Why Johnny Mattered
As we approach the twentieth anniversary of the last epsiode of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," our brothers over at Powerline have posted a reminiscence of Carson by Bill Katz, one of the "Tonight Show" producers.
I myself always enjoyed Carson, and I was always grateful that he permitted his head writer, Ray Siller (who became, and remains, one of my best friends) to send jokes to us speechwriters in the Reagan White House--nothing like some professional humor to enliven a draft. But I confess that I'd never thought of Carson as much more than an especially adept entertainer. Katz has persuaded me otherwise. Johnny Carson mattered.
Excerpts:
Johnny Carson was great, and is remembered, because he was national. He was one of the few last entertainers who understood that he was speaking to an entire nation. Not once in all the meetings I attended did I ever hear Johnny use the word “demographics.” Not once. He appealed across generations. The old laughed, the young laughed. His successors, who surely bring their own talents, direct their attentions mostly to the “young demographic.” If you feel left out, you feel correctly. If you’re not in that young demographic, they just don’t care....
Our national motto, “E pluribus unum” – “Out of many, one” – has been turned around. In Hollywood it’s now, “Out of one, many.” That was never Carson’s way, and the nation loved him for it....
When Johnny retired in 1992, the youngest serviceman to have fought in World War II would have been about 64. Today that service member, if still with us, is 84.
That’s the era that’s passing – the era of our protectors, of heroes, of an America that believed in itself. And I think, subliminally, we identify Johnny Carson with that era. He was one of the last of the great entertainers to have served in World War II. (So had Ed McMahon.) He had, in effect, signed up for his generation’s call.
Johnny Carson entertained an America that believed in itself.
Beautiful.
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Jun '10
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
Something not well known is, Carson was very well read. He knew which of the current authors had something new or interesting to offer a general audience, because he read their book.
Oct '10
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
As a teen, I watched Johnny with my 27-year-older dad (older than I, not older than Johnny!). Seemed perfectly normal.
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that he had died.
I watched Carson. I didn't watch SNL. And I'm glad for that.
(I'd forgotten this part - freshman year at college, French class, we had to do something in front of the class. All the other students in class were upperclassmen, and being a freshman and knowing none of them I had to do my thing solo. Having always been mortified to be in front of others, I found my comfort zone doing a Carson-like monologue in French, complete with the prerecorded Tonight Show opening music, a Carson-like entrance, and all the Carson-like mannerisms to go with the jokes in French. Brought the house down!)
Edited on May 18, 2012 at 9:16pmSep '11
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
Well, Ditto, isn't it funny that I also have memories of enjoying Carson with my Dad, a WWII vet. When Carson quit the show, it was as if I had lost another connection with my Dad, who had passed away a few years before. (Oddly, my mother couldn't stand him, thought he was too smug, but Dad and I never missed the opening monolog.) The best parts were the jokes that bombed. He had a great deadpan, reminiscent of Jack Benny.
My absolute favorite sketch was Johnny Carson playing a confused President Reagan in a conversation with James Baker. It was an update on the Abbott and Costello "Who's on First", with puns on the names Hu, Yasser, Watt, and possibly others. I always liked to imagine that Reagan saw it and laughed more than anyone. Peter, can you confirm?
Oct '10
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
So is this gone for good? Can someone take up that mantle again, whether as a host of a show or a President, let's say?
If someone wanted to have that kind of appeal again what would it take?
Jun '11
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
Maggie Somavilla:
My absolute favorite sketch was Johnny Carson playing a confused President Reagan in a conversation with James Baker. It was an update on the Abbott and Costello "Who's on First", with puns on the names Hu, Yasser, Watt, and possibly others. I always liked to imagine that Reagan saw it and laughed more than anyone. Peter, can you confirm? · 21 minutes ago
Here it is.
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
I'm a lifelong insomniac, and I can recall as a young boy sneaking to the TV after the family was asleep to watch Carson.
I've seen Leno about a half dozen times.
I always compare Carson favorably to other comedians because he could do political humor without seeming like he was taking sides or being mean.
I don't think anyone out there today can do that.
Sep '10
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
I hope to run into Mr. Carson again someday dressed as Floyd R. Turbo, American, lounging on Skid Drive with Karnak the Magnificent seated right beside him.
Sep '10
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
By the way, How Hot is It?
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
· 11 minutes ago
...weird, wild stuff.
Edited on May 18, 2012 at 10:02pmSep '10
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
Tommy De Seno
· 11 minutes ago
...weird, wild stuff. · 3 minutes ago
Edited 1 minute ago
Dr. Vinny Boombotz advised me stop seeing the town floozy, Ms. Becky Easy.
May '10
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
It was such a different era that no adequate comparison can be made.
After the first two weeks of the 1965-66 season, Ozzie and Harriet, long in the tooth and in its final season, finished 88th in the 3-network Neilsens with an 11.4 rating.
At a comparable time this fall the top rated scripted show had a 14.1 rating. So what gets you canceled in 1966 makes you a smash today.
Its impossible to say if Carson could have commanded the national audience he did in a three channel universe.
Sep '11
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
· 18 minutes ago
So hot that the pigeons are walking in Orson Welles's shadow.
Apr '11
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
"When Johnny retired in 1992, the youngest serviceman to have fought in World War II would have been about 64. Today that service member, if still with us, is 84.
That’s the era that’s passing – the era of our protectors, of heroes, of an America that believed in itself. And I think, subliminally, we identify Johnny Carson with that era. He was one of the last of the great entertainers to have served in World War II. (So had Ed McMahon.) He had, in effect, signed up for his generation’s call."
I watched a lot of Carson while in college and came to have a deep appreciation for him. On another note, my father is a freshly minted 88. Tomorrow we will attend what will likely be the final reunion of his friends that were part of the Timberwolves (104th Infantry Division). I can't think of a better group that I'd like to spend a Saturday with.
Sep '10
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
Floyd R. Turbo, American
Oct '10
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
· 23 minutes ago
I don't know how hot it is, but "today it was so windy Glen Campbell's hair actually moved."
Sep '11
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
Terry
Maggie Somavilla:
My absolute favorite sketch was Johnny Carson playing a confused President Reagan in a conversation with James Baker. It was an update on the Abbott and Costello "Who's on First", with puns on the names Hu, Yasser, Watt, and possibly others. I always liked to imagine that Reagan saw it and laughed more than anyone. Peter, can you confirm? · 21 minutes ago
Here it is. · 54 minutes ago
Thank you Terry. What a treat!
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
This thread should be hermetically sealed in a mayonaise jar on Funk and Wagnall's porch.
Sep '10
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
Till noon tomorrow.
Aug '11
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
Mr HOA and I recently watched a documentary about Carson on PBS. It brought back so many wonderful memories and we both stated that we wished (oh, how we wish!) that he were still on the air. We watched, we laughed, and every year we couldn't wait for the yearly anniversary show with highlights of all the previous years.
May '11
Re: Why Johnny Mattered
I remember when he was the host of Who Do You Trust and when he was tabbed to replace Jack Parr everyone thought he was too young and too limited in his experience to keep the show popular. I think Mr. Katz absolutely nailed the source of his enduring appeal.