From 1962 to 1992, keeping America entertained late at night largely was the duty of one man.
And it was a task Johnny Carson performed willingly and enjoyably, as his iconic status as longtime caretaker of NBC's "The Tonight Show" confirms. David Letterman's new CBS contract will make him the longest-running after-hours host in television history, but even he acknowledges the late Carson was the king -- as does PBS' highly enjoyable, thoughtfully organized "American Masters" profile "Johnny Carson: King of Late Night," debuting Monday, May 14 (check local listings).
"It's always nice to look back when you're looking at good things," reasons trumpeter Doc Severinsen, Carson's bandleader for 25 of the 30 years of his "Tonight" tenure. "I don't think there was ever a day when we didn't realize where we were and what we had, but that would be true for Ed (McMahon, Carson's perennial announcer and sidekick) and me probably more than for Johnny.
And it was a task Johnny Carson performed willingly and enjoyably, as his iconic status as longtime caretaker of NBC's "The Tonight Show" confirms. David Letterman's new CBS contract will make him the longest-running after-hours host in television history, but even he acknowledges the late Carson was the king -- as does PBS' highly enjoyable, thoughtfully organized "American Masters" profile "Johnny Carson: King of Late Night," debuting Monday, May 14 (check local listings).
"It's always nice to look back when you're looking at good things," reasons trumpeter Doc Severinsen, Carson's bandleader for 25 of the 30 years of his "Tonight" tenure. "I don't think there was ever a day when we didn't realize where we were and what we had, but that would be true for Ed (McMahon, Carson's perennial announcer and sidekick) and me probably more than for Johnny.
- 5/14/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
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