Johnny Carson :: essays research papers

     Johnny Carson was born on October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa. He was raise inNorfolk, Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska. The actor/comedian was thehost of NBCs Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992 and, though he inherited the hostingduties of the program from Jack Parr, defined the display and became the icon for late nighttelevision. For those thirty years, Johnny Carson was arguably the most popularentertainer in the country and Americas most identifiable celebrity on television. Carsonserved in the Navy from 1943 to 1946 and moved to California in 1950 where he beganworking in television and radio.      The first show he hosted was called "Carsons Cellar" and aired in 1951. He alsowrote and performed on The Red Skeleton Show in 1954. In 1956 Carson moved 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 daytime program, Carson wasin vited to appear on The Tonight Show. His first guest 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 opening monologue became a depicted object institution and Carson was trusted tosuch a degree that when he jokingly announced a shortage on toilet paper in 1973 it verybecame the "Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 1973." Reports of hoarding and buyingextreme quantities were off-kilter proof of his societal impact. Critics sung the praises ofhis monologues, describing its import in glowing terms "a magnifying glass on Americanculture," and "a national i nstitution." Johnny Carson was the most valuable asset intelevision, making The Tonight Show NBCs biggest money noble and its mostconsistently high rated program. Johnny Carson was the last person millions of Americanssaw before going to sleep every night and The Tonight Show became a cultural traditionthat spanned generations and races. Known for a combination of Midwestern charm andcosmopolitan wit, Johnny created the standard for late night television as sanitary as some ofTVs most enduring characters. A typical show would include Ed McMahonsintroduction, "Heeeres Johnny", a topical monologue, that famous golf fluctuate followedby interviews with celebrities and common people, and of course, Doc Severinsens music.