Johnny Carson R.I.P

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 1:18 pm

Yahoo news story from Associated Press:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... bit_carson

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 3:46 pm

Very sad news.

Guitar Kat =^..^= · Post by **Guitar Kat =^..^=** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:19 pm

Although, I cannot say I was the generation to watch him (for I'm young), but my parents have spoke of how great he was on the Tonight Show compared to Jay Leno.

Sad..

Whistlin'Dixie · Post by **Whistlin'Dixie** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 8:45 pm

Johnny Carson had so much class.

I watched his show occasionally, and never failed to be entertained.

I have never watched Leno.
Carson could not be replaced, as far as I was concerned.

RIP, indeed.

M

The Weekenders · Post by **The Weekenders** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 8:59 pm

Sorta not fair to compare because Johnny was so much the guy who established the genre (by lasting so long, because Jack Paar really started the show). Leno will never be as good, Letterman is more animated and has established the kind of onsite skits that went beyond Johnny's "Stump the Band." So Letterman is up there in his style but as I say, Johnny wrote the book.

He got to live long enough to see that he was irreplaceable, was likely rich and left the business with class, knowing that it had gotten old for him. I can only wish for that kind of success. RIP Johnny.

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 9:13 pm

I like Leno actually. He has a real guy klutzy appeal. But I liked Johnny too, and the news was a surprise. But heck, how many people get to be almost 80? Not that bad.

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 6:29 am

Lisping Leno's OK...

amar · Post by **amar** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:03 am

yeah, i like jay to, but i really like conan.

norseman · Post by **norseman** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 11:43 am

I didn't care much for Jay when he first started. I think he was trying to be too much like Johnny. When he started doing more of his own thing, it was definately better. There's no way anyone could replace Johnny's wit, timing and charisma. He will be missed greatly.

Bob

chas · Post by **chas** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:39 pm

I always loved Johnny. My favorite shows were always the ones with really good comedians -- Steven Wright, Jerry Seinfeld, Howie Mandel and the like. Not for the standups, but for the conversations they had with Johnny. The guy was never out of his element no matter how weird they got.

The absolutely funniest moment I remember was with Art Donovan, a guy who had been a defensive lineman with the Baltimore Colts in the 50's and 60's. He was always good for a laugh. Johnny asks him about the salaries that guys were commanding (this was c. 1990). Donovan goes into this story about the conditions when he was playing, and he tells Johnny about one preseason game they played on a field that had had a circus that had been there till the previous day. He says, "and there was elephant dung and all sorts of stuff on the field. . . We were getting set for a play, and the offensive tackle throws a handful of sh*t in my face. So of course, I hit him good, and the ref throws a flag, so I said, but ref he threw sh*t in my face. . ." Johnny and Ed are laughing as hard as I'd ever seen them, and it's time for a commercial. Johnny says, "Back with Art Donovan and more about sh*t right after these messages."

susnfx · Post by **susnfx** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:49 pm

I think Carson was better than Leno or Letterman--especially in the "olden days"--back when a lot of people came on just to talk instead of pushing their latest movie, book, whatever. Give me a choice between watching an hour of Carson, Leno, or Letterman, Carson would win hands-down.

Susan

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:49 pm

I never watched Johnny Carson.

I think Leno is a better stand-up comedian than Letterman, but Letterman has the better show. Paul Schaffer is very good, of course. 'Tis better to spend the time playing music than watching tv shows.

Will O'B · Post by **Will O'B** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:51 pm

Ah, Johnny, I hardly knew ye . . .

Will O'Ban

norseman · Post by **norseman** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:55 pm

I grew up watching Johnny Carson in the 70's. OK, I at least aged!

There was definately more of an edge to the show, you didn't always know what was going to happen. There were many times Johnny was surprised by what a guest said or did. Much more of a live, unpredictable feel than exists today.

Bob

OnTheMoor · Post by **OnTheMoor** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:56 pm

I watched the clip with the potatoes that look like famous people lady last night. Never get enough of that one.