Johnny Carson, 1925 - 2005

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Just found out Johnny Carson died from emphaseama.......



R.I.P.


Thanks for all the laughs on the Tonight Show.

[SirPeale]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/23/obit.carson.ap/index.html

I always wondered what happened to him after he retired.  He just went quietly.

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Biography for
Johnny Carson

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001992/bio

[danny_galaga]

hopefully that's the end of david letterman then. it's a pity i never saw johnny carson in australia, only crap like letterman. carson seems like he was a good man.

so long dude.

[sasuke_kun12]

let us make this a sticky...

[Sasquatch!]

<EdMcMahon>YES!</EdMcMahon>

[RetroJames]

While I wholehartedly disagree with Danny's assesment of DL, I do hope Jay Leno steps down out of pure shame.

[versapak]

RIP









I am failing to see what the passing of Johnny Carson has to do with David Letterman or Jay Leno, or why it would have any effect on either of their shows.

[danny_galaga]

I am failing to see what the passing of Johnny Carson has to do with David Letterman or Jay Leno, or why it would have any effect on either of their shows.

because letterman was reportedly getting carson to write jokes for him, seeings how david isnt actually funny. thats why im hoping some good will come of this and letterman fades away. dunno what the leno connection is, since he IS funny (and has a cool car collection) but wasnt using carson (who apparently WAS funny)

[Eagle5469]

I see what he died of, did he smoke?

[lokki]

because letterman was reportedly getting carson to write jokes for him, seeings how david isnt actually funny. thats why im hoping some good will come of this and letterman fades away. dunno what the leno connection is, since he IS funny (and has a cool car collection) but wasnt using carson (who apparently WAS funny)

That wasn't how I heard the story, the story I heard was the Johnny missed doing the monologes  and every once in a while would come up with a joke or two while reading the news paper and he would send them to letterman (not to jay to dave). Dave did not use all the jokes.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/19/television.carson.reut/

Personally I prefer letterman to leno, but to be honest I haven't watched either in years.

[Gunstar Hero]

IIRC he smoked, but quit sometime in the '80s.

[danny_galaga]

emphesema is usually caused by smoking. when you stop smoking, the damage done remains. so you won't get worse, but you won't get better. i'm guessing that something else tipped him over the edge. bad cold etc. but i'm not a doctor, maybe the damage caused by emphesema does get worse with age...

[DrewKaree]

He smoked like a chimney.  He said he was up to 4 packs a day and couldn't remember how long he went on at that level. 

I watched him even when I was younger.  He was funny, knew how to rib someone in a classy way - knew how far to take a joke, and had a sense of comedic timing at a level few possess.

He also was someone who seemed to value friendships, and went out of his way to let his friends know they were appreciated.  I believe no host today to possess the same personal qualities Johnny did, which is also why the need to go to the lengths they do to attract an audience.  You watched The Tonight Show because it was like hanging out with a friend and just enjoying the evening before heading off to bed.

The closest comparision in his field I can think of is Jack Benny. 

[GGKoul]

Did anyone watch the Tonight Show on Monday night?

[GGKoul]

I am failing to see what the passing of Johnny Carson has to do with David Letterman or Jay Leno, or why it would have any effect on either of their shows.

because letterman was reportedly getting carson to write jokes for him, seeings how david isnt actually funny. thats why im hoping some good will come of this and letterman fades away. dunno what the leno connection is, since he IS funny (and has a cool car collection) but wasnt using carson (who apparently WAS funny)

Early Letterman was very funny.  I used to watch he all the time.   Leno has his funny moments (ex: JayWalking) but he is a poor interviewer.

Carson sent Letterman jokes, Letterman wasn't forcing Carson to write jokes for him.  Carson was Letterman's idol and Carson was always around from the beginning helping Dave.  They both were good friends.  And I don't believe Carson liked Leno very much.  As after his last Tonight Show, he never came back... but was there supporting Letterman by visiting, appearing in skits and sending jokes.

Some funny Carson/Letterman moments are when Letterman used to fly to tape The Tonight Show in the afternoon tell one half of a joke and then Carson would fly to NY to be part of Letterman's show that same night and tell closing part of the joke.