It's no secret Johnny Carson wanted David Letterman to take over the Tonight Show and the story is NBC selected Jay Leno without letting Johnny know. This pissed Johnny off and I would say that this was his FU to NBC and to Leno. Can you imagine what NBC execs were thinking when they saw or heard about this? Johnny Carson appearing on another network standing alongside Jay Leno's top competition. What a moment!
I'm pretty sure that this was Johnny's final appearance on television. If so, this is what it means to go out with class. Talk about leaving them wanting more....
i remember watching the show that night and being so disappointed when larry "bud" melman came out instead of johnny carson. and then when johnny carson came out, the place went absolutely nuts. we were screaming at home. proof that carson was beloved and would always be beloved.
People loved Johnny, look at the standing ovation he received, I honestly believe he was one of the most loved and forever cherished TV stars of all time
@jonathansrant Sorry for responding so late to your comment about Carson on the Letterman show.
Can you imagine the storm of bad publicity against CBS if they sued Johnny Carson? No way that was the reason he didn't speak that day. Any network would be honored to have him saying anything on any of their shows.
In one 1 minute moment, Johnny Carson doesn't utter a word and gets more love from the audience than Letterman has gotten in his whole career. It's testimony to how much America loved and respected Johnny Carson. Leno? Letterman? Weak substitutes at best. This was 2 years AFTER Johnny left the air. Just listen to how the ovation intensifies when Johnny sets down. Awesome.
@MisterTom1001 You really don't get it, do you? The audience didn't give Johnny a chance to say anything, and Johnny, being the class guy that he was, didn't want to upstage Letterman any more than he already did. Which just proves that after 2 years of being off the air, in front of a random audience that had no clue he would appear, Carson came out in one minute and left the place in bedlam. ttims is right. I would have given anything to be there to witness this in person. We miss you Johnny!
@dougalmac54 plus letterman was classy enough to step out of the frame when johnny sat at the desk. let him have those moments all to himself, which was fabulous.
I think this video says legend all the way , and thats what johhny carson was i was too young to see him on tv but watched his shows on yoututbe and after seeing this legend is the word johnny had class and talent that is RARE and not seen with today in late night.
haha Johnny could have sat behind that desk for an hour and the audience would not let him get a word in edgewise because of the cheering..(lol)Poor Letterman,
I read somewhere that Carson had a throat infection that night and he couldn't speak, so they decided they'd wait until the applause died down for him to leave, but the crowd didn't stop applauding and it looked as it they wouldn't, so Carson just decided it was a good time to take off. Neat.
That's GREAT!! I never knew that Carson showed up on Dave's CBS show!! :-) Carson was GREAT.. and he was always one of Letterman's heroes!! :-)
**For me, What really stunk, was I had just taken a night shift job at an NBC affiliate, like a week before the Leno, announcement was made, and the subsequent Letterman/CBS decisions.. So I got stuck, having to watch the LAME Leno show, and though he became great, the EARLY days of Conan, were awful!! :-P Oh well..
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Letterman is such a punk ass.
If it did "rub off on" him, he would have gotten the job after Johnny Carson.
This was one decision I like that NBC made.
Letterman didn't get the job because he was not IS not and will not be a Class Act; just ask his ex-wives and ex-producers and which ever single mom, working at the Waffle House, he is currently banging.
Letterman is a hateful hack and while Johnny was a classic, he was human and quite mean spirited at times...just ask all his ex-wives and guest hosts. I like me some Carson but boy could he hold a grudge - get over it!
The reason Johnny didn't like Leno was that Leno's agent started rumors of Johnny's retirement long before he intended to and Leno basically tried to push Johnny into an early retirement. Jay Leno was a snake from the get go and Johnny repaid it by making multiple appearances on Letterman and none on Leno.
Johnny was the man, even after death - Johnny Carson has reported donating $156 million from a personal trust established by the entertainer years prior to his January 2005 death, The Smoking Gun has learned.
What I find interesting is that Carson said "Good Night" when these are filmed in the afternoon. I know he did it for years, but being out in New York, in a different environment, different time zone, not his own show, still said it, is still pretty amazing.
@StanBennet - look at the background, Letterman was on location in L.A. when this was filmed, so that is the first point where you're wrong, Johnny was the KING
@skotoseme thats because the audience didnt let him. Cant blame the audience, how could you contain yourself seeing a legend appear, especially when your werent expecting it
It speaks volumes that Johnny never went back on the Tonight Show - a show he hosted for 30 yrs, but would appear on Daves Late Show. Carson respected Letterman.
You are the dumbest motherfucker ever. You probably enjoyed avatar and I bet you have ham and eggs for breakfast. You're a fucking rube on the midway. Keep eating what they feed you boy. Higher ratings means it must be better right? Fucking retard.
leno makes carson that much more legendary by refusing to pass on the tonight show to conan. it takes a real man to let go your passion and pass it on to the next generation.
@shivakrishnarama maybe you only know what you've been told? a poor lead in from leno = poor ratings for conan. leno always had the best prime time shows on television as his lead in (friends, seinfeld, etc.). conan had to work and build his audience at the tonight spot with almost zero lead in...in only 7 months. do some research, kid.
@ZDAL11, why are you wasting my time with your dumb comments, Seinfeld ended in '98 and Friends was never a lead in for "The Tonight Show". Also people know how to change the station on their TV and Leno did give Conan his show, it's NBC who took it back from Conan. do your own research son.
@shivakrishnarama primetime shows keep the audience on that channel long enough to catch the tonight show. you need to understand the television business before you make mindless comments like that. and to suggest that leno was powerless in that situation is laughable. he said in the oprah interview that HE COULD have walked away but he just didn't want to.
@shivakrishnarama OPRAH: "but you could have done what conan did. when they came and said your prime time show is cancelled, you say ok you owe me 2 years. pay me out and pay out my staff." LENO: "could've done that....but....i didn't" LENO: "is it a little selfish in that i still like being on tv? o, sure" he should have turned it down and passed it on as carson did but leno is too greedy, which is why everyone hates him. wake up! man, kids these days.
You know part of maturing is realizing what's important in life. If you think the legacy of talk show hosts that make more money in a year than a lot of other people do in their lifetime is important then you're the kid not me. I'm more impressed by Dr.Sanjay Gupta of CNN than I am of some late night talk show hosts.
@shivakrishnarama so am i, but i don't think you need to be exclusively interested in the haiti tragedy to realize it's important. i followed the stories, i respect gupta, made my donation and i'm hoping for the best. the late night situation is just a side thing i find frustrating, as leno tanked and CHOSE to take the tonight spot back despite a younger conan with 16 years of being the follow up show finally ready to for his time. but no, leno won't be having that. greed at its finest.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
The Tonight Show lost 49% of their viewing share with Conan as the host ... I just don't understand the logic in keeping him. If they hadn't offered it to Leno (after Conan refused to go to 12:05am), it would have been offered to someone else ... NBC was losing a TON of money with Conan ... that's simply a fact.
@mkrobinson95 dude you are completely wrong. They were losing money with LENO. He wasnt bringing enough viewers to support to news program which saw a loss in advertising revenue.
but geniuses at NBC didn't realise that viewers of the tonight show would still rather see Leno, so his fans stayed true (he only had an average of 5 mil every night, and the jay leno show still had the same numbers, but every other prime time show was bringing in 10 million) ..cont.
@mkrobinson95 (cont) so less people watched the news and therefore the tonight show. So what NBC thought which made no sense is move leno pass the 11:30 pm slot so he can carry over to the tonight show, but conan being the lovable guy knew it would not only fuck him up, but everyone else up, so he said no. Now they were left with no choice other than to give Leno back the Tonight Show.
I liked leno before, but i dont think he did the right thing, even letterman expected more from him.
Like the Beatles it's Johnnymania! Great moment.
supernoah71 5 months ago
God how I would have loved to been in the audience that night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (are those enough exclamation points?)
TheTubePortal 6 months ago
His last TV appearance, that audience was the luckiest group ever
bernlin2000 6 months ago in playlist Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Conan O'Brien 3
@bernlin2000 I think he did something for Bob Hopes100th birthday ceremony, I think that was taped but I could be wrong.
stonehopper1067 5 months ago
@bernlin2000 I think he did something for Bob Hopes100th birthday ceremony, I think that was taped but I could be wrong.
stonehopper1067 5 months ago
goosebumps!
stevedrums 7 months ago
I remember seeing this episode on TV back then. It was great! :)
tyranusfan 7 months ago
@LaxRatBra what you mean what a newb?
complex4life 7 months ago
That's class...all the way
WayUpYonder2 7 months ago
Letterman: Class Act in allowing Johnny Carson to have the seat.
Carson: Classier act in not taking over Letterman's spot longer than he felt comfortable in doing.
Larry "Bud" Melman: no class...Sorry.
Splinter48708 7 months ago
A little TV magic... what a blast! Dave handled it so well. Such a great moment.
Johnny Carson... ALWAYS 'the king of late night'!
GeeberK1 7 months ago
It's no secret Johnny Carson wanted David Letterman to take over the Tonight Show and the story is NBC selected Jay Leno without letting Johnny know. This pissed Johnny off and I would say that this was his FU to NBC and to Leno. Can you imagine what NBC execs were thinking when they saw or heard about this? Johnny Carson appearing on another network standing alongside Jay Leno's top competition. What a moment!
texaskountryfan74 7 months ago
david letterman looks so young
FMLdoodez 7 months ago
R I P Larry.
yaywhewclips242 7 months ago in playlist 90.3's Ishh
Johnny was the best, nobody even close.
Offsides09 7 months ago
Five stars. What a Master Class by Johnny.
billace90 8 months ago
the way dave moved out of camera range after johnny received the initial applause, is very touching. a real tribute to a master.
frieda406 8 months ago
I couldn't help feeling chocked up.
Knowing this was his last appearence on T.V.
RIP, Sir......There NEVER be another like you.
Teardehawkee 8 months ago
I'm pretty sure that this was Johnny's final appearance on television. If so, this is what it means to go out with class. Talk about leaving them wanting more....
morgaffi 8 months ago
Would have been nice if Johnny actually would have said something, but it was still cool he was there.
mylariat 8 months ago
darn right dave, you better switch seats.
mdgtrpckr 9 months ago 3
i remember watching the show that night and being so disappointed when larry "bud" melman came out instead of johnny carson. and then when johnny carson came out, the place went absolutely nuts. we were screaming at home. proof that carson was beloved and would always be beloved.
frieda406 9 months ago
R.I.P. Mr. Carson, you are dearly missed.
sevadaj 9 months ago
I think the standing ovation was so long, it chased him away. Too bad.
Yamikaiba123 9 months ago
longest standing ovation ever?
PinkBunnyCorporation 9 months ago
@Oniwan75 absolutly
crazmexican2 9 months ago
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Drunk tank
alexanderchris 9 months ago
People loved Johnny, look at the standing ovation he received, I honestly believe he was one of the most loved and forever cherished TV stars of all time
Nightwing690 10 months ago 3
@jonathansrant Sorry for responding so late to your comment about Carson on the Letterman show.
Can you imagine the storm of bad publicity against CBS if they sued Johnny Carson? No way that was the reason he didn't speak that day. Any network would be honored to have him saying anything on any of their shows.
1971ojoalparche1971 10 months ago
letterman and johnny were both so class in this vid
1234323256 10 months ago
man, I miss him. like a family member. I know it sounds corny, but some people understand. :)
vegasrobbie 10 months ago
@vegasrobbie I understand. Spent many a night watching Johnny. He was the best.
Offsides09 10 months ago
Johnny was the KING OF LATE NIGHT...His routines were great excuses for staying up late at night as a kid!!!!
mervrun 10 months ago
When I clicked on this video, I was PISSED that it wasn't actually Carson at first.
Definitely made up for it though.
sumskater999 10 months ago
Johnny should have done his golf swing when he exited
stevations 10 months ago
Should have had the words.....Larry Bud Melman at the bottom of the screen when Johnny came out.
stevations 10 months ago
joan rivers jimmy kimmel conan obrian jay leno disliked this vid
TheSupersabby 10 months ago
@TheSupersabby conan has great respect for both carson and letterman.
MrZombie747 10 months ago
@MrZombie747 i know it was a joke
TheSupersabby 10 months ago
I don't think there was any better way for Johnny Carson to step out of the spotlight than getting a standing ovation on his way out.
CombatSportFan 10 months ago
wow that was awesome.
calixa 10 months ago
this is from early on in the run of Late Show with David Letterman, back when Larry David was the bandleader.
hgb0005 10 months ago
@hgb0005 lmao thats paul shaffer buddy not larry david haha...
liamwilson69 9 months ago
Carson is a legend. Letterman? Never found him funny. Same with Leno. No icons in the late show game any more.
nickmordo 11 months ago
@nickmordo Conan?
BrodieLewin16 9 months ago
Both of them had/have SO much class. Does Conan respect Leno? ..Wonder if Fallon does. Regardless, Jay's a douche nozzle!!!!
mjbab73 11 months ago
The epitome of Class...for both of them!
Mickagume 11 months ago
In one 1 minute moment, Johnny Carson doesn't utter a word and gets more love from the audience than Letterman has gotten in his whole career. It's testimony to how much America loved and respected Johnny Carson. Leno? Letterman? Weak substitutes at best. This was 2 years AFTER Johnny left the air. Just listen to how the ovation intensifies when Johnny sets down. Awesome.
dougalmac54 11 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
That's it? I love Johnny as much as the next guy but he just walks in and walks out without saying as much as a couple of sentences. Big deal.
MisterTom1001 11 months ago
@MisterTom1001 Big deal?! You bet it was a big deal. I would love to have been in that audience.
ttlms 11 months ago 23
@MisterTom1001 You really don't get it, do you? The audience didn't give Johnny a chance to say anything, and Johnny, being the class guy that he was, didn't want to upstage Letterman any more than he already did. Which just proves that after 2 years of being off the air, in front of a random audience that had no clue he would appear, Carson came out in one minute and left the place in bedlam. ttims is right. I would have given anything to be there to witness this in person. We miss you Johnny!
dougalmac54 11 months ago 2
@dougalmac54 plus letterman was classy enough to step out of the frame when johnny sat at the desk. let him have those moments all to himself, which was fabulous.
frieda406 11 months ago
As much as a LOVE the crowd giving him the respect that he richly deserves, I wish they'd have shut up and let him talk. =(
JAldridge86 11 months ago
@JAldridge86 he couldnt talk. he had severe throat cancer
guionlawes 11 months ago
@guionlawes I'm pretty sure Johnny never had throat cancer, are you confusing him with someone else?
JAldridge86 11 months ago
@guionlawes He had acute laryngitis
redrum4hire 11 months ago
Thumbs up if you like Johnny Carson better than David Letterman!
declanappleseed 11 months ago 3
theres a reason this video only has 4 dislikes
MrDancoleman 11 months ago
To me the secession should have been this: Carson to Letterman to Conan. And Leno? Let him host Last Call.
jpx08 11 months ago 3
that's about the happiest i've ever seen letterman look.. obviously huge respect
basehead617 11 months ago 2
I love Letterman's reaction after Carson's leaves. "What's the point?" Indeed, what more to do after you have a legend like Carson on your show.
baarbear 1 year ago
RIP Johnny
kincher23 1 year ago
Two of the greatest legends of comedy!
flyinthebug35 1 year ago
@flyinthebug35
Conan is #1 and Uuno is 2#.
ounouu 1 year ago
An awesome spectacle for TV. When Johnny leaves the set definitely feels a lot emptier.
ignoredyoualready 1 year ago
Johnny Was F'n Awsome!! Letterman is Great as well. I used to watch Johnny & then Letterman right after. Those were good times!!
64jazz 1 year ago
Jay Leno.. MAN would I not want to be him .. even with all the cars he owns..
Gr1n9oVlogs 1 year ago
It was sad to see that moment as he was rubbing the desk - grasping at one last moment on live TV.
jmkeller 1 year ago
May a pregnant yak give birth in your hot tub.
heraldleader 1 year ago
CBS should have had the contract ready right then!
polybi5 1 year ago
"I'm back home"
pdx1chris 1 year ago
that was awesome, carson knew the whole bullshit before letterman knew it for conan!!!
bocephus510 1 year ago
I think this video says legend all the way , and thats what johhny carson was i was too young to see him on tv but watched his shows on yoututbe and after seeing this legend is the word johnny had class and talent that is RARE and not seen with today in late night.
complex4life 1 year ago 35
@complex4life hahah what a newb
LaxRatBra 7 months ago
Jay Leno = FAIL. That's NOT the TONIGHT SHOW!! He's a broadcasting thief!
m3trooper 1 year ago
haha Johnny could have sat behind that desk for an hour and the audience would not let him get a word in edgewise because of the cheering..(lol)Poor Letterman,
UglyBetty70 1 year ago
Boy...bet that standing ovation was awkward for Letterman...
glasshat46 1 year ago
11:30 PM Johnny Carson
12:30 AM David Letterman
Both were on NBC.
Classic! :D
kr192101 1 year ago
The greatest moment in TV history!
RockDave88 1 year ago
Johnny Carson > The Man > The Myth > The Legend.....
bjroberts65 1 year ago
why wouldnt the crowd shut up lol
i would have liked for them two to have conversation
ghi34 1 year ago
May 13th , 1994.......this was his last tv appearance.
ReeseMac 1 year ago 2
I read somewhere that Carson had a throat infection that night and he couldn't speak, so they decided they'd wait until the applause died down for him to leave, but the crowd didn't stop applauding and it looked as it they wouldn't, so Carson just decided it was a good time to take off. Neat.
1971ojoalparche1971 1 year ago
I loved larry bud
geeter68 1 year ago
showmanship: always leave em wanting more
davedewolfe13 1 year ago
That's GREAT!! I never knew that Carson showed up on Dave's CBS show!! :-) Carson was GREAT.. and he was always one of Letterman's heroes!! :-)
**For me, What really stunk, was I had just taken a night shift job at an NBC affiliate, like a week before the Leno, announcement was made, and the subsequent Letterman/CBS decisions.. So I got stuck, having to watch the LAME Leno show, and though he became great, the EARLY days of Conan, were awful!! :-P Oh well..
itsstillfriday 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Letterman is such a punk ass.
If it did "rub off on" him, he would have gotten the job after Johnny Carson.
This was one decision I like that NBC made.
Letterman didn't get the job because he was not IS not and will not be a Class Act; just ask his ex-wives and ex-producers and which ever single mom, working at the Waffle House, he is currently banging.
Letterman is a punk ass.
kh739 1 year ago
@kh739 He has one ex-wife and one ex-producer.
mjbab73 1 year ago
@mjbab73
He has one ex-producer that has come forward.
kh739 1 year ago
@kh739 Robert Morton? ...Come forward?
mjbab73 1 year ago
Who's the guy at the beginning?
abehammy 1 year ago
@abehammy it's a guy called Calvert Deforest. he was on Dave's old show as Larry 'Bud' Melman'
DrLanceAngry 1 year ago
Legendary
UsernameRogen1978 1 year ago
There can be only one.
Morrigan070671 1 year ago
The host who split worldwide pants
nonfoods1 1 year ago
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The ass just split in those 'worldwide pants'
nonfoods1 1 year ago
The ass just split in those 'worldwide pants'
nonfoods1 1 year ago
If everyone who claims to have been in the Ed Sullivan Theatre that night actually was there - it would have to been the size of Yankee Stadium !!!
duckwrangler 1 year ago
@duckwrangler This episode was actually taped at CBS Television City, but nevertheless.
JAldridge86 1 year ago
Just simply the best.
romansmk 1 year ago
Class.
You can't act it.
JacksInn 1 year ago
Comment removed
Discipleguy 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Letterman is a hateful hack and while Johnny was a classic, he was human and quite mean spirited at times...just ask all his ex-wives and guest hosts. I like me some Carson but boy could he hold a grudge - get over it!
Discipleguy 1 year ago
Comment removed
Discipleguy 1 year ago
Besides being a symbol of respect and class - I think everyone loved him for the fact he was a simple and friendly approachable guy
Berniethomas68 1 year ago 3
Wait, why did NBC want Leno over Letterman?
abehammy 1 year ago 2
@abehammy And for us younger folks, Leno over Conan?
Metfan72289 1 year ago
@abehammy Basically put? His manager was a bigger asshole and bullied her client into the job.
JamesOhGoodie 1 year ago
@JamesOhGoodie So does that mean for that time, it was wrong to blame leno entirely?
abehammy 1 year ago
@DavidJ751990
Precisely. Leno is a tool.
crownbeatsjack 1 year ago 2
The reason Johnny didn't like Leno was that Leno's agent started rumors of Johnny's retirement long before he intended to and Leno basically tried to push Johnny into an early retirement. Jay Leno was a snake from the get go and Johnny repaid it by making multiple appearances on Letterman and none on Leno.
practicalwhacktical 1 year ago 5
Jonnhy in one word: CLASS. That doesn't exist on TV anymore.
velomanmtl 1 year ago
/salute
Muppio 1 year ago
That was a big FUCK YOU to Leno right there!
Lebbz 1 year ago 5
This was the best!
MrGoodmexican 1 year ago
miss him king of late night
51jeffer1 1 year ago
Carson never went stopped by The Tonight Show w/ Leno, speaks volumes. Not to mention the writing and sending jokes to Letterman.
crownbeatsjack 1 year ago
i watched this the night it aired i cried he will always be number one of late night
gdore1964 1 year ago 2
i watched this the night it aired i cried it was nice miss him he will always be number one of late night
gdore1964 1 year ago
Johnny was THE king of late night TV. He is still missed. And we remember him dearly and with respect, when American TV was worth watching.
billace90 1 year ago
Johnny was the man, even after death - Johnny Carson has reported donating $156 million from a personal trust established by the entertainer years prior to his January 2005 death, The Smoking Gun has learned.
dink65 1 year ago
I laughed when the other guy walked onto the stage.
jakestooge34 1 year ago
R.I.P Dave...you are dearly missed
HUTINAK 1 year ago
One of the most memorable moments in TV history. Wonderful.
quietapplause 1 year ago 4
What I find interesting is that Carson said "Good Night" when these are filmed in the afternoon. I know he did it for years, but being out in New York, in a different environment, different time zone, not his own show, still said it, is still pretty amazing.
StanBennet 1 year ago
@StanBennet - look at the background, Letterman was on location in L.A. when this was filmed, so that is the first point where you're wrong, Johnny was the KING
hayesco832 1 year ago
the best part imo was Letterman giving up the chair, you know it was an incredible honour for Letterman,
sqd8r 1 year ago 2
I'd love to get a huge standing ovation just for sitting down.
evrbody 1 year ago 2
Johnny looks at home at the desk
Obelisk2290 1 year ago 4
"I wish a little of that would rub off on me." How right you are Dave, how right you are.
UncleJeffreySpuds 1 year ago 3
DAMN! now THATS a pop!
BMassey1987 2 years ago 3
That's so cool how he didn't even say anything.
skotoseme 2 years ago 5
@skotoseme thats because the audience didnt let him. Cant blame the audience, how could you contain yourself seeing a legend appear, especially when your werent expecting it
doorsfan76 2 years ago 6
It speaks volumes that Johnny never went back on the Tonight Show - a show he hosted for 30 yrs, but would appear on Daves Late Show. Carson respected Letterman.
oldtimeglam 2 years ago 55
@oldtimeglam he loved him.
frieda406 11 months ago
shivakrishnarama? more like sucksjaylenoscockalotta! Call us when you're over your scumbag twerp boyfriend Jay Leno!
ace11rothstein 2 years ago
his second on air appearance after he left the tonight show. And he went to lettermans show, the true heir to carson's throne.
Wnyblazingkid 2 years ago 3
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funnygal200 2 years ago
oh quit whining yah crybay, leno beat the crap out of letterman in ratings for like 10 straight years, letterman was so stiff when he first started
shivakrishnarama 2 years ago
oh quit whining yah crybay, leno beat the crap out of letterman in ratings for like 10 straight years, letterman was so stiff when he first started
shivakrishnarama 2 years ago
You are the dumbest motherfucker ever. You probably enjoyed avatar and I bet you have ham and eggs for breakfast. You're a fucking rube on the midway. Keep eating what they feed you boy. Higher ratings means it must be better right? Fucking retard.
whb786 2 years ago
Johnny Carson was a class act! David Letterman has always been very respectful of Johnny's legacy. Thanks for sharing!!
funnygal200 2 years ago
leno makes carson that much more legendary by refusing to pass on the tonight show to conan. it takes a real man to let go your passion and pass it on to the next generation.
ZADL11 2 years ago 5
conan's ratings sucked, you're not very bright are you?
shivakrishnarama 2 years ago
@shivakrishnarama maybe you only know what you've been told? a poor lead in from leno = poor ratings for conan. leno always had the best prime time shows on television as his lead in (friends, seinfeld, etc.). conan had to work and build his audience at the tonight spot with almost zero lead in...in only 7 months. do some research, kid.
ZADL11 2 years ago 3
@ZDAL11, why are you wasting my time with your dumb comments, Seinfeld ended in '98 and Friends was never a lead in for "The Tonight Show". Also people know how to change the station on their TV and Leno did give Conan his show, it's NBC who took it back from Conan. do your own research son.
shivakrishnarama 2 years ago
@shivakrishnarama primetime shows keep the audience on that channel long enough to catch the tonight show. you need to understand the television business before you make mindless comments like that. and to suggest that leno was powerless in that situation is laughable. he said in the oprah interview that HE COULD have walked away but he just didn't want to.
ZADL11 2 years ago 2
@shivakrishnarama OPRAH: "but you could have done what conan did. when they came and said your prime time show is cancelled, you say ok you owe me 2 years. pay me out and pay out my staff." LENO: "could've done that....but....i didn't" LENO: "is it a little selfish in that i still like being on tv? o, sure" he should have turned it down and passed it on as carson did but leno is too greedy, which is why everyone hates him. wake up! man, kids these days.
ZADL11 2 years ago 4
You know part of maturing is realizing what's important in life. If you think the legacy of talk show hosts that make more money in a year than a lot of other people do in their lifetime is important then you're the kid not me. I'm more impressed by Dr.Sanjay Gupta of CNN than I am of some late night talk show hosts.
shivakrishnarama 2 years ago
@shivakrishnarama so am i, but i don't think you need to be exclusively interested in the haiti tragedy to realize it's important. i followed the stories, i respect gupta, made my donation and i'm hoping for the best. the late night situation is just a side thing i find frustrating, as leno tanked and CHOSE to take the tonight spot back despite a younger conan with 16 years of being the follow up show finally ready to for his time. but no, leno won't be having that. greed at its finest.
ZADL11 2 years ago 3
Jay's horrible ratings made Conan's ratings suck. You're not very bright are you!
ace11rothstein 2 years ago
That's because Leno was his lead in and his ratings were terrible. Get the facts fuckface
whb786 2 years ago
u think if johny where alive hed go storming into nbc and demand they keep conan on the air? that would be so cool
kellyberry 2 years ago 3
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The Tonight Show lost 49% of their viewing share with Conan as the host ... I just don't understand the logic in keeping him. If they hadn't offered it to Leno (after Conan refused to go to 12:05am), it would have been offered to someone else ... NBC was losing a TON of money with Conan ... that's simply a fact.
mkrobinson95 2 years ago
And who was Conan's lead in? The massive failure that was Leno in primetime. Conan was never given a fair chance.
jvojvojvojvojvo 2 years ago 9
Jay's ratings weren't so hot when he took over for Carson either. He was given way more time to build up his act and ratings.
And when you consider that prior to that he was regularly guest hosting the show.
Conan only had 7 months.
In fact - NBC was son unsure of Jay that they wanted Dave to be backup in case Jay's ratings continued to dip.
Sound familiar?
tinister 2 years ago 5
@mkrobinson95 dude you are completely wrong. They were losing money with LENO. He wasnt bringing enough viewers to support to news program which saw a loss in advertising revenue.
but geniuses at NBC didn't realise that viewers of the tonight show would still rather see Leno, so his fans stayed true (he only had an average of 5 mil every night, and the jay leno show still had the same numbers, but every other prime time show was bringing in 10 million) ..cont.
Wnyblazingkid 2 years ago
@mkrobinson95 (cont) so less people watched the news and therefore the tonight show. So what NBC thought which made no sense is move leno pass the 11:30 pm slot so he can carry over to the tonight show, but conan being the lovable guy knew it would not only fuck him up, but everyone else up, so he said no. Now they were left with no choice other than to give Leno back the Tonight Show.
I liked leno before, but i dont think he did the right thing, even letterman expected more from him.
Wnyblazingkid 2 years ago
Johnny didn't even have to say a word. Just his presence behind that desk made it amazing. R.I.P. Johnny, you were a class act.
FrankiexNYC 2 years ago 5
Yeah, he's the kind of guy who doesn't need to say anything. I miss him.
DrDroXX 2 years ago 2
Johnny looks so comfortabke behind a desk. Letterman's a great broadcaster and Carson's natural heir.
bigbosscentral90 2 years ago 27
One of the greatest moments in the history of television.
danolson68 2 years ago 8
2:15
The girl in the front fails.
asdfxyz1 2 years ago
90's people didn't know when to stop clapping? Have you been watching Conan lately?
chaingangsergeant00X 2 years ago
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who?
beemaster69 2 years ago
Nice...even while Letterman was in LA. I'm sure NBC and Leno were furious about this
anonywho 2 years ago 8
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beemaster69 2 years ago
god damn 90s people didnt know when to stop clapping
beemaster69 2 years ago
Johnny Carson will do that 2 you...
UnluckyMonk 2 years ago
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WHO!?!?
beemaster69 2 years ago
sigh... google it, watch vids
UnluckyMonk 2 years ago