"Johnny's Guest Host Tonight Is..."

[wbhist]

When was Skitch Henderson in the band? I thought he was there with Johnny early on but left after a year or 2.

Mr. Henderson was musical director from 1962 to 1966. His successor, Milton DeLugg, filled the gap prior to Doc Severinsen being named musical director in 1967.

 

[KeithE4]

When was Skitch Henderson in the band? I thought he was there with Johnny early on but left after a year or 2.

Mr. Henderson was musical director from 1962 to 1966. His successor, Milton DeLugg, filled the gap prior to Doc Severinsen being named musical director in 1967.

DeLugg had also been the musical director for The Tonight Show's predecessor Broadway Open House in the early '50s. He was associated with Chuck Barris for many years, and was a regular on The Gong Show in the late '70s. He's currently (at age 90!) the musical director for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.

Mitch Miller never did series TV other than his own early '60s show. Per IMDB, his only Tonight Show appearance was on October 8, 1962. He's also still with us at age 97.

 

[nightfly61]

Didn't Alf fill in once or was that just a dream sequence on the show Alf? Either way I remember his monologue being pretty hilarious!
Didn't Billy Crystal fill in once when Soap was in it's heyday?

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

Didn't Alf fill in once or was that just a dream sequence on the show Alf? Either way I remember his monologue being pretty hilarious!

It wasn't a dream sequence, but one of the early Season 3 (1988-89) episodes of ALF had him as a guest host of the "Tonight Show" (in place of Rich Little), with Ed McMahon and Tommy Newsom also in house (guests Joan Embree, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and Pope John Paul II). However, ALF, to Carson's disgust, turned the show virtually into a clip show for his series.

I have found this entire episode online at:

http://beta.sling.com/video/show/66394/93/Tonight,-Tonight

 

[Corky Marlowe]

It wasn't a dream sequence, but one of the early Season 3 (1988-89) episodes of ALF had him as a guest host of the "Tonight Show" (in place of Rich Little), with Ed McMahon and Tommy Newsom also in house (guests Joan Embree, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and Pope John Paul II). However, ALF, to Carson's disgust, turned the show virtually into a clip show for his series.

At least you weren't thinking of "Alf's Hit Talk Show". There was one non-human guest host, though: Kermit The Frog. I remember him saying he could use words late at night that he couldn't use on "Sesame Street", like "titillate".

 

[Stanislav]

It wasn't a dream sequence, but one of the early Season 3 (1988-89) episodes of ALF had him as a guest host of the "Tonight Show" (in place of Rich Little), with Ed McMahon and Tommy Newsom also in house (guests Joan Embree, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and Pope John Paul II). However, ALF, to Carson's disgust, turned the show virtually into a clip show for his series.

At least you weren't thinking of "Alf's Hit Talk Show". There was one non-human guest host, though: Kermit The Frog. I remember him saying he could use words late at night that he couldn't use on "Sesame Street", like "titillate".

I saw the show when Kermit hosted, and IIRC correctly, there was a cute "blooper" during the intro. They had Kermit and Fozzie (I believe) in front of the curtain and behind a counter. At the end of the intro, Kermit tries to do Johnny's signature "golf swing," and for a brief moment, there was a flash of a (*gasp*) human arm seen. Henson and Oz immediately ad-libbed in character about it (something like "Did you see something?" "What was that?"). It was a rare gaffe for the perfectionist Henson, which could probably be excused by the combination of an unfamiliar environment, perhaps limited rehearsal, and maybe a less than ideal monitor setup behind that counter. (Not to mention the live-to-tape format usually not allowing retakes...)

 

[nightfly61]

However, ALF, to Carson's disgust, turned the show virtually into a clip show for his series.

Carson had to know ahead of time what the plan was...you could tell they were all reading a teleprompter. C'mon, would they really have scheduled the Pope on a night when Alf was hosting? That was one of the few episodes of Tonight where they showed studio audience.

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

Didn't Alf fill in once or was that just a dream sequence on the show Alf? Either way I remember his monologue being pretty hilarious!

I just realized after posting my ALF/"Tonight Show" link last night that the "dream sequence" ALF had of hosting another talk show was actually him fantasizing of hosting "Late Night with David Letterman" in a late Season 2 episode (originally aired May 2, 1988):

http://beta.sling.com/video/show/27442/31/We-Are-Family

Also another thing on the ALF Tonight Show episode--by October 1988 (when that episode first aired) wouldn't Jay Leno had already been named the permanent guest host of "Tonight" (with only Doc Severinsen on hand during Leno's guest host nights)?

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

It wasn't a dream sequence, but one of the early Season 3 (1988-89) episodes of ALF had him as a guest host of the "Tonight Show" (in place of Rich Little), with Ed McMahon and Tommy Newsom also in house (guests Joan Embree, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and Pope John Paul II). However, ALF, to Carson's disgust, turned the show virtually into a clip show for his series.

At least you weren't thinking of "Alf's Hit Talk Show". There was one non-human guest host, though: Kermit The Frog. I remember him saying he could use words late at night that he couldn't use on "Sesame Street", like "titillate".

I saw the show when Kermit hosted, and IIRC correctly, there was a cute "blooper" during the intro. They had Kermit and Fozzie (I believe) in front of the curtain and behind a counter. At the end of the intro, Kermit tries to do Johnny's signature "golf swing," and for a brief moment, there was a flash of a (*gasp*) human arm seen. Henson and Oz immediately ad-libbed in character about it (something like "Did you see something?" "What was that?"). It was a rare gaffe for the perfectionist Henson, which could probably be excused by the combination of an unfamiliar environment, perhaps limited rehearsal, and maybe a less than ideal monitor setup behind that counter. (Not to mention the live-to-tape format usually not allowing retakes...)

There was also a Muppet Babies episode from 1985-86 (where the nursery's TV had broken and the young Muppets came up with their own "pretend" shows) where they fantasized about appearing on the "Tonight Show" (which also had a live-action shot of the "Tonight" audience):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah9n-j-gzwQ (Part 3 of 3--which includes the Muppet Babies' imagined "Tonight Show" "appearance")

 

[searadiofreak]

I had the great opportunity to attend a Carson taping, definitely the highlight of my young life to that point. As I recall, Fred DeCordova did the initial warm-up, then he introduced Ed, but Johnny never came out until show time. However, I did catch him peek out from the curtains, something I since have learned was something he almost always did. I remember the show had a different audio "feel" in that Burbank studio. Eveything seemed kind of muted, including Johnny when he did the monologue and interviews. Johnny didn't talk much with the guests during the commercials. The show I attended Johnny did an "in-audience" bit, and I believe I was briefly on camera. Just a surreal experience. Miss that performer greatly.

Later, I saw Letterman and Leno on different occasions. Letterman was a "pacer", pacing all over the set during breaks. Leno was just cool, relaxed, and liked to chat with the audience before the show. Different styles for sure.

 

[flytrap]

I don't know the history about this or when it happened but I have heard all my life that Jerry Lewis was once on Carson back in the sixties and made a remark that he would like to fly over Mississippi and take a dump. Naturally Mississippi was not amused and legend has it that Lewis had to apologize. I've heard people mention it for years and some them still hate Jerry Lewis because of it. I was peeved when ER did an episode about Mississippi and made everyone look like hicks. but that was another story. Does anyone remember the Jerry Lewis incident?

 

[LKellerIII]

I don't know the history about this or when it happened but I have heard all my life that Jerry Lewis was once on Carson back in the sixties and made a remark that he would like to fly over Mississippi and take a dump. Naturally Mississippi was not amused and legend has it that Lewis had to apologize. I've heard people mention it for years and some them still hate Jerry Lewis because of it. I was peeved when ER did an episode about Mississippi and made everyone look like hicks. but that was another story. Does anyone remember the Jerry Lewis incident?

I had heard that it was Carson who made the controversial remark, but apparently you're right - it was Jerry Lewis. A little googling uncovered this link to a Classic TV blog. It states that Lewis apologizes for the remark in his Tonight Show monologue, and that he had made the remark originally "in a segment on civil rights." Though it's clear he apologizes on the Tonight Show, it is not clear that he made the original remark on the Tonight Show.

There is a link to a clip on You Tube, but unfortunately, the clip has been removed (terms of use violation).


http://classicshowbiz.blogspot.com/2008/02/tonight-show-with-guest-host-jerry.html

 

[Rob Jason]

I had the great opportunity to attend a Carson taping, definitely the highlight of my young life to that point. As I recall, Fred DeCordova did the initial warm-up, then he introduced Ed, but Johnny never came out until show time. However, I did catch him peek out from the curtains, something I since have learned was something he almost always did. I remember the show had a different audio "feel" in that Burbank studio. Eveything seemed kind of muted, including Johnny when he did the monologue and interviews. Johnny didn't talk much with the guests during the commercials. The show I attended Johnny did an "in-audience" bit, and I believe I was briefly on camera. Just a surreal experience. Miss that performer greatly.

When did you see Carson?
I was at a taping in late 1978 -- It was either between Christmas and new years, or right after the first of the year in early January 1979. The guests were Mohammed Ali and Robert Blake, and some forgettable impressionist. Johnnie did a Floyd Turbo routine. We were seated in that section directly up the stairs from the desk, in the second tier.
First, Freddie DeCordova warmed up the audience. Then he introduced Doc. Doc did a little warm-up, then he introduced Ed. Ed did the final warm-up, which lasted right up until you saw the "slate" on the monitors -- which was probably 30 seconds before the show began. They all seemed so calm, though in 30 seconds they'd be taping a network show. The slate hangs for 10 seconds. Then when it goes off, the monitors are in black. Ed takes the mic he was holding, walks over to his spot, and puts that mic in the stand. I don't remember anyone telling the audience to "stand by", or "here we go"...Just, suddenly, the audience falls silent -- as if it knew what to do. I remember at that point, looking to my right, over the audience -- and how quiet it suddenly was, and reveling in the moment.
Then you see Doc's arm go up in the characteristic maestro "ready" pose, and then the drum riff.
During breaks, the lights on the set are turned down -- I don't remember what Johnnie did during the breaks, aside from tapping his pencils.

At one point, in the third half hour, Johnnie mentioned New York for some reason. The three of us, being from NY, applauded, as was the tradition when some locale was mentioned. We watched the show in our motel room later that night -- and years later, in 1982 or 83, the show was repeated -- I was watching it with my college roommates -- and I heard our applause again. Freaky.

 

[searadiofreak]

I don't remember the year I saw Carson, but believe it was from around the same era. You reminded me of something though. There were clocks set up around the studio with the actual show time (11:30), even though the taping was I believe 5:30. I do recall the band would be playing right up to 5:30, then pause it for a couple of drum beats at 5:29:55, then immediately go into the theme almost seemlessly right at 5:30. You are right, everyone was calm, just another day at the office! I think it was critical to Johnny to give the show that "live" feel, and from I heard almost never was there a stoppage in taping.

 

[firepoint525]

I had the great opportunity to attend a Carson taping, definitely the highlight of my young life to that point. As I recall, Fred DeCordova did the initial warm-up, then he introduced Ed, but Johnny never came out until show time. However, I did catch him peek out from the curtains, something I since have learned was something he almost always did. I remember the show had a different audio "feel" in that Burbank studio. Eveything seemed kind of muted, including Johnny when he did the monologue and interviews. Johnny didn't talk much with the guests during the commercials. The show I attended Johnny did an "in-audience" bit, and I believe I was briefly on camera. Just a surreal experience. Miss that performer greatly.

When did you see Carson?
I was at a taping in late 1978 -- It was either between Christmas and new years, or right after the first of the year in early January 1979. The guests were Mohammed Ali and Robert Blake, and some forgettable impressionist. Johnnie did a Floyd Turbo routine. We were seated in that section directly up the stairs from the desk, in the second tier.
First, Freddie DeCordova warmed up the audience. Then he introduced Doc. Doc did a little warm-up, then he introduced Ed. Ed did the final warm-up, which lasted right up until you saw the "slate" on the monitors -- which was probably 30 seconds before the show began. They all seemed so calm, though in 30 seconds they'd be taping a network show. The slate hangs for 10 seconds. Then when it goes off, the monitors are in black. Ed takes the mic he was holding, walks over to his spot, and puts that mic in the stand. I don't remember anyone telling the audience to "stand by", or "here we go"...Just, suddenly, the audience falls silent -- as if it knew what to do. I remember at that point, looking to my right, over the audience -- and how quiet it suddenly was, and reveling in the moment.
Then you see Doc's arm go up in the characteristic maestro "ready" pose, and then the drum riff.
During breaks, the lights on the set are turned down -- I don't remember what Johnnie did during the breaks, aside from tapping his pencils.

At one point, in the third half hour, Johnnie mentioned New York for some reason. The three of us, being from NY, applauded, as was the tradition when some locale was mentioned. We watched the show in our motel room later that night -- and years later, in 1982 or 83, the show was repeated -- I was watching it with my college roommates -- and I heard our applause again. Freaky.

Johnny was still 90 minutes in the late '70s? I thought he had scaled it back to just one hour sometime in the mid '70s.

And I find it hard to believe that a (then) four-year-old episode would resurface as a "Best of Carson." It would have been too "dated." Too much would have changed in four years, clothes, hairstyles, etc. And especially a lot would have changed during those four years!

 

[azumanga]

Johnny was still 90 minutes in the late '70s? I thought he had scaled it back to just one hour sometime in the mid '70s.

Actually, it was 1980 when The Tonight Show was cut to 60 minutes.

 

[Rob Jason]

Johnny was still 90 minutes in the late '70s? I thought he had scaled it back to just one hour sometime in the mid '70s.

And I find it hard to believe that a (then) four-year-old episode would resurface as a "Best of Carson." It would have been too "dated." Too much would have changed in four years, clothes, hairstyles, etc. And especially a lot would have changed during those four years!
[/quote]

:-\But, alas, it did. Also strange: it was a 90 minute episode, edited down to 60 minutes for the new format.

 

[searadiofreak]

Yes, that is my memory as well. They just edited it down, and with 90 minutes that probably was a pretty easy task. New question: when did the show start ar :35 instead of :30? And didn't the net affiliates have a lot to do with that, so they could sell a few extra spots?

 

[searadiofreak]

And speaking of which, I seem to have a vague memory that at one time (probably in the very early days), the show started at :15, but too many affiliates were doing 30 miinute newscasts and wouldn't carry the first segment. Am I having an halluciation?

 

[wbhist]

And speaking of which, I seem to have a vague memory that at one time (probably in the very early days), the show started at :15, but too many affiliates were doing 30 miinute newscasts and wouldn't carry the first segment. Am I having an halluciation?

Oh, no. Indeed, Mr. Carson was very P.O.'d over this fact, and from early 1965 until the show was trimmed to 90 minutes in early 1967, he simply didn't show up for the first 15 minutes, thus leaving Ed McMahon and the bandleader to while away the interim.