tom turner

Johnny Carson died this afternoon (actually, its still morning in California). How sad, his life snuffed out by the effects of smoking.

I still miss seeing him every night on TV. He was truly a special entertainer!

May he find peace . . .

Tom Turner

bigaggietrumpet

I was lucky enough to have seen him (and Doc) shortly before he left the show. I've yet to see anyone match his wit, style, and class.

RIP, Johnny...

Manny Laureano

Tom,

Truly the end of an era. Cleverness, wit, talent... all without the cynicism that accompanies the same qualities in today's Lenos, Lettermans, O'Briens, and Stewarts to name a few.

Today's generation will never know how funny this guy really was because the "Greatest Hit's" DVDs don't tell the story that was told night after night by this fellow. His relationship and clear respect for what Doc did on the show was exemplary. For as much ribbing as he gave Doc you could see the admiration he had for his musicianship, a talent that was never lost on Johnny.

I didn't know he was sick. Doc would talk about him a little when I'd ask him about the reclusive Carson. I had no idea.

Ah, crap, Johnny... we're going to miss you. Thanks for being there through all the amazing stuff happening in the country during the time you held forth on the late night airwaves. You always found something to crack us up about even when we hurt the most. I often wonder what your take on the 9/11 disasters would have been; how you would have handled it. Your last show was TV history and you said goodbye with the touch of class that was you and just you.

The mold is broken, Johnny, and likely to remain so. Know this: the next week or so will be taken up with middle-aged guys talking about their favorite bits. Such will be your deserved legacy... that when we think of you..

...we'll remember and smile.

ML

tom turner

Hi Manny,

I agree! Here's a great Karnac The Magnificent skit that I suspect Johnny would have said, if he was still on the air when we went after bin Laden in Afganistan:

Karnac (Johnny) - "OSHA!"

Ed - "What is the last thing Bush hopes Osama bin Ladin says?"


("Oh Shhhhhh______")

I'll bet Johnny would have liked that one!

Warmest regards,

Tom

richtom

A sad loss. I remember those HS days staying up to 11 PM just to see what note Doc was going to hit, hold, and while holding the high G or whatever he would hit, he would cut the band off with the other hand.
Johnny would sit there and groove to the band and you could see how much he enjoyed what he did. The stars enjoyed coming on his show because he never got into their personal lives and made them feel like they were at home talking to their best friend.
A kind and gentle man was Johnny Carson. There will never be another one like him.
Those of you who were not around to see him did indeed miss one of the all-time greats who set standards that will likely never be equaled.
Rich Tomasek

bigaggietrumpet

I'm sure the shows with Dean Martin, George Goebel, and Bob Hope were hilarious, especially with Dean dumping his ashes in George's beer!

PhatmonB6

Listening to talk radio this morning they were playing some audio clips from Johnnys shows. One of my favorite Carnac lines was this......Carnac "Piggly Wiggly" , Ed "Piggly Wiggly" Carnac "Describe Kermits Wedding Night."

trickg

When Carson and Severinsen left the Tonight Show, it was the end of an era - late night TV just hasn't been the same since. I suppose that some will say the same things when Leno and Letterman take their final bows, but I doubt it. Johnny Carson had a certain style, wit, panache - whatever you want to call it - that became the standard all others are judged by.

But, I hope that I live to be 79, plus, no one should have to endure too many of their final years in pain. It's sad to think that he's gone, but fortunately, his life was so extraordinary and so special, that it is easy to celebrate it through our memories, not to mention the countless classic reruns from the Tonight Show archives.

chetbaker

Definitely one of the funniest things I ever saw was one of the nights that Buddy Rich was on the show. We ALL know BR's rep...temper, etc. Johnny just loved Buddy because Johnny also tinkered with playing drums. He was always druming on his desk with 2 pencils. Well anyway...Buddy's drums were set up directly in front of Doc and the band. Rich goes over to the drums...counts off the tune...and the first time he does a fill off of his toms his sticks go through each top head. Johnny had someone put paper heads on his tom-toms!!! Man was Rich PO'd at first. You could tell by the look on his face. But then he calmed down and did an AMAZING solo on evrything from his kit that was left intact. I think I laughed for 15 minutes after that "bit". In fact...I'm laughiing now just thinking about it! I bet Buddy's discussing single strokes with Johnny as we speak!!! Thanks for the good times and memories, Mr. Carson.

Butch