Season 31 • Episode 74
LatestThe Last Tonight Show: Carson presents a retrospective of clips covering the past 30 years. Carson says goodnight for the last time.
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
Writing
Monologue jokes that shaped political discourse
Direction
Live TV mastery under impossible constraints
Production
The desk-as-throne set design still copied today
Creators
Steve Allen, Sylvester Weaver
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Carson's monologue was so influential that politicians reportedly watched to gauge public reaction before making statements.
The 'Carnac the Magnificent' bit originated when Carson needed to fill time after a guest canceled last-minute.
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