I remember Ed telling the story about a bit that Johnny was setting up. Johnny said to Ed did you know that studies have shown that mosquitoes are more likely to bite highly sexual people. Without missing a beat, Ed smacked his wrist (as though bitten by a mosquito) and said, “got him.” The audience roared with laughter. Ed said he looked at Johnny and he had a look in his eyes. It was then Ed noticed a whole box of props next to Johnny behind the desk. Ed had upstaged the bit and the boss. But Carson immediately turned it into how Ed had just destroyed the next 15 minutes. And he brought out the big props and turned Ed’s gaffe into comedy gold.
@@diamonddog13 Ed was not invited the the daily meeting with Johnny and the writers. Johnny, Ed and producer Fred DeCordova all agreed that Ed’s reactions should be spontaneous. Unless, of course, when it was a skit that involved Ed, like Carnak or Aunt Blabby.
Carson....none measure up....just like with Jack Benny. It doesn't matter who gets the laugh. End of the day, is Carsons show. The laugh is more important no matter who gets it...
Johnny knew what worked. He knew that he had talented people around him and made use of whatever happened. He was not afraid to be “upstaged” by others. He rolled with it and created fabulous TV!
I like how he set up an easy one for Doc to knock over, just to make it unanimous. I do miss Johnny and the gang. Too bad Tommy wasn't in on this... His deadpan tolerance was always so funny... cuz nobody deserved to deliver a zinger to Johnny more than he. :-D
A lot of things made the show special, but, what stands out, we the viewer felt like we are part of the family. We get the inside jokes, we know by a smirk, or simple glance what the person is thinking. No one needs to explain why a simple remark is funny.
Ed actually divorced his then wife Victoria 18 months after this show aired. Since Johnny was the CEO of Carson Productions, Ed, Doc, Fred and the orchestra were his employees and signed the paychecks. In later years they themselves stopped being employees and would sign contracts instead to save CP certain expenses. That is why JC referred to "you wouldnt talk to me this way a couple of years ago" which is a reference to the change in their status.
I remember watching Steve Allen on a black and white TV. He was in California and did the "man on the street" bits. These can't be duplicated. When you heard a horn honk, Steve would say, "I'll be right out." I say that to this day, but nobody gets it.
Whoever ran sound in the control room that night was asleep at the wheel. Ed's standing at a mic that was never on. Ironic because Fred and Doc had Johnny's boom mic, but Ed had his own microphone, yet all you heard was off-mic echo.
So funny, especially compared to the clowns on late night TV now. Look at a guy like Jimmy Kimmel. All he does is weep like a school girl every other night.
I still think Carson retired too early whether it was his choice or the network's. I think he could have gone another 10 years and still maintained high ratings.
Johnny had a lot of things in his personal life. After his son rick passed away in 91, it drained a lot of the energy away from him and Johnny really never liked doing the show in the summer anyway. He loved tennis and wanted to get away to see wimbeldon and the us and french open.
Graham Norton has said his approach to the talk show format now is a very relaxed attitude. Graham isn't your typical talk show host, he never really does a monologue, and he prefers now to talk with guests more than comedy routines. Also Tony, if you have never seen Graham Norton's earlier TV work, I suggest you be careful, as when he worked at Channel 4 here in Britain, he was not very family friendly.
@@johnking5174 Don't worry. I've watched " So Graham Norton" and "The Graham Norton Effect". I'm an old Ozark hillbilly and I grew up with Vietnam on the news every night. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
