The Final Days Of ‘Tonight’ With Johnny Carson…
On February 11, 2015
- TV History, Viewseum
The Final Days Of ‘Tonight’ With Johnny Carson…
Since so many of you enjoyed our trip to Burbank yesterday, I though we would take another day there.
This clip ran in Johnny’s last week on the air. I have seen a version of this from the show and in his intro, he said what we all know to be true…that he allowed very little coverage of the backstage elements of the show, which makes this one of those rare times. The studio is Burbank’s Studio 1.
I think this ran on May 19th, just four days before the last broadcast on May 22, 1992. Enjoy and share! – Bobby Ellerbee
wish I could hit “like” a few more times…
Saw this when it first aired… JC was the best..
I’ve seen this clip before. It’s great. However, this is not the music that was played when the segment first aired. Anyone know why? Perhaps rights to the music?
This is a great piece! I remember when it ran how rare it was to see behind the scenes. It was great entertainment EVERY night.
Certainly this is the way it was…..first class
This aired on his final show, which had no guests. It was just a retrospective. It is a fine way of showcasing an era of tv we will never see again. The DVD box set has a way you can watch camera shots of Johnny, Ed and Doc when they were not on air. For instance you can watch Johnny viewing this video as it aired and he gets emotional.
End of a great era in television. Can never be repeated or imitated.
Not ashamed to admit I shed a tear.
Wow great piece I am so thankful to have been able to work on that historic show. Those truly were good times in TV thanx for posting.
Love it. For me Mary and I did not always watch the whole show, but we always tuned in to the monologue. I, today can’ even name people doing the late night shows except David Lettterman. I typically do the same thing, watch his monlogue and see who the guest is. The brand loyalty of NBC/RCA is obvious but when I saw the shot of the 1 inch VTR with RCA I had to wonder is that really an RCA machine or SONY? When I came to OETA our portable production machines were 1 inch with the RCA logo but…they were really SONY. Oh, and portable meant they had a handle….heavy, but they made great pictures from the field.
Won’t be another.
Fabulous. I was with a nbc employee looking at a set in the next studio one night when Johnny came down the hall to enter backstage. He stopped and said hi to the security guard and we stood there as a group for just a second. The band hit the first note and Johnny turned to step inside. I knew better than to try to shake his hand or anything, but I did say “break a leg, Johnny.” He turned and gave me that smile and wink of his and said “thanks”. He was the best at what he did-ever. He truly made his guests the stars-and by doing so, became the biggest one ever.
That really was wonderful. Thanks.
Salut tonio moi et mario cote on etais la on a assister a une emission dans la derniere semaine du carson show c,etait comme un reve
Great video. Thanks for posting, Bobby!
Wow, that was really great.
Thank you so much. My heart sings… seeing so many wonderful people that I knew, worked around, worked with. Miss them all!!!