Johnny Carson's Practical Joke on Joan Rivers - Margaret Thatcher Impressionist (about 1983)

Johnny Carson plays an elaborate practical joke on Joan Rivers (about 1983). Because of her many jokes about the British Royal Family, Johnny Carson hires British actress Janet Brown - notable for playing Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - to fool Joan Rivers into thinking she is the Prime Minister, who confronts and scolds Joan Rivers about her material.
Rivers' late husband Edgar Rosenberg is briefly seen in this video. In her panic while being confronted by "Margaret Thatcher", Rivers says: "Edgar, why don't you sit here?"
Due to the falling out between Joan Rivers and Johnny Carson after she left her position as permanent guest hostess on his show to host her own competing talk show on Fox, this has not been broadcast since 1985.

[@dawnpatrol6]

As a cameraman I worked with Joan for promos for the Joan Rivers Show in the 90s. We shot in Los Angeles on a stage with her. She got the star treatment from the producers. For lunch they brought in a trailer on the lot and catered lunch for her. When we cut and they called lunch, Joan announced she wanted to stay on the stage and have lunch with the film crew. Sitting around on apple boxes and folding hard chairs, she regaled us with jokes and stories all though our lunch break never going to her star trailer. She knew all our names. She was just the most fun, real and sweetest star I ever worked with. Loved Joanie Rivers.

[@ttm1795]

This is the energy I got from Joan through the screen. ❤️❤️❤️❤️I miss her so much!

[@ptrck99]

Dawn Patrol, first of all: thank you for sharing this. Second: you make me somehow happy to know that someone I liked from TV was actually a nice person in real life, we all know the TV is all an illusion. Glad to know she had that quality of kindness to her. Greetings!

[@jakebrakebill]

@@ptrck99 That's what I was going to write the same thing One of my most favorites.

[@SaxonC]

I read that she was very different from her stage persona and that she was very kind and generous. She was extremely grateful for her fans and just thankful that she was in a business that she loved. She never took her success for granted. She signed my copy of her book, “Still Talking” which I still have and treasure.

[@baconbap]

I like reading comments like this. I once read that Bette Davis used to ride in the station wagon with her film crew.

[@gkom369]

The way Joan reacted when she found out it was all a prank. She was just perfect. A woman genuinely into humour and fun. The way she stood up to "Thatcher" was just amazing. An absolutely brilliant bright and humorous lady. RIP.

[@Ryooken]

She smacked the shit out of Johnny and I laughed for hours.

[@qwertyuiopz123]

WOW!! she plays margaret thatcher spot on

[@162mikey]

%gg

[@JeffFreemanPresents]

Joan, you didn’t owe your entire career to him, you owed your entire career to you. You were a genius. Love you. Miss you.

[@kystars]

Yes she was very funny.. but you really needed a big name to promote you, and that is what Carson did. His show was number 1 in America.. and she was on it MANY times thanks to Johnny Carson. Do you think Rodney Dangerfield would have ended up the comic star that he was without Carson? NO

[@Southprong59]

Carson promoted her for years . . . without Carson, she would have been playing in clubs.

[@vs52217]

She was incredibly talented, but Johnny gave her the break that made her a super star.

[@rikray1]

Joan was, by far, the best guest host ever on the Tonight Show. Her quick witted humor always killed. So sad they didn't speak for all those years. I do miss them both!!

[@PlanetRockJesus]

The woman playing Margaret Thatcher was awesome. She had to carry the entire charade.

[@highdefboxing8056]

Do you ever watch James Bond movies? She has a scene at the end of For Your Eyes Only.

[@jklein9823]

Glad you liked it. I am thankful that I saved it on a VHS tape all these years and was able to post it on KZbin.

[@Pallas89juno]

Thank you so much. A very funny gem.

[@rickyelvis5986]

Cop that jc ...

[@tenga3tango]

Thank u, its hilarious, the late Joan Rivers squirming , and trying to wriggle out of hot plate

[@yomilalgro]

Thank you,thank you, thank you

[@leonmaliniak]

This actress is absolutely GREAT...she really imitates Thatcher perfectly. What a great practical joke and so complicated to orchestrate. I never saw something like this ever from Carson...and that SLAP at the end really looked convincing What comedic geniuses.

[@highdefboxing8056]

Do you ever watch James Bond movies? She has a scene at the end of For Your Eyes Only.

[@MrRotaryrockets]

holy ..I just about cracked up when Joan slapped Johnny and he went to the floor..what a pair... funny stuff..

[@Jakobjoon]

It was planned, but she actually slapped him by mistake, or we like to think so, and he called her a Bitch which was obviously bleeped. She talked about it on The Tonight Show when she was guest hosting after this took place. I was so lucky to have been there that night and was waiting for my turn to get her autograph and someone asked her about it. I miss Joan so much,,,,,

[@patsycav]

Seeing Joan and Edgar together, alive, no words can express my gratitude. She was the star of that era. What a tragedy when we lost her. But she is with Edgar, her beloved husband... Great memories of a great lady.

[@Leoneidas]

This one of the all-time great classics! Thanks for FINALLY putting this legendary joke up for new generations to enjoy.

[@Ryooken]

Yeah I loved watching this. It reminded me of my youth when I first saw this. I laughed for days after she smacked him.

[@rickw1100]

This was very funny. How sad it was that their friendship would end with no reconciliation.

[@jah5390]

@Robert Gardea he's talking about Joan and Carson

[@gotcha1885]

I just watched this for the first time. It's hilarious! Rest in peace guys. You've provided us with many laughs over the years.

[@stevenwestern8199]

Great ending! It never got better than when Johnny had Joan as a guest. It was an event.

[@kittimcconnell2633]

Pwn!! That Thatcher double was excellent!

[@jubalcalif9100]

Amen to that ! She looked and sounded exactly like Maggie Thatcher !!

[@Fcutdlady]

The lady who did the voice of Margaret Thatcher was an impressionist called Janet Brown. She was well known on British television in the 70's and 80's and was nicknamed the prime mimiker as she eas well known for her impresdiins of prime minister Thatcher

[@highdefboxing8056]

Do you ever watch James Bond movies? She has a scene at the end of For Your Eyes Only.

[@razony]

Now do ya all see why the 70's we're so great! Love ya Johnny! Love ya Joan!

[@marywealth6475]

That was from the 80s.

[@joecebu2791]

Yeah, Razony needs to learn her history, since Reagan started his 1st term in '81. Wtf?

[@stitchcrashesdisney312lion4]

Maggie Thatcher laughing her ass off is everything! Although it's just Janet pretending to be Maggie.

[@Angel140321]

I thoroughly enjoyed that, it made me forget all my troubles as miss rivers once said " making someone laugh is like giving them a little vacation"

[@SuperFerdie1965]

Janet Brown, what a brilliant impressionist.

[@loudlong]

Rest in peace and thanks for all the laughs, Joan.

[@Braglemaster123]

She was classic

[@jmp01a24]

Nothing will grow around her grave....

[@mssrus]

She tagged both Bathhouse Barry and Michelle perfectly, but did not watch her back. Those folks play for keeps. RIP, Joan.

[@slavebodybuilder]

Great seeing Johnny Carson in something I'd never seen before and didn't know existed, especially off the Carson Show set. Loved the ending, tears down my cheeks.

[@grahamlyons8522]

Janet Brown was so good, so believable in every way.

[@keithwilson6060]

“Oh, grow up!” One of the best trademarks out there.

[@carababyboomer4726]

Miss them both...class acts all the way. May they rip.

[@john-boy4283]

That lady was a very convincing Margaret Thatcher, looks and manner of speaking

[@5roundsrapid263]

The accent is perfect!

[@Onlinesully]

yeah she was something else

[@Fcutdlady]

The lady who did the voice of Margaret Thatcher was an impressionist called Janet Brown. She was well known on British television in the 70's and 80's and was nicknamed the prime mimiker as she was well known for her impressions of prime minister Thatcher.

[@Onlinesully]

Fcutdlady interesting. Thanks.

[@manuelenrique9220]

She is a time-travelling Meryl Streep. That's why.

[@suzycreamcheesez4371]

RIP Joan and Johnny

[@jasonwilliams9485]

Masterful!!! The key to accomplish this is that the British actress plays a totally convincing Margaret Thatcher. I watched Joan Rivers since she first appear in Johnny Carson's show back in the mid 1960s and I've never seen Joan sweating bullets like she is in this prank. I remember seeing this when it first came out. I guess i'm getting old, but nobody can touch these guys today.

[@highdefboxing8056]

Do you ever watch James Bond movies? She has a scene at the end of For Your Eyes Only.

[@kathall6422]

I would have loved to have seen M. Rivers live. She is one of thee classiest, happiest, gorgeous, fun, with brains and more, there never was, is or ever will be another like M. Rivers. Thank you for being your amazing selves everyone, peace and much love sent from Ontario, Canada.

[@BPCADownStateChapter]

ALL of you, now, bow down to the King of Comedy ! Mr. Johnny Carson, Thanks for the laughs and memories and may you Rest In Peace

[@DavidBensonActor]

Brilliant impersonation by the late Janet Brown, a perfect likeness

[@cynthiaahern9081]

I grew up watching Johnny Carson and I've never seen this. This is absolutely hilarious. This is a jewel on KZbin.

[@SaxonC]

Boy did I need a laugh! Thank you Joan! We miss you!

[@originaldeftom]

"But rrrreallllly, an artist of YOUR standing, ......." I love, love, love the rhetoric and language in this prank! SO amazing!

[@trevorhansen1940]

I've never seen this footage, I amazed to see Joan near speechless. I didn't think that woman would recoil like that, prime comedy.

[@doobeedoo58]

This is the stuff legends are made of...

[@tammyshuttleworth4465]

AMEN DARLING!! 🇨🇦❤

[@JoseGonzalez-ez6vn]

Yeah. A legendary twat-waffle.

[@Toadyru]

I had wished she go the nod to take over the tonight show......

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said ane well put ! And The Maltese Falcon was "the stuff dreams are made of"....or so Sam Spade said !!

[@yomilalgro]

My gosh how I miss Johnny, this is the best, Johnny got her good 😂😂😂 The late great legendary icon, Queen Joan Rivers, a comedic genius, sorely missed and beloved by many😢💖

[@nailboy7370]

I was wondering if I was ever going to see this again. I've only seen this once before and it was years ago. I loved the joke itself. But it was what she did at the end that really blew my mind. That was a real slap!!! Man! I was in shock!!!

[@TopandTang]

I liked when Joan goes "no offense but we helped you during the war a lot!..." Joan had such a quick wit. I miss her!

[@teedeeiss]

Keith - I was just gonna write the same thing, glad I read your post first. Hell yeah she was quick on the draw. 9-20-14

[@teedeeiss]

andy - naaahh, it just would've showed that great minds think alike... ahaha! 8-22-16

[@sweiland75]

That kind of attitude by Americans is precisely why things like 9/11 happen

[@randallgoguen3463]

She helped nobody during the war.

[@mikemcmo]

@@sweiland75 Not precisely, dem's just the facts. Things like 9/11 happen because of things like our steering the Iran/Iraq war, removing democratically elected leaders here and there, endless oil wars, Iran/Contra scandal, etc etc etc.

[@chironapolonio]

HILARIOUS to hear Joan back-pedaling in that husky nervous voice. Tearjerking.

[@diamondeye75]

I remember watching this back in 83, hadn't seen it for years as it was lost to time until KZbin came along. So funny to see this again, and such a shame about their falling out, they were great friends at one time.

[@allenmax8995]

I miss Joan! and Johnny! and Rickles!...I also miss that our society has lost a true sense of humour and so many have such thin skins about every little thing.

[@LittleFatFeet68]

allen max I agree! Political correctness killed comedy/humor.

[@frayjr1970]

I do not think we have become thin skinned due to political correctness but because the majority of the American society has become so overweight that their skin is stretched so thin that everything hurts their exposed nerves. When I was a kid there were very few fat people and they always had a great sense of humor though I never made fun of anyone. Now that so many are fat, they have become BFP or “bitter fat people” it may go back to the old expression misery loves company. All I can hope for is that people will lighten up and realize that laughing is truly the best medicine and the more you allow yourself to laugh the better you will feel!

[@bt10ant]

Agreed. Even TWA is kaput.

[@angelmasionett7150]

I miss her so much. I never saw this. WOW she really slapped him hard. 😂😂😂😂

[@joanieneal143]

Angel Masionett yuh

[@pr4442]

Great gotcha. Around this time there was a satirical show running in the UK called Spitting Image which was really savage to Thatcher and the Royal Family. I think Joan's material was tame compared to what they were getting back home. Thanks for the laughs Joan xx

[@jackwinnick3585]

Paul Richard 00

[@mimirogers6130]

I've never seen Joan Rivers at a loss for words... A classic Joke, Johnny! :D

[@marcdarshin4386]

That SLAP though! Looked way real.... =) I miss Joan Rivers. And Johnny Carson. They've been gone 5 years and 14 years, respectively. Seems like yesterday...

[@peggymcgath3588]

Love this

[@LitZena]

Oh and Joan looks so beautiful in this clip; she was such a critic of her own looks and the funny thing is she was also gorgeous!

[@DexterHaven]

I'd do her any day. Joan was sexy.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

This was after her first cosmetic surgeries. Her nose is thinned, and her jaw reset.

[@patsycav]

@kbamm69 I heard you were so ugly that your mother threw you away and raised the afterbirth.

[@VestigialHead]

@kbamm69 You''re so ugly, when yo'' mama dropped you off at school, she got a ticket for littering!

[@VestigialHead]

@kbamm69 I can see I am dealing with an individual possessing a potent wit. Your amazingly eloquent and descriptive comeback was the epitome of wordplay and tells me I should quit before you ridicule me in-front of all present.

[@attilathejung4801]

Oh man that ending, Johnny was fearless with his physical comedy.. amazing.

[@nihilist4184]

it looked like a very real slap.

[@BadRonald1]

@@nihilist4184 I'm sure it was to give it authenticity. I'm sure Joan's slap wouldn't really hurt.

[@orion8835]

This was beyond entertaining. Honestly these two were one of the funniest people in the English speaking world for a very long time. The gag was hilarious and the Thatcher impersonator excellent. These two look so happy here it is such a shame the feud that occurred. Perhaps they are laughing and reconciled on the other side.

[@Patrick3183]

What feud?

[@orion8835]

look it up

[@Jaknize1]

+Daniel Raphael I'm not sure you can call it a feud. I think Joan would have happily come back on the show, it was Johnny that decided to be bitter the rest of his life.

[@ClarenceFisher]

"Johnny STILL refused to see me. He had security drag me off his cloud...and it is JUST......"

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

It makes me wonder about the shows where she claimed to be intimate friends with the Royal Family.

[@maryyork6401]

They made best friends look good. may they both be in heaven laughing together . loved them both.

[@smmargret6300]

Loved this. Fabulous. Joan was so gracious.

[@joshuabowen316]

Johnny is a master if he orchestrated this, Janet is the most convincing double I've ever heard. Best joke I've ever seen between friends.

[@rachelnewbolt]

Thanks for all the laughs Joan. RIP

[@LitZena]

OMG This is so funny, RIP Joan I love you so much!

[@machintruc313]

She stands her ground. Hats off.

[@KingofPepsi]

DANG!! That slap at the end was a huge surprise!! I didn't expect THAT at all. Johnny must have told her to slap him for real for belivability and effectiveness.

[@gspendlove]

I remember watching this TV special when it first appeared on NBC. The only other thing I remember about it was a "reenactment" Johnny did, where he recounted how some famous person had a special room in his house where everything was upside down -- sofas and chairs bolted to the ceiling, light fixtures coming out of the floor, pictures upside down on the walls, etc. Whenever the celebrity had a party at his house, someone would invariably get blackout drunk, and the other guys there would carry him into the room, put him on the floor and then watch through one-way glass as he woke up and stumbled around, confused as all hell. The show built a mockup of that room, and Johnny played "drunk" to show the viewers how the prank would usually play itself out. IIRC, the TV special where that prank and this one on Joan Rivers appeared was so popular that it led to the creation of "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes," which I wish they'd bring back what with all the nostalgia shows on TV right now. One last thing as a bit of trivia: Janet Brown also played the British PM in the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only."

[@667mumble]

She's a very convincing Margaret Thatcher

[@sly5999]

Johnny Carson at the end: "Huuuh Jesus! You hit vicious!". He knew that this was coming but he didn't see that one coming.

[@antgannon8032]

He says "you're a genius, you're an inspiration."

[@shananalexander9789]

I can’t wait to see this. I have never seen this before. Johnny Carson went all out for this one.

[@gioPHL]

Priceless!

[@johnschlaff5732]

Johhny is still entertaining me even in the after life god bless him😊

[@perrymalcolm3802]

That slap looked pretty real!! This was when things were good between them, obviously; but it really shows how much Carson loved her! It’s a well thought out n crafted prank one would only invest that much energy in for a beloved friend to make them laugh! Which makes it more understandable (rightly or wrongly) how crushed n betrayed Johnny did feel later.

[@jklein9823]

PLEASE, let's NOT get nasty & heartless. I have mixed feelings about Joan Rivers & her late husband Edgar, but I would NOT wish the suicide of a spouse on ANYONE. Depression is a SERIOUS mental illness, & Joan was desperately TRYING to get help for him. I wish he got treatment in time. I feel very bad for anyone who reaches a point where they take their life. Edgar was a flawed but talented, productive & creative man. Suicide can touch any of us at any time. Please by empathetic.

[@SD-de4do]

it's just lonely nazi trolls crying for their lack of charm from their basements, EB

[@sheismymom]

If Joan had kept the bag over her head during their love making he never would have killed himself

[@zzzut]

I vividly remember this prank and the slap in the face at the end but I had never seen it again! Thank you so much for posting! That was a rather cruel joke (but hilarious)! I'd bet Joan Rivers had nightmares about it for years!

[@Jakobjoon]

This was awesome... For those of you who think the slapping at the end was planned, it was. But Joan slap him for real (By accident, wink wink!) and he was very surprised and called her a Bitch, which obviously was bleeped. She talked about it while she was guest hosting following when this was aired on Bloopers and Practical Jokes. I really miss Joan, she was a badass! Thank you ENTERTAINMENT BUFF for posting this gem!

[@mtshishimbi]

Great clip - and what a slap Joan gives Johnny at the end!

[@wendyramirez3350]

I just died for Joan! It was too convincing!

[@jubalcalif9100]

Mamma Mia ! That slap was no fake ! The impact is clearly heard !

[@randythompson1957]

Now these are real comedians. And Joan Rivers and Johnny Carson are both true Americans. Love how she mentioned, We did help you out with the war. Good times.

[@JustJason1977]

And THANK YOU, for uploading this!!! She was still really fast on her feet! The actress was fantastic!

[@jacquemccoy4511]

This is so so funny! Thanks for sharing! We watched Johnny Carson every night!

[@whyamihereweirdo9912]

OMG!! Thank you for uploading this Wonderful piece of History!! Loved Both of them 😍😍

[@SD-de4do]

Joan about prince Charles: "I hope it works out." Implying a royal divorce. If you didn't get that, it was a balls-to-the-wall burn on marriage, the royalty and prince chuck all in one. She's a fucking hero of comedy

[@gtb2009b]

Joan is smart and she has done her act for a long time and she will never give up doing it hard work to keep a act going this long.

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

This is great. I miss Joan and Johnny. I miss great comedy.

[@deborahbuhrman2874]

Loved you Joan,we will mess you ,you where one of the greats, and because of these recordings of you always will be,

[@solovoyager]

I miss Joan Rivers. She could always make me laugh, no matter how I was feeling at the time.

[@jobeLewOOH]

I love the ending when Joan let's Johnny have it !!!

[@thunderboltpenetrator8498]

He should have sued her 😳

[@mattbernabe]

8:28 "Can I get your autograph?" 😂😂😂 I love and miss her so much.

[@MrDoubtfulguest]

Thanks. This is gold, and I remember the broadcast. I seem to recall David Steinberg getting pranked. Great stuff.

[@bsrpython257]

And there it was...the first incident described as "cringe worthy" because "awkward" just wasn't up to the moment.

[@shawndamccormick278]

House dress and a crown! Im dead! 😂🤣😂

[@operabilia]

THAT's excellent ... ! And dear Joan got trapped (for once!) Love it. Thanks for the post.

[@KutWrite]

...and they had US at the end! Hilarious! Thanks for posting. RIP to both of them. I hope Carson by now has accepted her apology.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

When Johnny explains the setup and states, "the victim must not have time to analyze what is going on" really played out here when the imposter gave Joan the letter. If she was able to analyze the situation, she would have realized that there is no way that on a chance meetup that Margaret Thatcher could have had a letter prepared for her. I'm actually surprised that they risked this and didn't go with handing her a phone with Johnny on the end.

[@paulwhite760]

funny to see joan trying to get a word in !

[@johnstitt3717]

What makes this even more special is the wonderfully warm relationship these two had for the rest of their lives.

[@Outlawstar0198]

Uhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@jrdraper]

As a child, I thought this interview, "got Joan". As an adult, I realize, you can't get Joan; "Well, we helped you during the war".. 😂 Joan didn't give a fuck. We were all free game!

[@mooncrab]

Two of the funniest people who ever lived.

[@fireman303030303]

Miss you Joan!!! R.I.P.

[@WhiteStone21475]

That was true comedy. I Loved it.

[@Franaflyby]

I wish I had Johnny as my personal friend . He really went out of his way for his friend Joan Rivers .

[@9teen9t4]

Brilliant! RIP Joan!

[@growthandunderstanding]

My favorite practical joke on Joan was when they led her on for a few years about taking over the Tonight Show. Wish I could be with her when she found out Leno, the idiot, was taking over for Johnny.

[@jetpaq]

Priceless. There are NO words..OMG

[@JoshB333]

Omg how haven’t I seen this yet

[@erictaylor5462]

Margret Thatcher was walking around London in the late 1990's when she saw a homeless man on the street. His sign read "Falklands War vet" She was so moved she gave the man 50 Pounds. He looked up, smiled and said, "Gracias."

[@philiproyd6563]

This has got to be a joke, but if it is true, then it is even more funny.

[@erictaylor5462]

Of course it's a joke. I heard it from an English comic. Stephen Fry, I think.

[@jeffray2869]

Classic "good old Days" Very Funny!!

[@foxolita1]

oh lord!! i just sat here and laughed!! couldn't help myself, and i don't do that very often. thanks!!!

[@bornfree7506]

Now that is funny. Thanks for posting.