The undisputed king of late night, Johnny Carson has interviewed nearly every celebrity or person of notoriety from 1962 all the way through 1992. Setting the stage and crafting what would soon turn into the modern late night television show, very few late-night hosts have been able to capture the authenticity and fun of the Johnny Carson Show. Not only was the Johnny Carson Show the place to find out what your favorite celebrity was up too, but also a place to find your new favorite comedian! Carson would regularly feature upcoming comedians such as Robin Williams, Tim Allen, Richard Pryor, and Rodney Dangerfield, introducing some of the best to do it, to the American home. In an almost impossible task, we take a look at 5 of the most memorable guests on the Johnny Carson Show that you can watch for free, right now on Chicken Soup for the Soul Streaming!
5. ORSON WELLES (episode air date: 09/23/1976)
One of the most iconic film makers, radio personalities and voices of our time, this interview with Johnny and Orson Welles is a wonderful look into the mind and work of one of the most prolific artists the world has seen. This interview is particularly interesting as Welles speaks on his belief that radio was the best medium for entertainment, as the listener would have to pay attention to know what’s going on while believing many consumers of television at the time would be watching, but they wouldn’t be listening to what’s being said. Something that, like a lot of Welles’ work, mirrors some of the issues we have today. Throughout this interview, Welles can be seen making jokes and laughing alongside Carson, a side of the artist that is great to see today apart from his iconic, stoic image.
4. WALTER CRONKITE (episode air date: 03/05/1982)
The most iconic news reporter in American History sits down and talks with Johnny about a year after his last broadcast! Talking about what he’s been up too since retirement, the problems with television news, and the importance of impartial reporting from journalists, Cronkite appears in good spirits and happy to appear on the late-night show. This interview is memorable for a hilarious sketch about halfway through where Johnny Carson plays a disgruntled Cronkite on his last day of work, and for the insight on how the journalist viewed the television news industry.
3. FARRAH FAWCETT (episode air date: 09/27/1984)
The former “Charles Angels” star stops by the Johnny Carson show to promote her upcoming TV movie “The Burning Bed” in which she plays an abused housewife, forced to set her own house ablaze to save herself and her children. Quite the difference when it comes to the roles people were used to seeing her in at the time, Fawcett talks about and describes what steps she took to prepare for the role, and the importance of playing this role. This episode also features Fawcett’s long-time lover, Ryan O’Neal about a year before they welcomed their son together.
2. JIM HENSON (episode air date: 05/24/1974)
Possibly the most famous puppeteer of all time, Jim Henson stops by the Johnny Carson show with everyone’s favorite frog, Kermit! This interview is a blast, the interactions between Kermit and Johnny will have everyone rolling on the floor laughing, and seeing the smiling face of Jim Henson brings a nice sense of nostalgia. One of many appearances from “The Muppets” on Carson, this one is memorable for a fun sketch featuring Muppets characters after the interview.
1. JAY LENO (episode air date: 02/02/1989)
Fred Savage may be the marquee guest for this episode, but we find Jay Leno stopping by to be what steals the show! The future host of the show, Leno comes out swinging with some hilarious jokes about show business and immediately starts riffing back and forth with Carson. What makes this interview memorable is seeing the king of late night interacting with the future host of the show he built. It was apparent even back in 1989 that Jay Leno was going to be a late-night force to be reckoned with and makes you wonder if Carson saw that in this young comedian. This is a wonderful look at a young Jay Leno and a great reminder of how hilarious of a comedian he really is.
