Bill Maher Makes His First Appearance on National Television | Carson Tonight Show

Original Airdate: 08/31/1982
#johnnycarson #billmaher #thetonightshow

[@JRPLawyeress1]

Johnny Carson was very generous in launching the careers of new comedians.

[@shawnyoung8752]

Getting on Carson was your being called up from minors. He knew you had talent. If you got his laugh you were in. Look up Flip Wilson's first time on Carson. 65. Tells one of best jokes ever. Carson was blown away.

[@frederickgramcko5758]

Tough sledding in the first half of his set. . . He killed it in the end.

[@inconnu4961]

I have only gotten part way and wondering where the jokes are! Thanks for letting me know it does get better!

[@donotworry.iamanexpert8691]

Ah, no. 2nd half made up of jokes I've heard already from Berle - who, himself, admitted to stealing comedy (at least he admitted it). Maher has matured well and now has a fine comedy edge, but this was definitely no Drew Carey debut....

[@BreakdancingMiracle]

His humility in those days is probably what got him where he is today. It’s nice to see. Carson helped a ton of people out along the way!

[@MothGirl007]

He's not remotely humble now.

[@think2023]

He isnt what he used to be.

[@batswbennett]

@@MothGirl007 Why should he be?

[@colmcollins7993]

@@batswbennett Humility is an important quality.

[@joebuck4496]

@@batswbennett LMAO why should a person be humble??? Boy do we live in the age of narcissism.

[@julcenarc4335]

Johnny was such a class act ... his after comments were really sincere

[@franksullivan1873]

Johnny might have seemed a class act,but behind the scenes he was a boozing,skirt chaser.This habit of his almost cost him his life when he tried to pick up a mobsters girl and got handsy with her.The mobster was going to wack him,but Dean Martin,Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra intervened saving his life.Johnny was smacked around and thrown out on the Street.The Mobster went to his boss to sanction a hit on Johnny even after the bar incident.Johnny’s manager had to work a deal with Joseph Colombo to have NBC cover the first Italian American Rally to show case Italian Americans as good law abiding people and break the Mafiosa stereotypes.This saved Johnny Carson from being killed in 1971 in Manhattan,NY.The irony is by the time of the second annual Italian American Rally in 1972,Joseph Colombo was gunned down ,paralyzing him. He eventually died in 1978.There were no more rallies.

[@peanutbutterjellyfish2665]

He was a horrible human being. That’s why I separate the artist from the art.

[@inconnu4961]

@@peanutbutterjellyfish2665 Probably a good idea.

[@richardc.9054]

@@franksullivan1873stop gossiping MAGAt!

[@richardc.9054]

@@peanutbutterjellyfish2665 3:26 stop gossiping MAGAt!

[@fandude7]

I saw this one live. 16 years old. Good times.

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

Johnny Carson and his Tonight show was a spring board for a lot of talent. It was almost a guarantee that when you were on the Tonight show that you were well on your way . Great upload, good memories are here. R.I.P.. Mr.Carson. You are still missed.

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

@@eugeneport1748 It is certainly true that when cable became popular and common that the monopoly of the"big three" was over- Good point !

[@PlanetEarth3141]

It's so good you have reminded humanity of Carson's beneficial help to people in show business. It's not like we don't need the obligatory reminder a few million times. Next time, see if you can come up with an original Carson comment without blowing your mind away.

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

@@PlanetEarth3141 I have to be careful, there are a lot of small minded illiterate trolls that like to sound like they actually know something. Does that sound familiar to you? I thought it would. Next time , just mind your own business.

[@PlanetEarth3141]

@@threeballedtomcat9380 You started with a truthful sentence. Then you veered sharply into literary road rage. You could have seen me agreeing and supporting you but you decided to be an arse and assume I'm not very smart or very knowledgeable. However, I find you contardicting hate for KZbin morons and then emulating that behavior amusing. BTW, you feel free to comment but don't like getting comments. Perhaps you're out of your elements. BTW, I still don't like Maher and you must so didn't like my opinion. I don't care what you like.

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

@@PlanetEarth3141 No, sport, I don't care for Bill Maher , don't care for libtards at all, and certainly don't care for your literary prose or your opinion about me, or frankly, anything else at this point.

[@September2004]

His bring a lawyer in to confession joke got the biggest laugh.

[@droverholt]

Bill finding the church comforting!?? Times they have changed.

[@ScottPutnamART]

Will change again as he gets older I'm guessing too

[@Wasev]

Well this is from 1982. I don't think he would've been allowed to go on TV if he had said the things that he says about religion nowadays.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

He’s bitter.

[@staycurious3954]

tRump’s the king of whinny & bitter 😂

[@tlo65]

He's just against Muslims. The atheist gimmick is a cover.

[@50sVintage]

I still miss Johnny Carson.

[@gordon3186]

About 10 years ago I brought up Johnny Carson to a 20 something and he asked me "Who's Johnny Carson?" I was incredulous and thought, "Man, I'm not even going to mention Jack Paar."

[@rma6070]

Recently I told a guy about Jimi Hendrix to a guy about 25 and he didn't know who he was.

[@dthomas9230]

And Steve Allen before that. I heard a guy playing Pink Floyd out in the Apartment\s garden while he was rocking his new baby in a carriage. I'm in Sweden, and American since 1955

[@gordon3186]

@@dthomas9230 --- I grew up watching Steve Allen but not on The Tonight Show. I've been an American since 1955 too, but only because it's the year I was born on an Army base In Frankfurt am Main to an American.

[@paulluongo2756]

We grew up watching these guys .. most of these people you're talking to weren't even born yet...

[@gordon3186]

@@paulluongo2756 --- Carson's last broadcast was on May 22, 1992.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

"Picking up the cheque, for the whole table" 🤣

[@jeffclement2468]

I've seen this many, many times now, and it still kills me!

[@peacefullife6788]

A star is born

[@lukecangia]

johnny was 56. bill was 26 now he's 66

[@KcityMikeThomas]

Who is 66 now?

[@gr8dvd]

@@KcityMikeThomas My uncle Gilbert… and Bill Maher.

[@KcityMikeThomas]

@@gr8dvd Uncle Gilbert? Wow. I would have never guessed. Johnny Carson died, you know.

[@mhmorris2018]

Thanks for that depressing thought…😭

[@jaye8872]

Wow Bill has come a long way.

[@rizzodefrank]

Started slow but really pick up some levels mid way through very enjoyable

[@sj2024sj]

Johnny , the one and only.....we miss u⚘️

[@efisgpr]

Bill at just 26. Wow. The internet is amazing.

[@suzannefarrington4143]

This resonates right now: “If Russia takes another country”, “the leader looks near death, what if he’s a ‘misery loves company’ kind of guy?”… 🧐

[@gr8dvd]

Sad but very true.

[@nolongerlistless]

No deputy dictator...😅

[@eddietat95]

Bill is a timeless thinker.

[@suzannefarrington4143]

@@eddietat95 I think his schtick hasn’t aged particularly well, but I thought this was interesting for the contrast between what he used to be and what he is now.

[@azzonie]

That’s my fear of Putin.

[@JLOFlix]

Boy, Bill has CERTAINLY changed over the years, hasn't he

[@HealthHorror]

His arrogance and over-confidence sure has!

[@80steen44]

@@HealthHorror Well, that's what's made him the money

[@scottwilliam3470]

it's like he's transforming into a right winger.

[@inconnu4961]

@@scottwilliam3470 Definitely not! he knows he is seen that way, and he scoffs at it! The Left has moved way too far to the kooky side. Marr tries to be a centrist on some topics, but he is not conservative.

[@jrock2264]

Bill looks like Screech here.

[@HughJass-jv2lt]

😂😂

[@guymoe81]

Golden days of late night🕺

[@eddietat95]

It's like watching Bill Maher do a parody of himself and making fun of how long he's been in the biz. No, seriously, it works! The 80s look, the outdated references, Johnny Carson... this could play on Real Time today and I would seriously believe that it's current Bill parodying 80s Bill. His bread and butter is political and religious jokes and he's never strayed far from it. His sense of humor and his takes on the state of the world are timeless. The FedEx joke works to this day (perhaps more fitting for Amazon). Change "Reagan", "Bush", and "Brezhnev" to "Biden", "Harris", and "Putin" and that joke strangely works, too. Bill could do the confession lawyer joke or the circumcision joke word-for-word TODAY on Real Time and it would hold true and get laughs just as it did in 1982. The dude is timeless and he doesn't get much credit for it since too many people are too blinded by the current state of polarized politics to see pure comedic talent for what it is.

[@p0llenp0ny]

Dude has been doing the same jokes for 40 years and you think this is somehow the mark of talent? Okay then.

[@eddietat95]

@@p0llenp0ny You think making jokes that get outdated the next day is somehow a mark of talent? Okay then. L

[@samanthab1923]

Always liked this set 😂

[@RayTheProducer]

Two legends! Johnny was so kind and generous.

[@50sVintage]

This was great. 40 years ago! It took him a few minutes but what followed set the stage for all else since. So glad Maher made it because today he's the voice of reason on late night comedic hosting.

[@willissudweeks1050]

I used to watch Bill Maher like 12 years ago. I knew he was kind of old back then but to hear him joke about Reagan on Johnny Carson…..

[@snailer06]

He was 26

[@tomwashingtonjr848]

Funny stuff 😂 And JC was one of a kind … ❤

[@kencarole8415]

Very funny. His take on topics is unique That is why he became so succesful.

[@scott102980]

Who cares

[@inconnu4961]

@@scott102980 Aww Lighten up, sunshine! Im sure you dislike Bill Marr's politics as much as i do, but lets be better than those kind of people, and try to be fair & balanced. It shows off your intelligence better.

[@legalmexican]

Would not have recognized him in a million years.

[@kasumiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin]

His voice never changed...

[@spiritualED]

All his “clove” cigarettes would say otherwise. 😉

[@realCharAznable]

It obviously did lol

[@tsb7911]

I think it kind of did. Not better or worse, just different.

[@joebuck4496]

Huh? My very first thought was that he sounded different lol WTF

[@randolphpinkle4482]

@@joebuck4496 Oh hell yeah. Now he can't finish a sentence without a hacking cough or a phlegm attack.

[@nolongerlistless]

So topical for/relevant to November 8th, 2022!

[@queenslander954]

Legend .. absolute legend.

[@morbidmanmusic]

You realize that could mean multiple people. There is more than one person there...

[@tmitz73]

Ruff intro but he nailed it at the tail!

[@georgemoscahlades7473]

Didn’t get called to the couch and still became a star.

[@80steen44]

I noticed that too. That goes over a lot of people's heads that didn't know Carson's show in real time. Apparently, Johnny wasn't all that impressed

[@thewolfdoctor761]

Jim Carrey wasn't called to the couch either.

[@shawnyoung8752]

Or flip wilson 1965. Look that up. As funny a joke as ever. Had Carson blown away.😊

[@shanehuang2111]

This is so good! 😂

[@hanschristianbrando5588]

We all get older, don't we? And if we're lucky, our wit sharpens.

[@inconnu4961]

The lucky ones get older!

[@mloftus8618]

He looks like Sully from Commando😂

[@meijer78]

Way before it was Real Time.

[@lerm2866]

“Yeah I’m a democrat but I’m more of a Bill Maher democrat”

[@maryloulong6789]

Bill Maher is more of a libertarian now than any of the regular party

[@inconnu4961]

@@maryloulong6789 But i think he publicly sides with Democrats though. the current Dem party is a Marxist party now, and i think Marr just cant handle that.

[@mr.mrs.d.7015]

If you had just seen the interview he did with lil kids while he was drinking and saying creepy sexual things you might not want to admit that. Lol

[@lerm2866]

@@mr.mrs.d.7015 yeah that was just bizarre

[@jchow5966]

I 💟Johnny……. And Bill! ☮️💟☮️💟☮️💟

[@mar0364]

A lot of classic comedy elements.

[@fmradio42]

5:37 Robert De Niro laughing

[@jacqdanieles]

Sounds like the same guy in Bill's current audience 😄

[@fmradio42]

@@jacqdanieles Definitely! I think I commented to his show with a video clip few weeks ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ6bYn-JgK92aM0

[@aetnaone]

The De Niro from Cape Fear in the theater lol

[@stonephilips9361]

Johnny is Roaring

[@bencerwinske1616]

Calling them the long form "Federal Express" drivers really dates this :-)

[@p0llenp0ny]

It's like when someone says "Kentucky Fried Chicken".

[@rosagarcia7423]

I like him now even more

[@ForcesInMotion]

It was true then, and it's still true today: Bill Maher does not deserve to be in the same room as Carson.

[@mr.mrs.d.7015]

❣

[@NoActuallyGo-KCUF-Yourself]

I might have stayed up late to watch this as a kid.

[@originalghoul3738]

This is why Bill has writers now, lol.

[@snoozdude1]

I think they're the same writers he had then.😶

[@tsb7911]

He could only say so much on Carson.

[@tsb7911]

@Casey Jones Actually I think what you just wrote is funny. I thought his standup was mildly funny but not his best work.

[@jamesbrice6619]

@Casey Jones what was funny? Yaaaawwwn....

[@morbidmanmusic]

He wrote his own material. He was a comic, not a political show host. It's different. Find better insults.

[@MsDeeVee]

We see shape of things to come for BIll. Loved the Blow up Chicago joke, very clever. Somehow the jokes still work in 2022. Only they are more political.

[@cameron93387]

As a comedian at the best he is mediocre!But as a political pundit he is right up there among the best of them❤

[@sophieoshaughnessy9469]

I would agree. But it’s his humour that animates his punditry. His stand up work has improved though don’t you think?

[@MrJamberee]

He’s a not so bright libtard now. But he sure thinks he’s smart

[@Monkeybongoes]

Or used to be. Turned into a sh*t lib the past few years.

[@tsb7911]

@@MrJamberee Yeah, like you could get into Cornell. 🤣

[@kencarole8415]

Very funny His perceptions of the world are unique. He is one of a kind and that is why he became so successful

[@user-ms4ef8xz9t]

He has been at it for a long time. I remember him being a game show host on "Married with Children". He has been working for a long time to be an entertainer. Power to him. But that doesn't make him a political expert. My parents taught me to not believe everything you see on TV. Americans seem to have forgotten that lesson.

[@slister45]

You're right! Bill predicted a "big red wave" in the midterms. So much for political punditry.

[@wintercame]

@@slister45 At least he owned being wrong.

[@slister45]

@@wintercame Yes, that was delicious!

[@inconnu4961]

@@slister45 It wasnt hard to predict since mid term swings were a long tradition! the fact that the Big Red Wave dissipated early was unprecedented.

[@spiritualED]

The actor Breckin Meyer always reminded me of what a young Bill Maher would have looked like.

[@pfzt]

I was just thinking that, remarkable resemblance.

[@deborahmclaughlin21]

Yes!

[@JudithRudyonald]

Still awkwardly pausing for unearned applause and laughter. Some things never change...

[@jroig824]

Spot on comment

[@inconnu4961]

Thats what makes it so funny now!

[@mattalley4330]

Bill is like “thank god, he liked it. I might have a future in this business after all”

[@Daniaal]

Paul Rudd is that u??

[@drillthrallable]

Love Maher's slow walk back hoping and hoping to be called over. D'oh!

[@waskyhenry3132]

👍 Great jokes during Johnny Carson's era.😊

[@FAIsurgery]

Ouch! Johnny didn't call Bill over to his desk at the end. Johnny did that when he really liked an act. Time sure proved Johnny wrong because Bill is one of the all time greats.

[@80steen44]

Yeah, a lot of people don't get that nowadays when they watch these old clips, if they didn't know the show in real time.

[@inconnu4961]

All time greats at what? i will give Bill Marr credit, he certainly has had some good moments, but i wouldnt say he has had enough to be called great. Even when i was a left-leaning democrat i struggled with his schtick. but when he got into hot water with the kooky side of the Democrat party, i stuck up for him.

[@patbrooks9823]

LOL. One of the all-time stooges. A court jester for the left.

[@bornwild3955]

This is the first time I do a fast forwards on a Carson show 🙃

[@biglouie9547]

Good idea buddy I don't care for him either, let's blow this video

[@80steen44]

Yet you hit play

[@FreemonSandlewould]

........and he never got any better.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

I think Fred DeCordova did not like the Reagan jokes and planned on banning him from the show after this appearance. It was Johnny that stood up for Bill.

[@ItsKrma00]

And you know this how?

[@kennethsouthard6042]

@@ItsKrma00 There's an interview with Bill where he discussed this.

[@ItsKrma00]

@@kennethsouthard6042 Well, I think it's nice that he (Fred) admitted that and also nice that Johnny defended him. Thanks for sharing.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

@@ItsKrma00 Fred was a big friend of Reagan. He directed many of his films.

[@alansheiman4818]

@@kennethsouthard6042 Such as "Bed Time for Bonzo", to name a "classic".

[@mousekin]

Denied the chair. Ouch.

[@sharksport01]

They usually are on the first visit.

[@Yummynoodle12]

Johnny called him back twice this same year including the new years special. So this comment means nothing 😂

[@timfremstad3434]

......well I liked the Swedish names joke.......SURGE!!!!!!

[@luxomoore6711]

The crowd was groaning Bill Maher even back then.

[@stephanegosselin2861]

So no joke about Trump 😉

[@richardmccart7426]

Great comment! This cracked me up! 😅

[@twntwrs]

The retroactive virulence of TDS, well spotted!

[@HughJass-jv2lt]

or *ISLAMOPHOBIA...* 🍋🍋

[@robertk2007]

I believe you know Mr. Cohen. Best joke ever

[@azzonie]

Since he mentioned Brezhnev, I’ll guess this was in 1982.

[@marypritchett1267]

He's so young and his voice isounds like he's going through puberty!

[@damienthorne861]

Right? 🤣

[@retalbtaylor370]

Yes, I sure noticed how much higher it was here. Now it’s very manly, almost deep. And his humor now is so dead on when it comes to politics! The movie he made “ religulous” was brilliant!

[@commanderkeen3787]

Martin Short's taller brother

[@elmerfudd5193]

🤔 I noticed that Bill WAS NOT CALLED OVER TO SIT BY JOHNNY AFTER HIS SET 🤭 😯😳

[@80steen44]

That went over a lot of people's heads that didn't know the show in real time. I guess Johnny wasn't all that impressed

[@Yummynoodle12]

@@80steen44bill got called back twice the same years and even did the New Year’s Eve show if this year. He caught johnnys eye for sure

[@gloriaf6971]

That was not very funny. He has improved a lot since then.

[@BigLar56321]

I think he has potential.

[@PaulDonaldRoy]

Bill is perfect in his current role of political talk show host. He isn't under a lot less pressure to keep the audience laughing, but his subtle humor keeps the discussion light-hearted and entertaining. I think the Democrat party could do a lot worse than have him as a leader, and frankly I think he would do a much better job than the current occupant of the White House. I think he would be a uniter.

[@tomsenick2033p]

It's democratic party d-bag

[@JohnnyBurnes]

This kid sounds just like Kyle Dunnigan! :P

[@Lapusso650]

Look how handsome he was

[@todd.66]

that was painful

[@youtube-user73424]

timely content

[@gildamunoz8090]

How this guy ever got the idea he was a stud is beyond me.

[@nawdude4292]

Dang what a live crowd lol

[@michaelbartolomeo2926]

It's a good thing he found his niche with his show ... because this wasn't it.

[@wessbess]

Charity applause

[@billyshepard5514]

Bill Maher was the secretary for Steve Allen at this time

[@billyshepard5514]

This is true search online for Steve Allen Maher

[@steveconn]

He was remarkably polished even then. First saw him in DC Cab with Gary Busey and Mr. T (how the hell did he get cast in that?).

[@alarahillton1343]

Hysterical! He was way ahead of his time. Smart. I dated him for a short while, but I was shy and we didn’t live near each other. He wasn’t famous yet, then. Good for Bill. He’s still a good and brilliant funny guy,, , But,,,I’m a catholic who believes. And ,,who is 💙,,,🙏🏻✝️. Bill does not believe. That’s the only sad thing as it means he could have all this fame, and blessings now,,,and not go to heaven. He could go to hell. 😢 I hope he finally gets it about God.

[@katieking7231]

You dated bill Maher??

[@patrickwoods2213]

Hell doesn’t exist. It’s a mythological construct. If there is any such thing as “the good news” then that’s it - there is no hell. And you should be glad there isn’t. I agree with Bill with his outlook on religion. Some of it’s good, a lot of it’s bad - and most of it is nonsense.

[@nendoakuma7451]

He looks like Han Solo

[@HughJass-jv2lt]

SCREECH from "Saved by the Bell"

[@jeffpowanda8821]

His first joke bombed, but after that he did fine.

[@timetowakeup6302]

He sounds like Larry Miller here

[@timryan4414]

What happened...you had a bright future...just kidding.

[@KeithGreenshields]

That opening line though...🤔 could of ruined him.

[@umpatas5468]

Before he went full nuts.

[@isopropyl5172]

Well yeah this was right before his father died coincidentally

[@umpatas5468]

@@isopropyl5172 I didn't recall that.

[@bencerwinske1616]

Bill looks and even sounds a lot like Tucker Carlson in this clip...

[@alexg5280]

I can't unsee it now

[@RBCharger]

I noticed that right away too. Maybe the accent.

[@justin_your_cousin9273]

He looks like Ryan Stiles

[@edgardell9858]

Deam, I just posted this..... Its very noticeable....Glad I'm not the only one that saw it....

[@patbrooks9823]

Before he was a puppet and a stooge for all things left.

[@vbros7]

This is absolutely bizarre. The audience was going out of their minds after every bad joke. WTF?

[@mikestevenson576]

You think every joke you think is hilarious is going to seem funny in 40 years?

[@thegolfballshop]

Notice he didn't get the invite to "Carson's couch"? Johnny knew who this clown was...

[@UV0023]

So this is how the great Bill Maher started :D

[@erictalbert4633]

Not to be petty ( but I’am) Bill Maher killed it ! And no invite to the couch? Ultimate confirmation.I recently saw Billy Crystal’s 1st appearance, He wasn’t that good but He got to sit down. Apples and oranges…. I guess.

[@brittscott4673]

If Billy Crystal was already on the show Soap then that would explain him getting the sit down with Johnny.

[@socorrorios8075]

He got a big smile from Johnny C.

[@suebeeo]

He got the thumbs up from Johnny after... That was considered a BIG deal

[@davidclay2339]

Maher has said this launched his career. I doubt johnny would be a fan today. Mr. Carson was the man back then.

[@batswbennett]

Carson would love him today.

[@mckessa17]

Why? Was Carson a Republican?

[@hectormartinez9657]

He reminds me of a young Robin Williams.

[@davidclay2339]

@@mckessa17 have no idea his politics. Late night king for 30 years

[@davidclay2339]

Made many careers

[@darrinsteven7002]

Johnny did not call Bill over to the couch. He will never go anywhere. .

[@pamgrimm8850]

I have never seen Bil Maher so young. I am a fan of his political commentary, he has become so much more than a stand up comedian. I find it strange that Johnny didn’t invite him to the couch. Perhaps the producers were leery of his controversial opinions.

[@egglady]

I remember reading somewhere that if Johnny didn’t invite you to the couch it meant he didn’t like you. Don’t know if that’s true though.

[@mikestevenson576]

It's kind of a split second decision. I suspect Johnny would have changed his decision if he could roll the clock back 30 seconds.

[@patbrooks9823]

Fred de Cordova was a friend of Ronald Reagan.

[@joannedoctor8215]

Johnny liked him fine. Could've been a timing thing.

[@makaveli087]

Johnny was quoted in 2015 as saying "Thank God I died 10 Years ago so I didn't have to see some of the UnFunny Limp-Wristed monsters I helped create."

[@pamelacass9642]

Johnny died in 2005. What seance did you attend?

[@makaveli087]

@@pamelacass9642 /wooosh

[@pattycake1939]

Are you talking about Dr Oz?🥸