Your all-time favorite talk show host?

Carson for me too and Conan makes me laugh

I thought Leno was better off doing stand-up. As a talk show host, I thought he fawned over his guests too much.

Funny, despite most everyone feeling otherwise, that was my take-away too. Although I thought Letterman was, in the main, an ass.

Long before any of these guys, the man who CREATED The Tonight Show: Steve Allen. Without the innovation of Steve Allen, these other guys are analogous to sperm still looking for an egg to fertilize. Having established a foundation for an informed discussion, Carson is easily the best to date. His Midwest looks and cultural roots conceal a lightning wit and comforting charm. “I don’t think I could hurt him any worse than that, Ed.” There is NO JOB that is harder than being a talk show host. Not neurosurgeon, not President, not even Parent. As hard, perhaps. Harder, no. Especially not today,when cell phones have demolished verbal and social skills! And Johnny Carson made it look SO EASY. The great ones in any discipline always make it look so easy. I remember his final show. He could have had ANYONE as his guests. He could have had the Pope, the US President and the ghost of Walt Disney, if he’d wanted. He selected Robin Williams and Bette Midler, both at the zenith of their careers. Bette seranaded him with a paradoy ditty titled, You Made Me Watch You (I Didn’t Wanna Do It, I Didn’t Wanna Do It). Williams rendered his impression of President Bush. Johnny asked him how he created such an impressive facsimile of the Bush voice, and Robin replied, “It’s easy. You just take John Wayne, and then you tighten up the asshole.” The last word was NOT
censored on the late-night network feed of the recorded show, a testament to the love and respect NBC had for this talk show legend. Robin then said, “I shouldn’t have said that, should I?” Johnny Carson very calmly
said, “What are they gonna do? Fire me?”

Legends are few. Johnny Carson is one.

😬

Can't stand shock jocks.