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243 Episodes 1989 - 1990
Episode 3
Thu, Oct 5, 198990 mins
After the monologue, Johnny talks about his hand injury. The comedy segment is "strange new clippings". Carl Reiner first talks about the "art" of bowing to an audience. He then talks about aging and memory lapses, and being married for 45 years. Jann Karam does a stand-up comedy segment, mostly about male-female relationships. Helen Shaw is a 92-year-old actress; she talks about various experiences in her life.
Episode 4
Fri, Oct 6, 1989
Episode 21
Thu, Feb 16, 198990 mins
Episode 22
Fri, Feb 17, 198990 mins
Episode 23
Mon, Feb 20, 198990 mins
Episode 24
Wed, Feb 22, 198990 mins
Episode 25
Thu, Feb 23, 198990 mins
Episode 26
Fri, Feb 24, 198990 mins
Episode 27
Mon, Feb 27, 198990 mins
Episode 28
Tue, Feb 28, 198990 mins
Episode 29
Wed, Mar 1, 198990 mins
Episode 30
Thu, Mar 2, 198990 mins
Episode 31
Fri, Mar 3, 198990 mins
Episode 32
Mon, Mar 6, 198990 mins
Episode 33
Wed, Mar 8, 198990 mins
Episode 34
Thu, Mar 9, 198990 mins
Episode 35
Fri, Mar 10, 1989128 mins
The comedy segment is "Believe It or Stuff It!", various vignettes in the style of "Ripley's Believe It or Not!"; some of the segment's jokes do so poorly - one drawing dead silence - that the audience applauds when Johnny announces its impending conclusion, followed by a raucous exchange after the last item. In the spirit of the prior comedy bit, Michael Landon first relates a yarn about trying to hide the fact that his dog killed a neighbor's rabbit, only to learn that it was already dead. Then he talks about being taken for a ride with the Blue Angels, and shows a clip. This leads to a story about the first time he flew at age 20, going from California to Miami via New York, taking Seconal to sleep, followed by bourbon (he had not been told they don't mix well). He stained his white pants and had to change clothes in the middle of the LaGuardia Airport men's room, when stalls were coin-operated. He then talks about the early days on Bonanza, noting the speculation about the Cartwrights' romantic lives. He also mentions that this is his first extended time without a TV show in 30 years, as NBC has cancelled "Highway to Heaven", and he is spending more time with his kids. He then tells stories about the hairpieces of Dan Blocker and Lorne Greene, the latter being somewhat vain about his appearance whereas Blocker used his for comedic effect. John Mendoza does a stand-up routine. Thelma Houston performs with The Winans.
Episode 36
Mon, Mar 13, 198990 mins
Episode 37
Wed, Mar 15, 198990 mins
Episode 38
Thu, Mar 16, 198990 mins
Episode 39
Fri, Mar 17, 198990 mins
Episode 40
Mon, Mar 20, 198990 mins
Episode 41
Wed, Mar 22, 198990 mins
Episode 42
Thu, Mar 23, 198990 mins
Episode 43
Fri, Mar 24, 198990 mins
Episode 44
Mon, Mar 27, 198990 mins
Episode 45
Tue, Mar 28, 198990 mins
Episode 46
Wed, Mar 29, 198990 mins
Episode 47
Thu, Mar 30, 198990 mins
Episode 48
Fri, Mar 31, 198990 mins
Episode 49
Mon, Apr 3, 198990 mins
Episode 50
Wed, Apr 5, 198990 mins
Episode 51
Thu, Apr 6, 198990 mins
Episode 52
Fri, Apr 7, 198990 mins
Episode 53
Mon, Apr 10, 198990 mins
Episode 54
Tue, Apr 11, 198990 mins
Episode 55
Wed, Apr 12, 198990 mins
Episode 56
Thu, Apr 13, 198990 mins
For the comedy segment, Johnny introduces an IRS spokesman who will provide advice to audience members; Johnny then reveals that the IRS man (played by Bob Ruth) will be in a dunk tank, and audience members will throw crumpled tax forms at the target to dunk him if they are unhappy with his answers to their questions. None of the four hit the target the first time, so Johnny has them take a second throw simultaneously. He is dunked in the tank, even though it looks like all missed the target again. Jonathan Winters comes out wearing a captain's cap, and riffs on the captain of the Exxon Valdez. Johnny asks about his interest in women growing up, and he jokes about that and tells of an unsuccessful date after a drive-in double feature. Asked about his childhood, he recalls advice he got from his mother and grandfather. He also talks about toning down his behavior since his youth, when he would often engage in public pranks. Peter Strauss mentions his upcoming Peter Gunn film. Asked to remember his first kiss, he tells about it and giving the girl a gift. He then talks about the stress of building a house, and how his French wife is more willing to accept imperfection in its construction than he is. He also talks about his 35-acre citrus growing operation, and the problems he has had with the European Brown Snail, and how the USDA inspector who had been working with him was disappointed to find that the problem had been solved. Magician Brian Gillis is announced, but does not appear due to lack of time.
Episode 57
Fri, Apr 14, 198990 mins
Episode 58
Mon, Apr 17, 198990 mins
Episode 59
Wed, Apr 19, 198990 mins
Episode 60
Thu, Apr 20, 198990 mins
Episode 61
Fri, Apr 21, 198990 mins
Episode 62
Mon, May 1, 198990 mins
Episode 63
Wed, May 3, 198990 mins
Episode 64
Thu, May 4, 198990 mins
Episode 65
Fri, May 5, 198942 mins
Johnny examines earthquake intensities. Bob Saget (Full House (1987)); Miriam Margolyes discusses accents for various roles and expectations of body types. Also: Johnny welcomes the Academic Decathlon champions from Taft High School.
Episode 66
Mon, May 8, 198990 mins
Episode 67
Wed, May 10, 198990 mins
Episode 68
Thu, May 11, 198990 mins
The comedy segment is audience members' distant relatives with unusual accomplishments, illustrated with photos. Richard Pryor first explains how his admitting he had been drinking during his last appearance freed him to stop. He talks about visiting museums while in New York to film "See No Evil, Hear No Evil", which leads to a discussion about expensive artworks. He also talks about re-teaming with Gene Wilder, and says that he largely doesn't remember making "Stir Crazy" since that was during his addiction period. He also talks about keeping in touch with his several ex-wives, and says that he isn't currently seeing anyone in particular but does occasionally date. A clip from "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" is shown. Jake Johannsen does a stand-up comedy routine. Rain Pryor (Richard's daughter) talks about growing up with him as a dad and how she is handling her career, saying that she is proud to have been cast on "Head of the Class" for her talent in creating characters rather than her family connection. She also recalls his agonized reaction to her appearing in a production of "Hair", in which he mistakenly assumed she was among the nude performers onstage.
Episode 69
Fri, May 12, 198990 mins
Episode 70
Wed, May 17, 198990 mins
The comedy segment is various metaphors to define a trillion, as the US budget is now over one trillion dollars; Johnny quickly realizes how tiresome the bit has turned out to be. Garry Shandling talks a bit about his TV show, and then tells a long story about touring the White House and meeting President Bush. On the day of the event, Bush invited Shandling to perform for a few minutes with him at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and showed Shandling the personal quarters in the White House. Patrick Swayze says he grew up a fan of classic films and actors, but Tarzan was his favorite. He talks about songs he has written. He then talks about his film "Road House". A clip is shown.
Episode 71
Thu, May 18, 198990 mins
Episode 72
Fri, May 19, 198990 mins
Episode 73
Mon, May 22, 198990 mins
Episode 74
Wed, May 24, 198990 mins
Episode 75
Thu, May 25, 198990 mins
Episode 76
Fri, May 26, 198990 mins
Episode 77
Mon, May 29, 198990 mins
Episode 78
Tue, May 30, 198990 mins
Episode 79
Wed, May 31, 198990 mins
Episode 80
Thu, Jun 1, 198990 mins
Episode 81
Fri, Jun 2, 198990 mins
Episode 82
Mon, Jun 5, 198990 mins
Episode 83
Wed, Jun 7, 198960 mins
The comedy segment is jokes told in various states about their neighboring states. Catherine Grant is an expert on raising chickens, and discusses that topic. She also brings some prize-winning chickens to show. Pat Hazell performs stand-up comedy. Catherine Hicks talks about having mice for pets, and filming a movie in Yugoslavia.
Episode 84
Thu, Jun 8, 198990 mins
The comedy segment is "You Are the Author", in which audience members each submitted one sentence for a romance novel, to be pieced together for a narrative; the segment runs long and goes extremely well, with several submissions cracking up Johnny. Martin Short recalls his early years as a boy singer, and talks about his HBO special "I, Martin Short, Goes Hollywood"; a clip is shown. He and Johnny then trade impressions, with Short discussing the technique of doing different celebrities. He also recalls awkwardly meeting Katharine Hepburn. Cybill Shepherd talks about the end of "Moonlighting", the stress of working on the show, having competed in beauty contests when she was young, being the mother of twins, and going back to her hometown of Memphis, where she was initially rejected in her condo application. She also says she is still breastfeeding the twins, at 20 months. The Jeff Healey Band does not appear due to time limitations.
Episode 85
Fri, Jun 9, 198990 mins
Episode 86
Mon, Jun 12, 198990 mins
Episode 87
Wed, Jun 14, 198990 mins
Episode 88
Thu, Jun 15, 198990 mins
Episode 89
Fri, Jun 16, 198990 mins
Episode 90
Mon, Jun 19, 198990 mins
Episode 91
Wed, Jun 21, 198990 mins
Episode 92
Thu, Jun 22, 198990 mins
Episode 93
Fri, Jun 23, 198990 mins
Episode 94
Mon, Jun 26, 198990 mins
Episode 95
Tue, Jun 27, 198990 mins
Episode 96
Wed, Jun 28, 198990 mins
Episode 97
Thu, Jun 29, 198990 mins
Episode 98
Fri, Jun 30, 198990 mins
Episode 99
Mon, Jul 10, 198990 mins
Episode 100
Wed, Jul 12, 198990 mins
Episode 101
Thu, Jul 13, 198990 mins
Episode 102
Fri, Jul 14, 198990 mins
Episode 103
Mon, Jul 17, 198990 mins
Episode 104
Wed, Jul 19, 198990 mins
The comedy segment is survey questions for the audience, in anticipation of the U.S. census coming in 1990; the questions are multiple-choice, and the bit goes off very well. Sunni Black from the San Diego Wild Animal Park brings several animals: An Amazon parrot that says "Hello", laughs continuously, and meows and barks; an African grey parrot that does other sounds including a clicker and a horse; a vulture which is unsuccessful in its demonstration of how it uses rocks to open an egg; a potoroo (a small marsupial); and a sugar glider that demonstrates how it jumps/glides from one spot to another. Woody Harrelson talks about his new house, his success on "Cheers", and the short play "2 on 2", which he wrote and is appearing in. Peter MacNicol talks about creating his character in "Ghostbusters II", and a clip is shown.
Episode 105
Thu, Jul 20, 198990 mins
Episode 106
Fri, Jul 21, 198990 mins
Johnny presents You Are the Author, a romance story created through audience submissions. Park Overall (Empty Nest (1988)); Steve Mittleman performs stand-up; Michael Chang discusses his recent win at the French Open.
Episode 107
Mon, Jul 24, 198990 mins
Episode 108
Wed, Jul 26, 198990 mins
Episode 109
Thu, Jul 27, 198990 mins
Episode 110
Fri, Jul 28, 198990 mins
Episode 111
Mon, Jul 31, 198990 mins
Episode 112
Tue, Aug 1, 198990 mins
Episode 113
Wed, Aug 2, 198990 mins
Episode 114
Thu, Aug 3, 198990 mins
Episode 187
Tue, Jan 2, 199090 mins
Episode 188
Wed, Jan 3, 199090 mins
Episode 189
Thu, Jan 4, 199090 mins
Episode 190
Fri, Jan 5, 199090 mins
Episode 191
Tue, Jan 9, 199090 mins
Episode 192
Wed, Jan 10, 199090 mins
Episode 193
Thu, Jan 11, 199090 mins
Episode 194
Fri, Jan 12, 199090 mins
Episode 195
Tue, Jan 16, 199090 mins
Episode 196
Wed, Jan 17, 199090 mins
Episode 197
Thu, Jan 18, 199042 mins
The comedy segment is updated nursery rhymes, in accordance with the book "Equal Rhymes Amendment". Joan Embery first brings out a Canada lynx, which seems somewhat inactive due to the studio environment, then a pair of chameleons from Kenya and Madagascar. She demonstrates the length of its tongue by feeding one a cockroach, to the audience's roaring approval; further attempts to get either one to eat another are unsuccessful. Next is a female cuscus (a marsupial from New Guinea), which happily eats a pineapple slice from Johnny and climbs over Embery. Art Donovan, retired football player, is the next guest. He says he has lost 45 pounds in the last three years, down to 295; his playing weight was 275. When Johnny comments on his old nickname "Fatso", he says he's always been heavy, from when he weighed 17 pounds at birth. He says that he watches certain teams that he likes - mainly those coached by his old teammates Don Shula and Raymond Berry - and talks about how the game has changed, both in play and officiating. He was told to play just two weeks after breaking his leg, due to a lack of available players - his coach told him to fall down when the ball was snapped, and maybe someone would trip over him. He tells various other stories from his playing days, about players including Bobby Layne, Norm Van Brocklin and Bill Pellington. He also bemoans the prevalence of foreign-born place kickers. Ron Silver makes his first appearance on the show, and recalls that he actually played a foreign-born place kicker in the movie "Semi-Tough". He then talks about his film "Enemies: A Love Story". He has been married for 14 years, and discusses at length how he and his wife handle his doing love scenes. A clip from the film featuring Anjelica Huston is shown.
Episode 198
Fri, Jan 19, 199090 mins
The comedy segment is questions for the audience to see if they could be impartial jurors in the trial of captured Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. Michael Landon comes out wearing a tuxedo, and jokes that he thought his movie's title referred to penguins rather than pigeons; he says his wife told him not to embarrass her by wearing sloppy clothes. He recalls his start in TV in the late 1950s, and also talks about touring with Jerry Lee Lewis, when he would perform "Gimme a Little Kiss (Will Ya Huh)". He then talks about taking time off after having done series for thirty years, and taking a family trip to Tahiti and Hawaii. He talks about writing and directing the TV movie "Where Pigeons Go to Die" and working with Art Carney; a clip is shown. Jimmy Brogan does a stand-up comedy routine. Roger Rees talks about joining the cast of "Cheers" and doing Shakespeare in London. A clip from "Cheers" is shown.
Episode 199
Mon, Jan 22, 199090 mins
Episode 200
Tue, Jan 23, 199090 mins
Episode 201
Wed, Jan 24, 199090 mins
Episode 202
Thu, Jan 25, 199090 mins
Episode 203
Fri, Jan 26, 199090 mins
Episode 204
Tue, Jan 30, 199090 mins
Episode 205
Wed, Jan 31, 199042 mins
Johnny presents public service announcements. Martin Short discusses aspects of being a comedian, and talks about his kids. Cathy Ladman does a stand-up routine. Bonnie Hunt tells some stories from her early life, including training to be a nurse.
Episode 206
Fri, Feb 2, 199090 mins
Johnny first reads a news clipping about a man who was rescued from the cistern under a campground outhouse in Lawrence, Kansas; he then mentions the Disney Company's decision to fire a large number of employees at the newly acquired Queen Mary in Long Beach over their refusal to abide by the company's grooming rules. He describes and comments on the various rules, and notes the irony of a company ban on facial hair when Walt Disney himself had a mustache. This leads into the comedy segment, cartoon characters that failed Disney's standards; Johnny mockingly bemoans the audience's displeasure at the jokes, saying that not every show can be a good one. However, as the regular graphic artist was off that week, the well-received illustrations were done by NBC page Brian Hardwick, who Johnny introduces. Carl Reiner discusses growing a goatee, which he believes gives him a more appropriate look while he attempts to write a novel. He also comments on his marriage of 47 years. Discussing political humor, Johnny mentions his frequent jokes about Dan Quayle, but says he simply tells them because he would poke fun at any vice president; in reality, he believes Quayle is highly intelligent. Reiner's dog Homer, an Australian Shepherd mix, also makes a supposedly unplanned appearance, but he conveniently has photos to display of the dog from years earlier - one as a puppy with Steve Martin on the set of Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, and another from some time later with Mel Brooks and his son Max. Reiner then explains his attempts to track down the dog's parentage. Kathy Mattea then performs. Jennifer Grey talks about her father Joel Grey and growing up with a family in show business. She says that he started as the "fun parent" that children want to have, and was generally permissive - until she started dating, when he suddenly started scrutinizing her activities more aggressively. Johnny comments on the disparity between fathers' attitudes toward daughters and sons, and Reiner comments that it's probably because very few sons can have babies. Grey also talks about her roles previous to "Dirty Dancing" and her upcoming TV movie "Murder in Mississippi", from which a clip is shown; she contrasts her film with the plot of the recent movie Mississippi Burning, which dealt with the same events, but which focused on the investigation of the murders rather than the events leading up to them.
Episode 207
Tue, Feb 6, 199090 mins
Episode 208
Wed, Feb 7, 199042 mins
The comedy segment is the "Homework School of the Air", in which Professor Carson answers questions for students, inspired by President Bush's promise that U.S. students would be first ranked in the world in math and science by the year 2000. Jon Serl is described as the oldest living American artist. He is 95 years old; this is his second appearance on the show. He first talks about his dogs, and having been married three times, but his wives have died. He talks about working in Hollywood and then picking fruit for employment. When he compliments the music from the band, they give him a copy of their album. Several of his paintings (and one sculpture) are shown, and he talks a bit about them. Finally, two paintings he did of Johnny are shown. Don Rickles talks about him and his wife celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary by taking a trip to Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila, and Bangkok, with plenty of diversions and side comments. Stephen Baldwin is announced as a guest, but does not appear due to lack of time.
Episode 209
Thu, Feb 8, 199090 mins
In the comedy segment, Johnny mentions what several celebrities did in earlier jobs, then suggests alternate professions for various other celebrities and fictional characters, with photos; the bit goes particularly well, especially a suggestion for Doc. Harry Anderson opens with a solo on a bassoon - the first on the show, according to Johnny. He explains that he bought the instrument on sale while waiting for a nearby bike shop to open, and recalls how he learned to play it in junior high school as a punishment for an unorthodox woodwind tryout; he had been hoping to be assigned the saxophone, but the teacher instead gave him the most difficult and unrewarding woodwind to play, hoping that he would quit. He then discusses and demonstrates playing "Ode to Joy" using a recorder in his nostril. He also shows a trick that involves putting beans in his nose and ears. Anderson then talks about his plans to move his family to Seattle and commute to film "Night Court". Bobby Slayton does a stand-up comedy routine. Eugene Fodor performs a violin solo, and during his interview he talks about his recovery from alcohol and cocaine addiction.
Episode 210
Fri, Feb 9, 199090 mins
Episode 211
Tue, Feb 13, 199090 mins
Episode 212
Wed, Feb 14, 199090 mins
Episode 213
Thu, Feb 15, 199090 mins
Episode 214
Fri, Feb 16, 199090 mins
Episode 215
Tue, Feb 20, 199090 mins
Episode 216
Wed, Feb 21, 199090 mins
Episode 217
Thu, Feb 22, 199090 mins
Episode 218
Fri, Feb 23, 199090 mins
Episode 219
Tue, Mar 6, 199090 mins
Episode 220
Wed, Mar 7, 199090 mins
Episode 221
Thu, Mar 8, 199090 mins
Episode 222
Fri, Mar 9, 199090 mins
Episode 223
Tue, Mar 13, 199090 mins
Episode 224
Wed, Mar 14, 199090 mins
Episode 225
Thu, Mar 15, 199090 mins
Episode 226
Fri, Mar 16, 199090 mins
Episode 227
Tue, Mar 20, 199060 mins
Episode 228
Wed, Mar 21, 199090 mins
Episode 229
Thu, Mar 22, 199090 mins
Episode 230
Fri, Mar 23, 199090 mins
Episode 231
Thu, Feb 1, 199090 mins
The comedy segment is audio supposedly recorded with a "spy" microphone. First there are various comments that are supposedly from audience members as they were waiting before the show. Then a few geographic bits: London, the Ventura freeway, and Disneyland. Stephanie Yu is a 13-year-old who does TV news reports on PBS. She says she watches "The Tonight Show", and Johnny is her favorite part. She says the money she earns is saved for college and a car. Her favorite subject is math; she might go into computer science in college. Since her PBS special is about garbage, she gives Johnny a quiz about how long materials take to decompose. Kenneth Branagh talks about his sudden fame at age 29. He and Johnny discuss the differences between performing Shakespeare in the UK and US. Cathy Guisewite talks about differences between men and women - first regarding shopping, and then Valentine's Day.
Episode 232
Mon, Mar 26, 199090 mins
Episode 233
Tue, Mar 27, 199090 mins
Episode 234
Wed, Mar 28, 199090 mins
Episode 235
Thu, Mar 29, 199090 mins
Episode 236
Fri, Mar 30, 199090 mins
Episode 237
Tue, Apr 3, 199090 mins
Episode 238
Wed, Apr 4, 199090 mins
Episode 239
Thu, Apr 5, 199090 mins
Episode 240
Fri, Apr 6, 199090 mins
Episode 241
Tue, Apr 10, 199090 mins
With Johnny Carson, guests Charles Grodin, BB King and Amy Yasbek. Ed McMahon and Johnny do a Carnac bit.
Episode 242
Wed, Apr 11, 199090 mins
Episode 243
Thu, Apr 12, 199090 mins
Episode 244
Fri, Apr 13, 199090 mins
Episode 245
Mon, Apr 16, 199090 mins
Episode 246
Tue, Apr 17, 199090 mins
Episode 247
Wed, Apr 18, 199090 mins
Episode 248
Thu, Apr 19, 199090 mins
Episode 249
Fri, Apr 20, 199090 mins
Episode 250
Tue, Apr 24, 199090 mins
Episode 251
Wed, Apr 25, 199090 mins
Episode 252
Thu, Apr 26, 199090 mins
Episode 253
Fri, Apr 27, 199090 mins
The comedy segment is photos from TV show pilots that were not picked up as series. Mary Peyton Meyer, from Frogtown, Illinois (with a population of 10), has been writing a column in her local paper, the Vandalia Leader-Union, for 69 years. She also was a schoolteacher in a one-room schoolhouse, which she had previously attended, and demonstrates the whistle she used to keep students in line. She talks about how she avoids salacious gossip in her column, and often covers mundane topics such as residents' shopping and dining activities. She then encourages Johnny to come to Frogtown for a visit. Robert Klein does not do a stand-up routine, but tells funny stories about airline travel; he discusses the comparative benefits and nuisances of airline deregulation, and comments on how he encourages everyone to order kosher in-flight meals to be disruptive. Then a clip from his film "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie" is shown. Kevin Spacey talks about playing Jim Bakker in the TV movie "Fall from Grace", and recalls an earthquake that interrupted the filming of him delivering a fiery sermon; a clip is shown.
Episode 254
Tue, May 1, 199090 mins
Episode 255
Wed, May 2, 199090 mins
Johnny reveals valuable items discovered under beds. Dabney Coleman (Short Time (1990)); Yakov Smirnoff (Bob Hope's USO Road to the Berlin Wall and Moscow (1990)) discusses performing in Russia for the first time in twelve years.
Episode 256
Thu, May 3, 199090 mins
Episode 257
Fri, May 4, 199090 mins
Inspired by the National Debt Clock, the comedy segment is Johnny telling members of the audience what their share of the national debt ($12,000 per person) has been spent on. Judge Reinhold talks about growing his mustache to look more mature, and doing his first semi-nude scene in a film he produced. He then talks about being newly single, and Johnny suggests some ways to meet women. Then he discusses his film "Daddy's Dying...Who's Got the Will?", and a clip is shown. Rondell Sheridan does a stand-up comedy routine. Rita Rudner talks about the irritations of moving to a new home, and nuisances with various contractors. Finally, Johnny shows the audition tape of Axl the Parakeet, a bird that did various tricks and was booked for the show, but sadly died at his hotel the night before his scheduled appearance.
Episode 258
Tue, May 8, 199090 mins
Episode 259
Wed, May 9, 199043 mins
Carnac the Magnificent appears; several of the gags are so agreeably groan-inducing - one even taking the audience a few moments to decipher - that even Carnac is eager for the conclusion. Andy Koffman shows the Goliath frog that he tried to enter in the Calaveras County contest, and discusses the controversy. With Johnny's assistance, he also demonstrates a "jump-off" against a large bullfrog (which is much smaller than the Goliath). Tony Randall (Night of 100 Stars III (1990)) discusses varying attitudes on eating frogs, then comments on commercials for John Deere lawnmowers and Metamucil that he found either amusing or irritating. He then comments on words that he likes that have fallen out of use. After Johnny compliments him on his successful recent Broadway run in "M. Butterfly", Randall notes that he has been on the Tonight Show 95 times, and discusses his early work in radio dramas. Lara Flynn Boyle talks about her series Twin Peaks (1990), then recalls working as a waitress in Chicago, and says that she moved to L.A. the day after graduating high school, working for a while in print ads and commercials. She also talks about the stuffed animals she has bought for her dog.
Episode 260
Thu, May 10, 199090 mins
Based on the success of "America's Funniest Home Videos", the comedy segment is funny home videos by members of "The Tonight Show" staff. John Larroquette first shows his mobile phone - the first model that can fit in a pants pocket, though it's still rather bulky - after Johnny had done a joke about it in the monologue. They then talk a bit about mobile phone behavior, particularly the dangers of people using one while driving. They also discuss first names; Larroquette used to be called J.B., since his father, grandfather and great-grandfather were also named John. Johnny says he was called John until he went into radio - he thought Johnny sounded younger and more fun. They then discuss Larroquette's article in TV Guide on autograph etiquette, with Larroquette recalling some odd encounters with autograph seekers. He then talks about doing the play "The Aristocrats" and his lack of singing experience; he once auditioned for a stage musical by singing Monty Python's "Lumberjack Song", the only song he knew. Mark Schiff does a stand-up comedy routine. He also talks about being newly married. Kurt Thomas talks about his comeback and plans to compete in the 1992 Olympics. He says he is very healthy, having dropped 30 pounds to 128, and his sponsors allow him to train full-time. He then does a demonstration on the pommel horse. He has Johnny try a split.
Episode 261
Fri, May 11, 199090 mins
Episode 262
Tue, May 15, 199090 mins
Episode 263
Wed, May 16, 199090 mins
Episode 264
Thu, May 17, 199090 mins
Comedians organize a boycott of rubber chickens over price increases. Barbara Hershey (A Killing in a Small Town (1990)); Jeff Cesario performs stand-up; Dr. Henry Stenhouse talks about running for Congress at age 100.
Episode 265
Fri, May 18, 199090 mins
Episode 266
Tue, May 29, 199090 mins
Episode 267
Wed, May 30, 199090 mins
Episode 268
Thu, May 31, 199090 mins
Episode 269
Fri, Jun 1, 199042 mins
The comedy segment is a series of three local newscasts with many tongue-twisting blurbs for upcoming stories; Teresa Ganzel and Fred Holliday play the other anchors. Buddy Hackett starts doing a routine about a Filipino, changing the words that have to be bleeped for broadcast. This leads to more stories from his act. Dave Thomas talks about many subjects in response to Johnny's questions: His Bob Hope impression, SCTV, his kids, his father (a philosophy professor), not liking exercise, and other impressions he does. Teresa Ganzel talks about sending her dog to obedience school, and her former boyfriend.
Episode 270
Tue, Jun 5, 199090 mins
Episode 271
Wed, Jun 6, 199090 mins
Episode 272
Thu, Jun 7, 199090 mins
Episode 273
Fri, Jun 8, 199090 mins
Episode 274
Tue, Jun 12, 199090 mins
Episode 275
Wed, Jun 13, 199090 mins
Episode 276
Thu, Jun 14, 199090 mins
Episode 277
Fri, Jun 15, 199090 mins
Episode 278
Mon, Jun 18, 199090 mins
Episode 279
Tue, Jun 19, 199090 mins
Episode 280
Wed, Jun 20, 199090 mins
Episode 281
Thu, Jun 21, 199090 mins
Episode 282
Fri, Jun 22, 199090 mins
Episode 283
Mon, Jul 2, 199090 mins
Episode 284
Tue, Jul 3, 199090 mins
Episode 285
Wed, Jul 4, 199090 mins
Episode 286
Thu, Jul 5, 199060 mins
Episode 287
Fri, Jul 6, 199090 mins
Episode 288
Tue, Jul 10, 199090 mins
Episode 289
Wed, Jul 11, 199090 mins
Episode 290
Thu, Jul 12, 199090 mins
Episode 291
Fri, Jul 13, 199090 mins
Episode 292
Tue, Jul 17, 199090 mins
Episode 293
Wed, Jul 18, 199090 mins
Episode 294
Thu, Jul 19, 199090 mins
Episode 295
Fri, Jul 20, 199041 mins
During the comedy segment, Johnny reads a letter from a rental car executive who has mistaken him for the President of NBC. He then describes the changes he would make if he were president. Noting the prevalence of sports highlights and bloopers on local newscasts, as opposed to actual event results, he then shows spoof clips of sports happenings that he claims were shown on the local news. Maggie Gill, the oldest contestant in a cow-calling contest in Texas, talks about her small town of Miami, Texas and about raising cows. She was in the grandmothers category in the contest. She demonstrates her call, and also thanks Johnny for providing her previous night's meal; she had a hamburger. After she does her call, the audience moos in response. Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold come out together. They talk about being featured in tabloids and then tell how they met working comedy clubs. She tells how he helps to add some structure to her family and pushes her kids to attend school; she doesn't have many rules. They then mention how she is going to sing the National Anthem at an upcoming ballgame (which becomes an infamous incident), and Johnny warns her it is an extremely difficult song to sing. They discuss the tabloid story of Arnold choking a producer on her series "Roseanne". Asked what they want to do long-term, Barr says she wants to live a quiet life on a farm. Patrika Darbo, scheduled to appear, is postponed due to not enough time.
Episode 296
Tue, Jul 24, 199090 mins
Episode 297
Wed, Jul 25, 199090 mins
Episode 298
Thu, Jul 26, 199090 mins
The comedy segment is flash cards to counter TV commercials. Liv Ullmann discusses her lack of fashion sense, becoming a grandmother, and how childbirth is done in Norway. Johnny also asks her some questions from a Cosmopolitan magazine quiz. J.J. Wall does a stand-up comedy routine. Patrika Darbo talks about her father being a baseball executive who appeared on the Tonight Show with Jack Paar. She also talks about earlier parts of her career.
Episode 299
Fri, Jul 27, 199090 mins
Episode 300
Tue, Jul 31, 199090 mins
Episode 301
Wed, Aug 1, 199090 mins
Episode 302
Thu, Aug 2, 199090 mins
Episode 303
Fri, Aug 3, 199090 mins
Episode 304
Mon, Aug 6, 199090 mins
Episode 305
Tue, Aug 7, 199090 mins
Episode 306
Wed, Aug 8, 199090 mins
Episode 307
Thu, Aug 9, 199090 mins
Episode 308
Fri, Aug 10, 199090 mins
Episode 309
Tue, Aug 14, 199090 mins
Episode 310
Wed, Aug 15, 199090 mins
Episode 311
Thu, Aug 16, 199090 mins
Episode 312
Fri, Aug 17, 199090 mins
Episode 313
Tue, Aug 21, 199060 mins
Episode 314
Wed, Aug 22, 199090 mins
Episode 315
Thu, Aug 23, 199090 mins
Episode 316
Fri, Aug 24, 199090 mins
Episode 317
Tue, Sep 4, 199090 mins
Episode 318
Wed, Sep 5, 199090 mins
The comedy segment is Carnac the Magnificent. Charles Grodin spars with Johnny as he always does. He also says that coming on "The Tonight Show" for twenty years is his third longest relationship, after his mother and brother. B.B. King performs "Let the Good Times Roll", accompanied by the Tonight Show band. He then does "Peace to the World". During the interview he says he is coming up on his 65th birthday. He then talks about making his album "Live at San Quentin". Amy Yasbeck tells how one of her ancestor uncles, Charles Murphy, owned the Chicago Cubs before selling them in the 1910s. She then tells how there is a twelve-year gap between her and her next oldest sibling, and how as a child she was on the "Easy-Bake Oven" box for a year. In response to Johnny's questioning, she talks a bit about being single.
Episode 319
Thu, Sep 6, 199090 mins
Episode 320
Fri, Sep 7, 199090 mins
Episode 321
Tue, Sep 11, 199090 mins
Episode 322
Wed, Sep 12, 199090 mins
Episode 323
Thu, Sep 13, 199090 mins
Episode 324
Fri, Sep 14, 199090 mins
The comedy segment is a quiz featuring alternating questions from American history and from the new Kinsey Report; the audience good-naturedly cheers its conclusion. Pete Sampras talks about becoming the youngest-ever winner of the U.S. Open, focusing on his wins against Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Andre Agassi, and about his tennis career thus far. Bob Hope talks about his early career - he started as half of a dance act, and when he started doing comedy he initially worked in blackface. Johnny also asks if Hope will be performing for the troops in Saudi Arabia; Hope says he is uncertain, but Johnny thinks he'll likely go. Hope then talks about his upcoming TV special covering his decades performing for the troops, and several clips are shown. Park Overall talks about being a presenter at the Emmy Awards, and her 15th high school reunion - which she didn't attend.
Episode 325
Mon, Sep 17, 199090 mins
Episode 326
Tue, Sep 18, 199090 mins
Episode 327
Wed, Sep 19, 199090 mins
Episode 328
Thu, Sep 20, 199090 mins
Episode 329
Fri, Sep 21, 199090 mins
Episode 330
Tue, Sep 25, 199090 mins
Episode 331
Wed, Sep 26, 199090 mins
Episode 332
Thu, Sep 27, 199090 mins
Episode 333
Fri, Sep 28, 199090 mins