MovieChat Forums > The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) Discussion > Two episodes and I am hooked

Two episodes and I am hooked

posted 9 years ago by MrDeltoid77
10 replies | jump to latest

I grew up with Carson during the late 70s through his departure in the 90s. I have my DVR set and have already been transported back to a time when Comedy was unfettered by political correctness and still had an air of class.

Don't get me wrong... I enjoy a lot of today's comedy and enjoy an occasional visit with Kimmel or Fallon. But there will never be another Johnny.

Victor Buono was just wonderful, Foster Brooks always hilarious. Murphy at his youthful charming best. Johnny with the animals is always a hit. Even Adele Rogers St. John was charming and interesting.

I will be watching every night just like I used to. Spending an hour with an old friend.

My one complaint (and I kind of knew this was going to happen) is that due to ASCAP's ridiculously strict rules and the inherent cheapness of any Television station or corporate entity, they have cut all the music interstitials coming back from the commercial breaks.

It may seem like a small thing, but those short little musical interludes were as much a fabric of the show as any other element for me. Doc and the NBC Orchestra were some of the greatest musicians ever. They could swing like nobody's business. It's a real shame we are missing out on these short musical gems.

You would think for the 10 or 15 seconds of the whatever song they were playing they could avoid paying royalties. They are even doing very obvious audio edits during the show when some of the music is being played.

I hope they don't cheap out and cut any of the moments when they featured the band or the guest musicians.

So much for airing the shows "in their entirety".

That being said, I am looking forward to enjoying these windows into my past. Thanks Antenna TV!

[–] leader-7 9 years ago

Hear Hear! I'll toast to everything you said. I grew up with Carson (and his predecessor, Jack Paar -- as my parents had no clue about bedtime for a child -- so I'd go to bed with them after the show was over!) and agree with your entire post.

They most certainly do need to bring back the music (including his prior bandleaders -- Milton DeLugg and Skitch Henderson!) I went to college w/ Doc's daughter -- and we used to love talking about his wild suits -- remember them?

Anyway -- I do hope there's a semblance of order to the shows, chronologically -- but who knows. I'm grateful to have this class act back in my midst.

He was not only a terrific interviewer, but was also a completely charming, intelligent, and genuinely funny man. He had guests on who were "of the moment" and also educated the rest of us (kids, younger ones, etc) by having people on like Adela Rogers St. John and others from prior generations or historically whose contribution loomed large, so he could revive them and make them still relevant.

Love him with all my heart. Thank you for your post.

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[–] robert4770 9 years ago

Last nights episode with the audience filled with the NBC affiliates was a star studded show of NBC talent. Bob Hope, Michael Landon, Don Rickles, Freddie Prinz and Carol Wayne. I grew up watching Carson but its been so long that its almost like the first time. Regarding the music mentioned above does that mean there will be no musical numbers as well? The show always had so many great musical guests. Also I wonder if there were any episodes held back from syndication?

[–] leader-7 9 years ago

As for the music, I hope the OP explains more. I don't know. But, if what he says is right, then we won't be getting any fabulous "Stump the Band" segments! I loved those.

If you look at the Antenna TV schedule (I just did) you'll see that there will be jumping back and forth in episodes being aired -- not at all chronological, which is too bad.

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[–] rycki1138 9 years ago

there will be jumping back and forth in episodes being aired

They're airing the 70s episodes on the weekends and those are the 1 hr, 30 min episodes and they are airing the 80s & early 90s 1 hr. episodes during the week.

The Tonight Show aired as 1 hr, 30 min episodes up until 1980 when Johnny Carson had a contract dispute with NBC. NBC agreed to pay him more money and they cut the show back to 1 hr and he only had to work 37 weeks out of the year.

They did have to edit out the beginning of the show where it is identified as The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson because NBC owns the rights to the Tonight Show, but these episodes were owned by Johnny Carson himself. His ownership of the show was another perk from that 1980 contract dispute. NBC gave him full ownership of the episodes, even the past episodes, though most from before 1973 are lost because they were taped over when they reused the videotapes for other shows.

So instead of Ed McMahon saying "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson ... with tonight's guests (?????). Heeee'rrrre's Johnny", it starts with the guests listed on screen and Ed McMahon coming in saying "Heeee'rrrre's Johnny" and no mention of The Tonight Show onscreen or by Ed McMahon.

(knock,knock,knock) Penny (knock,knock,knock) Penny (knock,knock,knock) Penny

[–] MrDeltoid77 9 years ago

I'm also hoping they will sprinkle in some of the episodes with guest hosts. I would love to see Burt Reynolds, Frank Sinatra, Don Rickles sitting behind the desk.

Oddly, last nights episode was recorded during the musicians strike in 1974 and there was no band. Yet during Antenna TVs airing of this episode, they did play what must have been recorded music during the "artwork" interstitials.

Perhaps I spoke to soon? One can only hope.

[–] I_Guard_Tanelorn 9 years ago

That's what's missing! The music. Been making me nuts. Couldn't put my finger on it. Still, i'm happy to get as much of the show as they're giving us.

"I said no camels, that's five camels, can't you count?"

[–] scgary66 9 years ago

Yeah, they've cut the musical guests, too (and all mentions of them as well); they omitted Kenny G's performance from the episode with Richard Pryor and Sean Penn.

Gary Krause 

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] hallrk 9 years ago

Yes it is too bad the music industry is so greedy that they can't make some allowances for shows like this. I love music but I detest their greed.

[–] 9 years ago

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