"You're as funny as hell." That's pure gold coming out of Johnny Carson's mouth there. Drew Carey has always been such a quick wit. Funny and clever at the same time. Just a natural. No awkward segues between jokes. Everything just flows.
Hey y'all it's me Jeff Yoder the ol'broke down scooter tramp (exbiker) and I'm not going to hang out waiting for you do nothing Millenials to quit beating a dead horse (your discussion about Johnny Carson's couch) especially when all you do is wait for the next random comment from another random spaced out Millenial who is doing the once every year or more search of RU-vid cause you have bored yourself by doing nothing for so long
😂😂😂😂 dude is timeless!!! He looked like this for for as long as I remember! I can't believe when I seen him on here looking just like he always did lol!
For those of you watching this in 2020 or beyond and don't understand what happened at the end there, it was a HUGE deal for Johnny to call you over to the couch after a stand-up set. Literally it made people's careers (Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, et al...) and they would LAUNCH after an appearance on Carson. It was a pivotal point in Drew's career here, which is why he's so freaked out about it. Think of the 3 biggest stars in the world right now, and then combine them...that's how powerful Johnny Carson was in Hollywood during his reign.
@The Sinful Bastard First of all, chill dude. Second of all, it's definitely not bullshit. Listen to some interviews of stand ups from that era. You know..."do your research".
@The Sinful Bastard In the end, it didn't matter why Carson did it...what mattered was the PERCEPTION of why he did it and the resulting effect on people's careers. Now relax before you blow a vein.
I had the chance to meet Drew when we were in the Marine Corps together. he always practiced on the platoon on weekends. More than once, we stayed in on weekends because he kept us laughing during duty assignments over the day.
Damn he was so nervous! You can tell he he eased as he felt the crowd behind him, and took total reigns once he knew he was killing it. Then got nervous again once he was at the couch. Dude Is a legend!
I remember him talking about this on a Carson special. He was tearing up remembering that night when he got called over. Because everyone knew that if Carson called you over to be interviewed, it was essentially "welcome to Hollywood kid, you just made it!"
Most people would say seeing your child being would be the best day of your entire life but I bet if one was being honest it would be hard to top a night like Drew's. All his dreams coming true in a moment of extreme adrenaline and excitement. What a ride.
Actually, Carson shot down that idea a while back. He said he called people over if there was still time to use up on the show, not as a judgment on their comedy skills. Still, being called over by Carson would have been any stand-up comic's dream come true.
I was in the audience in The Price is Right about 12 years ago and was really surprised at how funny Drew was. During the commercial breaks he'd improv, cracking jokes at the contestants and he really is funny as hell. I liked him on his show and Who's Line but didn't know he was THAT quick and funny.
I was in the audience yesterday and he's still at it. I think he likes having the big audience back after COVID. He's riffing on people's jobs, riffing on the surroundings of the new location.
@@user-cx5lq7kx2f Drew recently appeared with Whose Line in Northern California on February 16, 2024. He mentioned it in between during a taping break for "The Price is Right."
I saw this the night it aired and he became an instant star. I bought tickets the next day for that evenings show in Schaumburg Illinois where he absolutely slayed a packed house.
I loved how Drew told the joke, looked up and saw the crowd actually laugh, and then proceed to laugh in the best, contagious sounding, wholesome laugh, ever
*This appearance meant everything to Drew. He talks about it still.* Johnny, Ed and Doc were all there that night, Drew "killed 'em" and Drew got to go sit down and speak to Johnny. You got to do that when you did well.
Another thing I noticed that I thought was really cool was when Drew got to the punchline of his Yugo joke, you can also hear Ed Shaughnessy giving some support with a couple of hits on the kick drum.
@@dans9463 For a stand up comic, getting "called over" was akin to winning the lottery. If you got the show it was a huge career boost. If Johnny gave you a "thumbs up" it meant he approves but "thanks...next". Getting called over for a sit down was being accepted into the "big boys club"
That was one of the best bits, I think. Completely off the cuff, shockingly funny when it aired. And that delivery, even got a massive laugh from Carson, it was so unexpected. That was a 'pro gamer' move before there were pro gamers.
I saw a recent interview with Drew Carey in which he said that after this Tonight Show performance his phone blew up with calls offering gigs. He was a star overnight. This kind of folksy, nonpolitical humor will always be a favorite.
Most of it's folksy. Agreed. But, joking about getting the runs after eating a chili dog, and playing jokes on cops on rainy days for kicks.... If that's folksy... I'm all for it! :D [Such a great set! I saw him at the Irvine Improv after his sitcom had been on air a couple seasons. He told that cop in the rain joke by added that he was driving his 'dream' car that he'd bought with his TV show money: A Miata!]
There's an American Masters documentary on Johnny where comedians talk about getting their big break on the Tonight Show. Drew was so moved by telling his story (and the impact) that he was choking back tears.
@@borisbulldog "Overnight" doesn't mean instant out of the gate. It means the dynamic changed [literally in this case] overnight. For years he was struggling. Then one day he got his big break. He went to bed a struggling artist and woke up famous with money being thrown at him.
Mac The Knife What an amazing career. Starting on The Tonight Show, then his own sitcom, then hosting Whose Line, Improvaganza, and is now the host of one of the best game shows in the history of broadcasting. What a career.
I have often wondered if they ever made a live action sitcom of Scott Adams comic strip "Dilbert" would Drew be in contention for the lead? Drew was drop dead hilarious on his "Drew Carey Show"!
During the early 80s Drew was my waiter at Dennys. He said he was going to be an actor. I am thinking. Yeah. Look what happened. Never give up on your dream even when people think, yeah.
well.. .. i sold this kid a car 10 years ago and he said he was gonna be a rapper, Lankey white kid weird too, saw him recently he's still a bum.....also the guy who washes the cars on the lot has been trying to be a singer for 50 years now , its pretty sad , he gets shows but they don't pay money just food and drink , maybe he'll get a show that'll pay 200 , he even made an album and music video 15 years ago , still hold'n onto that dream , Also he now lives in an old school bus.. i think most people need to face reality cause its so rare for someone to hit it big even if they're talented. Gordon Ramsey also talks about how his Father was running after a dream to be a singer that was never possible and had his family and himself living a miserable life cause of it..
@@susandevitte2137 nice Susan! I got pics at Oscar and Bernie Dotcom and Paul got a nice letter from Drew thanking him for helping him as a struggling comic in Vegas. Paul said he come home after working graveyard at the Royal casino and Drew up all night going over his material from Joe Behar's open mic. Paul said he was afraid Drew was getting depressed so he drove him to LA to go to Drew's older brother Neil's home. Paul said he didn't want Drew shooting himself on his couch as he just bought it and still making payments! Mitzi Shore told the bizarre Paul R to stay in LA...Paul came back to Vegas.
It's so funny watching how Carey was clearly nervous in the chair next to Carson (who wouldn't be, right?). He earned that invite and even made him laugh harder again after he sat down.
Wow! The audience was generous and genuinely entertained by this new young comedian. I can't get over their enthusiasm. I always loved Drew Carey but this is the first time I've seen him do a stand-up routine. He nailed it!
Loved Drew. He looked like my dad. He died was I was young and I remember he made me laugh. I miss my dad so much. Thanks for bringing back so great memories. 🤗
@@marinevetoneroman7232 So did I. The look on Drew's face when Johnny motioned for him to sit down was priceless. Right there in a six-minute standup, he had just hit the big time.
@@Gunners_Mate_Guns , when Johnny Carson says, "You're funny as hell!". Biggest accolade one can get. Emmy, Oscar, Star on a Hollywood sidewalk? Second to that compliment.
Johnny asking a comic to sit down was all they needed on a resume. I miss Carson. I've always been thankful that I'm old enough where Leno isn't my idea of 'classic' Tonight Show.
@@sigep145 No question about it. People too young to remember Johnny have no idea just how much power he wielded to both make and break a career. Hell, even such comedic giants as Steven Wright and Jerry Seinfeld had to make a second appearance before getting their own turns in the coveted chair.
Back then, impressing Johnny would give a HUGE boost to someone's career. The jokes all landed, and his Rodney Dangerfield-style humility and midwestern sensibility probably appealed to Carson as well.
You can’t overstate Carson’s power in show business - he could literally catapult you with a simple wave over to the couch. There is no one in all of TV, streaming, social media or any other format that wields that kind of power today.
That is so true no late night talk show host or talk show host will ever be like Johnny Carson who always cared about getting great up and coming great talented comedians
@@SaboSays There used to be a commercial for mustard where somebody pulls up in a Rolls Royce-type car and asks the person in the car next to them if they happen to have any "Grey Poupon Mustard" - implying that it was a very classy product. The joke is that mayonnaise is a mundane everyday product.
I love watchin moments like that. The days when a comic’s killer set on Carson made your career. The exposure Drew got from this led to a cable special, more TV appearances and eventually his own sitcom.
I like the TV series "I'm Dying Up Here" largely because it showed the road many comics took in the 60's thru 90's in pursuit of success in their art form. Apparently I was one of a few dozen who liked it. Also liked Gadd and Crystal in "The Comedians" - cancelled just when it hit its stride - another funny look into the egos and lazze faireish dog sorta eat dog world in which they meander about.
Drew Carey was at Khandahar Intl Airport Christmas Eve 2001, he flew in with a couple of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, man they smelled so good. He sang some songs, told some jokes. Thanks Drew, much respect.
Great set, great comedian. Johnny Carson was an institution in Hollywood. Made the careers of so many comedians. And he absolutely did not have to do that. The man just loved giving deserving people that boost into the business.
@Rick Daystar it's hilarious that your reaction to being told you're dumb is to be even dumber and reply with a childish comment that is even more grammaticaly wrong. You straight out put a conformation stamp on your idiot diploma. From me and everyone else that will read this; thanks for the laugh, few things are as chuckleable as really stupid people trying to act "smart". Oh, and as said, he's not from Solon... No idea why you just said something untrue that's very easy to fact check.
One set, one call to the couch, and a star was born. Thirty years later he's had his own sitcom, host of the most well-known platform in improv comedy, and now host of the highest rated daytime show and longest-running game show in history. I met Drew when I was a contestant on TPIR. He was incredibly nice and his banter with the audience during commercials was priceless. One of the waitresses at a nearby restaurant says Drew comes in frequently when he tapes TPIR. She said he always leaves large tips for the staff, never turns down a photo op or autograph with a fan, and ALWAYS picks up the tab for anyone who is active duty or retired military/EMS/police/firefighter. Class act and funny!
Johnny Carson and his staff just had a great nose for talent. So many great comedians launched their careers on The Tonight Show. Oh, and yes, Drew Carey totally Crushed it that night.
For those of you who are not aware, Johnny Carson in his day was something of a career maker for young comedians. If he liked you, he called you over to the chair. If that happened, your career was pretty much assured. If he didn't call you over, doors didn't open up quite as easily for you. Carey may have been the last new comic to earn this honor. Certainly, he was one of the last because Carson retired five and a half months later. Sadly, this video cuts out one of the best parts of this performance. When Johnny called Drew over, Cary was honestly stunned and stood there for a second pointing at himself saying, "Me?"
And this was evidence of why that archaic thinking doesn't work... that there is a gatekeeper... a guy who makes people. That idolization worked... it made careers. Because execs who don't know what's funny, rely on blindly trusting an icon's approval... if Carson approved then let's move this career along. But guess what? Carson didn't always get it right... and you get this mediocre career equivalent to mayonnaise... that is profitable because he fits in generic roles of starring in a decent T.V. show... and being a useless host of an improve show, and a game-show host... he has general appeal with middle aged and elderly audiences... that is his bread and butter. It absolutely pays the bills... but he isn't a great comedian.
@@pertnear3372, Your Ad-Hominem attack only demonstrates your inability to refute the merrits of my arguments. Being able to judge a comedian objectively does not mean I have some chip on my shoulder... that is just a cop-out excuse to discredit me so you can just sweep away the substance of my position.
@@davehodderson8511, Do you have evidence that he had more other majorly sucessful comedic ventures besides the mediocre ones I listed? Major comedy specials... selling out stadiums... sucessful comedy films etc.? The proof is in the vanilla pudding.
He didn't create Whose Line Is It Anyway. It was a British show, and Ryan Stiles who appeared on the British version felt Drew would be the perfect host for a US version. Pedantic yes, sorry.
It looks like to me that Drew, while he was sitting in “the chair,” looked like he couldn’t believe he was sitting there in a “what-am-I-doing-here” sort of way.
Well you're spot on there John. Carson would have comedians on all the time but most of them weren't waived over to chat a bit so what happened here was a huge deal. That is more evident when you see Drew's reaction to being waived over. Not sure why they cut it out here but the look on his face says it all.
John Koziol - in one of his interviews, he said he was in partial shock when when he got called over. This clip was edited at the end of his performance, but in an unedited version, he actually does a double take when asked to come over. He pointed to himself and mouthed the words, “me?”. Whenever asked, he always credited Johnny for launching his career (even before Johnny died).
Exactly, keep grinding it out where ever you can, while possibly shitting your pants from nervous anxiety. Usually doesn't pan out, but you hit that big break eventually. Perseverance pays dividends - keep fishing, never stop.
Actually watched this "live" when it aired on the Tonight Show. Never seen anything like it. Quoted that cop-in-the-rain joke for years after. Such a great introduction to a fantastic performer.
@@Chipwhitley274 If you do not have something nice to say keep it to your self Be kind be gentle..do not join in the negativity of the world make the world a better place Drew Cary was very funny here ..God Bless You All
@@estelleschneider9033, You have no authority to command me to behave in any way. I believe it is positive to promote true talent, and voice opposition when it exists... that is how the market decides. But part of that growth is in recognizing that an outdated metric should be a abandoned... like considering certain celebrity endorsements as if it is gospel.
Yes, Drew Carey is a nice guy. After every season of the "The Drew Carey Show" he would take the cast and crew on a vacation to Hawaii to thank them for their work. He would do so much for the people that worked for him. Don't find anything like that in many performers.
Drew KILLED that night. 39 i mean 29 years later and I still remember how charmed I was by his demeanor as much as anything. They cut it here, but his gesture of surprise when Johnny waived him over to the couch is so honest. There's an interview where he recalls the moment and he tears up. It meant that much to him.
When you got called to Johnny's couch you made it back then. I remember seeing him on Star Search too. I don't think he was nearly this good. Did anyone catch who was in the middle between Drew and Ed?
Drew Carey is a great dude. I used to watch his TV show too. Funny funny guy. And from what I hear, he is very humble & down to earth as well. You can't help but be happy for people like him.
With this one great monologue, Drew Carey became a star! I still love to watch him on "The Price Is Right." He seems genuinely interested in the contestants.
I got to see Drew Carey at his very first headlining act. That was before this appearance. I was in the first row that night center of the stage. I was iin a very deep dark depression at the time and he was so funny I laughed the first time in a long time that night, I credit him with saving my life.
@@jacktrppr1 No, we are older. But the the comment from the first guy and replies from the next three stand as correct. You will never have comedy as good as Johnny Carson's era again.
Pop and I watched this, the night it aired. Pop was laughing so hard he must have woken the neighbors. Pop loved Drew. Yesterday was Pop's birthday. I miss that old man. Thanks for posting this! Good memories.
The show after Johnny passed, Jay Leno said this was the moment that made Drew Carey's career. Looking back 29 years later I'd say having your own successful sitcom, hosting several game shows, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a NY Times best-seller is validation.
It's so great to see someone's life change in 7 minutes. Of course it took him 10 years to get there. That's what they mean when they say overnight sensation. 🙂
It's insane to me that these two men's careers crossed paths. That really speaks to both Carson's and Drew's incredible longevity in their respective eras.
I'm sure Drew Carrey was such a breath of fresh air for Johnny Carson at the time. He had a certain kind of fresh and clean style and way of talking that probably just tickled him pink. Kinda reminds you of the sort of humor found in the golden age of show business around the 40s and 50s!
Sgt Carey USMC, probably had a different level of humor when he was in lol. (Carey was in United States Marine Corp from 1981-1987, serving for six years as a field radio operator in the 25th Marine Regiment)
Drew always comes across as a humble likable guy. You see when sat down next to Johnny he was very thankful to be there and appreciated the opportunity
If you're old enough to remember The Tonight Show, it was planned if you would sit down or not because the comedian would have a couple more jokes or Carson would have a couple of questions, and you NEVER got called over on your first appearance. What you don't see here is Drew's stunned reaction when Carson calls him over after his set. It was unplanned and completely spontaneous on Carson's part. Carey was a legend after that.
Just imagine the intestinal fortitude it takes to get out there on stage on The Tonight Show with Carson watching, an audience, TV cameras pointed at you and all the voices in your head telling you not to screw up.😬
If it wasn’t for this appearance, we wouldn’t have had the Drew Carey Show, the US run of Whose Line, and Bob Barker’s successor in the Price Is Right. Thank you Johnny Carson and Drew Carey!
I was a bartender at Rumours night club at 14th and Euclid in Cleveland...Drew was a bar back that would crack us up all the time...great guy....so happy he made it big. 😊
I grew up watching Johnny Carson, and he never called a comedian over to sit down after their set, Drew was so good Johnny was all come over and sit down.
A few things: - I always loved seeing comedians realize their dreams by being on The Tonight Show - It truly was a rite of passage to get Johnny’s approval; he was the best - Drew Carey is clearly on cloud nine ... you can just see it in his face and behavior
Right?! It’s so amazing watching all this occur in clips like these. Younger generations don’t understand the weight an appearance and call over to the couch gave comedians on Carson - the next day, your phone would ring, with your agent fielding offers you’d already be receiving just based solely on that one appearance! It was definitely a career launcher!
Carson had a way of putting his guests first & @ ease. I miss a Tonight Show host that doesn't suck. I only watched less than a handful of Leno's Tonight Show. He sucked too.
Drew's actually born and raised in Parma, Ohio, a small city just south east of Cleveland...He bought his childhood home and restored it back to what it looked like when he was a kid, only brand new...I worked in a home right down the street from that house....former Marine, Drew's a badass in real life....
I rented a car one time - can’t remember the town - but I asked the counter guy if any stars ever rented a car from them. He said a few weeks ago Drew Carey came to rent a car and he was just a regular guy. Very polite said thank you yes sir no sir. It’s hard not to like a guy like that.