This interview perfectly demonstrates the extemporaneous wit of Johnny Carson. No matter what Grodin hit across the net at him, Carson immediately returned winners. If a guest wanted to challenge Carson's adlibbing prowess, Johnny was glad to oblige; and it was always hilarious. There will never be another one like him.
Of all the wonderful guests - both serious and comedic - Grodin always bubbles up from memory as one of the most exciting and fun. His visits are usually Carson’s most animated exchanges. “Of course I read it it - in hardback - it’s very much like this one”
@@joetube141 once in a great while I reply to comments like yours. I indulge myself. It’s funny, unlike the crap you see on the shows today where just insult Republicans.
"Of course I didn't. You think I'd pay 20 bucks for that?" He ended the interview right where they started it. Masterful. And they both laughed because they knew that they had just created good entertainment.
To say Johnny was a television icon doesn’t cover it . We went to bed with him , with his monologue at 11:30 pm every night . He was part of our lives, someone like him will never come again
Yup. That's how it was back then. I remember watching him every night, and then turning off the TV. Sometimes when I didn't feel sleepy, I would try watching a bit of David Letterman, which was OK, but never finished it, as it wasn't interesting enough to watch it deep into the night.
Charles Grodin was the best at his craft when it came to throwing out dry humor, which was hilarious! Plus, pairing him with Johnny Carson was pure genius. Those were the days when comedy was brilliant and came naturally to these two, so thanks for the laughs, guys. Lastly, may Johnny and now Charles rest in eternal peace. No doubt they're having one heck of a reunion up above!
Most people don't know that after Charles Groden came on the show a few times around 1973, Johnny wanted him under contract as a guest. That shows just how much Johnny liked him but also how good he was for the show. They were two masters of their craft.
I’ve NEVER seen anyone match wits with Charles Grodin so well. This encounter was a ‘push’ in W/L column. This reminds you how great Johnny Carson truly was. Two legends
@@jimjam51075 He was on Carson 36 times, and 40 times on Letterman. Carson had him on his show as late as 1990. They wouldn't have had him on if he wasn't an entertaining guest.
These two played great off each other. There wasn’t tension. Just look at the big smile on Grodin’s face when Johnny gets in a real zinger. They both knew good television.
Carson was just smooth as silk. He had a way of looking into the camera in an Oliver Hardy way to reach out to you for recognition of his plight. He was the Goat of late night TV.
Watching Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro in Midinight Run was a masterpiece. I always enjoyed his work. Johnny Carson was and still is the king of late night TV.
I just watched that and thought the same. I first saw that film in Sheffield UK in 1989ish…And thought it was fantastic and still do. Absolutely brilliant acting and chemistry between them
One of my favorite films he was in was So I married an axe murderer. He was brilliant when he refused to give up his car when the cop tried to commandeer it... Classic Grodin!
I saw genuine sparring but Johnny must have welcomed it or he could have dismissed Grodin with a single "We'll be right back." I appreciated Grodin's existential grilling of Johnny, as futile as it was.
They're fine if you're a log roller - Johnny as we all know was from the Midwest but that kind of humor must have come from time with those from other regions either in the military or early days of TV in NY
Unless a certain extraterrestrial, specifically colored species with advanced technology would do earth a huge favor and bring us another copy of the man.
This was Grodin keeping Carson honest in a comic sense. Testing him. Like he was throwing him curve balls to see if he can still hit them out of the park...the answer was Yes, Johnny can.
I've heard from former Tonight Show writers that EVERYTHING that Carson said was all written beforehand. Even the off the cuff remarks by Johnnny were scripted.
Grodin was such a great guest on talk shows. His quick mind and dry humor were just great. And Johnny just proves again that he is the King of late night.
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this based on many of the comments, but I found it genuinely funny. I love the way Grodin baits and sets Carson up, and Carson just returns the serve. He plays well off that part insult, part dry as a desert humor of Grodin's. It looked to me like Carson enjoyed himself hugely in that battle. What a treat.
@@Lewis1key There used to be many great comedy teams who tirelessly worked on their routines and here’s Carson teaming up with thousands of comedians making the best of them even better. Endlessly entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny.
Grodin was a master of creating a distaff and arrogant character that the host would play off of. It was a bit that endeared him to a score of hosts and guests. He was actually a very funny and well regarded actor and this was his best bit with Carson returning the serves and keeping the sharp volleys flying. Great stuff.
He studied sociopaths and narcissists as a student actor. This is classic improve acting taken to an innovative level. He's well read concerning Jung & Nietzsche.
@@stewiepid4385 Doesn't surprise me. Grodin comes across as extremely intelligent and a keen observer. It must be unsettling for a talk show host to battle wits like that.
@@fatfreddyscat5767 Exactly, the one that really burned Carson and vice versa was Wayne Newton. The crap they have on now is just disgusting. Kimmell and the other pretenders are awful
Only people who REALLY like each other swap insults like this. I have a couple of friends who I do this with and we love every minute of it. Laugh all the time.
@@guileweaver1574 THIS absolutely 100% did NOT happen. Period. Do your research. It especially exposes you when you phrase it as: “Do you remember when... urban legend.
Two legends. This era of television and entertainment was terrific. The intelligence, the ability to take a joke, & keeping their composure......just so good!
One of the most best interviews in history! Grodin's mind is so sharp, such dry wit, such a fast thinker, such comedic timing. Truly one of a kind guest. He would have made such a great talk show host.
@@ekr66 .Actually Charles Grodin's TV talk show on CNBC was a "late night" talk show that immediately followed, if I am recalling correctly, Geraldo Rivera's 9PM-10PM show, "Rivera Live". So Grodan's show was on from 10PM-11PM which, although not late night in that it didn't start at 11:30PM like Carson's "The Tonight Show", was nonetheless still technically a late-night show.
Grodin would fry him publicly... or "roast" him as they say these days. All Fallon could do is laugh awkwardly every time Grodin mocks him. I have a feeling Fallon would instantly keep his people from calling Grodin's manager to set up an interview because he knows it could end up embarrassing and awkward more than usual. I also think if Grodin Was to be interviewed by him, he'd stay quiet for a while at the beginning to see if Jimmy laughs to keep from feeling uncomfortable.
Fallon is the "comedian" equivalent of a note for note cover band. Very little originality if any at all. Incidentally, I've never seen a performer laugh at their own sketches more than the audience does. Worst late night host EVER.
Nick G::: TrueThat ! After I watched Johnny’s last show with Bette, I watched Leno’s first show and it was MY LAST ,,,! Long live PARR, CAVETT, CARSON.
Charles had a personal appearance contract for the tonight show. It was always during sweep weeks. It allowed Johnny to shine with his witty comeback’s.
That was hilarious Charles Grodin is like a Gentlemans Andy Kaufman he really knew how to push the envelope and keep people guessing and laughing at the same time. What a timeless pair…
Yeah, it was a long running gag between Grodin and Carson. Kind of like Kimmel and Damon. Well, except Grodin actually got to sit and speak with an audience present.
@@rouggawahwah I always looked forward to Groden's wiseacre act w/ JC. if Johnny was truly upset w/ a guest, or even a close friend, they just did their last tonite show. he'd forget you exist. and fire anyone who acknowledges your existence. I type this a few days after Groden died, rest his soul. his work in 'the Heartbreak kid' was brilliant. a guy who, you might say, is just a bit shallow, dumps his wife on their honeymoon for Cybil Shepherd's ass.
@@tonym994 Same here. Was a kid way back then in the 80s but still could tell they were playing it up. Can't recall ever having seen HK but will seek it out later. Don't want to be one of those people who just do things because someone is gone. Thank you for the response and take care.
"You are my third longest relationship I've had in my life"... Johnny gives him that nudge and holds back some emotion - a moment of absolute truth within ten minutes of fictional improv.
Charles Grodin was one of the best talk show guests. He did this to Carson for years, then he did it to Dave. He stars on two of my favourite comedies, The Heartbreak Kid and Midnight Run. Irascible and brilliant. Rest in Peace.
Charles and Johnny had a thing they did, pretending to insult and annoy each other. It was their inside joke and they both played it really well each time Charles was on. Truth is they really liked each other.
c'mon now...this is elementary (literally and figuratively). to me, the audience is the "girl". they are both looking for laughs. each is trying to demolish the other in order to win her hand. tonight, JOHNNY won this one.
Oh man, two days ago. And George Segal recently too. George and Charles had similar deliveries with Carson. Carson could really mine comedy gold with the pros. For all its faults, life is better with RU-vid!
This is absolutely hilarious! People who think this is serious probably don't get Laurel and Hardy or Abbott and Costello or even the Three Stooges. And all of this is improvised, especially on Johnny's part. He was incredibly quick.
yeah. the true test of TV comics is when they have no writers at the desk. his own wit carries the show. especially after hearing wisecracks from guests (and Ed)for 30 years. just now , I thought he was gonna say, "will you please let me introduce this guest ?"
What a treasure this interview was. Both in such top form. A flawless example of dry, comedic timing. I believe it takes great intellect for this to occur and excellent observational skills. What a master Grodin was here. He interjected friction and warmth with superlative ability. He also dry out Carson in a way we've seldom seen before. Absolute magic.
Can anyone imagine Jimmy Fallon trying to deal with this? I mean, we all know this was actually all in good fun, but Carson’s comebacks were genius, he played along perfectly. Jimmy isn’t capable of this. He would’ve ruined the gag because he would’ve just sat there nervously giggling and trying to kiss Grodin’s ass. Carson was a master.
Johnny Carson went off the air the same year I was born, but I somehow found him and I'm so happy to know that he existed. Some say he could never be successful in today's climate, and they're probably right, but it doesn't detract from the fact that he was very good at hosting a talk show. Ask any talk show host working today who is worth their weight in salt and they will say that Johnny was the best. My parents' generation idolized David Letterman, and Letterman has stated that his whole career was just him trying to copy Carson; my generation idolizes Conan O'Brien, and he says the same thing. It has been agreed by those who know best: nobody tops Carson. He is the undisputed King of Late Night.
A lot of people thought this was real. The truth was Johnny loved having Charles grodin on and going through these silly arguments. It really is fun to watch now
Nobody thought it was real. They each broke character at least 4 times. Laughing through the whole thing. If Johnny didn’t like somebody they weren’t booked on his show. Period
@@drdrew3 a lot of people thought it was real. If you listen to interviews he did off the show, he got tons of mail asking why he was so rude to Carson and to Letterman. That’s what makes it even funnier.
I really enjoyed all of Charles Grodin's movies. I amm trully sorry for his passing. I had no idea that he was in his 80"s .God Bless and keep him. May his soul rest in peace. I am sure God will love his company.
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Grodin is just busting his chops and letting Carson get back to his old powers...Grodin knew Carsons place and enjoyed this last dash to the finish line
@@thecarpetman7687 Brilliant, no. A schtick, of course. The obnoxious act is designed to put Johnny in the hot seat but the host handled it like a true pro and turned the tables.
LOL! Or anything else about that kook Grodin, for that matter. This was pretty good shtick, though, even though I'm not 100% convinced that Johnny really thinks it's totally a bit. PS - "Heaven Can Wait" was a great movie, though. One of my favorites.
If you youngsters have not yet seen two of Grodin's most enjoyable movies, please do so. I remember falling head over heels when watching 'The Heartbreak Kid' with Cybill Shepherd, and I also thoroughly enjoyed his movie co-starring De Niro. We will miss the likes of you, Charles. R.I.P.
