Johnny Carson Dead?

[MacNut]

I will be sure to watch Leno's and Letterman's next shows to see what they say about Mr. Carson.

Letterman will be very emotional as he was very close to Carson, I wonder how much of the show Dave talks about Johnny. Leno by default has to say something as he is the host of the Tonight Show but I wonder how much of the show he will dedicate to Carson's comedy. I would hope that he will break format and show old Carson clips the whole night.

 

[stubeeef]

I have to agree with stubeeef (well, there's a first time for everything):

Sorry, that might be painful for you, how brave!
I thought you were against the death penalty, and assualt weapons too, well maybe you forget. Don't worry I won't be back THERE, sanity forbids it.

 

[munkle]

I think this is about as far as it went on Johnny's show. 😛


(Warning: the above link is probably not work safe.)

Got another link? I can't be bothered to download Real Media player just to watch a clip and don't really want RM on my PB anyway! 😉

 

[Doctor Q]

Johnny Carson started in "show biz" as a magician, and then got in on the ground floor of TV entertainment. At one point, he was the most watched entertainer in the world and one of the richest. It's interesting that he could calmly perform in front of millions, but never felt comfortable in a crowd in public.

Hearing that reminds me of the stories from well-known Broadway actors, who say they still get stage fright, yet performing is what they love doing for a living.

 

[wdlove]

There is something to be said about the adrenalin rush that they receive performing on a live stage before a live audience. The reason that he wasn't really seen in public after his retirement after May 1992. That is why some actors like to return to the stage, because it just isn't the same without the live audience. Hence the popularity of filming TV programs before a live audience the was perfected by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. That fear and adrenalin is what gives them an edge to perform.

 

[MacNut]

The best part of performing live is that if you screw up everyone can watch, no do overs in-front of a live audience. Makes for a better performance because it is always at its best.

 

[Bern]

Big deal ! So what some tv host has passed away. He's hardly an icon, just someone who stayed on tv far too long.

What is it with Americans and TV personalities.

There are more important things happening in the world.

 

[stubeeef]

Big deal ! So what some tv host has passed away. He's hardly an icon, just someone who stayed on tv far too long.

What is it with Americans and TV personalities.

There are more important things happening in the world.

Had a pint and feel like trolling abit do ya?

 

[clayj]

Big deal ! So what some tv host has passed away. He's hardly an icon, just someone who stayed on tv far too long.

What is it with Americans and TV personalities.

There are more important things happening in the world.

Well, duh, of course there are more important things happening in the world.

But Johnny Carson was on the air for 30 years... he lasted through 8 US Presidents, and he was always a class act. He represents a continuity that's too often lacking in our MTV, Internet, short-attention-span world.

As to him being on the air far too long... I disagree. He left before he slid into oblivion, unlike a lot of so-called "stars".

 

[MacNut]

Big deal ! So what some tv host has passed away. He's hardly an icon, just someone who stayed on tv far too long.

What is it with Americans and TV personalities.

There are more important things happening in the world.

Most anybody who is famous got their start on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Its because of him that we have something to laugh about. Im sorry if you have crappie television in Australia but we owe a lot to Carson for his genius and his ability to make generations laugh and smile for over 30 years.

 

[wdlove]

I will be sure to watch Leno's and Letterman's next shows to see what they say about Mr. Carson.

Jay Leno did a one hour tribute to Johnny. I was very surprised David Letterman decided to take another week vacation. Just got off the Christmas and New Year vacation break. Even if planned, for a close fiend like Johnny, he should have done the show live in his honor. This is about Johnny and not David. 🙁

 

[MacNut]

First of all what Leno did was not from the heart but more because he had to do it or NBC would say something. Everyone knows that Carson did not want Leno to get the Tonight Show and Johnny wouldn't even mention Leno on his last night. After listening to Stern this morning I agree that what Leno said was scripted and not from the heart. As for Letterman not doing a live show, if he is on vacation than chances are the rest of the staff is too so it would not be that easy to throw a show together in a day. Im sure when Dave gets back he will do a great tribute that will be from the heart and very moving.

There's a great movie to watch called Late Night, it really explains what happened in the fight for the Tonight Show job.

 

[wdlove]

First of all what Leno did was not from the heart but more because he had to do it or NBC would say something. Everyone knows that Carson did not want Leno to get the Tonight Show and Johnny wouldn't even mention Leno on his last night. After listening to Stern this morning I agree that what Leno said was scripted and not from the heart. As for Letterman not doing a live show, if he is on vacation than chances are the rest of the staff is too so it would not be that easy to throw a show together in a day. Im sure when Dave gets back he will do a great tribute that will be from the heart and very moving.

For all that Johnny Carson did for him and other up and coming comedians, that is a real shame. Wonder if his reaction will hurt his ratings.

Does anyone else thing that David Letterman is taking a lot of vacation tim in the last year?

 

[clayj]

Jay Leno did a one hour tribute to Johnny. I was very surprised David Letterman decided to take another week vacation. Just got off the Christmas and New Year vacation break. Even if planned, for a close fiend like Johnny, he should have done the show live in his honor. This is about Johnny and not David. 🙁

True, but putting on a show is not just a question of flying back Letterman from wherever he happened to be on vacation... EVERYONE who works on the show would be on vacation, and it might not be possible to get everyone back from wherever they happened to be. (Not to mention union regulations, etc.)

I'm sure Letterman will say something when live episodes of his show resume.

 

[MacNut]

I think its in Letterman's contract that he gets a lot of vacation time. He only films 4 days a week 2 shows on thursday. I think Dave can do just about whatever he wants. His production company is in charge of the show so I think he gets a lot of leeway to do as he pleases.

 

[Bern]

Had a pint and feel like trolling abit do ya?

In fact no I didn't have a "pint" as you so quaintly put it. I just don't see the big deal over a man who has lived a long and very prosperous life. So what he appeared on TV for 30 years.

If only the focus of affections were on the ordinary man and woman rather than these inconsequential celebraties perhaps wars wouldn't be fought. I mean you go to war to gain a country's oil in the guise of "war against terror" yet you are devastated when some old American celebrity dies. Now that's national shallowism. 🙁

 

[MacNut]

In fact no I didn't have a "pint" as you so quaintly put it. I just don't see the big deal over a man who has lived a long and very prosperous life. So what he appeared on TV for 30 years.

If only the focus of affections were on the ordinary man and woman rather than these inconsequential celebraties perhaps wars wouldn't be fought. I mean you go to war to gain a country's oil in the guise of "war against terror" yet you are devastated when some old American celebrity dies. Now that's national shallowism. 🙁

You see in America we like to embrace our national icons no matter who they are. People who bring joy to a nation tend to get respected when they die.

I just love ignorant people. 😡

 

[stubeeef]

In fact no I didn't have a "pint" as you so quaintly put it. I just don't see the big deal over a man who has lived a long and very prosperous life. So what he appeared on TV for 30 years.

If only the focus of affections were on the ordinary man and woman rather than these inconsequential celebraties perhaps wars wouldn't be fought. I mean you go to war to gain a country's oil in the guise of "war against terror" yet you are devastated when some old American celebrity dies. Now that's national shallowism. 🙁

As people here were paying respects and saying nice things about a man they felt good about and you jump in with

Big deal ! So what some tv host has passed away. He's hardly an icon, just someone who stayed on tv far too long.
What is it with Americans and TV personalities.
There are more important things happening in the world.

It seemed that you really wanted to provoke something; than add anything. Your comment that "He's hardly an icon" proves you know NOT what you say.
There are more important things in the world, and none of them get solved on the macrumors forum, maybe you should look elsewhere to do that. I am apprecitative of your countries efforts in the removal of Saddam, and am glad that your democratic process re-elected your leader, the political forum is best suited for your arguments. Please also speak to the french, russians, and germans about the billions they made at the back door of the UN. Had that process not subverted it's intent-I venture there would be no war now. But once again that is all best suited for the political forum where you will find many that will agree with you on all the rotten things about the US.

 

[acedickson]

1 week later and I STILL can't believe it. Another icon has left us.

 

[MacNut]

Letterman is really doing a great tribute show to Carson, It is really making Leno look like a huge tool for the farce he did last week.

 

[Doctor Q]

Letterman's tribute show was well done. He gave Johnny Carson credit for his own career and said that all other talk show hosts are essentially Carson wannabes. I loved the tape of the bit where Letterman's car broke down and Johnny drove by but didn't stop to help. And the tape of the show when Letterman's real vehicle, his beaten-up old truck, was secretly brought to the studio by Carson just for the laughs it would produce.

 

[stubeeef]

Crap I missed it, I forgot! Damn! 🙁

 

[wdlove]

My wife watched David Letterman last evening. She was impressed by the tribute. It was well done, a real class act by a guy with class.

 

[Doctor Q]

I did a double take when Paul Shaffer and his band played the "Tonite Show Starring Johnny Carson Theme Song" before one of the breaks. It was like having Bill Gates casually walk by with an iPod shuffle around his neck.

I was glad that neither Leno nor Letterman talked about the acrimony over who would be Johnny Carson's replacement when he retired.

 

[Lyle]

Crap I missed it, I forgot! Damn! 🙁

Me too. Actually, I usually can't stay up that late anymore anyways, but I would have stayed up for it if I'd known that Dave was going to be back live last night. Perhaps they'll re-run it the next time he's out on vacation.