Oh God, Johhny Carson dead

[Hawkeye]

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

[amber]

oh man. that is sad indeed. RIP.

[catinthedark]

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]

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

[WelshWitchPMD]

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

[GateandGarden]

Here's an article about it. (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050123/ap_on_en_tv/obit_carson) :(

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]

Oh - what a shock - that is truly sad news :(

[estranged4life]

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]

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

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]

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

[dissention]

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. :nod:

[amber]

Have you seen Craig Ferguson yet? I love him. :nod:
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]

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

[amber]

I couldn't stand Kilborn. :laugh: 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.... :nod: yummy.

[estranged4life]

Have you seen Craig Ferguson yet? I love him. :nod:

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

[dissention]

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.... :nod: yummy.

He annoyed me as much as Leno. :eek: Well, no, that's going a bit too far, but I just didn't like him. :laugh: Too smarmy for me. I think Ferguson is perfect. They should can Letterman and let Ferguson take over for him.

[amber]

He annoyed me as much as Leno. :eek: Well, no, that's going a bit too far, but I just didn't like him. :laugh: Too smarmy for me. I think Ferguson is perfect. They should can Letterman and let Ferguson take over for him.
no, no...I don't think Ferguson is that funny, yet. He was pretty funny, but not that funny.

[SuzeQuze]

He annoyed me as much as Leno. :eek: Well, no, that's going a bit too far, but I just didn't like him. :laugh: Too smarmy for me. I think Ferguson is perfect. They should can Letterman and let Ferguson take over for him.

I liked Killborn okay when he did The Daily Show but I didn't like his late night stuff, he came off as a twit. He was particularly funny on TDS when Jeanine Garofolo would guest.

I also find Leno not funny. But I do like Letterman. Haven't seen Ferguson!

[hayley]

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.

He wasn't sending jokes to Leno- he was sending them to Letterman. One of the things that's endeared me even more to Johnny over the years has been the knowledge that he (quietly) thought Leno was an unfunny hack.

Johnny was a class act. This is sad.

[ontheEdgeof17]

no, no...I don't think Ferguson is that funny, yet. He was pretty funny, but not that funny.


I laugh easily, but Ferg doesn't do anything for me. He's dry. :shrug:



RIP Johnny

[dissention]

I laugh easily, but Ferg doesn't do anything for me. He's dry. :shrug:



RIP Johnny

Dry humor is my favorite kind. That's why Dorothy was my favorite Golden Girl. :laugh:

[Hawkeye]

I happen to think Letterman is great. And after he's over I switch over to Conan, who's also great. I HATED Craig Kilborn. Jay Leno's OK, but not as good as Letterman. But the best of late night is John Stewart's Daily Show.

[Hawkeye]

Dry humor is my favorite kind. That's why Dorothy was my favorite Golden Girl. :laugh:

I enjoy Dry Humor a lot but I think stupid humour wins for me, since Rose is by far my favorite.

[ontheEdgeof17]

I happen to think Letterman is great. And after he's over I switch over to Conan, who's also great. I HATED Craig Kilborn. Jay Leno's OK, but not as good as Letterman. But the best of late night is John Stewart's Daily Show.


Letterman shouldn't have his own show. It is awful. His Top Ten? Useless.

[dissention]

Letterman shouldn't have his own show. It is awful. His Top Ten? Useless.

:shocked:

Letterman is fabulous. Leno is utter ****. He embodies the term "unfunny." What a hack! :laugh:

[amber]

Dry humor is my favorite kind. That's why Dorothy was my favorite Golden Girl. :laugh:
Ferguson is not quite as funny as Dorothy... :)

[ontheEdgeof17]

:shocked:

Letterman is fabulous. Leno is utter ****. He embodies the term "unfunny." What a hack! :laugh:


They both suck. I don't watch either of them.

Why is it if you are called a comedian, you are not funny? Last Comic Standing proved that. :nod:

[Hawkeye]

Letterman shouldn't have his own show. It is awful. His Top Ten? Useless.

His Top Ten? Rocks. Most of the time at least. And I think Letterman has the best supproting cast on late night. The chemistry between all of them is great. That Biff Henderson guy has some hilarious segments. And the mailbag is probably my favorite thing they do. And how can';t you like their George W. Bush segments. Letterman's style is just the best really.

[SuzeQuze]

:shocked:

Letterman is fabulous. Leno is utter ****. He embodies the term "unfunny." What a hack! :laugh:

Agreed, love Letterman. Also, dry humor is my favorite. Golden Girls remind me of my trip to Disney when I was 12, nice memories :nod:. My ex had Lifetime in his favorites and I was like, what the? Turns out it was for GG. :laugh:

[ontheEdgeof17]

His Top Ten? Rocks. Most of the time at least. And I think Letterman has the best supproting cast on late night. The chemistry between all of them is great. That Biff Henderson guy has some hilarious segments. And the mailbag is probably my favorite thing they do. And how can';t you like their George W. Bush segments. Letterman's style is just the best really.


....coming from someone who thought SNL was good with Topher hosting.


:blob2:

[SuzeQuze]

His Top Ten? Rocks. Most of the time at least. And I think Letterman has the best supproting cast on late night. The chemistry between all of them is great. That Biff Henderson guy has some hilarious segments. And the mailbag is probably my favorite thing they do. And how can';t you like their George W. Bush segments. Letterman's style is just the best really.

Oh, and you know what I love? The "Is This Something" sketch that they do. One time it was a woman who ate fire while scantily clad. They agreed that was "something". :laugh:

[amber]

....coming from someone who thought SNL was good with Topher hosting.


:blob2:
oh, curtie. It wasn't the best one, but there was some funny skits...
I think Letterman is medium funny. To me he's no Conan or Craig Kilborn... :D

[Hawkeye]

They both suck. I don't watch either of them.

Why is it if you are called a comedian, you are not funny? Last Comic Standing proved that. :nod:.

. It's so hard to please some of you people. I thought some of those comics were HILARIOUS. That Alanzo Boden, the black guy from season 2 is equally as funny as professional comdedians. That Italian Woman was great too. And from season 1, I loved fat Ralphie May, Dave Mordell, Rich Vos, and that woman from the final 5.

[ontheEdgeof17]

.

. It's so hard to please some of you people. I thought some of those comics were HILARIOUS. That Alanzo Boden, the black guy from season 2 is equally as funny as professional comdedians. That Italian Woman was great too. And from season 1, I loved fat Ralphie May, Dave Mordell, Rich Vos, and that woman from the final 5.


I mean, seriously. How many sterotypical jokes about your family can one person make? Comedy is an old hat anymore. BLAND.

[dissention]

They both suck. I don't watch either of them.

Why is it if you are called a comedian, you are not funny? Last Comic Standing proved that. :nod:

I think most of Letterman's top ten lists are hilarious but that's just me. :wavey:

[gldstwmn]

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

Not to be mean or anything but did you expect him to live forever?
My condolences to his family.

[gldstwmn]

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.



That was (and rightfully so, IMO) Letterman.

[Serrart]

I think most of Letterman's top ten lists are hilarious but that's just me. :wavey:

I generally like his dry wit, but not at the Oscars... Uma and Oprah... Oprah and Uma :rolleyes: he made longer an already unending night.

Romy

[dissention]

I generally like his dry wit, but not at the Oscars... Uma and Oprah... Oprah and Uma :rolleyes: he made longer an already unending night.

Romy

That goes without saying. :laugh: He was bloody awful.

But just imagine if it had been Leno. :eek:

[dissention]

Nobody's father should look like David Letterman.

No human being should look like David Letterman.

[Serrart]

That goes without saying. :laugh: He was bloody awful.

But just imagine if it had been Leno. :eek:

:shocked: What a scary thought. Hopefully Academy would never do such a thing to an harmless audience. ;)

Romy

[dissention]

:shocked: What a scary thought. Hopefully Academy would never do such a thing to an harmless audience. ;)

Romy

What do you mean? They're subjecting us to Chris Rock this year! :eek: :laugh:

[amber]

What do you mean? They're subjecting us to Chris Rock this year! :eek: :laugh:
I think his standup is *often* funny. Doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a good host, though...

[Hawkeye]

No human being should look like David Letterman.

My eighth grade Math teacher looked IDENTICAL to him.

[Hawkeye]

I think his standup is *often* funny. Doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a good host, though...

Oh yeah his stand up is superb, but it doesn't always mean he'll be a good host. The Blue Collar Comedy Tour and it's sequel is the funniest 2 hours I've ever witnessed and caused my stomach great pain, but it didn't mean they're Blue Collar TV was any good.

[Serrart]

What do you mean? They're subjecting us to Chris Rock this year! :eek: :laugh:

Yes, but I want to see him give the Oscar to Jamie Foxx, even if he didn't win, as he promised. It should be interesting :D

Romy

[Hawkeye]

Oh I didn't mean to imply that my father is human.

I do find Letterman too eery to watch. I don't need that subconscious fear.

wait, so they show The Late Show and things like that internationally. I always thought shows like that were only played in America.

[77Rumours77]

Thats some sad news. My prayers are with his family. May he RIP

[Brwn_eyes0511]

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

God Bless him! I loved him so much...great guy!


May his soul rest in peace!

[LilyRose]

I just have to share this.

I grew up in Omaha, NE and I still have a lot of family back there. My father's side of the family grew up in Lexington, NE. I remember my late Uncle Raymond telling the story of when he got out of the army (around the same time Johnny got out the Navy it turns out) he came back to NE and got married and moved to the "big city", Omaha. Him and my Aunt Mary moved to an apartment complex with their first child, a son named Chris. Right across the hall from them was Johnny and his first wife and their son named Chris. They became good friends, always seeing him in the apartments, going to watch his magic shows when he was "The Great Carsini" and then later watching him on his local Omaha show on WOWT.

My family is Mexican-American and at that time in NE people weren't necissarily nasty, but they weren't as nice as they could have been to them. Johnny never looked at that though. That tells a lot about a person...at that time period. My uncle passed on three years ago, but I talked to my Aunt Mary today and she was obviously very upset. She said that there was no one more deserving of all he achieved in his life.

He was a class act, a truely warm person, he will be greatly missed.

About the current late night hosts, I have to say that Letterman is the best. I think it's very telling that Johnny was sending Letterman jokes and not Leno. Leno should have never been given a show. He's not funny in the least. I can't wait until Conan takes over. I think he's second to Letterman.

Susie

[Livia]

He was a class act, a truely warm person, he will be greatly missed.

About the current late night hosts, I have to say that Letterman is the best. I think it's very telling that Johnny was sending Letterman jokes and not Leno. Leno should have never been given a show. He's not funny in the least. I can't wait until Conan takes over. I think he's second to Letterman.

Susie

Great story, Susie, and I couldn't agree more - he was one of a kind, true comic genius, and there will never be anyone like him again...

Johnny and my father share the same birthday, October 23rd. They always reminded me of each other. I, like most people, literally grew up with Johnny Carson. I would beg my parents to let me stay up and watch whenever David Brenner was on, or Buddy Rich (drummer extraordinaire, he passed away several years ago). Maybe my PMS has something to do with it, but I cried a lot yesterday. Especially every time I saw the clip of Bette Midler singing to Johnny...I haven't been this upset over a celebrity's death since Stevie Ray Vaughan died. I watched all the news coverage, on and off during the day. Larry King, Dateline, etc. But I took a break to watch Shaun of the Dead (GREAT movie, btw!) For those who are interested, Ed McMahon is going to be on Larry King tonight.

Jay Leno is a tool. Letterman rules.

RIP, Johnny. You WILL be greatly missed! Like someone yesterday said, we've been missing you already, since you retired in 1992. :distress:

[golddustwoman77]

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


Well said, Estranged4Life! I agree. This is truly sad. He will be missed. RIP, Johnny. :angel:

[Nixxxed]

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

A little late, but here's my fave JC memory:

Kirstie Alley was a guest one night, during her "Cheers" days in the '80s when she was reportedly still doing a lot of blow. She was extremely chatty and hyper and practically incoherent, and kept making out-of-the-blue innuendo towards Johnny, about each and every topic that rambled out of her mouth. And at first, Johnny just looked uncomfortable, but as the interview went on, he seemed to become more and more distressed.

I started to get worried watching this, as you almost never saw him really upset or at a loss for words (except when the animal guests were attacking him :laugh: ). But this night he really had that "How the hell do I get out of this?" look on his face. And the audience was reacting to this, and started to groan and grumble instead of laughing at/along with Allie.

But Johnny listened to his audience, and of course saved the entire segment. For some reason, Kirstie started babbling about motorcycles and how sexy they were. She started acting all turned on, breathing heavy, and turned to Johnny, stuck out her chest toward him, and purred, "Do YOU have a motorcycle?"

Johnny's eyes squinted, and he leaned forward across the desk and purred right back at her, "If it turns you on, I do!!!" And Kirstie and the audience literally erupted with laughter, but Johnny's expression never changed.

:laugh: :D :thumbsup: