Garry Shandling's Knockout First Appearance | Carson Tonight Show

Original Airdate: 03/18/1981
#johnnycarson #thetonightshow #garryshandling

[@roncoghlan8196]

I read that he went back stage after his performance ( he had a small group of his friends) and just collapsed. He had worked so hard for that moment and he was overcome by emotion.

[@craigregan4862]

He didn't get called over by Johnny?

[@glarris1]

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

[@salimoneus]

@@craigregan4862 many times with total noobs, they would only get a quick stand up the first time, then if they ever made it back they'd get some couch time after as well

[@fish9905]

Over emotional Jewish guy lol

[@shnootch]

@@fish9905 so you're jewish?

[@NathanWind99]

Love how Johnny would always help the young comedians by saying "The audience is in a great mood", just reminding the audience to have fun and laugh.

[@xs10tl1]

Or it's 10x worse if he bombs.

[@whitefangzssss]

He truly was a master of the subtleties of hosting

[@jdk050507]

Wow. True.

[@charlenemack7040]

I’m 71 years old I have anxiety and depression… Medicine doesn’t help me. The only medicine that I have now is music, and comedy. God love Johnny Carson God love Garry Shandling and all the other wonderful comedians and people who are no longer on planet earth as we know it. 😊❤❤❤

[@robertlopez7988]

Laughter is the best medicine.

[@Godshonestruth]

Exercise- nature- sun- good diet- solid sleep schedule. Supplements. Exercise. Sun. Purpose. Go volunteer for the local animal or homeless shelter or something like that.

[@FredLord-sp4ym]

Sometimes that is much too difficult. But I hear you.@@Godshonestruth

[@gaylanbishop1641]

God bless you

[@freddyfurrah3789]

Good fortune

[@oystertoadfish1149]

He really knocked it out of the park. True talent always showed up on Carson. Garry left us way way too soon.

[@johnnythunders78]

He will always be around ;)

[@guyh.4121]

He had a great show

[@4862cjc]

@@johnnythunders78 His concert video titled “Alone In Las Vegas” is hilarious and timeless!

[@Mambojambo157]

Larry Sander’s show is still my favourite.

[@jamesanthony5681]

When the talent coordinator for the Tonight Show first saw Shandling at the Comedy Store, he told Garry that he'd have to come back the next day to confirm that he was that good.

[@Cander509]

Absolutely killed it. See how he slowed his cadence down a beat or two and really got in to a sweet groove? Astonishing.

[@RockyRMR]

You’re astonishing, too.

[@iggypopisgod9]

Astonishing?well no....but professional

[@rimshot2270]

An underappreciated comic genius. RIP Garry.

[@williamhornabrook8081]

This is more than 40 years old and the jokes still hit!

[@grahamhill9499]

50

[@sstills951]

@@grahamhill9499 43

[@mariomichel]

43 years ago. Wow. Garry was the best!!

[@marknewcomedy1]

I read a lot of comments here wondering why he wasn’t called over to the couch. It was probably a timing thing. I was a comic and I can tell you this was the best first Carson set I’ve seen. I loved, though, that Carson looked at his staff off camera and said, “ Thanks, Jim” referring to the talent coordinator who scouted new talent at the clubs for the show. Never heard Carson do that “ on-air” before. That may have been the ultimate compliment to Garry. What an enormous talent. RIP, Garry.

[@cyanidechrist]

Great story bro.

[@rodgreene2687]

The best part of that was. Jim saw Shandling at the comedy store on the weekend and booked him right after his regular set. He said “ How’s Tuesday?” Carson was brilliant and he was responsible for making many many multi millionaires!

[@Dhrrhee3e11a76]

I hadn't even noticed that on first watch but I'm so glad you pointed it out. Very unusual for Johnny, he must've been really blown away. Can you imagine that feeling for Shandling right after finishing his set? I'll never experience such intensity.

[@aaroncoal28]

I can't even imagine how it must have felt to hear Johnny laughing out loud so hard while you are doing your act.

[@onpsxmember]

I wonder how it felt not being called over to the couch after killing it.

[@andreo.7633]

Right?

[@neiljohnson7914]

True story: My wife used to date a guy called Scott who came from a very rich family and she was invited to his parents' house in Palm Springs and Johnny Carson was there. She says that Johnny was a very quiet and shy person.

[@scottgordon7754]

@@neiljohnson7914 so the guys name was relevant?

[@neiljohnson7914]

@@scottgordon7754 Scott Wolfe to be exact. I don't need to be relevant. I just mentioned the name for the hell of it.

[@carloszenon4562]

I met him once in Atlantic city. I was star struck and shook his hand,telling him how much I appreciated his humor.I wouldn't let go off his hand and he told me he had to go to the bathroom..the look on his face was hysterical. He was a comedic genius.May he rest in peace with our Heavenly Father . Q

[@RoeLuv1]

Amazing seeing Gary as a “new” Comedian. In the time of only 3 major networks, killing on Carson could change your life overnight

[@bonwatcher]

The title undersold his performance here, he absolutely killed for a first performance on Carson's Tonight Show.

[@hawkrider88]

I wonder why Carson didn't invite over to the couch....always the sign that you nailed it and Johnny liked you.

[@mercedesaug]

@@hawkrider88 Me too. It was like what did Shandling have to do? The audience, and me watching this, were rolling in the aisles.

[@brianlane9534]

Sometimes there are time constraints and he has to move on.

[@susanclark6987]

I'm sure he wanted to have him come over cuz I know he really liked him... but in those days they really did have to move on.. take those breaks for commercials

[@jamesanthony5681]

The talent coordinator for the Tonight Show told Garry after seeing his set for the first time at the Comedy Store, he'd have to watch him again the following night to prove to himself that he was really that good and the first time wasn't just a fluke

[@240p_is_enough]

Doesn't even look or sound nervous... Just naturally talented and hilarious

[@Trev0r98]

Master performance. And it's his first appearance on Carson. Remarkable. That's Next-NEXT Level Comedy, right there.

[@lnl3237]

Highly recommend the documentary on Garry's life. Poignant and insightful about the complicated and layered lives we all have.

[@marstondavis]

Gary Shandling was really a talented guy. He was so damn funny. His smile brought you along with him and you just loved the ride. I miss him.

[@tubergetrude333]

He was unique. He became a spiritual seeker, a buddhist, I think. A complex guy. he went out with sharon stone for a time. I dont think he ever got over her. Anyway I miss him too

[@cassandragarcia5548]

Not really

[@neiljohnson7914]

@@cassandragarcia5548 not really to what? You don't miss him? You don't think he was talented?

[@moaningpheromones]

@@neiljohnson7914 if people stink only they can clean themselves. - me, probably.

[@alizahalon]

@@tubergetrude333 He was not a Buddhist. He made sure to tell people that. He was a Jew, through and through. Terribly funny and extremely clever. I once read an interview of his in a magazine at the doctor's office. His answers were so clever it was scary.

[@kevinbown424]

I crossed paths with Garry Shandling Once...I was a Chef for Wolfgang Puck at the time....we were at the Science Center in L.A. That Night... "The Who", was the entertainment. A long line of Celebrities were crossing my path...I had to get through them...Garry Shandling's Wife said, " Garry The Chef Needs To Get Through." So He Said, Oh Sorry Wolfgang, I Don't Want To Get In you're Way". It was a little dark that night. He acually thought I was Wolfgang Puck lol. I said in an Austrian accent, I'm a Big Fan Garry"!!!

[@barbaradascalos4411]

HaHa..great story. Short and sweet..the accent ending was the cherry to top it off.

[@hank1519]

His self-confidence is amazing!

[@robertpiekosz7470]

One of the Greats. I Loved his first show on Showtime. The HBO Show was one of the Greatest of All Time! R.I.P. Gary.

[@909One92]

Marvelous comedic talent. The Larry Sanders Show on HBO is just one long usually hilarious standup. He was great. RIP.

[@centerice]

The Larry Sanders show was absolutely incredible. Great actors on the show, lots of cameo guest appearances, incredible writing, and Garry himself showed that he was actually a superb actor. What a loss for the world!

[@willinguyen1]

The first time I saw him was the shortlived Gary Shandling show where he broke the 4th wall. It was so good.

[@773SleepyHollow]

Absolutely... I think calling it one long standup as 909 did undersells the show.@@centerice

[@hankgs]

I was SO forturnate to have seen him at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa just before he went on Carson... We were sitting right up front and he did his "Dad's Gross" routine...I never laughed so hard, Gary looked down and said. "I gotta take this guy to all my gigs.." Miss you man.

[@whatdoyathink5966]

WOW, You Were Blessed! He was Such a Good Guy. I too, Miss The Good Ole Days. No True Comedy left (Now They All Swear & Talk Trash.)

[@reflactor]

That was possibly the best 6-minute comedy set I ever saw. He was hitting one home run after another. I don't ever remember hearing Carson laugh so much off camera.

[@alanhirschman1320]

His delivery was spot on, the timing perfect, especially for the little throw away line after the main joke. I love how his face would illustrate the joke, and then he would break into that innocent boyish grin that said “I’m so happy that you think I’m funny.”

[@goittoog7563]

R.I.P. one of my all time favorites---his 'Gary Shandling" shows and guest star appearances, all great.

[@f0rmaggi0]

It had the best theme song.

[@MrDuds1984]

You know you’re killing it when you can hear Johnny laughing in the background

[@jaysantos536]

And Carson didnt even invite him over to the chair? He invited Freddie Prinze over and that dude wasnt even slighlty funny. A bunch of lame Puerto Rican jokes?

[@alansheiman4818]

I could hear Johnny laughing too.

[@adolpholiverbush9060]

he actually laughed at everything

[@MrDuds1984]

@@jaysantos536 Carson did one better he gave him guest hosting duties in the 80’s he would have made a next perfect replacement after Letterman

[@NecronomiKane]

@@MrDuds1984 I believe he was in the running for Conan's spot, didn't do it because he was busy doing 'The Larry Sanders Show'.

[@CheefChaos]

This is without a doubt among the loudest times you can hear Carson laugh.

[@aks957]

Never heard any other stand up Debut in Carson have such a rousing ovation...one after the other ....just killed it ...

[@jaysantos536]

And Carson didnt even invite him over to the chair? He invited Freddie Prinze over and that dude wasnt even slighlty funny. A bunch of lame Puerto Rican jokes?

[@good1day726]

@@jaysantos536 am curious too; someone mentioned in another comment that sometimes timing wouldn't allow for it.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@jaysantos536 No, Prinze was legit funny. His TV show, 'Chico and the Man' , however, was lame and not funny.

[@tjmctube]

I saw the original broadcast of this and have never forgotten the dad/robe joke to this day. RIP Garry.

[@shoenamcghee2199]

I saw the original as well and have not forgotten the mooing at cows line. How can he afford that? hahaha

[@scottrayhons2537]

2 great classics! Garry and Johnny. Thank you both for great entertainment!

[@johnkoziol1537]

Johnny was right when he said more would be heard about Gary Shandling. It's too bad he is no longer of this planet. Rest in Peace Gary. Thanks for the yuk-yuks, guffaws, chuckles, belly busters, and, of course, the laughter.

[@andybenis]

The episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with him and Jerry is a great nostalgic walk down memory lane. So glad it was captured before he passed.

[@moistmike4150]

LOVED Garry Shandling. Understated comedic genius.

[@toddfee9251]

If Johnny gave you the wave, the wink, and had you take another bow: career made.

[@davidhutchinson7888]

Facts no one will ever again experience

[@f0rmaggi0]

Carson made so many careers just by greenlighting them on his show. A man who could hold 20 million people captive on any given weeknight but couldn’t maintain a close personal relationship for a length of time.

[@RockyRMR]

Wow. Did you read that somewhere?

[@toddfee9251]

@@RockyRMR no, why?

[@mikestevenson576]

@@f0rmaggi0 I heard it was 90 million.

[@kkampy4052]

I always thought his standup was hysterical. He had the jokes that would take a tangent at the end. RIP Garry.

[@cide3197]

This was 1981. I’ve chuckled all these years, because of his ‘dog dreaming joke’, every time I see a sleeping dog twitching. 👍😁

[@trvman1]

His TV show was great too. Surprised Johnny didn't call him over. You could hear him laughing at times.

[@alanvallazza9781]

His last appearance on Tonight Show with Johnny Carson he promoted Larry Sanders He was still filming it. Debuted in August 92.

[@jameshorton7496]

Plus Garry had those wonderful facial expressions at the end of each joke.

[@EddieFunkowitz]

@@trvman1 Johnny never invited comics to sit down on their debut performances. But if he gave the thumbs up -- as he did with Gary here -- that meant you would be invited to come back again. It was usually after three or four appearances that Johnny would then invite them to sit on the panel.

[@kasumiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin]

Wearing a suit that blends with the curtains is what they call a "Shandling-ism"

[@elkabong6429]

R.I.P. Gary Shandling. Left us too soon. Only 66 when he died in 2016.

[@FredLord-sp4ym]

Garry had already written for "Sanford and Son" and appeared on "Make Me Laugh" by the time he was invited to perform on Mr. Carson's "Tonight" show. This is great! Thanks for sharing.

[@tdunph4250]

Many comedians/actors owe a lot of gratitude to Mr Carson.

[@uneedtherapy42]

this is truly phenomenal comedy... He could do this act today and it would be just as hilarious

[@adriancameron8665]

agreed this is very good as Carson said.

[@chewycenter7690]

I saw it when it aired in 1981 and laughed. Laughed in 2023. Those were great jokes.

[@brianarbenz1329]

Garry was inspired to give a comedy career a go when George Carlin looked over several pages of material this kid from Tucson nervously asked him to assess. Shandling said Carlin tore much of it apart, but ended with, “If you’re thinking of pursuing a comedy career, I’d do it.”

[@jamesanthony5681]

I remember that story. Garry finished college and then left for LA not knowing anyone in the business, aside from meeting Carlin at that AZ comedy club.

[@mizzury54]

I always liked Garry , great delivery and his face seems like he was made to be a comedian.

[@mcashnv]

This is what a great comedian looks like.

[@professorhoratiohufnagel1341]

That’s when you know you’re really good when you write a comedy act and 40 years later it makes people laugh. I miss you both Gary & Johnny.

[@professorhoratiohufnagel1341]

@@southtxguitarist8926 me too. I love Gary and I hadn’t heard any of this routine and I was laughing out loud as if he wrote this yesterday.

[@1105pitbull]

Clean and timeless.

[@ashleelarsen5002]

👍

[@mrveritas700]

still vulgar with the robe joke.... polite vulgar humour.

[@1105pitbull]

@@mrveritas700 vulgar? wow, never watch Eddie Murphy's stand up routine.

[@good1day726]

@@mrveritas700 yeah agree.

[@marksupic3083]

I loved the Gary Shandling TV show-the theme song was hilarious🤣!

[@bunpeishiratori5849]

I loved that show.

[@Soxruleyanksdrool]

The Larry Sanders show was hilarious for sure.

[@ruthcasteel5311]

thanks for the memories from the past.i always liked his comedy...lol

[@honeybeebadger]

What an crowd amazing energy 😊

[@brittscott4673]

I don't know what excited a comedian more the crowd laughing or hearing Johnny laughing. Robin Williams was one of Johnny's favorite guests. When he did his last shows Robin Williams was one of his guests and Bette Middler. He said before he did his last shows that these were some of his favorite guests.

[@charlenemack7040]

I’m 71 years old. I remember when this program was first aired. I’ve been sleep deprived since Johnny Carson used to be on.

[@GuiitarBilly]

Have seen this before, know some of these classic Shandling jokes and still laughed out loud (and hard) at this -yet again. Gary’s act has aged well because it’s excellent and fairly timeless stuff and he was a great stand up. This isn’t always the case for some other 80s comedians.

[@jameshorton7496]

Thanks for this. I forgot how funny Garry Shandling was back then. In those days, he and David Brenner were my favorite stand up guys, until I got into Rodney Dangerfield.

[@heavnnnsent]

I love them all. It is such a wonderful thing to see this first appearance by Garry shandling I have a lifetime obsession with comedians sort of like a groupie without the sex.

[@breakfastplan4518]

What Gary did here was to go from prepared material to completely fresher material. Once the very first rough-draft joke worked on the audience, he got his 'Read' of the audience and went for the 'work-in-progress' material. This and Eddie Murphy's first appearance on JC are absolute Study material for future comedians.

[@morrismarshall1575]

I watched his comedy as a teenager and was blown away by his calm, easygoing, nice guy style. Reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld in some ways

[@shanemac5366]

To that end with the Seinfeld comparison, they were great friends for over 30 years coming up as comics and both appearing on Carson which really propelled their careers. Last I saw of Shandling just happened to be with Seinfeld on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

[@bmh18172]

How do you know this? Would love to hear about it if he described this set somewhere

[@jonathandewberry289]

Wow that was solid stuff. There was a kind of exaggerated story about how a comedian knew they'd really 'passed' if Johnny invited them to the desk. Later, people from the show said that was not actually a strict rule at all and I believe they mentioned Garry Shandling by name as an example. They said it just depended on the schedule, time leftover, commercials etc. Johnny MIGHT shake their hand or MIGHT invite them IF possible but you see here: Shandling had Carson dying in laughs but time didn't allow. Shandling would come back again and again.

[@NxDoyle]

There were a few ways that Johnny gave comedians approbation. Indicating to the comic that they take a bow (which happened here), giving them the ok👌sign, calling them over to the couch, and laughing his ass off (which also happened here, and must surely have been the most gratifying to a comic). Unlike the bow, ok sign and Johnny's laughter, the call to the couch was often contingent on how much time they had left over to do it.

[@jonathandewberry289]

@@NxDoyle Yes, I think that's what i was saying... well not that I said it but Johnny Carson people have said that. I do recall Carson himself saying that but certainly producers have since. Nevertheless, a kind of showbiz urban legend developed that being called to the couch for an interview was a kind of Roman 'thumbs up/down' that meant the comic was .. 'being made' like in the mafia OR being rejected as a made-man.

[@ntvypr4820]

@@jonathandewberry289 Funny, the 70's were my teens and 80's my 20s and even recall seeing Letterman do HIS first appearance on Carson in the 70's. Still, I watched both Carson and Letterman virtually every night. Then, many years later I saw many of these same comedians interviewed about their first time appearances on Carson, knowing that it could literally make or break them. And virtually all of them said that getting the OK finger salute 👌 was a big mark of 'you made it' from Johnny, but getting the wave over to have a seat and chat for a few minutes was the holy grail for these guys. Since I heard it from the mouths of the actual comedians themselves I guess that's where that 'urban legend' came from. Time permitting of course.🙄

[@jonathandewberry289]

@@ntvypr4820 The last sentence is the key and turns it into what I passed on to you: Time permitting. Time permitting. So that means, if a comedian was NOT waved over to the chair it really didn't mean it would 'break you' or not make you. It may or may not mean they had 2 seconds to commercial or had big guests with a tight schedule etc. How do we know this? You just saw an example where Garry Shandling was NOT invited to the chair. Wait.. so Carson didn't like him and 'make him' and that broke him? Of course not. Shandling was invited back and back over and over as a guest and then fills in for Carson, hosting the show. So there you have it. The Carson people were correct when they say that it wasn't that way the showbiz legend was turned into some absolutist thing.

[@mikestevenson576]

@@jonathandewberry289 Having said all of that, this is the hardest by far I've seen any comedian kill with Carson and *not* get called over.

[@MyNameIsChristBringsASword]

Garry is one of the funniest of them all. He wrote for Sanford and Son and other shows. How he and Steve Martin didn't end up doing a vaudeville act is a mystery.

[@davidzimmerman2241]

Over 10 applause breaks; probably the greatest first set of all time...

[@oliverpura9876]

I liked his show where he had a job doing what Johnny does and it showed what goes on behind the scenes. He was a great comedian and actor.

[@jpsned]

The music used to bookend Gary's appearance is "Salt Peanuts," written by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. 🙂

[@mousearebec]

Saw Mr Shandling on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee several years ago no long before he left us. It was just excellent to see the two of them interact. He was genius

[@helpinghal]

I remember watching this when it first aired. Really, really funny. Especially the part about "what's a nightmare for a dog?"😁

[@robingar4973]

The intro to his TV show was the best intro and I will always have it memorized

[@ColleenCZC]

I Love coming across Great Old(er) Comedy! Wow, the freshness of it!!

[@kroon275]

This was hilarious. Loved the Gary Shandling and Larry Saunders shows. Didnt know he was so great at standup though 👍

[@keithmoorechannel]

Good clean jokes, well delivered.

[@jolenewitzel7919]

Always liked him 😄

[@NxDoyle]

Every time I see it, he seems to kill just a little bit harder. And even though I've seen it at least a dozen times over the years, there are still laughs. He was just great.

Gary was awesome. I watch the Larry Sander's show episodes from time to time. So funny.

[@neiljohnson7914]

This was two months before my high school graduation. How time flies.

[@tastyjay]

He brought the house down. He seems fully formed even at this early date.

[@NxDoyle]

Before he turned to stand-up, Garry wrote sitcom scripts.

[@paulleach5841]

He killedit!!!killed it!!!!

[@justme.9711]

Has Seinfeld been influenced by this guy or what? This was 1981, it's pre-Seinfeld Seinfeld. Killing it Jerry, killin' it!

[@joshuaharuni5546]

Never realised how funny Gary Shandling was…

[@jgoel3266]

I am surprised he didn't call him over to sit down. That was the ultimate sign from Johnny.

[@NxDoyle]

The show was probably running long.

[@heavnnnsent]

Interestingly, some people don't know this.... there were some comics who Johnny Carson wanted dead, he couldn't stand them. So Johnny would also invite them over to sit down too. Then the next day they would get whacked

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

Couldn't have gone better. "Thank you, Jim" says Johnny, for finding him that serious talent. "[Jim] McCawley discovered many of today's comedians and supported the likes of David Letterman, Garry Shandling, Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Roseanne Barr, Victoria Jackson, A. Whitney Brown, Paula Poundstone, Jon Lovitz and many more who got their start on The Tonight Show thanks to him." Garry didn't join the pantheon of first-timers who got called over to the couch though. Probably just short on time.

[@MariaGazda]

Great material, Excellent delivery...and NO Swear words! Genius!

[@Tohgod]

Rest in Peace to one man who made me laugh more then I had a right to. His book as Larry Sanders made me laugh out loud while reading it besides the show being hilarious groundbreaking and started a whole new genre of Television it made me laugh. Brilliantly funny and so much laughter put out in the world it was was a great gift and legacy.

[@MikeFromKansas]

It always made me mad when I tuned into The Tonight Show only to find there was a guest host...except when it was Garry Shandling.

[@good1day726]

Yes, same!

[@thatepicwizardguy]

2023, still a solid funny set

[@Goobie77]

Really loved his style of comedy!

[@evalehde3869]

He became a frequent guest host of the tonight show, so he did ok.

[@camswar]

Always loved him. Loved your Show by the same name. Thank you for all the years of Laughter Mr. Shandling. You left this world a better place.

[@keithplunk6611]

That's why I like clean comedians. They don't rely on vulgarity and sexual jokes. They seldom curse or grab themselves. I respect that level of integrity. Anybody can get a laugh from a dirty comedian, but it takes a real skilled person to keep it clean. Real class acts don't need potty training.

[@neverjethot]

Who else has the Theme to Gary's show stuck in their cranium now?

[@jeffdawson2786]

This is still my favorite debut.

[@HardRockMiner]

Garry was the original Jerry Seinfeld. Seeing Garry cry when talking about the day Johnny died made me tear up. Garry was closer to Johnny that Garry realized.

[@doobyboy21]

When The Johnny Carson show was on I was to young to really appreciate it, now i'm binging ! This was really Gold !

[@stevespanos75]

Absolute natural Talent. Every word is Humour. I miss him.

[@DMBall]

In his last TV appearance on Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars," Shandling said he had finished a set at an L.A. comedy club when a man walked up to him, identified himself as a Tonight Show rep, and said, "How's next Tuesday for you on Carson?"

[@crashburn3292]

The word "underrated" is overused on KZbin, but Shandling really doesn't get mentioned too much. "The Larry Sanders Show" gets overlooked behind Seinfeld and Chappelle Show, but it really was one of a kind.

[@TokyoXtreme]

“It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” is still hilarious all these years later. I watched it several times a week in junior high school, having taped each week onto VHS.

[@ronniechilds2002]

Wow, that was a very good debut; he nailed it. There were several real killers in there.

[@pdelevett]

Brilliance.

[@andreo.7633]

Gotta love Johnny's contagious laugh xDDD

[@ricksegal3065]

A true comic genuis and passed away way too young. Always did want to know the true story as to why Johnny didn't invite him over.

[@erestube]

His routine was pretty long. Sometimes Johnny was just out of time.

[@tomlovin8931]

@@erestube It was going so well, they let him run extra long.

[@callybrown3299]

he was asked to replace Johnny Carson and instead went on with his own show how do you guys not know this

[@landztranz]

Brilliant stuff!

[@kevinmccaffrey2214]

Wow I never saw that before he knocked it out of the park

[@francus7227]

I literally stuck my head out the window today and mooooo'd a bunch of cows. They looked at me funny. Now I know what they were thinking.

[@markoman5267]

The Carson cackle.

[@MrBluoct]

It’s Johnny’s laughter… that elevates this

[@wiredranchvideo]

Saw this show on Pluto and Carson was right - this crowd was amped up well before GS came on. To see Garry basking in this dream come true audience response - taking his time to appreciate the moment (looking at Johnny and the band) - is still an uplifting moment… Along with Johnny, George Carlin (another late great comedic mind) deserves huge credit too. He took the time to look at Garry’s unsolicited raw material, meet with him again the next night and encouraged him to forget his senior year at ASU, that he did have potential!

[@tombooth9136]

He went to the University of Arizona.

[@jamesanthony5681]

After the talent coordinator for the Tonight Show saw Garry's act at the Comedy Store in 1981, he told Shandling that he'd have to watch him again the following night to prove to himself he was really that good, and the first time wasn't just a fluke.

[@MrMuzikProductions]

Gary just killed it 😂🤣