The Carson Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mark Malkoff
Host Mark Malkoff talks with guests about legendary talk show host Johnny Carson. Guests include stand-up comics who debuted on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, individuals that worked on the show, frequent guests, and top entertainers that were influenced by Carson.
Robert Smigel and Dana Carvey discuss their Carson sketches on Saturday Night Live, Carvey’s 5 Johnny appearances, and their thoughts on Carson’s 30-year run.
TV Curator, James Comisar, discusses Carson personally giving him the famous Carnac turban, how he got Carson’s full Tonight Show set, & the amazing TV artifacts in his Comisar Collection.
Gabe Kaplan discusses his 40 appearances on Carson’s Tonight Show, 18 times guest hosting the Tonight Show, how going on Carson led to Welcome Back Kotter, Battle of the Network Stars and Robert Conrad, friendship with Howard Cosell, Bob Hope, & Groucho Marx.
Barry Gibb discusses Carson, Bee Gees, brother Andy, Streisand, McCartney, Dolly, Letterman, Leno, Hope, Burns, & being knighted by Prince Charles.
Tina Sinatra discusses Johnny Carson, her famous father, Don Rickles, Sammy Davis Jr, Suzanne Pleshette, David Janssen, and Dean Martin.
Richard Lewis discusses his Carson appearances, nearly getting banned, an awkward airplane flight involving Carson, going on Letterman’s NBC show, David Brenner’s advice & Larry David.
Carol Burnett returns to discuss Johnny Carson, working with Carson on The Garry Moore Show, the Carson appearance discussing her daughter’s substance abuse issue, Carol Wayne, & Jimmy Stewart.
Jan Schwarz discusses her 15 years at the Tonight Show, her Carson interactions, working with Bobby Quinn, Carson’s loyalty, the issues with sketch rehearsals, & Carson having her on the show on her final day working.
Roger Cortes discusses working on The Tonight Show, the famous Malibu Restaurant sketch with Betty White, Tony Bennett, Linda Ronstadt, Alan King, Shelley Winters, Fred de Cordova, & Joey Bishop.
Cowboy poet, Baxter Black, discusses his Carson appearances reading cowboy poetry, why it took years to get booked on Carson, turning down Johnny’s request to do the show more often, & crying when Carson passed away.
Franklyn Ajaye discusses his Tonight Show appearances, Carson’s helpful advice, Why Make Me Laugh was more impactful than going on Carson, Richard Pryor, Freddie Prinze, & the 1976 movie Car Wash.
Cathy Guisewite discusses her Carson appearances, Johnny being a fan of the “Cathy” comic strip, Carson visiting her before the show, being a guest during the final months of Carson’s Tonight Show, & her friendship with Charles Schulz.
Don Mischer discusses working with Carson on the 1993 Kennedy Center Honors, Bob Hope’s 90th Birthday featuring Carson, asking Carson during retirement to host the Oscars and Emmys, Don Rickles, & Garry Shandling.
Rona Barrett discusses going on Carson’s Tonight Show, working with Tom Snyder, Steve Lawrence, Mae West, Frank Sinatra, Cher, Eddie Fisher, Michael Landon, and much more.
Pete Hammond discusses being an NBC Page, Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, working at the Arsenio Hall Show, Lauren Bacall, Mel Brooks, & Bette Davis.
Carson Writers Round Table 3 with Tony DeSena, Andrew Nicholls, & Darrell Vickers discussing writing meetings at Carson’s home, Misery Bingo, buzz words to elicit laughs, & writing Carson’s famous long intro for Bill Clinton.
Architect Ed Niles discusses designing Carson’s Malibu home, working with Carson on the home, designing his tennis court, and some of Niles’ other Malibu house designs.
Saundra McClain discusses working on Carson’s NY Tonight Show, her funny incident with Carson, Ed McMahon, Joanne Carson, Sidney Poitier, & Paul Newman.
Brian Ross discusses his NBC News 1980 investigative report on Wayne Newton and the mob, talking to Johnny Carson, Newton and Carson bidding on the Aladdin Hotel, & Newton suing Ross and NBC.
Albert Fisher discusses working with Carson & Ed McMahon, his 5 years at the Merv Griffin Show, Richard Pryor, Lucille Ball, 1962 NY World’s Fair, Carol Channing, Red Skelton, & Jonathan Winters.
Famed Dodgers peanut vendor, Roger Owens, discusses how his 1976 Carson appearance changed his life, teaching Carson how to throw peanut bags, Mel Brooks casting him in a film, & being a judge on The Gong Show.
Carson Writers Round Table returns with Darrell Vickers, Tony DeSena, & Andrew Nicholls discussing writing for Carson, their favorite sketches, joke topics that were off-limit, & why writing Carnac jokes were hard.
Marc Summers discusses interviewing Carson, visits to Carson’s show, working with Ed McMahon, Jack Benny, Andy Kaufman, Frank Sinatra, Joan Rivers, Sonny & Cher, & his infamous Leno appearance with Burt Reynolds.
Richard Zoglin discusses Carson, his definitive Bob Hope biography “Hope”, book “Comedy on the Edge: How Stand-Up In the 1970’s Changed America”, David Letterman, Arsenio Hall, Tom Snyder, & Robin Williams.
Tom Dreesen returns to discuss Carson guests Richard Jeni, Michael Keaton, Jay Leno, Johnny Brown, Maureen Murphy, David Letterman, Liz Torres, Richard Belzer, Lola Falana, Johnny Yune, Garry Shandling, & Bob Hope.
Scot Morris discusses his 7 Carson appearances, being the games editor of Omni Magazine which Carson was a big fan of, Jerry Seinfeld, & Garry Shandling.
Joe Drago discusses working on Carson’s Tonight Show, Johnny’s famous cigarette box and lighter being stolen, Ed McMahon, Peter Lassally, John Denver, & Fred de Cordova.
Cheryl Ladd discusses going on Carson, Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, Gene Kelly, guesting on The Muppet Show, Gregory Peck, & Battle of the Network Stars.
Shelley Herman discusses being an NBC page in Burbank, Carson’s Tonight Show, Freddie Prinze, Jimmy Stewart, Redd Foxx, Janet Leigh, Andy Kaufman, & Buddy Hackett.
Michael Klein discusses being an NBC Burbank exec, his Carson encounters, Frank Sinatra going on Carson in 1976, Muhammad Ali, Lucille Ball, Redd Foxx, Don Rickles, Joe Namath, Nell Carter, Fred Silverman, Gary Coleman, & Brandon Tartikoff.
Woody Woodbury discusses following Carson as host of “Who Do You Trust?”, his friendship with Ed McMahon, Don Rickles, being in the Marines with Ted Williams, Jerry Lewis, & Steve Allen.
Fred Kayne discusses his 16 years as Carson’s stock broker, playing tennis with Carson, Don Rickles, John DeLorean, & his wife’s memorable visit to Carson’s home.
Peter Poriss discusses his four Carson appearances, his 1971 best selling book “How to Live Cheap”, upsetting guest Tony Randall, & telling Carson viewers not to buy his book.
Alan Hamel discusses Carson, being mentioned in Carson’s monologue, his wife Suzanne Somers’ Carson debut, hosting the Alan Hamel Show, being called The Johnny Carson of Canada, Steve Allen, Carol Wayne, Groucho Marx, & Rodney Dangerfield.
Robert Shields discusses his 4 Johnny appearances as part of the mine duo “Shields & Yarnell”, Groucho Marx, Marcel Marceau, Flip Wilson, Cher, Hope, & Sinatra.
Joan Van Ark discusses appearing on Carson, Dom LeLuise, Richard Chamberlain, Michael Landon, Ava Gardner, & Battle of the Network Stars.
Cathy Rich, daughter of Buddy Rich, discusses her Carson appearances, Carson’s friendship with Buddy, Carson speaking at Buddy’s funeral, Judy Garland, & Frank Sinatra.
Susan Sullivan discusses Carson and her 19 appearances on Carson’s Tonight Show, Joan Rivers, Garry Shandling, Cary Grant, & Charlton Heston.
Suzanne Charny discusses going on Carson, her friendship with Sammy Davis Jr, doing Bob Hope specials, Bob Fosse directing her in Sweet Charity, & dancing with Danny Kaye.
Todd Yasui discusses working for Helen Kushnick at Leno’s Tonight Show, Carson leaving, booking the infamous Hugh Grant appearance, having guests that Carson wouldn’t have on, and his 5 years as Leno segment producer.
Dr. Michael W. Fox discusses his Carson appearances, Shelley Winters, Fred de Cordova, Dick Cavett, and being on with guest host Kermit The Frog.
Remi Messenger discusses working at Carson’s Tonight Show in NY, Doc Severinsen, the show’s Burbank trips, Joey Bishop, & the Carson writers.
Carson Stage Manager Round Table with Kevin Quinn and Dan Ford. Topics include Carson, Rodney Dangerfield, Walter Matthau, Ray Charles, Mel Brooks, anniversary parties, & both being guests on Carson’s show.
Dan Pasternack returns again to discuss Carson, Jonathan Winters, Joan Rivers, Milton Berle, Jay Leno, Carol Burnett, and Mel Blanc.
John Mendoza discusses his Carson appearances, being Carson’s NY chauffeur, Fred de Cordova, going on Letterman, Ed McMahon, Jay Leno, & Larry David.
Karen Morrow discusses going on Carson, Buddy Hackett, singing on Ed Sullivan, Joan Rivers, Jim Nabors Hour, Dick Shawn, President Lyndon Johnson, & Sid Caesar.
Carson stand-up comic round table with Mark Pitta, Al Lubel, & John Wing discussing appearing on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. Topics include how they got booked on Carson, backstage stories, Robin Williams, & favorite Carson guests growing up.
Tim Reid discusses his Carson appearances, WKRP in Cincinnati, The Richard Pryor Show, his comedy team with Tom Dreesen, Frank’s Place, Della Reese, & Robin Williams.
Mark Simone returns to discuss Johnny Carson, Skitch Henderson, Jackie Mason, Ed Sullivan, & Rodney Dangerfield.
Dan Pasternack returns to discuss Carson’s Tonight Show, Jonathan Winters, Joan Rivers, Jay Leno, Bonnie Hunt, and Carol Burnett.
Irving Davis returns again to discuss working for Carson, Joan Rivers, Bob Hope, Della Reese, Milton Berle, Linda Hopkins, Wayne Newton, and Jay Leno.
Carson talent coordinator round table with Paul Block, Pat Bradford, & Howard Papush discussing working for Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. Topics include favorite guests they worked with, challenging guests, & discovering new talent.
Rob Newman discusses working on the Oscars when Carson hosted, hiring Ed McMahon, Richard Pryor, Natalie Wood, Samuel Goldwyn, Kim Novak, & John Wayne.
Irving Davis returns to discuss working on Carson’s Tonight Show, pulling the rainbow curtain open for Carson, Freddie Prinze, & Joan Rivers’ kindness.
Mark Simone discusses having lunch with Carson and the advice he got, his radio show with Steve Allen, Carson’s NY Tonight Show era, working with Tom Snyder, Joan Rivers, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, & Jack Paar.
Rick Scheckman (better known as “Shecky”) discusses his 30 plus years at Letterman on NBC & CBS, Carson performing a routine at a staff dinner, & Carson’s cameo in NY in 1991.
Dan Pasternack discusses his friend Jonathan Winters’ new 3 LP box set “Jonathan Winters: Unearthed”, meeting Carson, Fred de Cordova, Bob Hope, & his new audio documentary “OCD: Unearthing Jonathan Winters”.
Renn Woods discusses her Carson appearances, being in “Roots” as Fanta, her role in “The Jerk” with Steve Martin, touring with Bob Hope in Vietnam, opening up for Sammy Davis Jr., appearing in “Car Wash”, Jane Fonda’s kindness on “9 to 5”, & appearing in the film “Hair” in 1979.
Freda Payne discusses her Carson appearances, being a guest during Harry Belafonte’s historic week guest hosting, touring with Pearl Bailey, having Jay Leno opening up for her at Mister Kelly’s, Frank Sinatra, & Joan Rivers.
Bill Carter returns again to discuss CNN’s History of Late Night docuseries and takes listener questions about late night television.
Fred Roggin discusses his Carson appearances, receiving a phone call from Carson, going on with guest host Jay Leno, Bob Hope, Tommy Lasorda, & appearing with Raymond Burr on “Perry Mason”.
Carol Silverman discusses working at NBC Burbank, Johnny Carson, Stump The Band, Steve Martin, Welcome Back Kotter, Joan Rivers, Midnight Special with the Bee Gees, & Frank Sinatra.
Leslie Bennetts discusses her book about Joan Rivers “Last Girl Before Freeway”, the Carson/Rivers falling-out debacle, the person responsible for their feud, Rivers’ FOX late night show, & upsetting Jerry Lewis.
Diane Schuur discusses her 11 Carson appearances, Carson drummer Ed Shaughnessy, Quincy Jones conducting her, being friends with Frank Sinatra, & working with Ray Charles.
Ruta Lee returns to discuss her book “Consider Your A** Kissed” with stories about Carson, Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Raymond Burr, Debbie Reynolds, & Shecky Greene.
Roy Blount Jr. discusses his Carson appearances, talking to Johnny during commercials, Letterman’s green room, Gilda Radner, Garry Shandling, & Dick Cavett.
Jack Jones discusses his Carson appearances, pranking Ed McMahon, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan, & The Love Boat.
NBC photographer Chris Haston discusses Carson’s dislike of being photographed by himself, taking photos of Carson and Fred de Cordova, Bette Davis, George Burns, & shooting The Office pilot and entire series.
Betty Buckley discusses her Carson appearances, friendship with John Belushi, her role in Brian De Palma’s “Carrie”, working with Bob Fosse in “Pippin”, Elaine Stritch, being in the original Broadway production of “Cats”, & her 4 seasons on “Eight Is Enough”.
Paul Block returns again to discuss being a talent coordinator on Carson’s Tonight Show, Buddy Rich, Glen Campbell and Carl Sagan.
Vince Calandra returns to discuss being a guest booker on the Ed Sullivan Show as well as on Joan River’s FOX late night show, Paul Newman’s surprising request, The Supremes, lunch with Joe DiMaggio, & Richard Pryor.
Carson writers round table with Tony DeSena, Andrew Nicholls, & Darrell Vickers discussing writing for Johnny Carson. Topics include Carnac bits, favorite jokes Johnny used, a bit that the censors wouldn’t allow, & lunches with Carson in retirement.
John R. Holmes discusses working on Carson’s Tonight Show, going to Johnny’s Malibu home, stealing Dave Letterman’s truck, Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, Brandon Tartikoff, & Dave Letterman.
Vince Calandra discusses being a talent booker on The Ed Sullivan Show, booking The Beatles on Sullivan, standing in for George Harrison during rehearsal, & booking Carson’s 1st public appearance after his May 1992 retirement.
Diahn W. McGrath discusses her Carson appearances, being on Get Smart, I Spy, and The Andy Griffith Show, Jean Harlow’s former mansion, Bob Einstein, & Pablo Picaso.
Ray Dewey discusses working as NBC Director of Broadcast Standards, his involvement in Carson’s show, occasional things being bleeped out, Fred de Cordova, and Doc & the band playing a song he wrote.
Deb Roccaforte discusses working on Carson’s NY Tonight Show, booking guests for The Mike Douglas Show, Bette Midler, Paul Williams, Ginger Rogers, Paul Anka, George Carlin, & Albert Brooks.
Sue Raney discusses her appearances singing on Carson’s Tonight show, dining with Johnny at Jilly’s, opening up for Don Rickles in Las Vegas, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, & performing on The Dean Martin Show.
Jeff Wald discusses his famous past clients such as Tiny Tim and Helen Reddy going on Carson’s show, socializing with Johnny, Carol Wayne, George Carlin, Frank Sinatra & Dave Letterman.
Gary Null discusses photographing Carson’s Tonight Show, his 40 years at NBC, Elvis Comeback Special, traveling with Bob Hope, Redd Foxx, & John Wayne.
Wendy Perl discusses photographing Carson and The Tonight Show, working at NBC, Bob Hope’s 90th Birthday, Joan Rivers, Brandon Tartikoff, & being in the audience for Carson’s final show.
Ed. Weinberger discusses writing for Carson’s Tonight Show, Carson’s difficulty playing the Fountainelblue in Miami, The Mary Tyler Moore Show episode based on him, & his new satirical book “Gotcha: Inside Trump’s 2020 Campaign”.
Ed Sommerfeld discusses managing Rodney Dangerfield and why he had trouble originally getting booked on Carson, Joan Rivers, David Frye, Judy Garland, & booking acts at the Copacabana.
Emily Marshall returns for a 3rd episode to discuss working on The Tonight Show, Doc Severinsen, Tommy Newsom, & writing for The Bob Newhart Show.
Garth Ancier discusses his time at FOX during Joan Rivers’ late night show, working at NBC with Brandon Tartikoff, & trying to get Rosie O’Donnell a late night show.
Steve Binder discusses directing Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Elvis Comeback Special 1968, Diana Ross Live in Central Park, Petula Clark Special with Harry Belafonte, & The Chevy Chase Show.
Sam Haskell discusses his visits to Carson’s Tonight Show, a funny Johnny encounter, being an agent at William Morris for 26 years, his famous clients including Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Ray Romano, Debbie Allen, & being a contestant on The Match Game
Emily Marshall returns to discuss working on The Tonight Show, Carson being highly sensitive, Joan Rivers, Carson anniversary parties, & Ed McMahon’s unusual bathroom.
The Amazing Kreskin Returns to discuss Johnny Carson, Dave Letterman, Joan Rivers, & co-hosting The Mike Douglas Show.
Rory O’Connor returns to discuss Carson, working on The Tonight Show, Johnny’s microphone being auctioned, Dean Martin, & working on CPO Sharkey with Don Rickles.
Emily Marshall discusses working on the Tonight Show, Carson doing 2 of her jokes on air, her marriage to Doc Severisen, & working for Fred de Cordova.
Nick Preuher discusses working at Letterman on CBS, Letterman wanting to know things about Carson, Peter Lassaly, Steve Martin, Bruce Willis, Isabella Rossellini, & Richard Simmons.
Bob Uecker for the 300th episode joins Mark to discuss his over 60 Johnny Carson appearances, his friendly relationship with Johnny, & Carson at first not doubting that he ever played Major Leagues baseball.
Gary Lee Boas, author of “StarStruck: Photos From a Fan”, discusses his fan photos taken in the 60’s & 70’s (including Carson) and the stories behind them including Katherine Hepburn, Charlie Chaplin, Gretta Garbo, & Hedy Lamarr.
Rudy Gatlin of The Gatlin Brothers discusses their Carson appearances, Fred de Cordova, Arnold Palmer, Glen Campbell, Hee Haw, & Kenny Rogers.
Rory O’Connor discusses working on The Tonight Show, George Carlin not being let past NBC security, an odd Carson encounter, George Burns, John Wayne, & Orson Welles.
Gene Perret discusses being Bob Hope’s headwriter, Carson appearing on Hope’s 90th Birthday Special on NBC, & writing for The Carol Burnett Show and Laugh-In.
Abbe Jaye discusses her memorable Carson appearance, how she convinced the show to book her, & appearing with guest host Joey Bishop.
Bruce Vilanch discusses writing for Bette Midler on Carson’s penultimate show, writing for The Oscars, Billy Crystal, Madeline Kahn, Paul Lynde, Midnight Special, Nell Carter, & The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
Myra Richman discusses working at The Tonight Show in NY, Ella Fitzgerald, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Joan Rivers, Dick Cavett, Tommy Newsom, & the unusual gift Carson gave her.
Tiny Tim biographer Justin Martell discusses Tiny Tim’s Carson appearances including 40 million viewers tuning into his wedding to Miss Vicki. The new documentary Tiny Tim: King For A Day premieres at the Fantasia’s 2020 Virtual Film Festival on 8/23 at 7:30pm EST: https://fantasiafestival.com/en/film/tiny-tim-king-for-a-day
John Byner discusses his Carson appearances, Orson Welles wanting him to be a guest, Fred de Cordova, The Carol Burnett Show, Jackie Mason’s Ed Sullivan appearance that got him banned, & Get Smart.
Ruta Lee discusses going on Carson, doing films with The Rat Pack and Fred Astaire, her friend Phyllis Diller, The Twilight Zone & Rod Serling, and working with Regis Philbin.
Ken Kragen discusses his role in “The Late Shift” as well as managing frequent Carson guests including Kenny Rogers, Burt Reynolds, Harry Chapin, & The Smothers Brothers.
Jim Mulholland discusses writing for Carson in NY & Burbank, writing Carson’s material whenever he hosted the Oscars, writing on The Dean Martin Show, & writing for Letterman’s CBS show.
Jimmy Buffett discusses Carson’s show being a huge break, being a guest on Carson’s final month in May 1992, & his fun with John Candy on SCTV.
Joel Tator discusses producing & directing Tom’s Snyder’s “Tomorrow”, Carson’s involvement with the show, George Carlin, Orson Welles, & John Lennon.
Jon Macks discusses at 15 yrs old sending jokes to Carson, Ed McMahon’s generosity, & his 22 yrs as monologue writer on Leno’s Tonight Show.
Lesley Ann Warren discusses Johnny Carson, working with Mel Brooks on Life Stinks, Milton Berle, David Brenner, Mission Impossible, being on The Muppet Show, & Fred MacMurray.
Former Carson staffer Debbie Feder discusses working on The Tonight Show, assisting guest hosts such as Diana Ross and David Letterman, & a staff memo from Fred de Cordova.
Melba Moore discusses going on The Tonight Show, Ed McMahon knowing her father, The Carol Burnett Show, David Frost, Night of 100 Stars, & Jerry Lewis.
Carl Reiner returns for a 3rd appearance sharing stories about Johnny Carson, Ernie Kovacs, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Shelley Winters, & takes listener questions.
Wil Shriner discusses his Carson appearances, Fred de Cordova, being on Letterman’s morning show 26 times, Joan Rivers, John Denver, & Debbie Reynolds.
Nick Bernstein, CBS VP of late night west, returns to the podcast. Director Brian Gersten discusses Carson’s involvement in his documentary “The Great Toilet Paper Scare”.
Gina Hemphill-Strachan discusses working on The Tonight Show, meeting guests including Letterman and Bette Midler, & being the granddaughter of Olympic legend Jesse Owens.
Nick Bernstein discusses his 11 years at NBC working for Rick Ludwin, Rick’s relationship with Carson, and Rick’s involvement with Leno, Conan, & SNL.
Bill Carter in his 3rd episode discusses Carson’s advice to Lorne Michaels & Dick Ebersol, Carson phoning Conan, & NBC agonizing over picking Leno or Letterman.
Host Bill Boggs discusses interviews with frequent Carson guests. Jane Rothchild talks working on Carson in NY. Bill Boggs’ latest book is now available for preorder on Amazon & Barnes and Noble
Rob Burnett discusses Johnny’s 1994 cameo on Letterman, dining with Carson, & his years at Letterman.
Comedy historian, Kliph Nesteroff, discusses Johnny in NY, Jerry Vale being upset with Carson, The Jerry Lewis Show, Flip Wilson, & Don Adams.
Bill Carter (author of “The Late Shift”) discusses interviewing Johnny for his book, Carson hosting the Oscars, & why Carson going from 90 to 60 minutes was a good thing.
Bill Carter (author of “The Late Shift) discusses the current late night hosts, Carson’s 1991 surprise retirement announcement, & Johnny’s 1993 final monologue.
Michael Bayouth discusses being an NBC graphic designer for Carson, Midnight Special, & David Copperfield.
Singer Donna Theodore discusses her 50 plus Carson appearances & opening up for Johnny in Las Vegas.
Bruce Merrin discusses working with Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Michael Landon, & Jackie Robinson.
Michael Brandman discusses being a Carson talent coordinator in NY, Groucho Marx, & George Carlin.
Bob Anderson discusses his Johnny appearances, Merv Griffin, Frank Sinatra, & Sammy Davis Jr.
Tom Noddy discusses his Johnny appearances, talking to Carson backstage and after Tom’s rehearsal, appearing on Letterman, That’s Incredible, Charles Kuralt, & his run-in with Bob Hope.
Howard Smith discusses his friendship with Johnny, playing tennis together, the two times Johnny got emotional, & having dinner with Carson just two week before he passed away.
Dan Menendez discusses his Johnny appearances, Phyllis Diller, Seinfeld, & Jerry Lewis.
Bob McGrath discusses Carson, Mitch Miller, Victor Borge, Jim Henson, Fred Rogers, and his four decades on Sesame Street.
Marilyn Roberts discusses working on The Tonight Show in NY, Jerry Lewis, & Groucho Marx.
Kevin Quinn returns for a 3rd & final time to discuss working on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Loni Anderson discusses her Johnny appearances, being friends with Carson, WKRP in Cincinnati, & former husband Burt Reynolds.
Mariette Hartley discusses her 22 Carson appearances, Rod Serling, Alfred Hitchcock, her famous Polaroid commercials with James Garner, Gene Roddenberry, & her 1964 Twilight Zone episode.
Kevin Quinn returns to discuss Rodney Dangerfield’s pre-Tonight Show ritual, Johnny’s backstage playfulness, Randall “Tex” Cobb, and an awkward segment involving Gallagher & Chevy Chase.
Don Sweeney returns to discuss behind the scenes footage he filmed during Carson’s final two shows, Johnny’s reaction after seeing the footage, & the Wayne Newton incident.
Corinne Madden discusses working as Ed McMahon’s assistant, working previously on The Tonight Show in NY, touring as Ed’s road manager, and her special friendship with Ed.
Helen Sanders, longtime assistant to Johnny Carson, discusses working for him at The Tonight Show, Johnny’s daily routine leading up to 5:30pm, his love for his kids, & life in retirement.
Argus Hamilton discusses his 14 Carson appearances, Nancy Reagan’s request to Fred de Cordova, Freddie Prinze, Helen Kushnick, Paul Mooney, Wayne Newton, & Mitzi Shore.
Milt Larsen co-founder of The Magic Castle discusses Johnny being a longtime member, Johnny’s magic abilities, & Cary Grant.
Kevin Quinn discusses being stage manager on The Tonight Show, Johnny booking him as a guest, Tom Snyder, & his father Carson director Bobby Quinn.
Juggling duo the Raspyni Brothers, Dan Holzman & Barry Friedman, discuss their Johnny appearances, Carson participating, the show changing their lives, & opening for Robin Williams.
Ronnie Schell discusses going on with Carson, his friendships with Pat McCormick and Jim Nabors, Don Adams doing standup in SF, Bob Newhart, & being a contestant on You Bet Your Life in 1959.
Doc Severinsen discusses his friendship with Johnny, Tiny Tim’s 1969 wedding to Miss Vicki, Snooky Young, an incident involving NBC security, Judy Garland, & Tommy Newsom.
B.J. Thomas discusses his Carson appearances, Burt Bacharach, recording “Raindrops” & singing it at the 1970 Academy Awards, Elvis Presley, & a memorable Ed Sullivan appearance.
David Newell, Fred Rogers’ co-worker & friend, discusses Mister Rogers’ being a guest on Carson, Johnny’s Mister Rogers parodies, & Rogers paying a surprise visit to Eddie Murphy.
Shelly Schultz discusses being an original Carson talent booker, discovering an unknown Joan Rivers, & finally booking Ethel Merman.
Steve Purcell discusses directing the Tonight Show backstage video that aired on Johnny’s final show, being with Carson pre-show in his office, & visiting Johnny’s Malibu home.
Bob Askey discusses attending college with Johnny, seeing television for the first time at Johnny’s parents home, his friendship with Dick Carson, and Carson’s first wife Jody.
Actor James Drury discusses his 1968 Johnny appearance, starring for 9 years in NBC’s The Virginian, a 1967 Bob Hope special, & working with Elvis Presley in 1956’s Love Me Tender.
Art Metrano discusses his Carson appearances, a funny Mel Brooks story, & why his friendship with Rodney Dangerfield ended.
Mimi Hines discusses her Johnny appearances, getting a big break on Jack Paar, her friendship with Paul Lynde, & opening for Tony Bennett at the Copacabana.
Tracy Newman discusses her Johnny appearances, being managed by Ed McMahon, Rodney Dangerfield, writing on Ellen DeGeneres’ sitcom Ellen, & working with Bob Newhart.
Johnny Dark discusses being with Carson in Las Vegas, his 4 Tonight Shows with guest hosts, Andy Kaufman, Dave Letterman, Robin Williams, & Bob Uecker.
John Twomey discusses playing songs with his hands for Johnny, his numerous Tonight Show appearances, and conversing with Johnny on the Tonight Show set.
Paul Gertner discusses his 3 Johnny appearances, doing magic with Carson at his home, and writing the forward to Paul’s book.
Former NBC graphic artist Rick Andreoli discusses making the “More to Come” artwork, Johnny mentioning him on air, and his phone chat with William Paley.
Mimi Kennedy discusses her Johnny appearances, Fred de Cordova, 3 Girls 3, Sid Caesar, Jimmy Stewart, SNL, & Flip Wilson.
Mindy Rickles discusses her legendary father Don Rickles, how he have Johnny lots of credit for his career, Bob Newhart, & her standup.
Joan Klein discusses being Johnny’s assistant in Burbank, Johnny & Joanna throwing her a bridal shower, & notes to her from Carson.
Mark takes listeners behind the scenes of the podcast. Also Ron Gallela famed paparazzi photographer tells tales about celebrity icons.
Chris Korman joins Mark to discuss his father actor Harvey Korman, his dad’s relationship with Carson, & getting a present from Johnny.
Actor Christopher Mitchum discusses his Carson appearance which resulted in John Wayne (his friend and mentor) never speaking to him again, his films including Big Jake, and his legendary father Robert Mitchum.
Gilbert Gottfried discusses frequent Carson guests, his one issue with Johnny’s Tonight Show, Letterman, and his brief time on SNL.
Wayne Federman discusses being present at the Friars Club Salute to Johnny Carson, seeing Johnny ‘s act live, working out of Johnny’s old studio, co-producing the Garry Shandling doc, and attending the 1st taping of Letterman’s morning show.
David Wright discusses working on The Tonight Show, chatting with guests Lucille Ball and Jack Lemmon backstage, and meeting Carson for the first time.
Mort Sahl discusses getting Jim Garrison booked on Carson, guest hosting the Tonight Show, and writing for John F. Kennedy.
Gail Parent discusses her Johnny appearances, writing for The Carol Burnett Show, and working with Barbra Streisand.
Park Overall discusses her Johnny appearances, James Garner, Betty White, and Mike Nichols.
Herbie J Pilato discusses being an NBC page for the Tonight Show, Ed McMahon, Paul McCartney on Carson, and his new book about Mary Tyler Moore.
Dr. Robert Ballard joins Mark to discuss his 3 Johnny appearances, Carson’s curiosity during commercials, and his 1985 discovery of the Titanic in the North Atlantic ocean.
Bill Kirchenbauer discusses his Johnny appearances, going on with guest host George Carlin, and Fernwood 2 Night.
Michael Gray discusses his 10 years as stage manager on The Tonight Show, his routine that Johnny loved at the anniversary party, and working on The Larry Sanders Show.
Author Stephen Cox joins Mark to discuss his book “Here’s Johnny”, how he landed a rare interview with Carson, getting access to backstage at The Tonight Show, and the famous Carson mugs.
Paul Marr joins Mark to discuss doing cue cards for Johnny for 10 years, being a musical guest on The Tonight Show, working with Jay Leno, and Carson guest Stevie Ray Vaughan allowing him to play Vaughan’s guitar.
Martina Arroyo joins Mark to discuss her 14 Johnny appearances in NY & Burbank. Earl Rose then talks about his 20 years at the Tonight Show as part-time assistant music conductor.
Linda Zimmerman joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show, the talent department, Shirley Wood, Fred de Cordova, and Jerry Lewis.
Leslie Gates joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show, Fred de Cordova, Bobby Quinn, and the Tonight Show control room.
Dyan Cannon joins Mark to discuss her Carson appearances, Johnny playing drums at parties at her Malibu home, and Johnny being there for her during tough times.
Jon Hookstratten joins Mark to discuss doing work for Carson Productions, his famous father Ed Hookstratten being Johnny’s lawyer, and his father’s clients such as Tom Snyder and Vin Scully.
Janet Galea joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show, the offices after Jack Benny’s passing, attending Doc’s wedding, and working with Paul Lynde on Hollywood Squares.
Paul Block returns to join Mark to discuss working as a Tonight Show talent coordinator, Dick Shawn’s infamous 1974 appearance when Rich Little hosted, and the reason Susan Sarandon’s 1975 appearance was cut drastically short.
Harry Thomason joins Mark to discuss Bill Clinton’s 1988 Johnny appearance, why Fred de Cordova initially wouldn’t book Clinton, and working with Burt Reynolds.
Bill Scheft returns to join Mark to discuss Johnny Carson and David Letterman. Author Scott Ryan then talks about his book, The Last Days of Letterman, chronicling the final 6 weeks of Letterman episodes on CBS
Elliot Manakides joins Mark to discuss being Johnny’s driver in NY, traveling with Carson to Las Vegas, Judy Garland, and the reason he stopped working for Johnny.
Peter Isacksen joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearance, working with Don Rickles on C.P.O. Sharkey, and his friendship with Pat McCormick.
Pam Alexander joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show as a receptionist, assisting in the talent department, and being Johnny’s personal assistant.
Bobby Goldsboro joins Mark to discuss his 24 Tonight Show appearances, Ed McMahon opening up for him in Las Vegas, and his friendship with Burt Reynolds.
Richard Chesterfield joins Mark to discuss Johnny frequenting his Malibu restaurant and Carson showing up with Frank Sinatra. Publicist Howard Bragman discusses representing Doc Severinsen and Ed McMahon.
Doc Severinsen joins Mark to discuss Johnny, working as Tonight Show bandleader, filling in for Ed McMahon, and the origins of his flashy outfits.
Charles Fox joins Mark to discuss writing music for The Tonight Show and his legendary TV themes. Vanna White discusses her Johnny appearances, Dick Carson, and Merv Griffin.
Angie Dickinson joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, Frank Sinatra guest hosting The Tonight Show, her friendship with Charles Nelson Reilly, and first meeting Fred de Cordova at The Jack Benny Show.
Perry Massey joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show as commercial producer in New York, his first encounter with Johnny, and Jack Paar walking off The Tonight Show.
Claudia McMahon joins Mark to discuss her father Ed McMahon, Johnny staying at their place in Philadelphia, and her visits to The Tonight Show.
Barbra Shotel joins Mark to discuss working as a Carson talent coordinator, booking tennis players such as Martina Navratilova, Network actor Peter Finich appearing with Johnny and passing away the next day, her friendship with Erma Bombeck, and her surprise that Johnny had read and enjoyed an article she had written about her time at […]
Justine Bateman joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearance, hosting SNL, and her new book Fame: The Hyjacking of Reality. Former Carson talent coordinator Pat Bradford returns to share Tonight Show stories including an amusing one about the song American Pie.
Ginny Beauregard joins Mark to discuss working as Johnny Carson’s assistant in NY, her nearly forty year friendship with Johnny, and being backstage for Johnny’s final week.
Neil Patrick Harris joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearance, spending Thanksgiving with Burt Reynolds, and Steve Martin’s The Great Flydini.
Kelly Lange joins Mark to discuss Johnny on air granting Orson Welles’ wish to meet her, interviewing Carson, Doc Severinsen playing trumpet at her dog’s memorial, and becoming the first ever female news anchor at NBC.
Betty Wesley joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show in NY as assistant to director Dick Carson. Dennis Roof then discusses his job as Tonight Show art director in Burbank.
Bob Bain tribute episode (1924-2018). Bob Bain joined Mark before his passing to discuss being the guitarist in The Tonight Show band, his friendship with Tommy Newsom, and playing on film and TV scores such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Peter Gunn.
Donna Schwartz Mills joins Mark to discuss being a writers assistant on The Tonight Show, Johnny’s reaction to Buddy Rich passing away, and Ellen DeGeneres’ Tonight Show debut.
Don Ashworth joins Mark to discuss playing in The Tonight Show band for Johnny’s entire run, the first 15 minutes of the program in NY with Ed McMahon and Skitch Henderson, and his favorite musical guests.
Billie Freebairn-Smith joins Mark to discuss working as Fred de Cordova’s assistant, The Tonight Show staff, and having lunch with Johnny post-Tonight Show.
Marcy Carsey joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show, Carson producer John Carsey, talent coordinator Shirley Wood, and the amazing persistence that got her hired as an NBC page.
Bill Scheft returns to discuss Johnny sending in jokes to Letterman, talking to Johnny about writer Nick Arnold, and the backstory of Bill Hicks’ 1993 Letterman appearance being edited out and replaced with Scheft’s standup.
Anita Gillette joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, Ethel Merman saving her job on Broadway, and appearing on Ed Sullivan.
Bill Scheft joins Mark to discuss Freddie Prinze’s Carson debut, writing for David Letterman, and his relationship with Jay Leno.
Barry Diller and former Carson staff member, Rachel Travers, join Mark. Diller discusses playing in the famous monthly poker game with Johnny as well as launching Joan Rivers late night show on Fox. Travers discusses working as a Tonight Show writers assistant and assembling the Carnac envelopes.
Charlie Barrett joins Mark to discuss working as The Tonight Show publicist, the most visibly nervous guests, why Carl Sagan stopped doing the show, and his friendship with Ed McMahon.
Wolfgang Puck and actor Seth Green join Mark. Puck discusses how Johnny was directly responsible for his line of frozen pizzas and catering at his Malibu home. Green discusses going on with Johnny in 1987 as well as his Letterman and Conan appearances. Plus an additional story from former Carson writer Gary Murphy.
Gary Murphy joins Mark to discuss writing for Johnny Carson, originating the idea for the “Who’s on First?” parody with Johnny as Ronald Reagan, and working on The Merv Griffin Show.
Robert Morton joins Mark to discuss knowing Johnny, producing Carson’s 1985 appearance on Late Night with David Letterman, and executive producing Letterman.
Elliott Gould joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, hosting SNL, and working with Robert Altman.
Liz Torres joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, guest host Burt Reynolds, going on a date with Pat McCormick, and becoming friends with an unknown Bette Midler.
Ramey Warren joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show in the talent department, Fred de Cordova, Shirley Wood, and the reason Richard Dawson was never asked back.
Connie Francis joins Mark to discuss Johnny Carson’s appearance in her movie, Looking for Love, saving Don Rickles from harm in Las Vegas, her father upsetting Frank Sinatra, and her special friendship with Dick Clark.
Uri Geller joins Mark to discuss his famous 1973 Johnny Carson appearance, Merv Griffin calling him the following day, and running into Johnny years later.
Marilyn Michaels discusses her Johnny appearances, working with Jerry Lewis, The Kopy Kats, and performing on Ed Sullivan.
Chevy Chase joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances and the monthly poker game. Comedy writer Tom Leopold joins in as he and Chevy discuss writing Chevy’s NBC specials.
Julie Budd joins Mark to discuss her Johnny Carson appearances, Johnny attending her Tonight Show rehearsals, her friendship with Liberace, and opening up for Frank Sinatra.
Teri Garr joins Mark for a mini-episode to discuss Johnny phoning her after slipping on stage during The Oscars, meeting David Letterman in Indiana when he worked in radio, and spending time with The Beatles.
Dr. Paul Ehrlich joins Mark to discuss his 18 Johnny Carson appearances, having dinner with Johnny, and his first appearance resulting in The Tonight Show receiving 5000 viewer letters.
Marshall Brickman returns to discuss being Johnny’s head writer in NYC. Also Rick Traum, commercial producer for The Tonight Show in NYC, joins Mark to talk about the famous live Alpo Dog Food commercial.
Kelly Monteith joins Mark to discuss his 30 plus appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Gabe Kaplan, and David Letterman.
Melissa Manchester joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, working with Bette Midler, Bob Hope, and hosting The Muppet Show.
Cybill Shepherd joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, winning a $100 bet from David Letterman, meeting Charlie Chaplin, and getting talk show guest advice from Orson Welles.
Monti Rock III joins Mark to discuss his 30 plus Tonight Show appearances, his friendship with Carson talent coordinator Shirley Wood, and his role in Saturday Night Fever.
Rick Saphire joins Mark to discuss meeting Johnny over at Who Do You Trust?, Johnny’s difficulties performing in the Catskills, appearing on the Tonight Show with guest host Jerry Lewis in August 1962, and eventually managing Jerry Lewis.
Marsha Mason joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, going on the show with her then husband Neil Simon, and starring in Mike Nichols’ unreleased film Bogart Slept Here.
Howard Papush returns to discuss working as a talent coordinator on The Tonight Show, his idea to book Carl Sagan, meeting an unknown Bette Midler, and why Johnny was upset with Barbra Streisand.
Rich Little returns to discuss Johnny Carson, guest hosting 31 times, Fred de Cordova, and the chaos involving Dick Shawn wrecking The Tonight Show set.
Kate Capshaw joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, her parents seeing Johnny’s show in NY, and her acting career including Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom.
Peter Lassally joins Mark to discuss producing Johnny Carson, his challenge of getting David Letterman an 11:30pm show, and the reason Johnny didn’t care for Andy Kaufman.
Mark Harmon joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, his father and Johnny knowing each other, Carl Reiner directing him in Summer School, appearing on Letterman, and hosting SNL.
Patric Verrone joins Mark to discuss writing for The Tonight Show, the writers meetings at Johnny’s Malibu home, and the chronological order of the Carson writers from 1962-1992.
Howie Mandel joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, Joan Rivers giving him his Tonight Show break, the appearance that caused him never to be booked again with Johnny, and doing his own talk show in Johnny’s old studio.
Comedian Michael Preminger joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, working as a NBC page, and the difficulties of doing audience warmup on Pink Lady and Jeff.
Arnie Kogen joins Mark to discuss writing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, his friendship with Pat McCormick, and writing for The Carol Burnett Show.
J.J. McMahon joins Mark to discuss being president of Carson Productions, his friendship with Johnny, and going back to Nebraska for the filming of Johnny Goes Home.
Denise Soulam joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show, working with guest host George Carlin, interviewing Fred de Cordova for her college radio show, and being backstage for Johnny’s final show.
Sandy Hackett joins Mark to discuss his father Buddy Hackett’s Johnny appearances, Sandy appearing on The Tonight Show as a teenager alongside his father and Johnny, and Johnny’s Las Vegas stage act.
Paul Reiser joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances and his new Hulu series set at The Tonight Show in 1972, “There’s Johnny”.
Trini Lopez joins Mark to discuss his 17 Johnny appearances, his awkward encounter with Carson at Chasen’s, and his friendships with Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Trini Lopez’s official website: https://www.trinilopezmusic.net/
Shecky Greene joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, guest hosting The Tonight Show, Buddy Hackett, and his famous Frank Sinatra joke.
Dan Ford joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show as a stage manager in Burbank, appearing as a guest with Johnny in 1979, upsetting guest Robert Blake, and his grandfather, legendary film director John Ford.
Andrea McArdle joins Mark to discuss her 3 Johnny appearances, performing with Liberace on The Tonight Show, and originating the role of Annie on Broadway in 1977.
Louise Lasser joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, Mary Hartman Mary Hartman, hosting Saturday Night Live, and her various roles in Woody Allen films.Meet Louise Lasser at Chiller Theatre October 27-October 29 in Parsippany, NJ. For details and a complete guest line up visit: http://chillertheatre.com/
Andy Friendly joins Mark to discuss working with Tom Snyder on Tomorrow, his friendship with Rick Carson, visiting Johnny’s home in Bel Air, booking David Letterman for his first time on network TV, and growing up the son of CBS news pioneer Fred Friendly. His new book, Willing To Be Lucky: Adventures in Life and Television […]
William Katz joins Mark to discuss his job as talent coordinator on The Tonight Show in NY, Johnny’s discipline, receiving a bizarre phone call from Gloria Swanson, attempting to book Betty Grable, and discovering David Brenner at an audition.
Tom Moore joins Mark to discuss writing for Johnny in NY and Burbank, the backstory of Pat McCormick streaking during Johnny’s monologue, and an awkward incident involving guest host Jerry Lewis.
Pat Bradford joins Mark to discuss working as a talent coordinator on The Tonight Show, the clever way she convinced Kirk Douglas to be a guest, and Jimmy Stewart coming to the rescue when dealing with a difficult famous guest.
Jo Anne Worley joins Mark to discuss Johnny appearing with her on Laugh-In, her Tonight Show appearances, being discovered by Merv Griffin, and stories from working on Laugh-In.
Don Schiff joins Mark to discuss doing cue cards for Johnny Carson in New York and Burbank, going over cue cards with Johnny in his office prior to taping, doing cue cards for all the guest hosts including Burt Reynolds and Joan Rivers.
Hank Bradford joins Mark to discuss being Johnny’s head writer, doing standup on The Tonight Show, and his friendship with Pat McCormick.
Vikki Carr joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, guest hosting The Tonight Show, and opening up for Johnny on the road.
Joey D’Auria joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearance, winning The Gong Show, doing a remote with David Letterman, and his 17 years as Bozo on WGN’s The Bozo Show.
Mac Davis joins Mark to discuss his 45 Tonight Show appearances, guest host Jerry Lewis not wanting him booked, the one time he upset Johnny on air, and going to a movie with Elvis Presley.
Ginny Stevenson joins Mark to discuss working at as talent coordinator on The Tonight Show, the unexpected way she first met Johnny, Johnny on air announcing her marriage to McLean Stevenson, and McLean bringing their newborn baby on with Johnny.
Michael Barrie returns! Longtime Johnny writer Michael Barrie discusses the New York era of The Tonight Show, working with the numerous guest hosts, and writing Johnny’s material for The Dean Martin Roasts. Special thanks to Jason Kravits.
Joan Benny, daughter of Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone, joins Mark to discuss her childhood, her famous parents, and Johnny’s love for her father. Carson’s Cellar stage manager, Dan Gingold, joins Mark to discuss working with Johnny.
Barbara Bowen joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show as a personal assistant to guest hosts Joan Rivers, Garry Shandling, David Brenner, Billy Crystal, and Jay Leno. Bowen also discusses working in the Tonight Show mailroom.
Peter Bogdanovich joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, guest hosting The Tonight Show, and his friendship with Orson Welles.
Stan Zabka joins Mark to discuss working as associate director on The Tonight Show and appearing with Johnny as a guest. Chiz Schultz discusses Harry Belafonte’s historic week guest hosting in February 1968.
Hal Gurnee joins Mark to discuss directing the six months of guest hosts leading up to Johnny’s debut, directing Jack Paar, and his groundbreaking work directing for David Letterman.
Louisa Ermelino joins Mark to discuss working on The Tonight Show in New York. Neil Hickey then joins to discuss interviewing Johnny for his 1972 TV Guide cover story.
Darrell Vickers joins Mark to discuss writing for Johnny, writing for guest hosts such as Garry Shandling, a sketch that upset Johnny, and producer Fred de Cordova.
Tom Brokaw joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, encountering Johnny and Hollywood stars while in his twenties anchoring the local news at NBC Burbank, pitching Johnny a project post-retirement, and the backstory on his walk-on appearance on David Letterman’s CBS premiere.
Singer Marilyn Maye talks to Mark about her 76 Tonight Show appearances, being discovered by Ed McMahon, and performing with Johnny on the road.
Carl Reiner joins Mark to discuss more Johnny appearances, Steve Allen urging him and Mel Brooks to record the 2000 Year Old Man as an album, and directing Steve Martin in The Jerk.
Don Sweeney joins Mark to discuss his 17 years working on The Tonight Show, sneaking in as a teenager to see Johnny in Studio 6B in New York, and Johnny giving him Buddy Rich’s drum set.
Fritz Coleman joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, Fred deCordova, and saying goodbye to Johnny prior to his final show.
Tom Arnold joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearance in July 1990 with Roseanne, being in a greenroom with Johnny at NBC’s Bob Hope 90th Birthday, and his 30 Letterman appearances.
Bob Shayne joins Mark to discuss working as a Tonight Show talent coordinator, convincing Johnny to book an unknown Steve Martin, and Monty Python’s appearance with guest host Joey Bishop.
Ed Begley Jr. joins Mark to discuss Johnny asking him Trivial Pursuit questions, going on with guest host Garry Shandling, and his standup duo act with Michael Richards.
Bob Einstein talks to Mark about his Johnny appearances, his second Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
Shelly Cohen joins Mark to discuss his 30 years at The Tonight Show, conducting the NBC Orchestra, Ed McMahon’s nightclub act, and Johnny playing in a ping pong tournament at his home.
Tom Green joins Mark to discuss studying Carson in preparation for his MTV late night show, his friendship with Ed McMahon, and guest hosting for David Letterman.
Carol Siskind joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, why she was relieved at The Tonight Show the times she was “bumped”, and her role as The Potato Lady on The Larry Sanders Show.
Singer Judy Collins chats with Mark about her Johnny Carson appearances, her love for David Letterman, her new book Cravings: How I Conquered Food, and the difficulties of being the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 1979.
John Davidson joins Mark to discuss his Carson appearances, guest hosting The Tonight Show 87 times, and Johnny being amused when he forgot his lyrics while performing a song.
Actor Joel Grey joins Mark to discuss singing without pants on The Tonight Show, presenting Johnny with a life-sized poster invite to his Las Vegas opening, and winning the Academy Award in 1973 for Cabaret.
Pete Barbutti joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, being banned from doing the show with Johnny for many years due to an incident involving Mel Tormé, and Johnny’s plans of taking the Tonight Show to Las Vegas.
Pianist/composer David Tolley joins Mark to discuss being in the Tonight Show audience when he was randomly chosen by Johnny to play piano, the phone ringing off the hook with offers, and the show tracking him down to make a second appearance.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer joins Mark to discuss her Johnny Carson appearances, Johnny playing Dr. Ruth in a Tonight Show sketch, and Late Night with David Letterman introducing her to a college audience.
Michael J. Fox joins Mark to discuss his five Johnny appearances, his father being featured during “The Edge of Wetness”, and before he was famous sneaking a Carson cue card off the NBC Burbank lot.
Mark remembers the late Florence Henderson, followed by a rebroadcast of their interview conducted in April 2014.
John Landis joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearance for his debut film Schlock, Dom DeLuise advising him what to chat about with Johnny during breaks, and his numerous films including Animal House.
Dick Cavett Returns! In celebration of the 100th episode Dick Cavett joins Mark and co-host Dan Pasternack. Cavett discusses Johnny Carson, Jack Paar, Groucho Marx, Woody Allen, Jonathan Winters, Mae West, Marlon Brando, and Muhammad Ali.
Ed Asner joins Mark to discuss his Johnny Carson appearance, Carson doing a guest spot on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and his role as Carl in Pixar’s Up.
Jimmy Brogan and Mark a pay a visit to the former NBC Burbank studios. Jimmy discusses his Johnny appearances, originally turning down the chance to audition for The Tonight Show, and his nine years as head monologue writer for Jay Leno.
Singer Billy Vera talks to Mark about his 9 Tonight Show appearances, his dad working as a NBC announcer in New York, and his band playing a Tonight Show anniversary party.
Paula Poundstone joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, embarrassingly mistaking Johnny for a member of ZZ Top, and Robin Williams supporting her early on in her career.
Kevin Pollak joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, teaching Johnny how to do Peter Falk, and originally turning down standup on The Tonight Show with the hope of solely doing panel.
Carol Leifer joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearance, auditioning for The Tonight Show 22 times, and writing for shows including Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show, and SNL.
Danny Robinson joins Mark to discuss his parents, Bud and Cece Robinson, opening up for Johnny Carson on tour, the duo appearing on The Tonight Show, Bud Robinson managing Doc Severinsen, and Johnny’s friendship to their family.
Michael Stern talks to Mark about his teenage backstage adventures at the Tonight Show and NBC Burbank, his friendship with Lucille Ball, and being Johnny’s award show celebrity escort post-retirement.
Former NBC President and TV legend, Herbert Schlosser, joins Mark to discuss negotiating Johnny’s first Tonight Show contract, personally welcoming Johnny when the show moved to Burbank, and his contribution to the launch of Saturday Night Live.
Charles Grodin returns! Actor Charles Grodin joins Mark for a second time to discuss his 27 Johnny appearances, filming Midnight Run, and his acclaimed work on Louie.
Ritch Shydner discusses his Johnny appearances, how a disastrous Merv set unexpectedly led to being booked on Carson, and opening up for The Ramones.
Brett Butler joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, performing George Carlin routines as a child, and her friendship with Bill Hicks.
Wayne Cotter joins Mark to discuss his three Johnny appearances, going to Studio 6B as a kid to see Jerry Lewis guest host the Tonight Show, and Johnny during a commercial giving him joke punch up suggestions.
Joan Embery discusses bringing nearly 500 animals on the Tonight Show, an elephant picking up Johnny into the air with her trunk, and Johnny spending the day with her at the San Diego Zoo.
Paul Williams joins Mark to discuss his numerous Johnny appearances, performing in Planet of the Apes makeup, and his friendship with Freddie Prinze.
Brian Haley discusses how his Carson debut changed his life, director John Hughes hiring him from his Tonight Show set, and owning Frank Sinatra’s booth from Chasen’s.
Fred Willard joins Mark to discuss The Ace Trucking Company’s 50 plus Johnny Carson appearances, using Joe Garagiola as inspiration for his character in Best in Show, and hosting Saturday Night Live in 1978.
Don Novello, best known for Father Guido Sarducci, discusses his Carson appearances, writing for Saturday Night Live, and The Lazlo Letters.
Bobby Kelton discusses his 21 Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson appearances, Larry David and him being chased by museum security, and meeting a housewife in Denver interested in comedy named Roseanne Barr.
Mike Reiss joins Mark to discuss writing for Carson, Johnny’s guest appearance on The Simpsons, and writing for Gary Shandling.
Brooke Shields joins Mark to discuss her Carson appearances, deciding to surprise Johnny by doing the Carnac fall, and her friendship with the late Gary Shandling.
Elizabeth Ashley discusses her sixteen Johnny appearances, her friendship with Joan Rivers, and her amazing career including being directed by Mike Nichols in his Broadway directorial debut.
Legendary manger, George Shapiro, joins Mark to discuss Jerry Seinfeld’s Johnny appearances, the brilliance and crazy antics Andy Kaufman, and Carson and Seinfeld deciding to leave their shows while still on the top of their game.
Bob Nelson joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, Red Skelton wanting to meet him after seeing him perform on the Tonight Show, and being in a comedy trio with a teenage Eddie Murphy.
Frank Abagnale joins Mark to discuss the unexpected way he got booked on Carson, Steven Spielberg crediting Johnny for “Catch Me If You Can”, and Johnny urging him to write a book about his life.
Jennifer Tilly joins Mark to discuss her Carson appearances, Sam Simon advising her to stop appearing with Johnny, and inadvertently hurting Randy Travis’ feelings.
Adam Shawn, son of Dick Shawn, talks to Mark about his father’s numerous Carson appearances, the acclaimed one-person show The Second Greatest Entertainer in The Whole Wide World, and his father’s tragic passing on stage during a college performance.
Former Tonight Show staffer, Barbara Meltzer, joins Mark to discuss being assistant to Fred deCordova, Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki’s wedding, and working with Jack Paar on his comeback attempt.
Comedian Steve Mittleman joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, writing for Gabe Kaplan, and working with Woody Allen in Radio Days.
Rick Ludwin, former NBC VP of late night and specials, joins Mark to discuss working with Johnny, trying to get Johnny back on TV after retirement, and bringing Jerry Seinfeld to NBC.
Paul Anka joins Mark to discuss composing Johnny Carson’s theme song, hiring Johnny pre-Tonight Show to write comedy material, and the lessons he learned from the Rat Pack.
Pat Boone joins Mark to discuss his memorable Carson appearances, guest hosting the Tonight Show, and competing in a cow milking contest against Doc Severinsen.
Perry Cross, Johnny’s first executive producer of The Tonight Show, joins Mark to discuss running the Tonight Show, his relationship with Johnny, and producing for Jack Paar, Ernie Kovaks, and Jerry Lewis.
Former Tonight Show talent coordinator, Howard Papush, joins Mark to discuss his memorable dealings with legendary Tonight Show guests including Gregory Peck, Warren Beatty, Shelley Winters, James Brown, Carl Sagan, and many more.
Larry King joins Mark to discuss interviewing Johnny Carson, his thoughts on Ed and Johnny’s relationship, and Johnny’s love of the Larry King sketches on Saturday Night Live.
Pat Sajak joins Mark to discuss his Johnny Carson appearance, being asked to guest host the TonightShow, and his late night talk show on CBS.
Richard Benjamin joins Mark to discuss his 33 Johnny Carson appearances, guest hosting the Tonight Show, and why going on with Johnny was like being shot out of a cannon.
David Steinberg joins Mark to discuss his 130 plus Tonight Show appearances, Carson personally asking him to guest host, and his friendship with Johnny off camera.
Drew Carey joins Mark to discuss his Tonight Show standup debut, being called over to the couch by Johnny, and how his Carson debut changed his life.
Comedian David Sayh talks to Mark about Johnny Carson discovering him at Catch a Rising Star in New York, his Tonight Show debut, and the helpful advice David Brenner gave him when going on the Merv Griffin Show.
Former SNL cast member Victoria Jackson talks to Mark about her 17 appearances with Johnny Carson, being discovered by the Tonight Show’s art director which led to her Carson debut, and her favorite moments from SNL.
Cathy Ladman joins Mark to discuss her four Johnny Carson appearances, being backstage for Roseanne Barr’s Tonight Show debut, and knowing Jerry Seinfeld before he got into comedy.
Comedian Eddie Brill talks to Mark about being the artistic director of the Great American Comedy Festival which honors the legacy of Johnny Carson, his 17 years working at Letterman as warm up comic and standup comedy booker, and nearly convincing Woody Allen to do standup on Letterman.
Comedian Louie Anderson talks to Mark about his standup debut on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, being devastated after being repeatedly rejected by the Tonight Show, and the way Eddie Murphy ended up casting him in Coming to America.
Irving Davis joins Mark to discuss holding the famous curtain open for Johnny Carson for nearly twenty years, saving Johnny from a crazed fan charging the stage, and his nightly ritual with Johnny backstage before the show.
Larry Miller talks to Mark about the chaos backstage before his Johnny Carson debut. In addition he tells one of Johnny’s favorite all time jokes.
Ray Combs Jr. discusses his late father Ray Combs’ debut on the Tonight Show, Johnny discovering him while doing audience warm up on the sitcom Amen, and the details of his tragic death.
Yakov Smirnoff joins Mark to discuss Johnny calling him over to the couch following his Tonight Show debut, Johnny speaking Russian with him on the show, and performing with the Mighty Carson Art Players.
Tonight Show talent coordinator/segment producer Paul Block joins Mark to discuss the difficulties of booking Alfred Hitchcock, why Billy Preston was a hit with the studio audience and not with the show, and Johnny’s pre-show backstage ritual.
TV critic Tom Shales talks to Mark about visiting Johnny Carson at his Malibu home, Johnny’s reaction to Steve Allen thinking he ripped off Carnac the Magnificent, and his best selling book Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live.
Performer/writer Kelly Carlin, daughter of George Carlin, talks to Mark about her father’s appearances with Johnny Carson, Fred de Cordova allowing her to drive his golf cart around NBC Burbank, and her one-person show A Carlin Home Companion.
Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner talks to Mark about using Johnny Carson clips on Mad Men, comparisons between Johnny and Don Draper, and the impact Jon Hamm hosting SNL had on Mad Men.
Fred Stoller talks to Mark about his 1989 Johnny Carson appearance, the challenges of writing for Seinfeld, and sitcom tales detailed in his book Maybe We’ll Have You Back.
Marc Shaiman joins Mark to discuss Bette Midler’s Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson appearance on May 21, 1992, his idea for Bette to sing One For My Baby, and working with Jan Hooks and Nora Dunn on the Sweeney Sisters.
Dave Thomas talks to Mark about Johnny’s love of his Bob Hope impression, dreaming as a kid of appearing on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and the line during his Carson appearance that caused Johnny to fall behind his desk in laughter.
Calvin Trillin talks to Mark about his twenty-five plus Johnny Carson appearances, the fear of being on the Tonight Show with Hulk Hogan, and writing for the New Yorker since 1963.
Tom Wilson talks to Mark about playing the tuba on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, his limo breaking down on the way to his Tonight Show debut, and Johnny being responsible for giving Tom his current name.
Magician and skeptic, James Randi, joins Mark to discuss Uri Geller’s infamous Tonight Show appearance, Johnny’s similar interest in debunking psychics and televangelists, and his phone calls with Johnny post retirement.
George Wendt talks to Mark about Johnny Carson’s appearance on Cheers, hosting SNL directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and the Cheers cast being part of one of the biggest debacles in late night history.
Renowned naturalist, Jim Fowler, talks to Mark about his Carson appearances, taking Johnny on a safari to Africa, and sneaking a water buffalo past NBC security.
Paul Provenza talks to Mark about his standup debut on the Tonight Starring Johnny Carson, Johnny apologizing for not being able to call Paul over to the couch, and the one regret he has about the Tonight Show.
Television legend, Fred Silverman, talks to Mark about his dealings with Johnny Carson while as NBC President, his decision to put David Letterman in daytime, and the ground breaking miniseries Roots.
Bob Saget talks to Mark about his 13 appearances on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Ed Ames talks to Mark about his famous Tomahawk toss with Johnny in 1965, Johnny having him sing the same song on the Tonight Show every night for an entire week, and his friendship with Daniel Boone co-star Fess Parker.
The Amazing Kreskin talks to Mark about his memorable Carson appearances, why Johnny banned Orson Welles from the Tonight Show, and how him tripping on a talk show became part of Carnac the Magnificent.
Buck Henry talks to Mark and Dan Pasternack about why he never prepared for his Johnny Carson appearances, hosting Saturday Night Live when John Belushi sliced his forehead during a Samurai sketch, and films including The Graduate, Catch-22, and The Player.
Comedian/writer Jeff Cesario talks to Mark about his eight Johnny Carson appearances, the lessons he learned from Garry Shandling while working as a writer on the Larry Sanders Show, and writing for HBO’s Dennis Miler Live.
Standup legend Robert Klein talks to Mark about his Johnny Carson debut, Rodney Dangerfield’s advice to him about going on Carson, and the pressures of guest hosting the Tonight Show.
The hilarious Jeff Altman talks to Mark performing his Johnny Carson impression at the Comedy Store in front of Johnny, his Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson appearances, becoming friends with legendary drummer Buddy Rich, his numerous Letterman appearances, and the NBC cult classic Pink Lady and Jeff.
Laugh-In producer George Schlatter talks to Mark about Johnny Carson appearing on Laugh-In, Johnny in retirement doing a topical monologue for friends, and Johnny’s Las Vegas nightclub act.
Filmmaker Peter Jones talks to Mark about his PBS documentary ‘Johnny Carson: King of Late Night’, writing a letter every year to Johnny Carson, and his shock when he finally got a phone call from Carson himself.
Mel Brooks talks to Mark about being a guest on Johnny Carson’s first show in October 1962, trying to convince Johnny to appear in Blazing Saddles, and why Johnny was the greatest talk show host of all time.
Orson Bean talks to Mark about his Johnny Carson appearances and being a guest on Jack Paar the night he famously walked off his show.
Carson writer Michael Barrie talks to Mark about the unusual way he got hired on the Tonight Show, the joke he wrote that got Johnny a standing ovation while hosting the Emmys, and his current job as a writer for Letterman.
Regis Philbin talks to Mark about filming with Johnny on set during his final weeks, Joanna Carson being instrumental in him securing a rare interview with Johnny, and being an NBC page on the Steve Allen Show.
Former Tonight Show producer Jeff Sotzing talks to Mark about working on the Tonight Show, having Johnny Carson as an uncle, and running Carson Entertainment Group.
Magician Lance Burton joins Mark to discuss his dream of wanting to perform on Carson, his recording-setting 12 minute Carson debut, and why he feels Johnny changed his life.
Appearing as a guest with Johnny over 40 times, Carl Reiner joins Mark to discuss his favorite Carson moments, their famous poker game, and writing for Your Show of Shows.
Carson writer Andrew Nicholls talks to Mark about his weekly writing meetings with Johnny at his Malibu home, the first 12 weeks on the job writing 988 pages of material, and the horrors of writing for Thicke of the Night.
Dave Coulier talks to Mark about initially turning down the chance to do standup on the Tonight Show, finally making his Carson debut, and being backstage for Garry Shandling’s first appearance.
Memory expert Harry Lorayne discusses his twenty plus Carson appearances, Jack Paar originally not wanting him on his show, and the anxiety of having to remember the names of hundreds of studio audience members.
Legendary late night talk show producer Peter Lassally discusses his 23 years producing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, his tenure as Executive Producer on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and urging Johnny post-retirement to send his jokes to David Letterman.
Kevin Nealon joins Mark to discuss his dream of doing standup on Carson, sitting in the Tonight Show studio audience as a fan, and being a cast member on Saturday Night Live.
Florence Henderson talks to Mark about singing at Tiny Tim’s wedding, being the Tonight Show’s first female guest host, and the ingredients for being a good talk show guest.
Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal joins Mark to talk about Johnny wanting to meet him after directing President Clinton in a video for the White House Correspondents Dinner, his two hour lunch with Johnny, and Carson’s influence on him growing up.
Writer Tony DeSena talks to Mark about how Johnny Carson personally called to offer him a job, the differences between writing for Carson and Letterman, and visiting Johnny post-retirement.
Impressionist Rich Little joins Mark to discuss his Carson appearances, why he thinks the Tonight Show stopped booking him, and guest hosting the night Dick Shawn infamously trashed the Tonight Show set.
The Simpsons Executive Producer Al Jean talks to Mark about his stint writing for Carson, why Johnny hated doing Carnac the Magnificent, and Johnny’s 1993 cameo on The Simpsons.
Comedian Mark Schiff talks about initially being told he wasn’t right for the Tonight Show, his numerous Carson appearances, and why he feels Rodney Dangerfield was the greatest comic to ever appear on the show.
Comedy legend Carol Burnett talks to Mark about first meeting Johnny Carson pre-Tonight Show, her favorite Carson appearances, and Johnny finding comfort watching The Carol Burnett Show during his final days.
Bob Einstein sits down with Mark to discuss his numerous appearances going on Carson as Super Dave Osborne, Jay Leno’s manager being irate over one of his jokes, and the current state of late-night talk shows.
Dick Cavett talks to Mark about the transition from writing for Jack Paar to Johnny Carson, meeting Johnny for the first time as a child in a church basement in Nebraska, and Johnny’s belief that Cavett was the only one that could have seriously given him competition.
Marshall Brickman talks to Mark about being Johnny Carson’s head writer, being promoted to head writer because no other writer wanted the job, and inventing the Carnac The Magnificent “saver”. Brickman also discusses his work with both Dick Cavett and Woody Allen.
Byron Allen talks to Mark about making his stand-up debut on Carson at 18 years-old, sitting as a teenager at Johnny’s desk in an empty studio interviewing NBC janitors, and writing for Jimmy J.J. Walker alongside Jay Leno and David Letterman.
Martin Mull talks about his memorable Carson appearances, the terror of guest hosting the Tonight Show, and Johnny’s thoughts on Fernwood 2 Night.
Actress Teresa Ganzel performed sketches with Johnny Carson for a decade as a member of the Mighty Carson Art Players. Teresa talks about performing classic sketches with Johnny, being so nervous during her first Tonight Show appearance that Johnny had to hold her hand, and Johnny’s rehearsal process.
In his first ever podcast interview actor Charles Grodin discusses his memorable Carson appearances, his decision to go on in character as himself, and being one of three guests to be put under exclusive contract with the Tonight Show.
Frequent Letterman guest Tom Dreesen speaks with Mark about how his Johnny Carson stand-up debut caused chaos backstage and how one appearance on the Tonight Show caused him to go from being on unemployment to having a deal with CBS overnight.
Comedian Steven Wright talks to Mark about his love for Carson growing up, his memorable Tonight Show stand-up debut in 1982, and how Johnny Carson changed his life—twice.