10/10
America's Best Talk Show Host
31 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
For three decades, Johnny Carson hosted the long-running "Tonight Show" on NBC. He performed monologues, interviewed guests, and performed comedy sketches. Carson wasn't the first host of "The Tonight Show" (he was the third); but, he was certainly the best.

Johnny Carson was remembered for his opening monologues. He told jokes about current events and poked fun at well- known media figures. Johnny Carson always managed to be funny during the monologues, even when the jokes themselves didn't work. Carson often used misfired jokes as a source of laughter and was often at his best when things on the show went unpredictably wrong.

Johnny Carson was a skilled interviewer. Many famous people had the privilege of being interviewed on Carson's couch. He gave many stand-up comedians their first breaks on his show. If a comedian's stand-up routine went particularly well, Carson would invite the comedian to his couch for a visit. Some of the funniest moments on Carson's show occurred whenever he was interviewing a small child. The child would innocently say something which was unintentionally insulting; and, Carson would respond by staring into the TV camera.

Johnny Carson served as the model for all other American talk show hosts who followed him. Carson's "Tonight Show" established the talk show format which has been imitated numerous times.

Old episodes of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" are as entertaining today as they were when they were originally broadcast decades ago. Repeats of the show are often aired under the title, "Johnny Carson." Viewing of the show is highly recommended!
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