April 4, 1967…Johnny Carson Quits “Tonight”! Remember This?
When people think about hosts quitting the “Tonight” show, Jack Paar’s famous walk off is the one that comes to mind, BUT…few remember that Johnny did it too. Here is the only interview he gave during this three week period that began Tuesday April 4, and lasted until Monday April 24th. It is quite interesting on many levels.
Although Johnny and NBC got their differences worked out on Friday April 14th, Carson would not under any circumstances return to air on Monday April 17…the day “The Joey Bishop Show” debuted against him on ABC. Johnny said it would look like a cheap publicity stunt and decided to wait till Monday the 24th to come back and let “Tonight” guest host Jimmy Dean off the hot seat.
It seems that during the AFTRA strike in early 1967, Johnny was honoring the picket line but in his absence, NBC was airing Carson reruns without having negotiated a fee in advance, which his contract called for. So, Johnny quit. He returns after three weeks, when NBC boosts his salary from $7,500 a week to $20,000 and gives him more control. Carson says the Tonight budget is ridiculously low and that NBC treats their top money making show ($25 Million a year income) like a red headed step child. -Bobby Ellerbee
Ya-ha! That was a very funny JOLK. That was a ZING-ger.
During the standoff, Johnny was replaced for 10 shows by Jimmy Dean (of sausage fame)
“I did not know that!” –Johnny Carson to Ed McMahon
Very Interesting Bobby, Thanks For Sharing.
I do remember that, as it was the most visible of air talent not to cross an AFTRA picket line. Walter Cronkite walked the CBS picket line, and the CBS Evening News had an attorney, named Arnold Zenker, I believe sat in Uncle Walter’s place.
Also, if I’m not mistaken, the NBC Today Show talent refused to cross, and the network had to playback old show tapes to fill the two hours. One such program was videotape of when they previously were in Greece, because it was in b&w.
Also….if I recall correctly, George Heineman (NBC management) replaced Dr. Frank Fields doing weather on NBC local in N.Y.
Russell Ross, on The Huntley Brinkley Report, I believe one anchor walked, and the other didn’t, but I forget who.
It was Huntley who crossed picket lines.
Hope you’re feeling better!