Johnny Carson - Do You Trust Your Wife? (1/4)

[altfactor]

I believe the title was changed to allow not just married couples, but any teams of two people, to appear as contestants.

This episode was broadcast before Ed McMahon came aboard, Johnny refers to "Bill" as in Bill Nimmo, the original announcer on the show.

[WSenator1]

I had forgotten that Johnny's original theme song was "Pick Yourself Up" (I think Jerome Kern wrote it for a Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film). I wonder why he changed to "Johnny's Theme" for the later "Tonight Show." Royalties problems? Just wanted a fresh start?

[observer9670]

@WSenator1 Johnny wanted a new theme and wanted to get royalties. Paul Anka suggested the music from a song he wrote first called "Toots Sweet" (as an instrumental) and later called "This Time It's Love" when recorded with lyrics. He offered to list Johnny as the co-writer and the split royaltie and Johnny agreed.

[WSenator1]

@observer9670 - Ah, yes. . .I knew it had SOMETHING to do with royalties! thanks for the info.  Have a good day.

[WSenator1]

If you look at his earlier variety show on CBS "The Johnny Carson Show" (which is on YT), he seems so stiff, distracted and lifeless. That may have been part of the reason that show was a failure. But on this show, Johnny seemed like he would be on "The Tonight Show" later - looser, off-the-cuff ab-lib - and just damn funnier.

[KidCairbre]

Love that prehistoric lavalier mic! The last one I saw wearing one of those was Hugh Downs on the original "Concentration"!

[Seston]

did he always have those ears?

[mike45211]

Emceed by Edgar Berge is incorrect. That is Bill Nimmo

[MegaObserver1]

The producers of the nighttime version sold a daytime version to ABC. ABC wanted to do it live from New York instead of on film from Hollywood (as the night time version was). Johnny took over MC'ing the daytime show in 1957, but demanded changes for the following season, He wanted to change the title to "Who Do You Trust", so they wouldn't have to rely on married couples, a new producer (Art Stark) and a new announcer (who ended up being Ed McMahon).

[malcolmmcmartin]

6:24, poor horsey......

[themegatron14]

hah hah funny part at 5:58 to 1:02

[themegatron14]

johnny carson is my favorite comedian. i watch his old classic performances on tv every morning. R I P

[hwy61media]

@themegatron14 Every morning! Now that's what I call a Carson fan. Great way to start the day.

[SumnerMurrayRedstone]

@themegatron14 Do you catch these on a rerun channel? Or do you have the DVD collection?

[themegatron14]

@SumnerMurrayRedstone its funny because im a teenager and i love watching classic movies and shows

[debthedew54]

Johnny was the best. Wish I watch him more he was on to late for me. Great man.

[hwy61media]

@debthedew54 I wish the same. Never know how much I'd miss him until he was gone. The show is just not the same.

[utube44439]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing!

[hwy61media]

You're welcome. I wish I had more of these!

[proken58]

This is one of Johnny's earliest apperances as host of this show. A few months in, he insisted on some changes in the show, including changing the name in order to open the show to unmarried couples and celebrities. Another change Johnny wanted was a new announcer, which is how Ed McMahon was hired. Ed wasn't the announcer on this clip.

[hwy61media]

Great background information. Thank you.

[SouthernGospelGreats]

Don't you think this show is kind of ironic for him?

[hwy61media]

I hadn't thought about it but yes, I know what you mean.

[WSenator1]

@SouthernGospelGreats - No, this show was his life preserver. At the time he was looked upon as a failure, having had his variety show on CBS canceled a season or two before. But thanks to this show (which I used to watch when I was a boy), he got enough "cred" back to be hired for The Tonight Show - and the rest is history!

[observer9670]

@WSenator1 After his prime time show was canceled, Johnny moved from California to New York upon the advice of his agency, William Morris. For a year he hustled to pic up any gig he could get. He developed a nightclub stand-up act,was a frequent Ed Sullivan performer and did guest appearances on panel game shows such as What's My Line and To Tell The Truth. He even starred in a short-lived Broadway play before being offered hosting duties to the daytime version of "Do You Trust Your Wife".

[altfactor]

@WSenator1 I believe Johnny guest-hosted "Tonight", sitting in for Jack Paar, several times from 1958 until early 1962.

[fromthesidelines]

...and a darn good one at that! This is why Johnny Carson, equally pissed about Clark's on-air snubbing of his program, didn't bother to invite Dick on "THE TONIGHT SHOW" or have anything to with him until around the time of "TV's BLOOPERS AND PRACTICAL JOKES", when all was forgiven, and they joined forces to produce it.

[hwy61media]

I don't know if time heals all but it seems to have worked here.

[fromthesidelines]

At the time this aired, the show was on at 4:30pm(et), right after "AMERICAN BANDSTAND". By November '57, Johnny was "shoehorned" into the middle of "BANDSTAND" at 3:30, while Dick Clark appeared from 3-3:30, and again from 4 to 5. Dick was so pissed at "TRUST" interrupting the flow of his show, he didn't even identify it when he signed off at 3:30 ["The ABC Television Network brings you another program, and I sincerely hope you'll be able to join us again in half an hour, from now..."].

[hwy61media]

Great story Barry. Thanks!

[fromthesidelines]

"DO YOU TRUST YOUR WIFE?" was originally a weekly filmed prime-time game show hosted by Edgar Bergen (with his dummies) on CBS in 1956-'57. Producer Don Fedderson sold ABC a weekday live version of the show for the fall of 1957, with Johnny Carson as host {later retitled "WHO DO YOU TRUST?" in early 1958}. It was because of this series that he eventually got the job hosting "THE TONIGHT SHOW" in 1962 (Woody Woodbury replaced him). This episode was originally telecast in October 1957.

[WSenator1]

@fromthesidelines - Don Fedderson later produced "My Three Sons" with Fred MacMurray.

[ACcountryFan]

Does anyone know why just about everywhere on-line it states Johnny hosted "Who Do You Trust?" before he and Ed moved on to the "Tonight Show"...they never mention this game show, "Do You Trust Your Wife"...even though Johnny himself welcomes everyone to 'Do you Trust Your Wife', everyone says he hosted "Who Do You Trust?".

[Wheelbrain]

"Do You Trust Your Wife?" was the original title of "Who Do You Trust?" They are one and the same.

[sharonafox1]

Johnny was a great friend and neighbor.

I always say he didn't die he just moved up the highway. He used to live across the street from me and was a great friend and my biggest supporter...when he got married he moved up the Pacific Coast highway a couple of miles.

[hwy61media]

What a great guy. You were lucky to know him Sharon :)

[sharonafox1]

Thank you. I am very lucky. I was thinking of possibly doing a video about our friendship's influence on me. If I have enough time maybe I'll do that because some of my subscribers asked if I would share something about Johnny. He was a dear and I do miss him but I always feel his spirit around.

[hwy61media]

Hi Sharon. What a fascinating life you have led! I strongly encourage you to do a video about Johnny. You are a very giving person so please share your experiences with Johnny with all of us.

[DavidYakima]

Mr. Carson, the REAL & ONLY KING of Late Night TV!!!

We miss you Johnny!!!

[hwy61media]

We certainly do. RIP