Johnny Carson, R.I.P.

January 23rd, 2005

John William Carson (1925 - 2005)

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.”

When Carson bade farewell to his viewers on May 22, 1992 (a date I will always remember as my college graduation fell on the same date), late-night TV as we once knew it was no longer the same. He was deeply missed long before today’s fateful announcement.

Las Vegas Trivia: In addition to having a side gig on the Strip for 16 years, Carson once owned KVVU-TV Channel 5 from 1978 to 1985.


Filed under Entertainment | Comments (2)

2 Responses to “Johnny Carson, R.I.P.”

  1. Ramblings' Journal on January 23, 2005 January 23, 2005 - 5:31 pm

    Goodnight, Johnny.
    Johnny Carson1925-2005We missed you long before you were gone…(More coverage from Wizbang, LaShawn Barber, Pajama Hadin, Short Family Online, LGF, Free Republic, DC Thornton, Argghhh!, Diggers’ Realm, Rooftop Report, and lots of others, including mo…

  2. Jim on January 24, 2005 January 24, 2005 - 12:28 pm

    You shoulda seen the tribute from Tony Bennett this morning on the Today show. *sniff* In a word – touching. Cris and I both got teary-eyed. I remember not being able to get to sleep when I was a kid, sneaking out to the living room, and turning on the TV to watch this comic mastermind at work. I’ll always remember him as that funny old man who put me to sleep when I couldn’t, for whatever reason.

    Meanwhile, rumor has it that Conan O’Brien (at least last I heard) was to replace Leno in ‘08. Hope it’s true. O’Brien is shaping up to be another legend either way.

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