinsen, who toured with musicians from the show, said he was constantly reminded of Carson's enduring popularity.

"Every place we go people ask `How is he? Where is he? What is he doing? Tell him how much we miss him.' It doesn't surprise me," Severinsen said.

Carson won a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 1992, with the first President Bush saying, "With decency and style he's made America laugh and think." In 1993, he was celebrated by the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors for career achievement.

His nephew said there will be no memorial service.




Filmography as: Actor, Writer, Himself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Actor - filmography
(1990s) (1970s)

The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (1993) (TV) .... Former Talkshow Host (Himself)


The George Burns Special (1976) (TV)



Filmography as: Actor, Writer, Himself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Writer - filmography
(1960s) (1950s)

"The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962) TV Series (writer)
... aka The Best of Carson (USA: rerun title)


"The Red Skelton Show" (1951) TV Series (writer)
... aka The Red Skelton Hour (USA: new title)



Filmography as: Actor, Writer, Himself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Himself - filmography
(2000s) (1990s) (1980s) (1970s) (1960s) (1950s)

Wild Desk Ride (2001) (V) (uncredited) .... Himself
... aka Conan O'Brien's Wild Desk Ride (USA: complete title)


The Newton Boys (1998) (uncredited) .... Himself
The Johnny Carson Collection, His Favorite Moments from The Tonight Show - '80s and '90s: The King of Late Night (1994) (V) .... Himself - Host
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (1993) (TV) .... Himself (Honoree)
Bob Hope: The First 90 Years (1993) (TV) .... Himself
... aka Bob Hope: A 90th Birthday Celebration (USA)
Comedy in Bloom (1992) (TV) .... Himself
Johnny Carson's 29th Anniversary (1991) (TV) .... Himself


Pink Cadillac (1989) (uncredited) .... Himself on TV
It's Howdy Doody Time (1987) (TV) .... Guest
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life (1987) (TV) .... Himself - Host
NBC 60th Anniversary Celebration (1986) (TV) .... Himself
The 56th Annual Academy Awards (1984) (TV) .... Himself - Host
Sheena Easton... Act One (1983) (TV) .... Himself
The 54th Annual Academy Awards (1982) (TV) .... Himself - Host
Johnny Goes Home (1982) (TV) .... Himself
... aka Johnny Goes Home to Nebraska (USA)
The 53rd Annual Academy Awards (1981) (TV) .... Himself - Host
A Love Letter to Jack Benny (1981) (TV) .... Himself
Bob Hope for President (1980) (TV)
The 52nd Annual Academy Awards (1980) (TV) .... Himself - Host
Lucy Moves to NBC (1980) (TV) .... Himself


The 51st Annual Academy Awards (1979) (TV) .... Himself - Host
A Tribute to Mr. Television Milton Berle (1978) (TV) .... Himself
CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years (1976) (TV) .... Himself
NBC: The First Fifty Years - A Closer Look (1976) (TV) .... Himself
Joys (1976) (TV) (uncredited) .... Himself/Masked Killer
... aka Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope in 'Joys' (USA: complete title)
Jack Benny's First Farewell Special (1973) (TV) .... Himself
Cancel My Reservation (1972) (uncredited) .... Himself


Goodbye, Columbus (1969) (uncredited) .... Himself (on TV)
Carnival Nights (1968) (TV) .... Himself
... aka Jack Benny's Carnival Nights (USA: complete title)
Looking for Love (1964) .... Himself
"The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962) TV Series .... Himself - Host
... aka The Best of Carson (USA: rerun title)


"Who Do You Trust?" (1956) TV Series .... Himself - Host (1957-1962)
"To Tell the Truth" (1956) TV Series .... Himself - Panelist (1961)
"The Johnny Carson Show" (1955) TV Series .... Himself - Host
"Earn Your Vacation" (1954) TV Series .... Himself - Host
"The Morning Show" (1954) TV Series .... Himself - Host (1954)
"Carson's Cellar" (1953) TV Series .... Himself - Host
"I've Got a Secret" (1952) TV Series .... Himself - Panelist (1960, 1963)



Filmography as: Actor, Writer, Himself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Archive Footage


"Retrosexual: The 80's" (2004) (mini) .... Himself
"Fornemmelse for snyd" (2003) .... Himself
World of Comedy (2002) (V)
50 Years of NBC Late Night (2001) (TV) .... Himself
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1998) (TV) .... Himself - Roastee(Guest of Honor)
The World of Jim Henson (1994) (TV) .... Himself
Laugh-In Past Christmas Present (1993) (TV) .... Himself
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In: 25th Anniversary Reunion (1993) (TV) .... Himself
Oscar's Greatest Moments (1992) (V) .... Himself
60 Minutes: The Entertainers (1991) (TV) .... Himself
Filmography as: Actor, Writer, Himself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Notable TV Guest Appearances

"Biography" playing "Himself" (archive footage) in episode: "Richard Pryor: Comic on the Edge" 12 March 1996
"The Simpsons" playing "Himself" (voice) in episode: "Krusty Gets Kancelled" (episode # 4.22) 13 May 1993
"Cheers" playing "Himself" in episode: "Heeeeeere's... Cliffy!" (episode # 10.24) 7 May 1992
"Newhart" playing "Himself" in episode: "Malling in Love Again" (episode # 7.22) 22 May 1989
"Night Court" playing "Himself" in episode: "Russkie Business" (episode # 5.18) 25 March 1988
"The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" playing "Frank Lloyd Wrong" 24 May 1983
"Mary Tyler Moore" playing "Himself" (voice) in episode: "Mary's Big Party" (episode # 7.22) 5 March 1977
"The Dean Martin Show" playing "Himself" in episode: "Celebrity Roast: Johnny Carson" 1 November 1973
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" playing "Himself" (episode # 6.22) 26 February 1973
"The Dean Martin Show" playing "Himself" 16 September 1971
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" playing "Himself" (episode # 5.1) 13 September 1971
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" playing "Himself" (episode # 4.17) 11 January 1971
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" playing "Himself" (episode # 3.20) 2 February 1970
"Here's Lucy" playing "Himself" in episode: "Lucy and Johnny Carson" (episode # 2.11) 1 December 1969
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" playing "Himself" (episode # 3.12) 1 December 1969
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" playing "Himself" (episode # 3.9) 10 November 1969
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" playing "Himself - Guest Performer" (episode # 3.1) 15 September 1969
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" playing "Himself" (episode # 2.15) 13 January 1969
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" playing "Himself" (episode # 1.13) 22 April 1968
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" playing "Himself" (episode # 1.10) 1 April 1968
"Get Smart" playing "Herald" (uncredited) in episode: "The King Lives?" (episode # 3.14) 6 January 1968
"Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" in episode: "Murder at N.B.C." (episode # 4.5) 19 October 1966
"Get Smart" playing "Train Conductor" in episode: "Aboard the Orient Express" (episode # 1.13) 11 December 1965
"The Jack Benny Program" playing "Himself" in episode: "Johnny Carson Guest" (episode # 14.5) 22 October 1963
"What's My Line?" playing "Guest Panelist" 24 March 1963
"What's My Line?" playing "Guest Panelist" 27 May 1962
"What's My Line?" playing "Mystery Guest" 11 February 1962
"What's My Line?" playing "Guest Panelist" 30 July 1961
"The United States Steel Hour" in episode: "Girl in the Gold Bathtub" (episode # 7.18) 4 May 1960
"The United States Steel Hour" playing "Kenneth Rausch" in episode: "Queen of the Orange Bowl" (episode # 7.10) 13 January 1960
"The Polly Bergen Show" in episode: "Do You Trust Your Wife?" 22 March 1958
"Toast of the Town" playing "Himself" (episode # 11.8) 17 November 1957
"Playhouse 90" playing "Patsy" in episode: "Three Men on a Horse" (episode # 1.29) 18 April 1957
"Toast of the Town" playing "Himself" (episode # 10.21) 10 February 1957
"Toast of the Town" playing "Himself" (episode # 10.4) 14 October 1956
"What's My Line?" playing "Guest Panelist" 8 April 1956
"The Jack Benny Program" playing "Himself" in episode: "Jack Gives Johnny Carson Advice" (episode # 6.4) 20 November 1955
"Toast of the Town" playing "Himself" (episode # 9.3) 9 October 1955

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announcer:
Ed McMahon



Musical Directors:

Doc Severinsen (1967-1992)
Skitch Henderson (1962-1966)
Milton Delugg (1966-1967)

Assistant Musical Director:
Tommy Newsom (1968-1992)

The contrast between Jack Paar (the previous host of
The Tonight Show) and Johnny Carson was marked. As
emotional and likely to blow up as Paar was, that is how
calm and unflappable Carson was. Carson opened each
show with a monologue and then spent most of the
remainder of the evening chatting with guests. Unlike
Paar, Carson tended to avoid anything controversial and
was usually content to keep his audience amused. When
Carson started, the show was originating from New York
and was taped on the same evening that it aired. Johnny
was on all five nights and began his monologue when the
show began, at 11:15 P.M. On his first show, Carson was
introduced by Groucho Marx; Johnny's first words,
reacting to applause as he walked onstage for the first
time: "Boy, you would think it was Vice President Nixon."

In February 1965 he refused to do the 11:15-11:30 P.M.
segment any longer, leaving that to Ed McMahon and
Skitch Henderson. On January 2, 1967 this first
fifteen minutes was dropped from the show
altogether, leaving the show at 90 minutes.

For millions of Americans, the show was a comforting,
consistent, comedic lullaby. Every night for three
decades, they'd drift off to sleep as a twinkle-eyed,
silver-haired Nebraskan swung an invisible golf club,
made some alimony jokes, and inspired throaty ho-ho-hos
from his eager sidekick. Over the course of some 4500
shows, he turned The Tonight Show into a pre-sleep
ritual, launched a thousand stand-up careers, and
reached the kind of fame where last names were
unnecessary: "Heeeeere's Johnny!" was enough.

The show would remain at 90 minutes in length until
1980 when it was cut back to only one hour. Features
that were used on his show with varying frequency
included "Stump the Band," in which members of the
studio audience would ask the band to try to play
obscure songs by giving them only the titles; "Carnac
the Magnificent," with Carson as an inept magician;

"Aunt Blabby," with Carson as a gossiping little old
lady; "The Mighty Carson Art Players," spoofing movies,
commercials, tv shows, and events in the news; "Floyd
R. Turbo," with carson as a super-patriot; and "The Art
Fern Tea Time Movie," with Carol Wayne as the original
"Matinee Lady." Perhaps the most celebrated telecast,
and certainly the one with the most enormous
audience, was that of December 17, 1969,
on which Tiny Tim married Miss Vicki.

In May 1972 the show was permanently moved from New
York to Burbank, California. It was also around this time
that Carson started cutting back on his appearances.

He would now do the show only four nights per week,
leaving the Monday night show to a guest host. The most
frequent guest hosts during the first 21 years were:
Joey Bishop (177 times), Joan Rivers (93 times),
Bob Newhart (87 times), John Davidson (87 times),
David Brenner (70 times), McLean Stevenson (58 times),
Jerry Lewis (52 times), and David Letterman (51 times).
Joan Rivers was the "permanent" (and only) guest host
from September 1983 until 1986. The Tonight Show
reverted to various guest hosts after Joan left, with
Jay Leno the most frequent. Leno then became the
exclusive guest host in the fall of 1987, a position
he held for the remainder of Johnny's rein. Johnny's
final telecast was a national event. A quiet reminicence
(without big-name guests) about the shows golden
moments over the past 30 years. Many, however,
felt that the next-to-the-last show was the best;

in it, Bette Midler sang a wistfully comic love song
to Johnny that expressed what most viewers felt,
THERE WOULD NEVER BE ANOTHER QUITE LIKE HIM!














My family and I would like to send our prayers and heartfelt sympathy to the immediate family, friends and worldwide fans of Johnny Carson! ENJOY the many photos, stories, & biography of one of the greatest American icons to ever live! The enclosures within this Email are for Your pleasure! Feel free to forward this Email with our many heartfelt thanks to friends and family! David Harrison Levi











My family and I would like to send our prayers and heartfelt sympathy to the families, friends and loved ones of those who recently perished from the horrific earthquake and tsunami, which swept through Indonesia, Asia, India, Somalia and other countries.

Our love is also being sent to those who have miraculously survived this tragedy and to those who are so courageously on-site, helping to spearhead the relief efforts. We pray for your strength, your safety and the success of your life-saving missions of love.


I would like to encourage all of my friends, to contribute to agencies and organizations assisting in these efforts. In times like these, we need each other... we must bond together in spirit and in service.

God Bless.

Sincerely,

David Harrison Levi