Smack dab in the middle of the generation that watched Carson, Cavett and Letterman, as a frequently embarrassed boomer, most definitely got carried away in Saluting The Heroes Of Late Night TV Part One, but didn't even come close to running every compelling piece. Invariably, the need to actually finish the post someday took precedence - and didn't include at least a baker's dozen clips, starting with Jack Parr on The Dick Cavett Show.
So, here is yet another near-unending cornucopia of clips respectfully tipping our checkered caps (no doubt worn by Lloyd Hamilton and/or Curly Howard) to the heroes of late night, beginning with the debut episode of Late Night With David Letterman.
Big thanks to the Duke Mitchell Film Club for posting the following. Where's Sammy Petrillo?
The king of scathing one-liners, Don Rickles, insult comic of insult comics, found his way to ALL the late night shows, including a very funny Dick Ebersol-era episode of Saturday Night Live.
Particularly hilarious was a January 1984 Tonight Show hosted by Joan Rivers featuring a guest appearance by Rickles, the only standup comedian (along with Rodney Dangerfield) who could match Joan for speed, ferocity and intensity of jokes. Looks like Don and Joan had a blast!
Steve Allen talked 1950's Tonight Show on a memorable episode of Late Night With David Letterman.
Don't know if the following was from Steve's late night show or his prime time program but who cares. . . he's actually interviewing freakin' Jack Kerouac! That said, Dick Cavett interviewed Allen Ginsburg on his late-night show.
It said something about 1960's TV that John & Jane Q. Public could turn on the orthicon tube and see interviews with Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsburg and Groucho Marx. Alas, Chico and Harpo had passed away by then.
Love the concept of booking Groucho and Debbie Reynolds (whose nightclub act was filled with jokes, comedy bits and celeb impressions) on the same show!
The sheer number of complete episodes of The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson available on YouTube is downright shocking, especially considering how many of the 1960's shows remain on the lost film list with LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT and Ernie Kovacs' DuMont Network series. While we didn't find any, unfortunately, with Groucho Marx as the guest host, it is a delight to see these early 1970's Tonight Shows, featuring Johnny at the peak of his comedic powers.
In closing, here's Dave's tribute to Johnny!
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