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180 Episodes 1987 - 1987
Episode 1
Tue, Jan 6, 198790 mins
Episode 2
Wed, Jan 7, 198760 mins
Episode 3
Thu, Jan 8, 198760 mins
Episode 4
Fri, Jan 9, 198790 mins
Episode 5
Tue, Jan 13, 198790 mins
Episode 6
Wed, Jan 14, 198790 mins
Episode 7
Thu, Jan 15, 198790 mins
Episode 8
Fri, Jan 16, 198790 mins
Episode 9
Tue, Jan 20, 198790 mins
Episode 10
Wed, Jan 21, 198790 mins
Episode 11
Thu, Jan 22, 198790 mins
Episode 12
Fri, Jan 23, 198790 mins
Episode 13
Mon, Jan 26, 198790 mins
Episode 14
Tue, Jan 27, 198790 mins
Episode 15
Wed, Jan 28, 198790 mins
Episode 16
Thu, Jan 29, 198790 mins
Episode 17
Fri, Jan 30, 198790 mins
Episode 18
Tue, Feb 3, 198790 mins
Episode 19
Wed, Feb 4, 198743 mins
Johnny presents public service announcements. George Carlin (Outrageous Fortune (1987)) performs stand-up and is interviewed; Susan Sullivan (Falcon Crest (1981)); Sheryl Lee Ralph (It's a Living (1980)).
Episode 20
Thu, Feb 5, 198790 mins
Episode 21
Fri, Feb 6, 198742 mins
The comedy segment is Carnac the Magnificent. Johnny first asks Shelley Long about dressing up for appearances, and if clothes are important. They then talk about her film "Outrageous Fortune" and learning to do different accents. A clip is shown. She talks about her decision to leave "Cheers" and how she originally accepted the part - in both cases following her instincts. Bob Nelson does a comedy routine as a character who had been a boxer, and whose comments veer off topic. Liv Ullmann first discusses how her first appearance on "The Tonight Show" caused friction with her husband. This leads to a more general discussion of what makes a marriage successful.
Episode 22
Tue, Feb 10, 198790 mins
Episode 23
Wed, Feb 11, 198790 mins
Episode 24
Thu, Feb 12, 198790 mins
Episode 25
Fri, Feb 13, 198790 mins
Episode 26
Tue, Feb 17, 198790 mins
Episode 27
Wed, Feb 18, 198790 mins
Episode 28
Thu, Feb 19, 198790 mins
Episode 29
Fri, Feb 20, 198790 mins
Episode 30
Tue, Feb 24, 198790 mins
Episode 31
Wed, Feb 25, 198790 mins
Episode 32
Thu, Feb 26, 198790 mins
Episode 33
Fri, Feb 27, 198790 mins
Episode 34
Tue, Mar 10, 198790 mins
Episode 35
Wed, Mar 11, 198738 mins
Inspired by the recent discovery of hundreds of unpublished songs by Rodgers and Hart, the Gershwins, Cole Porter and others, the comedy segment is recently discovered songs by famous composers that did not have the same appeal as their better known works. By the second joke, it is apparent that the bit is falling flat; the audience seems willing to ride it out, but Johnny scans the rest of the material and decides to cut it short. Frank Olivier first performs his comedy juggling act using 3, 4, and 5 balls. He also juggles flaming torches while riding a six-foot-high unicycle, with Johnny's gleefully bemused assistance. Christopher Reeve first tells of breaking three ribs in a horse riding accident while filming a movie in Hungary, after not revealing to the producers that he hadn't been on a horse since age 12 due to allergies. He then tells about a skiing accident as a kid. He also tells a story about chasing and catching the thief of his unlocked bicycle while he and a friend stopped for a drink in New York City's Central Park. The next topics are his new films "Superman IV" and "Street Smart"; Reeve comments on the remarkable performance by the largely unknown Morgan Freeman, which has led many early audiences to presume that he was a real pimp. Dana Carvey talks about a variety of topics, working in voices and impressions including Paul McCartney, Jimmy Stewart, Katharine Hepburn and Jacques Cousteau. He also talks about moving from Montana to Los Angeles and then to New York, and relates the origins of the Church Lady character.
Episode 36
Thu, Mar 12, 198790 mins
Rohan Varavadekar is a four-year-old from Houston with great skills in spelling. He mentions that he's done some reading about Johnny since being invited on the show; he gives Johnny's birth date, and notes that Johnny was doing magic when he was 13. Johnny asks him a few things about the attention he is getting. Rohan then asks Johnny to show him a magic trick, and Johnny does some sleight of hand with a quarter; when Rohan asks how he can make the coin actually disappear, Johnny advises him to get married. Rohan then describes how he won five rounds of a school spelling bee against 1st- through 5th-graders, but was not allowed to compete further since he was too young. Rohan also invites Johnny to his 5th birthday party the next day at Disneyland. Rohan also knows the state capitals, and Johnny quizzes him on a few. Rohan then demonstrates his knowledge of the planet names, and then Johnny gives him a spelling quiz; he says his favorite word is "abbreviate". Asked his goal for the future, Rohan says becoming president, and then spells it. Next comes the comedy segment, an evening news broadcast twenty years in the future, with anchor Zontar Rather. Danny DeVito talks about having been an average student. Johnny then asks about his slightly different hair color, and he says he is about to start shooting "Throw Momma from the Train". This leads to a discussion of when he worked in his sister's New Jersey beauty parlor as "Mr. Danny". He also tells how his mother was cast as his character's mother on "Taxi"; he was hesitant about asking her, but she was enthusiastic, and did so well that her character returned the following season. Finally he talks about his new film "Tin Men", noting the excellent script and characterization by Barry Levinson, and a clip is shown; Johnny says that unlike most clips, this one left him eager to see more of the movie. Calvin Trillin first talks about his spelling skills. He demonstrates that he still knows the Greek alphabet, in spite of his attempts to forget it; he was once required to also know it backwards, which he can no longer do. He explains that he sends magazine subscription cards back with various messages to cheer up the people in circulation fulfillment, and relates how he deals with other annoyances.
Episode 37
Fri, Mar 13, 198790 mins
Episode 38
Tue, Mar 17, 198790 mins
The comedy segment is Irish toasts, since it is St. Patrick's Day. Johnny and Ed have green beer with each toast. Tim Conway does a character "Dunk Dorf", a very short basketball player for the Lakers. During his interview, Conway first talks about how the Dorf character originated and developed, and then about him and Johnny attending Harvey Korman's 60th birthday party. This leads to stories about Korman being cheap. Conway talks a bit about his parents, and being an only child with almost no other relatives; he discusses being Irish on his father's side while his mother was an immigrant from Romania, where his only aunt still lives. Diane Schuur performs. Harry Anderson brings Johnny a 1940 Abbott's Magic Novelty catalog, from which he reads a description of a $1 magic trick featuring a pickle and a banana, and prop "Terror Eyes" eyeglasses that Johnny tries on. Both of them recall the excitement of mail-order magic tricks as young boys. Anderson does a card trick with an outsized deck. He also discusses starting out as a magician before becoming a street hustler, recalling that he did the shell game until someone broke his jaw; he also once spent three days in a New Orleans jail during Mardi Gras, and these experiences led him to decide to return to straight magic. He also talks about writing and directing episodes of "Night Court", and a clip is shown.
Episode 39
Wed, Mar 18, 198790 mins
The comedy segment is lesser-known Irish personages and their accomplishments, with pictures; the bit soon wears thin, to Johnny's amusement, and he speculates on how a joke he finds funny could fall flat with 500 people. Middleweight boxing champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler talks about his upcoming fight with Sugar Ray Leonard and how he prepares. Alan Thicke talks about performing with his band on a cruise ship. He then tells about being invited to a sex symposium with Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Shere Hite, based on his TV role as a psychologist. Johnny asks Thicke about dealing with the topic of sex with his kids, and how he learned. Rebeca Arthur notes that Bronson Pinchot correctly predicted that the show would spell her name wrong on her dressing room, and tells how she is related to the McCoys of feuding fame. Then she tells how she worked as a private investigator in New York City.
Episode 40
Thu, Mar 19, 198790 mins
The comedy segment is survey questions to the audience, inspired by a Ladies' Home Journal survey of women's secrets. Dalton Stevens, from Bishopville, South Carolina, sews buttons onto every part of his clothes - he literally has thousands of buttons on his shirt, pants, hat, and shoes. He started doing it at night when he couldn't sleep. His guitar is also covered in buttons. A picture of his car covered in buttons is shown, with the words "Button King" on the side; his wife of 32 years objects to the car. Sherman Hemsley talks about his career and how he got into show business. He worked in the Post Office when he was just starting out. He talks about his movie "Ghost Fever", and a clip is shown. Joe Garagiola shows his first major league contract for $600/month in 1946, for six months a year. That leads to a discussion of how pro sports have changed.
Episode 41
Fri, Mar 20, 198790 mins
Episode 42
Tue, Mar 24, 198790 mins
Episode 43
Wed, Mar 25, 198790 mins
Episode 44
Thu, Mar 26, 198790 mins
Episode 45
Fri, Mar 27, 198790 mins
Episode 46
Tue, Mar 31, 198790 mins
Episode 47
Wed, Apr 1, 198795 mins
Episode 48
Thu, Apr 2, 198790 mins
Episode 49
Tue, Apr 14, 198790 mins
Episode 50
Wed, Apr 15, 198790 mins
Episode 51
Thu, Apr 16, 198790 mins
Episode 52
Fri, Apr 17, 198790 mins
Episode 53
Tue, Apr 21, 198790 mins
There is no comedy segment. Sam Donaldson talks about his various experiences as a political reporter. He has covered several presidential campaigns, starting with Barry Goldwater in 1964, and continuing with Eugene McCarthy in '68 and Hubert Humphrey in '72; Jimmy Carter in '76 broke his streak of covering losers, but he notes that Carter had been sinking in the polls and would have lost if the race had lasted another week. Carter then went on to lose in a landslide to Ronald Reagan in '84, restoring the trend; Donaldson comments on Carter's difficulties with humor, particularly his inability to direct jokes at himself. Johnny comments on Donaldson's preference for red ties, of which he has about 30; Johnny offers him some garish alternatives. Donaldson also discusses his book "Hold On, Mr. President!". He talks about complaints from viewers about his aggressive style, and comments on being called "Sandinista Sam", then defends his ability to report objectively while also offering commentary on weekend shows. A lot of time is spent talking about his impressions of Reagan, both positive and negative. They discuss Reagan's occasional memory lapses, which they agree are relatively minor; Carson comments on the difficulty of the job, and Donaldson recalls instances when Reagan surprised him with his personal warmth and attention to details. Johnny asks about his personal life; he mentions having four children, at least two of whom are now adults, and he is four years into his third marriage. Fred Greenlee does a stand-up comedy routine, his first appearance on network TV.
Episode 54
Wed, Apr 22, 198790 mins
Episode 55
Thu, Apr 23, 198790 mins
Episode 56
Fri, Apr 24, 198790 mins
Episode 57
Mon, Apr 27, 198790 mins
Episode 58
Tue, Apr 28, 198790 mins
Episode 59
Wed, Apr 29, 198790 mins
Episode 60
Thu, Apr 30, 198790 mins
Episode 61
Fri, May 1, 198790 mins
Episode 62
Tue, May 5, 198790 mins
Episode 63
Wed, May 6, 198790 mins
Episode 64
Thu, May 7, 198729 mins
Pack your towel and sunscreen because today we're at the beach! Keeping fit with a fun beach workout and even going to a crab festival, the fun is endless when you're at the beach!
Episode 65
Fri, May 8, 198742 mins
The Tele-Scam Home Shopping Club presents various products. Paul Reiser (Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)); Margaret Whitton (The Secret of My Success (1987)); Teresa Ganzel (Roxie (1987)).
Episode 66
Tue, May 12, 198790 mins
Episode 67
Wed, May 13, 198790 mins
Episode 68
Thu, May 14, 198790 mins
Episode 69
Fri, May 15, 198790 mins
Episode 70
Tue, May 19, 198790 mins
Episode 71
Wed, May 20, 198790 mins
Episode 72
Thu, May 21, 198741 mins
The comedy segment is a local newscast during sweeps week, filled with titillating stories; Teresa Ganzel plays the co-anchor, and Pope John Paul II is the weatherman. Johnny asks Eddie Murphy what he was doing 10 years ago; Murphy says he was stealing bikes in Merrick, Long Island. He is still close to his friends from that period; several are in the audience. He talks about "Beverly Hills Cop 2", and complains about some of the harsh reviews. He also talks about his music career, and his upcoming second album. He then talks about how his success has changed his life, and says that he tries to be restrained about spending money. He says that he isn't currently romantically involved with anyone, though there are probably a few women watching who might have a differing opinion. A clip from "Beverly Hills Cop 2" is shown. Ellen DeGeneres does a stand-up comedy routine. Jane Leeves talks about coming from the small town of East Grinstead in Sussex, and moving to L.A. and how different it is, since it is so spread out with no real center. She says that she watches "Dynasty", and compares it to the popular British show "Coronation Street", where the characters' problems are much more mundane. She then tells how she was once cast by Benny Hill, who interviewed her in his pajamas. She also talks about what she is looking for in a romantic partner, and comments on her Cockney accent for her series "Throb".
Episode 73
Fri, May 22, 198790 mins
Episode 74
Tue, May 26, 198790 mins
Episode 75
Wed, May 27, 198790 mins
Episode 76
Thu, May 28, 198790 mins
Episode 77
Fri, May 29, 198790 mins
Episode 78
Tue, Jun 9, 198790 mins
Episode 79
Wed, Jun 10, 198790 mins
Episode 80
Thu, Jun 11, 198790 mins
Episode 81
Fri, Jun 12, 198790 mins
Episode 82
Tue, Jun 16, 198790 mins
Episode 83
Wed, Jun 17, 198790 mins
Episode 84
Thu, Jun 18, 198790 mins
Episode 85
Fri, Jun 19, 198790 mins
Episode 86
Tue, Jun 23, 198790 mins
Episode 87
Wed, Jun 24, 198790 mins
Episode 88
Thu, Jun 25, 198790 mins
The comedy segment is various celebrity items that people might pay to touch - inspired by a Seattle espresso bar that charged a quarter (for charity) to touch a dress worn by Vanna White. Dan Aykroyd, promoting the movie "Dragnet", talks about how much of a fan he is of Jack Webb and police shows. He says he has wanted to do this film for years. He shows some Dragnet memorabilia he has collected, and does some impressions of Broderick Crawford and Robert Stack. A clip from the film is shown, and Aykroyd talks some more about the series of the 1950s and 1960s that influenced him. Carson, who was friends with Webb, says he would have been flattered by the imitation. Aykroyd also shows some of his collection of police badges, and talks about the prevalence of people acquiring badges of all kinds in New York; he recalls being stopped for speeding on the Taconic Parkway one night. Bobby Kelton does a stand-up comedy routine. Helen Shaver first talks about how she is attracted to people who are skilled at what they do, noting her recent fascination with a man who was cleaning tuna after a fishing trip. She then talks about her move "The Believers", and doing a scene with tarantulas on her face. She also talks about being in a part of China, filming "Bethune", where the population had not seen a western woman before.
Episode 89
Fri, Jun 26, 198790 mins
Episode 90
Tue, Jul 21, 198790 mins
Episode 91
Wed, Jul 22, 198790 mins
For the desk segment, Doc tells about the tour the band went on while Johnny was on vacation. First Johnny tells Doc how, when he recently returned through U.S. Customs, one of the agents told him that Doc didn't declare anything, although he kept saying on the show that he had gotten his jackets in Italy. Doc then talks about the tour, and shows some pictures. Jearl Walker is chair of the physics department at Cleveland State University; he also has a PBS show and a book explaining physics. He first tells Johnny about his unconventional teaching techniques to get the students over their fear of the topic. He uses costumes such as a boxer to explain the forces of collisions, and teaches relativity as Einstein. He does some demonstrations, such as hanging a spoon from his nose with the moisture from his breath increasing the friction. He also lays down on a board of nails, with another on his chest, and has Johnny stand on it. He then demonstrates pulling a tablecloth from under a place setting, and dipping his hand in molten lead (quickly) protected by a thin layer of water. Patrick Duffy brings Johnny gifts for his recent wedding. One is monogrammed towels, with the monograms in Velcro so they can be changed. The other is a platter, and Duffy pulls out a tool to finish the engraving. Duffy talks about his own wedding and how little money they had at the time. He recounts how his son tried selling his autograph at school. He then talks about being a cheerleader for a year in high school in Seattle. Comedian Ray Combs is announced, but is postponed due to lack of time.
Episode 92
Thu, Jul 23, 198790 mins
Episode 93
Fri, Jul 24, 198790 mins
The comedy segment is revealing what John Poindexter's lawyer was advising his client when testifying to the Congressional Committee investigating the Iran-Contra scandal, illustrated with photos. Charles Batton is this year's winner of the hollering contest held in Spivey's Corner, North Carolina. He first talks about his work as a police officer in Louisburg, NC, which has a 10-man police force. He's been a police officer for four years, and re-enacts a typical domestic disturbance call, which he notes that officers hate; he also talks about his fondness for deer hunting. He lists various jobs he had before, including selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door, which Johnny also once did. Batton imitates dogs as well, which he demonstrates. After telling how he found California "crowded" (it is his first trip) he demonstrates his winning hollers with an enthusiastic story featuring his father and grandfather and their dog. Mark Harmon first talks about how he found out about his father Tom Harmon's Heisman-winning football career. He then tells about his first acting job on "Ozzie's Girls", which starred his sister's in-laws Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, while still in college. He talks about his film "Summer School" and shows a clip. Barry Sobel does his comedy as part of the interview, including a "Beastie Boys"-style rap. He talks about being in Ellen Burstyn's series - which may surprisingly return in the fall - and about being featured in a special made by Eddie Murphy, who he imitates.
Episode 95
Tue, Jul 28, 198790 mins
Episode 96
Wed, Jul 29, 198790 mins
Episode 97
Thu, Jul 30, 198790 mins
Episode 98
Fri, Jul 31, 198790 mins
Episode 99
Tue, Aug 4, 198790 mins
Episode 100
Wed, Aug 5, 198790 mins
Episode 101
Thu, Aug 6, 198790 mins
Episode 102
Fri, Aug 7, 198790 mins
Episode 103
Mon, Aug 10, 198760 mins
Episode 105
Tue, Aug 11, 198790 mins
Episode 106
Wed, Aug 12, 198790 mins
Episode 107
Thu, Aug 13, 198790 mins
Episode 108
Fri, Aug 14, 1987150 mins
Un ladrón (Leonardo DiCaprio) le roba los secretos a la gente de su subconsciente mientras sueñan.
Episode 109
Wed, Aug 26, 198790 mins
Post Cards and Examples of the types of things people send to the folks back home when they are on vacation.
Episode 110
Thu, Aug 27, 198760 mins
Episode 111
Fri, Aug 28, 198742 mins
Johnny talks to a spokesman from Irwindale about the Raiders' possible move to the industrial suburb. Shelley Winters discusses her hopes to re-marry and her autobiography in progress; Tom Parks performs stand-up and is interviewed.
Episode 112
Thu, Sep 3, 198790 mins
Episode 113
Fri, Sep 4, 198790 mins
Episode 114
Mon, Sep 7, 198790 mins
Episode 115
Tue, Sep 8, 198790 mins
Episode 117
Tue, Sep 1, 198743 mins
The comedy bit after the monologue is rejected TV network slogans, after Johnny reads through various actual slogans used since 1980. Abbe Jaye plays the "nose flute", a much smaller recorder-like instrument played with air blown from the nostril. She recalls an occasion a few years earlier in which she was in the front row of the show's audience, and Johnny made a comic remark about her; she then demonstrates playing the "William Tell Overture", using parts of her face as percussion instruments. After that, she plays the nose flute, and then two nose flutes (one per hand and nostril) simultaneously, while blowing bubble gum. Finally she plays two flutes while standing on her head, with Johnny holding her ankles for stability. She offers to teach Johnny to play, but he declines. Jon Lovitz does bits of his various characters from "Saturday Night Live", primarily the Pathological Liar and the Master Thespian. He also talks about growing up in Tarzana as compared to now living in New York, and notes that his father was a doctor who once examined Johnny. After Johnny recalls Paul Sorvino's role as a televangelist in "Oh, God!", Sorvino does a few minutes as his character Willie Williams. He then discusses his new series "The Oldest Rookie", and slips into various voices as he recalls working as a teenager as a social director at a Catskills resort.
Episode 118
Wed, Sep 2, 198790 mins
Doc discusses his tomato gardening. Christina Pickles (St. Elsewhere (1982)); John Mendoza performs stand-up; Ed Gillette recounts his 2,200-mile solo kayak journey from Monterey to Hawaii.
Episode 119
Wed, Sep 9, 198790 mins
Episode 120
Thu, Sep 10, 198790 mins
Episode 121
Fri, Sep 11, 198790 mins
Episode 122
Mon, Sep 14, 198790 mins
Episode 123
Wed, Sep 16, 198790 mins
Johnny polls the audience on advice for a long marriage. Joe Garagiola discusses cheating with corked bats and spitballs in baseball; Dennis Wolfberg performs stand-up; Lisa Jane Persky (Private Eye (1987)).
Episode 124
Thu, Sep 17, 198790 mins
Episode 125
Fri, Sep 18, 198790 mins
Episode 126
Mon, Sep 21, 198790 mins
Episode 127
Wed, Sep 23, 198790 mins
Episode 128
Thu, Sep 24, 198790 mins
Episode 129
Fri, Sep 25, 198790 mins
Johnny reads updated nursery rhymes. David Brenner performs stand-up; Dale Robertson (J.J. Starbuck (1987)); Don Johnson (Miami Vice (1984)) joins Johnny for an unscheduled interview.
Episode 130
Mon, Sep 28, 198790 mins
Episode 131
Tue, Aug 25, 198743 mins
In the comedy segment, the audience is asked to hum in accordance with the "harmonic convergence" which supposedly took place earlier in the month; Johnny then announces various events that "just happened" as a result. Joan Embery brings two koalas, brothers, one of which is albino. She then brings out a black and white lemur. Bob Nelson does a comedy routine about a farmer hunting a duck, with sound effects he makes himself. He is then interviewed and does a few more funny characters. Due to a lack of time, Alexandra Paul's appearance is postponed.
Episode 132
Tue, Sep 29, 198790 mins
Episode 133
Wed, Sep 30, 198790 mins
Episode 134
Thu, Oct 1, 198790 mins
Episode 135
Mon, Oct 5, 198790 mins
Episode 136
Wed, Oct 7, 198790 mins
Episode 137
Thu, Oct 8, 198790 mins
Episode 138
Fri, Oct 9, 198790 mins
The comedy segment is Johnny answering questions from the audience. Patrick Swayze talks about the injuries he has had from dancing and athletics. A clip from his movie "Dirty Dancing" is shown. A. Whitney Brown does a stand-up routine. When Alexandra Paul comes out, Johnny comments on her wearing a wedding ring. She says she isn't married, and they discuss her saying that she has no desire to ever do so, though she might adopt children.
Episode 139
Mon, Oct 12, 198760 mins
Episode 140
Wed, Oct 14, 198790 mins
Episode 141
Thu, Oct 15, 198790 mins
Comedian Tim Conway; Kevin Rooney performs stand-up; Jester Hairston (Amen (1986)); carpet cleaner Donald O. Cram recounts how he was erroneously notified the previous day that he had won the Nobel Prize.
Episode 142
Fri, Oct 16, 198790 mins
James Galway (album "James Galway Plays Nielsen") performs and is interviewed; potato chip inspector Myrtle Young presents her collection of irregular chips that resemble celebrities, cartoon characters, animals and various objects.
Episode 143
Mon, Oct 19, 198790 mins
Episode 144
Wed, Oct 21, 198790 mins
Episode 145
Thu, Oct 22, 198790 mins
Episode 146
Fri, Oct 23, 198790 mins
The Mighty Carson Art Players sketch is about the recent stock market crash, with Johnny Carson as Elliot Ganway taking questions from Ed. David Letterman tells a story where he bombed at stand-up. Joe Piscopo does impressions of David Letterman and Jerry Lewis. Cutting Crew performs.
Episode 147
Mon, Oct 26, 198790 mins
Episode 148
Tue, Oct 27, 198790 mins
Episode 149
Wed, Oct 28, 198790 mins
Episode 150
Thu, Oct 29, 198790 mins
Episode 151
Fri, Oct 30, 198790 mins
Episode 152
Tue, Nov 3, 198743 mins
The comedy segment is Johnny talking about a trophy the writers gave him: A rubber chicken which they had silvered (instead of bronzed). George C. Scott talks about smoking - he quit temporarily - and how he enjoys doing live theater. He recites a part he did 25 years ago. He says he always used the middle initial in his name. He talks about other aspects of theater and parts he has had, and describes several times when he was in plays that closed after one performance. Joanne Astrow does a stand-up comedy routine, mostly about marriage. James Randi demonstrates how to control pulse in the wrists, leading to claims of being able to stop one's heartbeat. He also discusses mystics who claim to communicate with spirits.
Episode 153
Wed, Nov 4, 198790 mins
Episode 154
Thu, Nov 5, 198790 mins
Episode 155
Fri, Nov 6, 198790 mins
Episode 156
Tue, Nov 10, 198790 mins
Episode 157
Wed, Nov 11, 198790 mins
Episode 158
Thu, Nov 12, 198790 mins
For the comedy segment, Johnny has the audience vote between two choices. The winner (which Johnny pushes) is about trouble in the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, using doctored photos. When the humor draws repeated groans, Johnny gleefully needles the audience about their poor choice. Throughout the rest of the show, Johnny also does some jokes from the losing piece, different types of phobias, which draws a better response. Carl Reiner comes out dancing. He says he is very happy to have finished a screenplay for a new talent: Robert Lindsay. He also explains how he is wearing a tie that Johnny gave him years ago (it has "JC" embroidered on it) and how much he values it. Jeff Cesario does a stand-up routine in his first appearance on the show. Holly Robinson talks about how her father played Gordon on "Sesame Street", and says that when she finally got him to get her an appearance on the show, she blew her line and called him Dad instead of Gordon. He has more recently been a producer on "The Cosby Show". She also talks about singing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium, and being in the poorly received film "Howard the Duck".
Episode 159
Fri, Nov 13, 198790 mins
Episode 160
Tue, Nov 17, 198790 mins
Episode 161
Wed, Nov 18, 198790 mins
Episode 162
Thu, Nov 19, 198790 mins
Episode 163
Fri, Nov 20, 198790 mins
Episode 164
Tue, Nov 24, 198790 mins
Episode 165
Wed, Nov 25, 198790 mins
Episode 167
Thu, Nov 26, 198790 mins
Episode 168
Fri, Nov 27, 198790 mins
The comedy segment is specialty stores for holiday shopping; the audience reaction is decidedly muted, and Johnny skims through the bit before shifting to clips from several commercials from overseas for Kaiser beer, L.O.C. stain remover (England) and Freshmint breath mints (Norway). David Steinberg talks about making commercials, and how executives over-analyze every aspect of them; Johnny comments that often ads are widely liked even if they produce little interest in the product. Steinberg discusses working with kids in commercials, and the foolishness of many clients. Johnny notes that live models are now allowed in brassiere ads. Then Steinberg talks about getting satellite TV, and his compulsion to watch everything he can, even eastern European TV; he mentions that he can often watch portions of newscasts that are on camera but don't get sent out for broadcast. He then discusses Douglas Ginsburg's withdrawal of his Supreme Court nomination, and he and Johnny comment on how politicians have characterized their past use of marijuana. Jann Karam does stand-up comedy in her first appearance on The Tonight Show. Don Yesso of the sitcom "Frank's Place" explains the unusual way he became an actor in his 30s after being a high school football coach - by meeting a production executive on a plane flight. He also talks about working on the studio lot, and meeting people like Jill St. John.
Episode 169
Mon, Nov 30, 198790 mins
Episode 170
Tue, Dec 1, 198790 mins
Episode 171
Wed, Dec 2, 198790 mins
Episode 172
Thu, Dec 3, 198790 mins
Episode 173
Fri, Dec 4, 198790 mins
Episode 174
Mon, Dec 7, 198790 mins
Episode 175
Wed, Dec 9, 198790 mins
Episode 176
Thu, Dec 10, 198790 mins
Episode 177
Fri, Dec 11, 198790 mins
Episode 178
Mon, Dec 14, 198790 mins
Episode 179
Wed, Dec 16, 198790 mins
Episode 180
Thu, Dec 17, 198790 mins
In the comedy segment, Johnny continues the previous evening's display of novelty holiday toys and gifts. He then reads children's letters to Santa that are received by the Post Office, with information to contact the PO if one wishes to help the less fortunate. (This is an annual segment on the show.) Jack Paar, the only guest, come out and talks about his career and various events. He tells the story of how he used to get five dollars from his mother for his birthday, even as an adult, and used that to buy a Rolls-Royce. He also tells how he sent Cuban cigars to J. Edgar Hoover. A clip is shown from his upcoming special of an old "Tonight Show" interview of Elsa Maxwell.
Episode 181
Fri, Dec 18, 198790 mins
Episode 182
Mon, Dec 28, 198790 mins
Episode 183
Wed, Dec 30, 198790 mins
Episode 184
Thu, Dec 31, 198790 mins