Oh God, Johhny Carson dead

Hawkeye · #1 01-23-2005, 01:52 PM

This is a real shocker. Johnny Carson just died. He was 79 years old.

amber · #2 01-23-2005, 01:55 PM

oh man. that is sad indeed. RIP.

catinthedark · #3 01-23-2005, 01:58 PM

That's a great loss. You know, I saw him just the other day on some show, and thought, oh, he doesn't look good. OH! I remember what it was - it was some bit about Leno, and they were saying Johnny still writes a few jokes everyday and sends them in. And he gets a real kick when he hears them used.

What a sad loss.

ryan8472 · #4 01-23-2005, 02:00 PM

Wow, this is just awful....do you know a link?

WelshWitchPMD · #5 01-23-2005, 02:02 PM

I just heard this on the radio right now. RIP Johnny.

GateandGarden · #6 01-23-2005, 02:06 PM

Here's an article about it.

LOS ANGELES - Johnny Carson, the "Tonight Show" TV host who served America a smooth nightcap of celebrity banter, droll comedy and heartland charm for 30 years, has died. He was 79.

"Mr. Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning," his nephew, Jeff Sotzing, told The Associated Press. "He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable. There will be no memorial service."

Sotzing would not give further details, including the time of death or the location.

The boyish-looking Nebraska native with the disarming grin, who survived every attempt to topple him from his late-night talk show throne, was a star who managed never to distance himself from his audience.

His wealth, the adoration of his guests — particularly the many young comics whose careers he launched — the wry tales of multiple divorces: Carson's air of modesty made it all serve to enhance his bedtime intimacy with viewers.

"Heeeeere's Johnny!" was the booming announcement from sidekick Ed McMahon that ushered Carson out to the stage. Then the formula: the topical monologue, the guests, the broadly played skits such as "Carnac the Magnificent."

But America never tired of him; Carson went out on top when he retired in May 1992. In his final show, he told his audience: "And so it has come to this. I am one of the lucky people in the world. I found something that I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it."

His personal life could not match the perfection of his career. Carson was married four times, divorced three. In 1991, one of his three sons, 39-year-old Ricky, was killed in a car accident.

Nearly all of Carson's professional life was spent in television, from his postwar start at Nebraska stations in the late 1940s to his three decades with NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."

Carson choose to let "Tonight" stand as his career zenith and his finale, withdrawing into a quiet retirement that suited his private nature and refusing involvement in other show business projects.

In 1993, he explained his absence from the limelight.

"I have an ego like anybody else," Carson told The Washington Post, "but I don't need to be stoked by going before the public all the time."

DrummerDeanna · #7 01-23-2005, 02:16 PM

Oh - what a shock - that is truly sad news

estranged4life · #8 01-23-2005, 02:21 PM

that was a shock...Didn't hear a thing about it til I saw this post.

RIP Johnny Carson, The originator...Not the imitator.

estranged4life · #9 01-23-2005, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takenbythesky

Amen to that, Brian J., amen to that.

either Letterman or Leno...Too boring.

But I will be glad when 2007 arrives (If we havent been nuked from existence by then) because Conan O'Brien FINALLY takes over for "The Tonight Show" cause I see Conan as more of a true heir to Johnny Carson than Jay "Not Funny" Leno.

dissention · #10 01-23-2005, 02:55 PM

He was a true class act. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

dissention · #11 01-23-2005, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estranged4life

either Letterman or Leno...Too boring.

But I will be glad when 2007 arrives (If we havent been nuked from existence by then) because Conan O'Brien FINALLY takes over for "The Tonight Show" cause I see Conan as more of a true heir to Johnny Carson than Jay "Not Funny" Leno.

Have you seen Craig Ferguson yet? I love him.

amber · #12 01-23-2005, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Have you seen Craig Ferguson yet? I love him.

I saw patricia arquette on his show (he took over Craig Kilborn, right?)
he's ok. pretty good. I liked Kilborn a lot, though. But yeah. Craig Ferguson is cute, too, if thats the same guy.
She was talking about weird experiences she's had with psychics. It was neat.

dissention · #13 01-23-2005, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

I saw patricia arquette on his show (he took over Craig Kilborn, right?)
he's ok. pretty good. I liked Kilborn a lot, though. But yeah. Craig Ferguson is cute, too, if thats the same guy.
She was talking about weird experiences she's had with psychics. It was neat.

I couldn't stand Kilborn.

I was ecstatic when I heard Ferguson was replacing him. I think he's hilarious. Plus, he's easy on the eyes, too.

amber · #14 01-23-2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

I couldn't stand Kilborn.

I was ecstatic when I heard Ferguson was replacing him. I think he's hilarious. Plus, he's easy on the eyes, too.

oh! couldn't stand him? hmmm...I loved Simon the Asexual icon, and pretty much thought he was all around funny, yet exceedingly smarmy. Didn't think Craig was cute though, and definitely think Ferguson is....

yummy.

estranged4life · #15 01-23-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Have you seen Craig Ferguson yet? I love him.

didnt find him funny...Has to grow on me before I can be a fan.