Johnny Carson :: essays research papers

     Johnny Carson was born on October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa. He was raised inNorfolk, Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska. The agent/comedian was thehost of NBCs To dark Show from 1962 to 1992 and, though he inherit the hostingduties of the program from Jack Parr, defined the tell and became the icon for late nighttelevision. For those thirty years, Johnny Carson was arguably the close to popularentertainer in the field and Americas most identifiable celebrity on television. Carsonserved in the Navy from 1943 to 1946 and go to California in 1950 where he beganworking in television and radio.      The beginning show he hosted was called "Carsons Cellar" and aired in 1951. He as wellwrote and performed on The Red Skeleton Show in 1954. In 1956 Carson locomote to NewYork City and he hosted the television game show Who Do You Trust? from 1958 to1963. During that shows successful run as ABCs top daylight program, Carson wasinvited to appear on The Tonight Show. His first leaf node appearance was in 1958 and in1962 Johnny began a thirty year job as the shows front man. Interestingly, he co.-wrotethe famous "Johnnys Theme" that opened each show with Paul Anka in 1962 and receivesresiduals from each daily performance to this day. The first guest of the Carson era wasGroucho Marx who introduced Johnny to his new audience. Johnny Carson becameknown for his relaxed manner, witty commentary, and impersonations.      His chess opening monologue became a national institution and Carson was trusted tosuch a degree that when he jokingly announced a shortage on toilet paper in 1973 it trulybecame the "Great Toilet musical composition Shortage of 1973." Reports of hoarding and buyingextreme quantities were off-kilter proof of his societal impact. Critics strain the praises ofhis monologues, describing its import in glowing terms "a magnifying glass on America nculture," and "a national institution." Johnny Carson was the most valuable plus intelevision, making The Tonight Show NBCs biggest money maker and its mostconsistently high rated program. Johnny Carson was the last person millions of Americanssaw forward going to sleep every night and The Tonight Show became a cultural traditionthat spanned generations and races. Known for a combination of Midwestern magic spell andcosmopolitan wit, Johnny created the standard for late night television as well as some ofTVs most enduring characters. A representative show would include Ed McMahonsintroduction, "Heeeres Johnny", a topical monologue, that famous golf swing followedby interviews with celebrities and common people, and of course, Doc Severinsens music.