Reply #35: Another yes, he was that good!! [View All]

I watched Johnny for a good part of the 30 years, considering I was about 5 when he started...and I used to sneak up late at night outside my parents bedrooom and listen to the show. I vaguely remember Jack Paar, dayum I was a toddler nightowl!

Johnny's brand of comedy was classic all the way. Good mockups of vaudeville and the physical comedy. Johnny had a way of making an audience crack up just by the deadpan expression. He was priceless.

I thought his greatest contribution to show business was giving young comedians their first opportunities to perform. And he didn't limit appearances to comedy; classical musicians, actors, magicians, all got an opportunity.

The one thing Johnny Carson's show did for me was generate an interest in visiting the San Diego zoo. Those moments were priceless, as was all his animal guests.

IT wasn't all about Johnny though. By the time I was in high school, Doc Severinsen was every band geek's idol. And Ed McMahon's deep, raspy voice with Heeeeeeeeeres Johnny was a household word.

So yes, Johnny's passing was the end of an era. We aren't ever going to have a late night show of the caliber that Johnny presented.

I am so sorry Johnny retired in the early 90's. He missed the opportunity to joke about Clinton and Bush. However, in terms of political comedy, I think Jon Stewart is taking up the slack there.

I will agree with another poster recommending seeing the best of Johnny. I saw the first volume last month while donating platelets at a blood center. I had to stifle my laughter because I didn't want the blood center technicians to think I had thrown a fit!