Emu Attacks Johnny Carson

E M U Attacks Johnny Carson

[@Jake-d8d]

The fear Rod Hull was able to inspire in so many adults is hilarious. I love how he gets Emu to do a cheeky look to camera before he attacks, it's those tiny details that elevate this to legendary status.

[@OreadNYC]

It's not just Emu's facial expressions...it's the fact that Emu FIDGETS when he's sitting on Rod's lap exactly like a real animal or child would (looking around the room, etc.). This is part of what made Emu seem so very lifelike (and what made Rod an incredibly gifted puppeteer) -- he had it down to a science. It's difficult visually to connect Rod to Emu's nugatory movements because they appear to be unconscious as they would be in real life which makes it seem completely natural.

[@Bogeyman.78]

Richard Pryor be thinking' I'm tripping here' 😂😂😂

[@Badgersj]

It doesn't matter how many times you see this or any of the other sketches, Emu still looks like a real character.

[@Nantosuelta]

Its such a simple premise, but it never stops being funny. RIP Rod Hull, a true legend

[@Acemanveryspecial]

The way he makes it look like the Emu is moving him around is brilliant puppetry.

[@frankesposito2182]

Puppetry? He was a Bird....no?

[@OreadNYC]

The way in which Rod Hull was able to imbue Emu with so much personality -- even though Emu never said a word (and never needed to!) -- is incredible and shows you just how gifted a puppeteer he was. The body language he gives to Emu is simply wonderful to watch.

[@shonaosmond4886]

OreadNYC I absolutely loved Rod Hull and Emu, the bird was just hilarious!

[@storminboy]

It's scary how real he made that bird.

[@OreadNYC]

@Bengt Handlebars Exactly...the little side gestures such as when Emu would twitch his head or look out at the audience while Rod was talking, just like a real bird his size probably would. The expression which I loved best of all is when Emu would wrinkle his beak to show that he was annoyed or angry.

[@mistofoles]

Sorry....what do you mean by "Puppeteer" ?

[@pauliepaul3697]

The women laughing in the background is hilarious, laughter is one of the best feelings in the world

[@jonathanbennetts2632]

It's great to hear Americans laugh so much at crazy british humor. This was when Americans has a sense of humor.

[@Iamacardinalfan]

Some of us still do, but so many want to find fault in everything. It bums me out. I'm in my 50's, and I have some friends who are now under that spell. They used to laugh and enjoy humor as much as I did, but they are driven by being superior to all now. I just hope the people wake up from this at some point.

[@jedijones]

@@Iamacardinalfan It's like the Church Lady's superior dance, but now it's a different group of people who want to look down their nose at others.

[@BunkerWise215]

So true and we don't get comedians like Rod Hull any more and if we did they'd get cancelled

[@revivedfears]

​@@Iamacardinalfan are you saying you want your friends to wake up and become *gasp* WOKE?!?! OHH NOOOEEES

[@Nantosuelta]

@@revivedfears wokeness is a disease that perpetuates all the negative traits that it professes to be fighting against.

[@flashtheoriginal]

Never seen this before, didnt even know Rod went to America. Fantastic! Another English export for us to be proud of. And Johnny Carson was a brilliant sport for playing along. Thanks for posting

[@garethgameson9932]

Rod Hull's son Toby took over Emu for a while in a tv series on itv in the UK. Rest in peace Rod. You and Emu gave British kids in the 70s happy memories 😅

[@charleswillsonpeale5739]

RIP Toby, Richard, Johnny and Ed. (off camera)

[@wendyburke2210]

Canadian kids too !!

[@thegrimreaper1991]

And in the 80s too :)

[@Weird_Old_Uncle_Kenny]

Rod Hull also entertained kids in the USA in the 1970s. He was a regular on the Hudson Bros. show.

[@peterpiper831]

Gareth Ģameson He was here in Australia too !

[@scottcollins5060]

Such great antics, and great puppiters. I miss the days where we all use to laugh so much. God bless Johnny Carson. Thank you for all you did to help us all to enjoy our lives.

[@Dave68Goliath]

To have one of the greatest comedians ever laughing means you have something special.

[@puppy2haley]

Love & miss you both! Such great entertainment back in the day!!! 🙏🏼

[@PrAnG2000]

Rest in peace to all three legends.

[@edmund184]

I didn't know Emu was dead?

[@PrAnG2000]

@@edmund184what the hell you on about?

[@thedancechannel2515]

@@PrAnG2000 I think the original poster was referring to Richard Pryor, Johnny Carson and Rod Hull. As far as I know Emu is still alive.

[@lawlini1979]

​@@thedancechannel2515oh thank fuck for that.. I was panicking then for a minute.

[@theguvnor7412]

This was even funnier than the famous appearance on Parkinson. Rod had clearly perfected his art by then. I had a friend who worked with him in panto at the Liverpool Empire in 1975. Rod told him he wanted to make it on his own but must have realised he was joined at the hip to Emu. Great times, great laughs!!! Thank you Rod!

[@audreysummers5807]

OMG, I remember when this came on. I totally forgot about how vicious Emu was. Hahaha! Thank you for posting this. I really miss Johnny Carson.

[@scottyakoubian9238]

Audrey Summers I remember this too! Wow!

[@mancordo3151]

c

[@captainkaos754]

He was sent by Australia to be an ambassador unfortunately he’s not to friendly 😉

[@정용한-t4n]

Me too ! When I was in U.S.A 1972 fantastic entertainment show Jonny Carson the best those day I was 18 years old now I'm 65 wow

[@MousePotato]

@@captainkaos754 Yes the mischievious bird Emu is from Australia, Rod Hull found him there in a store cupboard but Rod Hull is English. Born and died in England.

[@Blanco83]

This was when late night TV was enjoyable.

[@chax2004]

Yeah without the biased political bs

[@lindaf4836]

True! You didn't even KNOW what party J.C. was, except now my sister says watching old clips, she can tell his REPUB bias towards Dems a bit. But he WANTED all kinds of fans, and didn't want to lose half his base, and wanted us to have a break from politics. IF ONLY now........

[@paulgay7625]

You got that right.Im 65 and I got to see all the best performers ever on Carson.

[@shaungreen4756]

Hilarious lmao 😃

[@Lucas-en9gn]

Ok boomers

[@Woody615]

From June 1983, and today (March 2019) it's STILL funnier than a lot of "comedy" on TV today.

[@bicknell67]

I agree

[@BillBiggs1]

I just watched this segment, 😂 I had tears in my eyes with laughter especially when emu went for his neck

[@rickwilliamson9248]

Ditto for September, 2024.

[@josephhardaway3]

Johnny's response when he first got attacked 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂!! Omg, freaking hilarious!! ❤

[@wizard9403]

Loved the way he went along with the sthick!!!

[@patty7791]

This was stinkin’ adorable… Especially the final attack! What a talented puppeteer!

[@christopherdale8201]

This is so cool seeing Richard Pryor with Rod hull and Emu on the Johnny Carson show.

[@kali3665]

Rod Hull was so talented, but Emu was evil. Another great talent taken way before his time.

[@brucehubbard1852]

This was awesome, Johnny just went with it, soooo classic. I miss Richard and Johnny.

[@simonboyes2550]

A privilege and an honour to be attacked by that malevolent bird

[@phantomcollector1976]

I SURE MISS JOHHNY CARSON AND ALL THE GREAT ENTERTAINMENT WHEN HE LEFT THAT'S WHEN THE TONIGHT SHOW DIED

[@정용한-t4n]

Absolutely YES. I miss him very much so.

[@peterfeltham5612]

Yes he was a bit special wasn't he.

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

If I remember correctly, Rod Hull and Emu appeared regularly on Saturday mornings in the U.S. via the Hudson Brothers Show on CBS.

[@Metalgal713]

Yes! Funny show. My sis and I always called the emu skits 'hand be the bird'

[@cherokeedonna83]

I thought I had seen every Johnny Carson episode , but apparently I missed one ! This is so funny ! I don't remember this guy at all ! LOL

[@tillypoozies6799]

Whenever I'm having a bad day I watch this. It makes me laugh so hard every time. Priceless.

[@gracereneerosepetals]

... This vid never gets old .

[@marcus577]

Watch the one with Michael Parkinson.

[@tinadeeks6437]

I’m the same x

[@eddiethomas353]

Johnny laughed when he was attacked. Compare this with the miserable Mike Parkinson!

[@johnnyhammer]

Parkinson was laughing his head off, too. What are you on about?

[@satchfan2010]

I think Parkinson was furious after the show when it happened, but saw the funny side of it some years later.

[@donnn-sg4mk]

@@johnnyhammer no Parkinson hated it and his,laughter was force. He admits this. He said several times that his attack was much more then what he expected. He did try and be a sport by laughing but he hated it. Plus at the end he looked really pissed of and said " I knew we should not had booked it" as he put his shoe's back on. He was angry big time!!; clarkson loved it but to be fair to Parkinson his attack was much more violent lol Parkinson did see the funny side years,later tho and would laugh about it. He even did a advert with emu years later.

[@bassinblue]

Just watched it. He didn't seem miserable, was playing along as the annoyed guy really well.

[@eddieingalls534]

@@donnn-sg4mk Parkinson wanted to be as big as Carson but unlike Carson felt the way to be taken seriously was to be serious. So whereas Carson was confident enough to be 'attacked and ridiculed' by Emu, Parkinson was not. They are light years apart as even being British myself I can see Carson was just so comfortable in the role and at ease with it. Parkinson was not. His 'I can see it was funny' change of heart years later was probably a business move more than honest. It riled him for ages as he thought it made him look silly. Carson did not give a damn about looking silly and so looked great here.

[@JohnnyTyrone77]

I wonder was Johnny expecting this?..It’s hilarious! lol! I remember this act on The Hudson Brothers show I’d watch as a kid on Saturday mornings!

[@CrookedEyeSniper]

Richard Pryor was so high he thought it was real.

[@jasbell1]

so funny!😅

[@barrybrodin7085]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Trelane574]

It's a shame Rod Hull never appeared on the same night as Joan Embry or Jim Fowler.

[@flixsymmetry]

Saw this when I was a kid and it still kills me. Carson was a good sport.

[@stevel6939]

Same

[@1976PartyBoy]

Johnny Carson wasn't a 'Good Sport'- he was a-GREAT COMEDIAN, with an impeccable sense of 'timing'- in other words, he went where the 'laughter' was.

[@MousePotato]

I met Rod Hull and Emu when I was a kid back in the late 70s when they were in panto. He came into the audience and Emu started biting everyone including some poor man 2 seats to my right :D

[@bst6791]

I had forgotten all about the emu guy until he showed up in my recommended.

[@gary72carol61]

Rod Hull was his name.

[@NickiesAdventureChannel]

It’s the fact that they start to actually see emu as real and their reactions become as if it’s a real animal hahahaha

[@BenMcneil-hk8xv]

I remember this as a kid it was funny then and funny now. And Johnny Carson played along even Richard Pryor was laughing

[@Ai-he1dp]

childish stuff always works? We're all children at heart.

[@grandwaha]

They say what you laugh at between the ages of 10 and 12 will still be funny when your 60. Like, Pee Wee Herman Fart Jokes and Nut Shots. Example: kicking Pee Wee Herman in the nuts so hard that he farts!

[@peterfeltham5612]

Yes indeed,my wife has told me a million times that I behave like a schoolboy and I'm 75 yrs.

[@ralgor100]

Especially americans

[@MrTremewan]

@@ralgor100 Have lived in many countries and have noticed that just about everyone responds to this sort of humor.

[@Rob_Kates]

I just love this. It is so crazy to see a bird attack Johnny. It is not shown here, but at the end of the show, Richard Pryor makes a smart remark to it, and it attacks him too.

[@peterfeltham5612]

I wish the Johnny Carson show had been broadcast in Britain,he really is the master of the chat show,terrific guy.

[@Ben_Hattie]

It was, my mum said she saw it sometimes but it was on very late.

[@captainkaos754]

Absolute gold 👍👍😂😂😂😂😂😂 I remember this guy coming to Australia many times when I was a kid.

[@nickwest8633]

He was Australian I think.

[@peterfeltham5612]

No he wasn't an ozzie.

[@michaelasmith9244]

@@nickwest8633 English.

[@nickwest8633]

Cheers for the correction people !!

[@michaelasmith9244]

@@nickwest8633 :)

[@watchman1178]

100X funnier than anything the punks Colbert or Kimmel have ever done, and this was an average spot for Johnny.

[@kali3665]

Johnny usually didn't like being upstaged, but he HAD to have known this was going to happen...

[@OreadNYC]

Since Rod Hull used a lot of physical comedy with Emu -- believe it or not, this was actually somewhat tame! -- anyone involved would have needed to rehearse with him (them?) ahead of time just so that everyone knew what to expect.

[@kali3665]

@@OreadNYC I read somewhere that Johnny liked the spontaneity so he limited his pre-show rehearsals with Emu, but Rod Hull was always on the set beforehand checking it out and making sure how things would go to the last second before his segment began.

[@donnn-ow4rj]

@@kali3665 yes that's true.. rod was also told not to attack richerd prior cause he had just come out of hospital.....but he still did!! Richerd was a great sport about it and actually seemed to purposely cause it. Shame it's not on this clip but it is on KZbin. It happend at end of show.

[@youtold7727]

Couldn’t be more wrong on that Johnny was a great sport. Watch when the Dr. was on showing Heimlich you’ll see what I mean

[@chloerodgers692]

johnny was such a good sport and knew how to make most of comedic situation. Perfection.

[@hereLiesThisTroper]

This was during the time when Late Night Shows didn't have to talk about Trump in each fucking episode.

[@hamrepair3815]

Johnny was just a straight up sport about comedy.

[@treebuck]

I found this clip from watching an episode of the Hollywood Graveyard channel. A bit of it was posted while talking about Rodney's grave. He was a terrific puppeteer.

[@jacksagrafsky4936]

Thats why Johnny ruled the Night times. You saw such great people and acts. Not like now when the host is your everyday SJW!!

[@atomaalatonal]

funny thing is. you guys act like a sjw yourself here spamming "sjw" on any possible content available

[@martinbond461]

Even now, Emu has that ability to cause you fear! RiP Rod Hull, you were an absolute menace!!

[@emesass5959]

I truly miss TV Shows like this. I remember seeing this and the line "who's a pretty Emu" and have remembered it for more than 40 years. They don't make shows like this anymore, they are missed.

[@darry9462]

so funny Johnny carson loves it, Rod and Emu were very popular here in the UK we all loved them..

[@rickwilliamson9248]

I love how Pryor keeps this 'Leave me out of this' look on his face.

[@gallopingalumphus5390]

Wholly SHEET! Never HEARD of EMU, and he's a RIOT! Johnny definitely had some fierce-some animals on from time to time, but I think EMU wins the prize. LMAO!

[@nickwest8633]

It was so tragic when Rod Hull died, he was on his roof trying to fix his t.v Ariel in high winds and he was blown off it by a high gust .

[@MrN8073]

I've made a puppet from one of the socks on my feet for all 3 of my children. Of all the toys they've had over the years the improv sock got the best reactions. Rod was a master at this for children and adults. RIP.

[@cpoky]

this....thing...scared...the SHIT outta me as a kid. I totally understood Ventriloquism, just as a kid you SEE his other arm and is like waaaiiit....if BOTH his arms are there....WTF!!??!! lol

[@quabledistocficklepo3597]

Now that was original, and funny. I've never seen an act like that.

[@jenwanner4911]

Omg I'm in tears. Hilarious!!

[@imanalien6461]

Nothing made me laugh harder when I kid than the emu guy.

[@Brentford-rf5sh]

2:39 Love how Emu picks a bug from Richard Pryor's hair and eats it😂

[@kaynynelaptop7503]

This guy should be in Batman's rogue gallery...but I love every minute of it lol

[@jedijones]

LOL, forget Penguin, now there's the terror of Emu.

[@echo1174]

The crowd are in hysterics, lovin' it! Brilliant!

[@1moredayof]

I had completely forgotten about this guy and his emu. This was so funny and I agree that Johnny was such a great sport.

[@carlcat]

I remember seeing this live, musta been around 40 years ago. Geeze time sure flies, so cool to have the internet to time travel. It's all magical to me.

[@mattkaustickomments]

Richard is probably so fried he thinks Emu’s real.

[@jasbell1]

That's so funny!

[@brianmcconnell1817]

I remember Rod and how funny his routine with emu was. This is the first time I’ve seen him in decades and it’s still funny as hell. Great comedy is timeless.

[@jasonjackson5696]

Damn, I literally laughed out loud watching this 😂😂😂

[@papak67]

So many memories from when I was a kid.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Hahahaha lmfao 👋🤣👍that was some funny shit! I used to watch carson all the time, very funny show.😎👍

[@tarful58]

God I miss Good down to earth comedy these days this was classic!!!!!

[@keybuckley]

Says it all about British comedy doesn't it. You had Richard Pryor and George Carlin, we had Rod Hull and Emu!

[@bessied.5694]

key buckley; I'm American, and I hate Pryor and Carlin, but I love Peter Sellers, Monty Python's flying circus, and Benny Hill.

[@keybuckley]

What about Rod Hull & Emu?

[@bessied.5694]

@@keybuckley ; That act was originally from Australia.

[@keybuckley]

Rod Hull's not Australian, he was on English telly.

[@jacobkemezys3453]

1:17 I can’t breathe, I am freakin dying! 🤣🤣🤣💀⚰️

[@ExtremelyOCD]

On the side, Richard's reactions and facial expressions are priceless.

[@mmsmith1777]

My mother used to fall out of her Lazy Boy laughing at that bird. Good memories. Thanks for posting.

[@Claptonite555]

Emu is a little bit rough but he's a wonderful character!

[@dancingtrout6719]

just a little Rough i'll tell ya..om gosh johnny left terrorized.. poor guy .. i'll tell ya

[@jamesanthony8438]

Love how Johnny just went with it because he knew it was funny. =)

[@fionabeswick7155]

Emu! how can you help but think its alive. Genius. and Johnny Carson is cool about the attacks not like Parky

[@stephenguppy3466]

Parky had a point, actually.

[@CathyKitson]

@@stephenguppy3466 Why did Parky have a point? He MUST have known what was going to happen! Because it ALWAYS happened when Rod Hull & Emu were on. It was part of the act - it was what the audience expected when Emu came on. If it hadn't happened, they'd have been disappointed - the audience is always right because they're the ones buying the tickets! Parky did laugh, but he did look a bit annoyed, too. I can't really understand it - either you have him on and know you're going to get a mauling - or you don't invite him.

[@matthewclark9652]

Appeared on "The Hudson Brothers Show" (Bill, Brett & Mark) on CBS in August of 1974 for 4 episodes. Then CBS decided to do a Saturday morning series called "The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show" for 15 episodes from September 1974 till September of 1975!!

[@martymartin904]

Matthew Clark , just saw that show with the emu guy, funny!!!

[@rasputinfabianski2789]

Rod died by falling from his roof at home, he was trying to fix his antenna.... They say it was EMUs fault for not holding on!!!!

[@janetharned6799]

Are u kidding?

[@vincentmack37]

Janet Harned that's what it say ms on Wikipedia

[@stud105]

True story...except for the Emu part!! He was trying to get his ariel sorted to watch a football match.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

I'd like to have seen "Madame" do that to Johnny.

[@Circuit7Active]

LMAO..I had never seen this one before.

[@jimpinney]

I remember this night, still love how much Johnny laughed at this, you really see they joy in his eyes

[@pwkmania]

Imagine Rod Hull in SNL

[@jedijones]

Would've been great for the '70s show when they had muppets. LOL

[@LisaMarie-ln1vp]

I really miss watching Johnny Carson. He was an icon. Thanks for all the laughs Johnny!!

[@RyWllWatch]

Probably not, as he supposedly enjoyed the bit, or so says a professional writer who was just off set at the time. (www.newsfromme.com/pov/col236/)

[@squiddycheese7399]

2:16 I love his laughter

[@nigelcarren]

I did not know Emu made it across the Atlantic! (and some say Emu's can't fly)?

[@timothyball742]

Nigel, that man brought EMU over to California, just look at how his hand is up EMUs butt!

[@nigelcarren]

@@timothyball742 Thats my childhood you are trampling on, 😂. I can clearly see his keepers' arm around the bird. I heard the bird flew ahead and his keeper (Mr Hull) caught a later flight and met him on the hotel roof. It must be true... a man in a pub told me.

[@timothyball742]

@@nigelcarren Yes and mine too. 11/11/1951 so my age is from that time frame, if you got hurt, sorry!

[@stud105]

Nice to see Emu across the pond!!

[@Cydonia2020]

Of course emus can fly. Just never anything lower than first class...

[@panowa8319]

That Emu always scared me when I was a kid.

[@PaquetasCar2147]

Rod Hull, friggin legend peeps. Sorely missed over 20 years now since he died 😪😔

[@rackpunch3872]

Come on you Irons.

[@vonlossberg]

The funniest JC one I ever saw. Good FB share~ can hardly hear it though.

[@maxdalton1972]

@2.19 Johnny Carsons top teeth nearly fall out of his mouth

[@dawnblue4839]

Johnny Carson was and always will be the king of late night entertainment 💓

[@bobbojones8157]

I’d forgotten how clever and funny this was .

[@michael-il2by]

That was a great bit. Sill laughed out loud.

[@robfinlay8058]

That Emu was a menace, it was always attacking people. The owner should have been ordered to keep it under control, I can't believe he was allowed to keep bringing it onto TV shows.

[@dancingtrout6719]

agree,, actually singer johnny cash had Ostriches on his land and he was saved by his belt buckle when a Ostrich attacked him and almost gutted Him.. google search

[@mycartoonvideo1001]

All these years later...and I laughed so hard !!

[@billlozier5551]

I just loved the EMU as a kid and still do.

[@wretch1]

Everyone saying what a good sport Carson was. Rod Hull was told that he was not to attack Carson but he did it anyway as he always did when told otherwise. Carson's reaction is one of amazement that Hull had the audacity to do what he did. He was visibly put out.

[@Alex632]

He was damn good with that emu. Even it's body language was convincing of a big bird.

[@sananto6896]

For a minute there, I though the bird was real. Great act. It is funny just looking at the bird and the way it moves.

[@everydaylifes]

You can never do this those days comedy gold

[@roadrunner8667]

Omg this brings back some childhood memories 😊....Emu was mad haha

[@VASHtheCritic]

It’s so funny the way Emu reacts when Johnny goes for his foot