Jack Gives Johnny Carson Advice (1955)

[Spiderdick11]

Isn't amazing how comedy could be so funny without every other word being a curse word..

[sommerTN]

I don't often comment on You Tube videos, although I do "like" the good ones.  But this really stood out and was SO classic! It is very obvious to see Johnny copying Jack Benny's mannerisms. What is much more subtle, is Jack Benny copying Johnny's mannerisms! Excellent and thank you for sharing this clip!

[sottythesecond]

Johnny Carson was a class AAA total asshole!

[billace90]

@wsenator1: Very well said. I totally agree with you.

[Alstheman37]

Well!!! NOW CUT THAT OUT!! LOL. They don't make them like this no more

[ThorneAstor]

15 people have no soul or sense of humor.

[ThorneAstor]

OMG! Johnny is so young!!!

[datelessnerd]

Some trivia: "The Jack Benny Program" was the first TV show directed by the legendary Fred de Cordova. In 1970, he went on to become the producer/director of "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson," for which he won five Emmys and was with the show until Johnny's retirement in 1992.

[doublemandala]

Was Jack Benney gay?

[Hikikomori013]

@doublemandala

No, he wasn't gay. Was he supposed to be? I know it's all the fashion now.

Just once I'd like to see a star go on a talk show and do something really courageous; admit to being straight.

[WSenator1]

@doublemandala - no - like Hikikomori said, Jack Benny wasn't gay, or supposed to be. His on-stage persona (going back to vaudeville) was as an affected, sophisticated somewhat arrogant gentleman. And back in the day, that's how those kind of men acted. And that's what made his show work: Everybody would pile on JB when he got a bit too full of himself. Seems like, if a man isn't a clueless knucklehead or a violent brute, he's gay. Isn't that a sad commentary on today's society?

[GRD31u]

What's funny is that in this clip Johnny is only two years into showbiz and would later be a host of the Tonight Show; a few years earlier in 1947, on Jack Benny's radio show, he had a guest host for the summer, an up and coming comedian by the name of Jack Parr. Funny how life works.

[CarGuyZM10]

Jack couldn't have been in show business much longer than Johnny. He is only 39.

[kg4tht]

Johnny Carson here looks just like my Grandpa did...wow...

[7beers]

Johnny deserved a better tailor.

[keca1430]

This must have been when CBS had Carson on the air with his own weekly variety show, "The Johnny Carson Show" in 1955-'56, but it got cancelled after only one year on the air. Carson came to Hollywood in 1950 or so, worked as a staff announcer for the CBS station, KNXT-channel 2 in L.A., then had his own show "Carson's Cellar" on channel 2. Red Skelton saw the show, hired Carson as a writer in '52 or so. Carson's big break came when Red got hurt in rehearsal, and Johnny Carson subbed for him

[MegaObserver1]

@keca1430 Yes, Johnny was on Jack's show to promote his own show which was shortly to premiere. Many years later, Jack said "I used to be Johnny Carson's idol. Now, he's MY idol. I liked it better the other way." 

[singhdaddyF]

Get these.....I hope i'm not wrong in this,, do you guys get these classic but important clips sometimes or a little tribute is shown or something.....Seriously,, India does not provide these knowledges no wonder it is like living under the rock,,,,... I seriously choked over this clip,, so old yet so GOLD.......R.I.P who has changed comedy as a whole forever....

[singhdaddyF]

Continue from last comment::: that in todays T.V and movies when ever they show tributes they hardly mention these legends at all,, they only mention after golden age cinema you know,, 70's 80's or 90's if I'm not wrong,, but never mention much of these guys who made something that would change the mood of the world.....Now in India,,, we get eng channels thank God for that,, but these are channels broadcast in Asia,, so it means I would not get these important classics like all of you in west.

[singhdaddyF]

Telling the truth,, I really do not know this guy,, just wikipedia'd him today and there it came as expected and I could'nt believe what I red,,, this is the guy who made the famous pause method which till now is used for anyone who is a comic or used in sitcoms in general.. The problem is I'm in India,, and these stuffs they dont broadcast it in English channels like star world etc,,, I knew Mel Blanc and because of that I came to know about Jack Benny....This is what really upsets me..........

[faffaflunkie]

Is Johnny imitating Benny?

[offstride]

Correction. Benny had been in show business for 4 decades. Benny went to 6 decades. The comedy top award is the Benny.

[mondofzz]

Amazing. Johnny did his paper in college about radio comedy and studied everything Jack did. Great stuff.

[sundaypunchr]

That Carson will never make it! LOL!!

[catholicpriest1]

The Jack Benny Show was produced in CBS Studio 33 (The Bob Barker Studio).

[girl43]

I wish I would have been alive back in those days :-) watching jack benny and john daly and then johnny carson ... all those fabulous televions guys ...

Thanks a lot for posting those :-)

[Mike1614b]

Johnny had a lot of poise

[wcotton]

Seems more like Johnny Carson giving Jack Benny advice.

[HeartlessConservativ]

So THAT'S where Johnny got it.

[fromthesidelines]

The "age gag" was always sure-fire "laugh insurance" for Jack; he once told Frank Nelson, on radio, in a 1945 train station sequence, "I'm not as young as I used to be!" Nelson sneered back, "You're not as young as ANYONE used to be!"- and the audience reacted as soon as Frank said "ANYONE"...

[tf2whackyengineer]

@fromthesidelines

That's a good gag on its own, but I'm sure Frank Nelson's sarcastic tone on ANYONE sold it. :)

[lvpretor]

I know Imss Jack Benny!

[aldkdfdj]

gotta luv these guys

[cleanatrina]

Young Johnny Carson looks like Jim Carey!

[shuboy05]

I've always loved how Jack Benny was so evasive about his age. "...since I started in show biz, 40... 22 years ago."

[MROSEN62]

Carson's great timing owes everything to Jack Benny. You can see it in this priceless clip.

[fromthesidelines]

That was a 1963 filmed episode where Jack executed the most outrageous visual gag he ever pulled on his TV show- suggesting he's been in show business SO LONG, there's not one original "part" of him left except his HEAD {"so THAT'S how he's been able to look so good all these years"}!! And he had the sense of humor to pull it off!

[Fanime28]

tonight, i'm watching an ep of this show, with johnny, and for some reason, infront of johnny, they take jack benny apart

[wanaraz1]

Todays comedians could not polish Jack an Johnnys shoes

[palehorse864]

Haha.

Well *touches cheek*

[scorpionman1994]

damn it sucks he is dead ...

[countreedogusa]

I was just a little girl when this was made, I grew up with Johnny Carson in our homes, what a great time he gave us each weeknight. I miss that kind of TV. The talk shows today are such garbage. I did like Jay Leno but stopped watching the Tonight Show soon after Johnny left, I just couldn't replace him.

[v2174230322]

1955!!! my mother wasnt even born! crazy how long carson was in the entertainment biz.

[dalerulz3]

Born 1925. Started working in 1953, show called "Carson's Celler"

[Zeitgeist74]

Oh my God---Johnny had black hair! So young and skinny! lol

[coffeehigh420]

this is awsome !

thanks for posting this, ALSmithey :)

[atarian2049]

That Johnny Carson might make it big one day...

[beatleapostle]

Brilliant

[xhyio]

These guys are in a class all their own. When I would perform improv I couldn't help but do Benny's signature "Well." Wish there were still people like Jack and Johnny on TV.

[rkau8671]

This is soooo hilarious!

[123qaz5]

Two of the greatest comic talents of the 20th century. Young comedians, study this video for timing and gestures. You will learn a lot.

[JonathanWoodliff]

ditto

[hajune]

I miss them both and a lot. There is nobody close to replace them.

[proken58]

A few years befor he died, Jack Benny said "It used to be that I was Johnny's idol. Now, he's MY idol. I preferred it the other way around!"

Johnny was an honorary pallbearer at Jack's funeral in 1974.

[SueBeaWho]

My two favorite comedians!!! TY :-d

[Bendito2006]

Wow! Johnny was soooo young! And he did an amazing job of imitating Jack to a "T"!!

[gymnastix]

Rich Little also did a great Benny impersonation, for which Benny himself commended Little and sent him the gift of a gold money clip.

[SEATTLEGRL1]

Classic, especially since Johnny Carson emulated Benny in his deadpan affect throughout his career.

[futuremusician728]

these just remind you of how jay leno and other hosts today arent anythiing compared to johnny or jack

[blastedontape]

this is just as fake as leno.

[futuremusician728]

the jokes are still far better

[kittyprison]

your sad just sad

[blastedontape]

go fuck yourself.

[kittyprison]

all the time ;)but thanks

[Flowbee79]

Jack, always 39 and never look a day younger than 50, and Johnny, probably not much older than 30. Great clip

[Flowbee79]

Feels like the passing of the torch in some ways. There's Jack Benny, by this time he's been in show business for over two decades; he's done vaudeville, radio, tv, and film. He was household name before the U.S. was drawn into WW2, and there's Jack Benny, 2 years in the business, can't be much older than 30, and he is to become in his own era same status of comedy legend that Benny was in his own time.  Two geniuses, a generation apart.

[ALSmithey]

Indeed! I think that is one reason why this clip has such resonance. Thanks, Flowbee79!

[futuremusician728]

lol i think u meant "and theres johnny carson"

[Flowbee79]

Oh yeah, I did. lol, wish there was a way to go back and edit messages on here.

[gymnastix]

Me too, but you may always post an addendum right after your message--in other words, reply to your own posting with any corrections, supplemental information, etc.

What would be nice, too, is if there was some method by which to delete messages one has posted, especially if they are inviting lots of undesirable "fan" mail. By and large, anything one posts on the Web is basically there into perpetuity, will probably outlast one's own time on this planet. A scary thought, isn't it?

[lano600]

@Flowbee79 Actually, Jack was 39, but if you want to know his real age, that he never told anyone on the air, in 1955, he was 61 years old! He died when he was 80, on Boxing Day, 1974, was born on Valentine's Day, 1894 and was really quite generous.

[plutoplatters]

@Flowbee79 geniuses ?? why is this genius ? luck is more like it. think about it.

[truckindadd]

@Flowbee79 I think you mean Johnny Carson is 2 years in the buisness. anyway two great TV Giants

[formerrocker]

Two comedy geniuses.  Thanks for posting this gem.

[Mowac]

Johnny Carson practically carried over most of Jack Benny's mannerisms over to the Tonight Show. Carson idolized Benny.

[dontlickit]

I love jack benny's voice

[NSResponder]

This is a classic. 

-jcr

[Hoochie2122]

Great video.

Some of Phil Hartman's mannerisms remind me of Jack Benny, if Phil were still alive today, he could have played Jack in a biopic for sure.

Johnny Carson rocks and rules and was so cute back then, I miss both of them.

[jonthom11702]

Johnny often said he considered Jack Benny a mentor. This clip is priceless.

[HowardOfOz]

passing the torch from one great to another

[ladynfsoffice]

As they say, imitation is the best form of flattery. This was a great tribute by a young Johnny Carson to his 'senior' star and fellow comedian, the great Jack Benny. :-)

[starwarsrebel2006]

Johnny Carson was just 29 years old in this clip. Jack Benny was 61. Like father and son.:)

[jcfich]

I bet Johnny got slammed for this.

Jack, Johnny, Jay. Conan's gonna ruin it!

[WaltDisneyLegacy]

I have to agree here. Nobody should give that comment a thumbs down.

[bliss1083]

I like Conan, but he's not leno... I will still watch when Conans on it...

[biscokid1986]

leno is nothing but a dirty thief!!! he sucks!

[risen27]

here here letterman rules!

[HowardOfOz]

jay sucks.....

[61dodgelancer]

Great to see Benny and Carson performing together. Johnny was so young and inexperienced but you could see in this clip that he had talent. Thanks for the video. I miss Johnny Carson.

[3ringsAIKMAN]

One of Carson's ex-wives once said in an interview, that she only saw Johnny cry two times. One she wouldn't reveal.  But the other, was when Jack Benny passed away. She said Carson cried like a baby.

[MissHarpoMarx]

Wow..the only clips ive ever seen of Johnny was from like the 80's and 90's when he was doing The Tonight show...and thoses were just clips of the show...wiate...the 90's? when was he done?

[ALSmithey]

The farewell episode for The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson aired on May 22nd, 1992.

Thanks for the comment, MissHarpoMarx!

[MissHarpoMarx]

1992...wow no wonder ive only seen clips of his show..lol

i was only 1..lol

[lano600]

@MissHarpoMarx Another question is when did he start? He said 2 years, but that means 1953, right? Unless he started in vaudeville, like Jack?

[irclay]

Thank you for sharing that with us.

[fromthesidelines]

This was around the time Johnny was starring on his Thursday night CBS comedy/variety series (which lasted one season), and Jack tried to give Carson a big boost by having him as a guest on his show that fall. Johnny never forgot that....

[feshtis]

As you can see, its all there. Johnny's class, his timing, his delievery everything he showed us for thirty years is already there! Johnny Carson was one of a kind and we will never see the likes of that again.

[TyUnglebower]

funny to see Johnny as anyone's second fiddle.

[ricochet188]

wow this is so old

[archontic]

You're very observant, richochet. Why don't you go back to those beautiful dick and fart jokes that seem to dominate the airwaves these days, ne?

[ricochet188]

um, are you retarded? it's old, it's black and white. johnny carson looks like he's 20... and you're a fucking dumbass. understand now?

[archontic]

The way you're speaking, you make it sound like there's something wrong with it being old, which there isn't.

[ricochet188]

um, no. and you're still a retard.

[ALSmithey]

Now, now, gentlemen...Let's all just sit back and enjoy the clip, shall we?

[rtds9fan]

Damn I wouldn't have known that was Carson LOL

[mowm88]

This is great. I really like Benny and Carson.

[Mowac]

Johnny and his mentor Jack Benny. Johnny gained alot of influence from Jack Benny. Rest in Peace both of them.

[slayer94]

you just can't get comedy like this nowadays :(

[videoviewer08]

Amazing.

[oldsteinar]

Thank you so much. Two great people. God bless them both and you who posted this. Gramps

[prodigiesofpeace]

Johnny has the cutest smile :)

I love how he copies Jack, 'Well!'

[FunnyWrong]

i have this dvd at home..so funny

[rami10000]

wow!

[spanishlake]

Johnny's so young here. He looks like he's wearing his daddy's oversized suit and play acting.

[harrisonmaxwell]

These guys rocked! Check out The Ultimate Marilyn, these people knew the real MM.

[Nusiris]

oh my god, look how young he is here!

[pianotuna55]

Brings back alot of memories.......

[qbbvtb]

good stuff!!

[Flowbee79]

Is it me or does a young carson look like a more level-headed Norman Bates? I mean a young Norman Bates who left the motel before the killings, found a job and good life in the city, got himself plenty laid, and plenty amount friends.

[RadissonMan]

Ha! You're right! Good call.

[Flowbee79]

Well, Johnny is so young and dark-haired. He looks like a kid next to Benny.

[sagalat]

Hilarious...priceless

[Bopalena]

You can tell Carson got a lot of his mannerisms and expressive style from Jack Benny. It pays to steal from the best!

[jsteeber]

Pretty sure he was born in 1894. I remember picking up the paper in 1974 when he had died at 80. Masterful clip.

[ALSmithey]

Many thanks, jsteeber! My research was indeed faulty on that point...However, the Great Man did prefer his true age to be shrouded in mystery...Haha! Also, I checked out your channel; I like the Smothers Brothers as well! Most cordially, A.L. Smithey

[jsteeber]

Best to you as well, and thanks. Benny did the age routine, it seems, around the time he turned 43. It's funny to hear very old shows where he talks about being 42.

[ePhilosopher]

unfully, untalented upstart like you! it's a mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad world. :S

[mnoe817]

when I saw this title I thought you were talking about jack paar.

me? I call him "Mr. Benny."

[ALSmithey]

Indeed! Mr. Benny does sound more fitting for a man of his status...however, I believe the above title is the original moniker for this sketch. I checked out your favourites, by the way...Bill Hicks...William Shatner...Astaire and Rogers...I can't wait to check these out in earnest! Thanks for the comment, mnoe817. Cordially, ALSmithey

[IconWatcher]

Da-yum! Carson's H-O-T-T hot!

[daveo1538]

Absolutely classic! Just classic! How come nobody is this funny anymore?

[missypsj]

I loved Johnny, But I think Leno has some good stuff too!!! Have u ever watched cuz he can be pretty freeking funny sometimes!

[terjer01]

Two legends indeed. Whenever Johnny did that patented eyes rolled back lookaway, you just knew it was a tribute to Mr. Benny himself. Great stuff!

[StateofMind09]

I think Conan O'Brien is actually the best today.

Carson Daily is awful.

[vince11229]

carson daily is a TOOL

[chacha3078]

I've been trying to watch this video - but it won't load! Maybe you need to replace it or something? I'd love to see it!

[JackAwful]

I don't hate Johnny. I'm just trying to demystify him a bit. So many people shout his praises you'd think he was a new religion. Johnny was a recluse and even said he's "good in front of 10 million but has a hard time in a room of 10". His rise and career were freakish - he couldn't help that and he did entertain. Letterman used to mix with people on the street - no more; who else does? Leno is working class and still gets out on the street even as rich as he is.

[meanwiddlekid]

Leno sucks.

It's a testament to a country that now idolizes the likes of Paris Hilton et. al. that Leno beats Letterman. Dave is funny and Johnny knew it. Anyone that thinks that Johnny wasn't infinitely better than Leno has no taste.

Leno is a zero.

[JackAwful]

many zeros behind definite numbers...that's what being number one means, sorry if you can't handle it; you imagine yourself "cool" - have at.

[Mowac]

Point well made....I've got more respect for Jack, Johnny, and David. The torch was clearly passed between the 3 of them....Leno is a joke...If it wasn't for Letterman(who was on his show many times)...Leno wouldn't have had his own show. It was NBC that wanted Leno to take over the Tonight show because of their falling out with Letterman....And what did Leno do?..He wrecked the Tonight show.

[JackAwful]

I don't think women have a prostate gland. But they've got enough problems with their plumbing as it is.

[JackAwful]

Oh..and thanks for the kind words. Going blue? Leno's humor is too vulgar for you? Actually some of the raunchiest bits he does are Headlines and the funny names of newlyweds - which are all real!

[JackAwful]

Carson was from Nebraska.

[meanwiddlekid]

Carson grew up in Nebraska but he was born in Iowa.

[JackAwful]

Sure, what I find ironic is that, near the end, he gave the reins to Jay Leno many times, but when it came to deciding who was to replace him, Johnny backed David Letterman;  maybe it was a "weatherman" code since they both acted in that capacity at one point or another. Jay Leno is, and was, the only professional comedian to have made it to that lofty position.

[iggyfritz]

I remember the Family gathered round the tv to watch Johnny, especially on Holidays. The tonight show was part of our Family, there is no Late night today i would allow my children to watch - enough said here. Talent ,integrity,intelligence,fairne­ss,humble,wisdom,love,laughter­,learning are just some of the things .

[oldkoloa]

They don't make em like that any more. So very classy.

[ttlms]

I heard the same thing: according to one of Johnny's widows, she only saw Johnny cry three times, and one of them was the day Jack Benny died. Carson was inconsolable.

[DAVIDINTEL]

Jack is unequaled, two greats at work here!

[JackAwful]

Johnny was the forerunner, but I don't think he's any funnier than Leno, Letterman, Conan, Craig Ferguson et al. They all have better writers. It's just that back then there was nothing else. And I'm old enough to remember so don't go there.

[benvye]

It's not just about the comedy; it's his interviewing skills, command of the show, his ability to make his guests always look their best, and his class, among dozens of other things.

[hjorgan67]

[going there] You Tube provides such a lofty soapbox that when people like JackAwful fall off (like he did here) the SPLAT can be heard round-the-world. Johnny not any funnier than the modern contemporaries??? That's why he was on for 30+ years, why virtually every entertainer in the biz reveres him as THE BEST HOST ever. But, you know better... LOL

[JackAwful]

He would have been lost without Ed McMahon.

[Flowbee79]

I don't think that is true. Johnny and Ed made a great team, but Johnny had a brilliant way of handling almost anyone.

[JackAwful]

I know. I was just being a shit that day. I loved when Johnnie asked Arnold Palmer's wife if she wished her husband luck or somesuch and she said she kissed his balls for luck and Johnnie gave the perfect comedic pause before saying: "I'll bet that made his putter stand up".

[RMeirKahane]

this video is great. i want to see more clips of johnny carson and jack benny interacting. i heard that when jack benny died, johnny carson spent the entire day crying

[BigDaddy1968]

Johnny Carson distilled Jack Benny, Stan Laurel (or perhaps Oliver Hardy) along with a dash of Johnny Winter into his persona. He was the PERFECT cipher - a easy going nice looking harmless looking midwestern boy who became kind of a cool cat when he took the show to Cali. As Letterman himself has said, You can combine ALL of the talk show hosts of 2007 and TOGETHER they don't equal one Johnny Carson.

Big Daddy

The Johnny Carson of Love

[RMeirKahane]

What you say is soooooo true. I know that younger people might be rolling their eyes at what you said, as you hark back to the good old days. i advise such people to look at old clips of the tonight show starring johnny carson, and THEN they will see that he really was far, far funnier and more talented than all present late night talk shows combined

[fromthesidelines]

Johnny always remembered Jack's interest and kindness towards him and his career. He made one more appearance on the show, on film, in 1963, after he established himself on "THE TONIGHT SHOW", and NEVER failed to invite Jack to appear on it, whenever he wanted.

[RatPakFan]

Not only a contemporary of the Marx Brothers, he married their cousin... Mary Livingston.

[ALSmithey]

Good call! Thanks for your comment, RatPakFan.