Johnny Tells Bette Midler She’s Going To Be a Big Star | Carson Tonight Show

Bette Midler performs "Hello in There" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo"
Original Airdate: 11/17/1972
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[@camsmith336]

OMG I remember being a young kid watching this Johnny Carson episode with my Nana like it was yesterday. She had just baked butter-tarts and they were warm out of the oven. We both sat there eating her warm butter-tarts and she commented that Bette was a talent and some day would be famous, just as dear Johnny predicted. Well decades have past, Johnny is gone, my mom, my dad, my dear sweet Nana are gone but Bette and I are still here. Keep singing and we will all keep enjoying Ms. MIdler!!!!! Thank you for the decades of smiles and entertainment.

[@vickyabramowitz2885]

It's difficult for me to believe this was 51 years ago when I was in my last year of high school. Bette was also on Johnny's last show before he retired in 1992. He was really touched by Bette's farewell song to him. Good times.

[@gailjacobson7088]

She sang a hoagie Carmichael song I think

[@erics.6349]

A fan of Bette's for a long time and Johnny's last show is unforgettable. Always showing her heart, like a genuine star.

[@rebeccacooper2793]

Only the Best of the Best! Bette and of course Johnny!👏💖

[@gloriawhiting6097]

​@@erics.6349 In 88😊

[@cheryleann6394]

That's the thing about Johnny Carson, he knew talent. It was a good time to be young and alive and to have grown up with such wonderful talent.

[@RIXRADvidz]

''Hello In There'' never fails to produce a flood of tears, Thank You Ms. Midler. OMG THAT'S BARRY MANILOW ON PIANO !!!!

[@jasonbeard4713]

I wondered. Thank you. Two major stars in the early years. Gold!!

[@gregster61]

I remember one of the Hit Parader type magazines, right after Bette scored with "The Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy", had an article about Bette Midler's musical director, "The Divine Mr. M", not long before Barry Manilow hit with "Copacabana".

[@TheDivayenta]

When she couldn’t get arrested on B’way after Fiddler, she created her own show and performed it at the Continental Bath’s where Barry was her accompanist.

[@bsquared4604]

Indeed it is!

[@lucisue53]

I suspected it was Barry Manilow - it was easier for me to see his face near the end of the second song. How cool is that!!

[@woodrowsmith3400]

I got to see Bette in '75 in Columbia, SC. I was in the Army at the time. The guys clowned on me for going, but I am here to tell you it was a night to remember. What a pure, unadulterated talent! The concert was in the Opera House, a building designed and built by Avery Fisher, who several years later built Carnegie Hall in NYC. The acoustics were perfect in that tiny hall...and so was Bette. Bette's first song tonight was written and first performed by John Prine.

[@paradiddle5150]

Thank you for your service

[@AxelQC]

Carson liked Midler so much, she was the very last guest on his finale.

[@TheDivayenta]

Omg- Hello In There by John Prine. Bette could always tell a story when she sings. She can touch hearts. This is a forgotten component in current singing contests. And then she’s going right into a number all by herself sans Harlettes! Her live shows were the BEST!!!!!

[@mindeloman]

John Prine could write a song to paint true reality like no other. "Sam Stone" is just a tragedy. My wife and I have been performing "Inspite of Ourselves" as sort or a party song, for over 10 years now and people love it so much. Sad that when John passed he was not remembered as much as he should've been. Just like Mozart, some of the greatest artists seem to be buried in a paper's grave of the public consciousness.

[@Ryan_D542]

Her performance during Carson's last show was legendary. Rare use of the camera angle to focus on Bette and Mr. Carson during the song. Not sure if it's on the channel but should be added.

[@TheDivayenta]

She won an Emmy for that.

[@SomeDudeInTheChat]

Robin Williams was also on that show. Sigh.

[@sandraandrews9907]

Yes, it's featured. You can get to see the final show with or without the channel. Yes, it was an iconic moment. God bless the Divine Miss M 🙏🎶🎤🎶🙂

[@Mark_Wheeler]

She did become a big star, and the piano player, Barry Manilow, made out pretty well too!

[@aidanflynn1577]

and her back-up singers Melissa Manchester and Katey Sagal did great as well.

[@EagleRockers]

I remember watching this with my mother just before my 20th birthday. I've probably seen her live over 10 times throughout the years.❤ The Divine One!

[@jillkjv3816]

Just lovely. So glad I grew up when I did and not today when TV is so dire and unwatchable.

[@TheDivayenta]

Or guests have to play silly games instead of having a real conversation.

[@rebeccacooper2793]

I so totally agree with you! A time when the classy shows had Class!!👍

[@stphncrmr]

My profile photo has been this Bette Midler interview/performance since I first created a KZbin account 10+ years ago. Thrilling to see the complete footage. Thank you!!

[@martymartin6191]

She was so original! and Johnny saw that!!! Superstar even back then!!

[@bobdecarlo7778]

John Prine's song. Heartbreaker.

[@chrissheppard5068]

That song was brilliant because it is true and captures life, real life.

[@StevePhil-qw4ep]

Wow! This is something...I was born in 71, always heard how much of a powerhouse she was then but now i see ... She fit the time and Johnny could see star on her. Barry Manilow was just her piano player then, she would later have Katey Sagal as one of her background singers

[@jeffbassin630]

What a magnificent star Bette Midler became!!!

[@meijer78]

She would of never thought that Carson would pick her as his last guest 20 years later. What an emotional night that was for us fans.

[@matthewjones1959]

Thank you for posting this! I have wanted to see the entire sequence for years.

[@kt9166]

One of John Prine's best songs. Beautifully performed by an incredibly young Bette with Barry on the ivories. It doesn't get any better than that.

[@SomeDudeInTheChat]

I was born the same year this aired on Carson. I have loved her work literally all my life.

[@JS-ii4xr]

I’ll never forget his final show. Better came on, sat upon his desk and serenaded him for the final act. It was so well done!

[@rhondasanders4323]

Bette Midler. She’s Something Else♥️‼️. I Love Her♥️

[@lvmykdz5724]

I was 2 when this episode aired. How awesome to think my parents likely watched this while my sister and I slept. I miss the good ole days. 😢❤

[@bethschenk2851]

Yes! I was 6 and Dad watched Carson every night. I watched the final show and cried the whole time Bette was on. She and Johnny had such a special friend connection. ❤❤

[@fatShowPony]

I don't know hardly anything about Bette Midler's music but this has got me wanting to find out more. That first song was wonderful and delivered so powerfully and uniquely.

[@flagler88]

Bette was best live and her album Live at Last is a great example of that. If you haven't listened to it yet, track it down

[@popsfursmurf]

watch the 1979 film the rose. Bette will blow you away. It's one of those films that once you see it, you are changed.

[@MrYolandavallssimo]

Listen to her version of "Delta Dawn" from her debut album, The Divine Miss M, she sang it before it was a hit for Helen Reddy (awful version by Reddy) but Bette takes it to your soul, to another level. Listen to that song and the rest of the album is classic too, includes Hello In There, Leader of The Pack and my favorite song by her, Do You Want To Dance?

[@Amberbaer469npa]

I'm 59 years old and VIVIDLY remember watching her do this when it first aired~! We always stayed up to watch Carson.....and she is still divine to this day! And Barry Manilow on the piano is a hoot - the only thing missing from the group is Melissa Manchester who was friends with Barry and became one of the first HARLETTES~!

[@patriciathomas6489]

She is the greatest, certainly a great star, well desired, love all he songs

[@pattibrooks1907]

Bette is a classy lady and so talented ! She is a beautiful person !

[@deserthound2605]

The same Bette Midler who made fun of Karen Carpenter’s battle with anorexia? Lots of class. Loads.

[@pattibrooks1907]

@@deserthound2605 I like Karen Carpenter and do not think Bette would make fun of her battle with anorexia ! Where did you hear such a thing !

[@justdatdude]

@@pattibrooks1907 Unfortunately she did make jokes about Karen Carpenters anorexia in the 70s. Don’t get me wrong I think Bette Midler is great, but unfortunately it is true. She has since apologized to the Carpenter family for her comments thankfully.

[@MrYolandavallssimo]

@@deserthound2605 She never did. She joked about Karen as part of her stage act. In fact, when Karen died, I saw Bette in concert in DeTour that same day, everyone was talking about it, Bette just sang a beautiful rendition of "Superstar" and the crowd went wild. Karen recorded that because he brother Richard heard Bette sing it on the Carso show before her album was released and I love Karen's version better, and Bette is my favorite performer of all time.

[@lavenberry]

Johnny C was right. Bette is unique and she did go far. She's the best entertainer America has ever had!

[@MrYolandavallssimo]

I can't imagine that here she is 26 years old, her debut "The Divine Miss M" album was to be released that coming week and she sings this incredible song and another, "Chattanooga Choo Choo" which she never even recorded. Didn't even plug the album, she just sang and talked and was a lot of fun! She and Johnny, two of the finest in their fields. Great respect for both.

[@charlesgroover9646]

How you know someone is a superstar is even in mediocre performances they show a true passion for the art ❤

[@JRIJR75]

Huh??

[@peterpanek2926]

Mediocre my ass!

[@TangSongs]

Mediocre? Her version is brilliant!

[@tallspaniard1]

Proof that practice makes perfect …. I would love to meet her in person …. She is the female version of Joe Cocker ! Great Talents ❤❤❤ 😊😊😊

[@TangSongs]

Freaking amazing! As always!

[@edisonbittencourt5782]

He was right. She became a grear artist. At that time, she used to come to the Frog and Nightgown, a jazz club restaurant, in Rakeigh NC, circa 1970, to perform as a singer - entertainer. We had a local jazz group. I played guitar and sung bossa nova.

[@Deweydell25]

Any recordings exist?

[@sharonkennedy2607]

I have been looking to find this clip for a while. Didn't think it was available. Thank you for sharing! Totally enjoyed that.

[@Sun-nq9ip]

I saw her in concert in Charlotte, NC. Love her!

[@y_not]

Her energy is amazing and she looks as if she's having a blast. I legitimately thought I had the speed on x1.25 or x1.5

[@shihlin1]

It takes balls to open an act on the Tonight Show with a somber slow number. Usually new musical acts start with something upbeat or fast to pump up the audience. But only artists secure with their own material can pull off this feat with a slow number. You can tell Bette just had something EXTRA that she was gonna be a big star. Carson does not bestow that compliment lightly, he knows a star in the making when he sees one.

[@caspardejonge5902]

Still in love ❤ first saw her on the cover of the tv guide in 75 or so. Then the show on tv.......loved her and her ways ever since and learned a LOT from her as a singer. She could have been big in jazz too!

[@sjtom57]

"You have a tendency to dress like a stolen car." What a great line.

[@ChristopherIGomes]

Iconic..

[@daisycocoa2557]

Great songs ❤. Talented woman

[@LakeRuby]

Barry Manilow on the piano. Too cool.

[@christiancisco7444]

I wish music was still like this! This song still has a contemporary meaning to it even though this performance was over 50 years ago! I'm only 27 and love all the music of my mom and dad's generation! The music tells a story, they don't outright say everything like they do in todays music... In these songs it's kind of left up to you to interpret the lyrics the way you want to and the songs can mean one thing to one person and a totally different meaning to someone else! This song makes me tear up everytime I hear it! I just can't help it when she gets to "We lost Davey in the Korean War.... I still don't know what for"... I guess it's bc we've lost so many wonderful men and women to war and we still don't know what for... 🥺😢 PS: I'm referring to "Hello in There"

[@Shanaifan1]

She’s amazing 😊

[@christoddur]

You're gonna be a big star - and your piano player's gonna be bigger!

[@brettmcclung7590]

Great performance for her first appearance! 👏 Johnny Carson I have some full episode Requests I'd like to see on KZbin Channel. Could you please upload this Full show from 11/17/72. The one with Frank Sinatra, Don Rickles, Olivia Newton John, David Janssen, Ray Johnson, 11/12/76, great classic episode! The full show from the following year 11/14/77, where Frank guest hosted with a great panel of guests Don Rickles, George Burns, Angie Dickinson and Carrol O Connor. Love to see this rare classic full show with performances included if possible. Any full shows with Don Rickles guest hosting would be great too!! 👍 😃 I'll think of some more.

[@rebeccacooper2793]

The shows from the '70s are the Best. The same for the Vegas show's. Such a great era!👏❤

[@mexicanspec]

I can see why they cast Miyam Bialik to play her younger self in the movie. I can see they were very similar.

[@marknewcomedy1]

Johnny's last guest in 1992 after 30 years and over 5,000 shows.....

[@tumblelake63]

John Prine and Bette Midler is a beautiful mix. She is one of the greats.

[@shihlin1]

Let's not forget when Carson retired 20 years after this performance it was Bette Midler who was his last guest on the Tonight Show as she sang "Here's That Rainy Day". Johnny can be seen wiping a tear as Bette sang the final notes. Bette was and is a natural born performer and Johnny knows a star in the making when he sees her here. Life has a way of wrapping up things nicely.

[@TheSweetsherrypie]

I miss these days

[@MiamiSpartan1]

Love her. Got to see her perform in Miami in the mid 90s. ❤

[@Jamminjared]

Hi Tony! That's super exciting!

[@MrYolandavallssimo]

Experience The Divine tour, her best show ever!

[@brianboothby1376]

Barry manilow on piano, he played with bette before either one of them were famous, young people today, they don't know who these legends are....

[@QuadMochaMatti]

They're not legendary. They were of their time, but their time is thankfully long over.

[@theresaewald7596]

@@QuadMochaMatti False.

[@fool4singing]

Unfortunately, this newer generation doesn't care about anyone who goes back beyond five years. Bette was so much more engaging, unique and interesting than any of the newcomers these days.

[@popsfursmurf]

I once saw her call Tina Turner a force of nature, but she's no slouch herself. Wow.

[@kristynerosier2734]

I’ve never seen this before- this coming from a fan of hers for 40 years…

[@camsmith336]

Wow I cannot believe this has made it to KZbin. So so sad talent as Miss. Midlers no longer exist..

[@Ron71997]

I wonder how many actors, comedians, performers, singers and artists got their start on the Johnny Carson show or had their careers catapulted to stardom after appearing on his show.

[@FIREBRAND38]

Big Star and an even bigger mouth.

[@plev10]

What a pip our Bette is!

[@thedivinemissmfansite-bed.1775]

Could you share "The Tonight Show" December 10, 1970 with Bette Midler singing "Lady Madonna"?

[@ricks.1318]

Jonny LOVED Busty women !!!! (Then again, WHO DOESN'T .....) ?????? 😁😍

[@TheSweetsherrypie]

She is magnificent I wonder how she’s doing now

[@TheDivayenta]

Taking a well deserved break after winning Best Lead Actress In A Musical on Broadway for Hello Dolly!

[@TheSweetsherrypie]

@@TheDivayenta I really love her. I’ve been a fan since I was 16 and I’m 66 now lol

[@TheDivayenta]

@@TheSweetsherrypie have you been to any of her live shows? She has you laughing and crying

[@QuadMochaMatti]

She's commissioned a gigantic pasta statue of herself with a massive head.

[@dianefarina5881]

I'm looking for Bette's 1st time on Johnny...just in from Pineapple plantation, Hawaii

[@user-vp2yh7to4n]

Barry Manalo on the piano, BTW.

[@Nic1987]

He was right ❤

[@jamesfeeney5727]

And a big star she became

[@MicharlMcGarry-pn1fd]

And otiginal...i love Bette....Michael

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

Is that Barry Manilow on the piano?

[@phillipsmom6252]

Yes

[@tonimoraful]

I just love Bette Midler

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

Bethany Ann Midler (Honolulú, Hawái; 1 de diciembre de 1945), más conocida como Bette Midler, es una actriz, cantante, comediante y productora estadounidense.

[@lurenacornella6588]

Wow Bet I can sing your songs

[@deadhorse1391]

She had some hangers back then

[@themagicalmagician]

Frequency 😂 ok

[@shanegreen1677]

11:19

[@judd442009]

Fifty years have come and gone. Johnny Carson's gone. Ed McMahon's gone. Only Bette's still alive.

[@modernretroradio993]

Wasn't Barry Manilow her pianist at this point?

[@phillipsmom6252]

Yes that’s him

[@yyw.6197]

how old was she in this show.

[@MrYolandavallssimo]

She was almost 27 years old and about to release her first album the next week. She didn't even plug it and only sang Hello In There from the album, The Divine Miss M, what great songs on there!

[@bubbaschwartz]

What you call a real Yenta.

[@QuadMochaMatti]

Guy Caballero preferred Yentl.

[@jackwalton1975]

Is that Robert Goulet to her right?

[@QuadMochaMatti]

I'd rather listen to him shill for almonds than hear that shrew.

[@raymondtitano3819]

It's the actor Gig Young.

[@bubb5225]

John Prine song.

[@richdouglas2311]

Know that it is Barry Manilow on the piano.

[@idlertire]

That's what I was thinking also, but we can't see him that well.

[@richdouglas2311]

@@idlertire He was her accompanist as she gained fame. She was heart-broken when he said he was going out on his own.

[@63bplumb]

Love the Bette that is here. Not the one she became. Sitting here listening to her sing this song unexpectedly tears started rolling down my cheeks. I'm old just retired and got into an argument with the only friend I had over something we Strongly disagreed about. This song has a lot of truth to it---sadly.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

IMDb says she has 30 award wins & almost 60 nominations, so you'll be pretty busy hating all the Bettes out there - movie star, Grammy winner, concert artist, philanthropist, activist, Tony winning Broadway 🌟.

[@aidanflynn1577]

It’s 2024 and Bette Midler is still not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 😳

[@MrYolandavallssimo]

She damn well deserves to be!!

[@alexcampbell3032]

Typical of her race. As sweet and modest an Irish girl as you can get.

[@QuadMochaMatti]

Are you talking about who is on the screen, cuz I don't think that's what "the chosen people" think of themselves as... Irish? 😂

[@alexcampbell3032]

@@QuadMochaMatti Thanks for that insight. 👍

[@VideoAmericanStyle]

“Typical of her race?” …WTF?

[@johndalton3180]

At what point did she fix her nose?

[@stache1954]

Coked out.

[@PrinceAsmodeus]

If he could only see her now 🤮

[@robfuzz]

wow. Did Johnny always smoke on air back then?

[@alg11297]

Real creative script writing there. But it's hard to make Bette sound interesting. And Johnny couldn't ad lib his ad libs.

[@dougmilesmedia]

Bette went whacko! Not a fan.

[@JPMJPM]

She went wacko? Which way?

[@siggylloyd3566]

This guy's too busy thinking about her nose.

[@johndalton3180]

Hi Trump supporter.

[@saxongirl2054]

Ofc she was going to be a big star, she has the J privilege going on for her

[@katherinebilman7479]

What is the J privilege ???

[@siggylloyd3566]

@@saxongirl2054 cheer up white supremicist 🎉

[@JPMJPM]

We Jews do enjoy entertaining. You’re welcome!

[@marknewcomedy1]

Racist bigot....So sorry about Tucker.

[@maryelliott2097]

@@katherinebilman7479 yes. My question too

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

She seems high. That is a cocaine tempo for Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

[@alg11297]

How can you ruin Chattanooga Choo choo....but she did it. I'm sure the musicians, who actually had some talent, were laughing their asses off and glad to get paid behind a singer as bad as this.

[@lindaweathers8182]

I totally agree with you

[@alg11297]

@@lindaweathers8182 Have you heard her attempt to do "The Leader of the Pack" She can ruin any song Glad you agreed

[@lindaweathers8182]

Didnt like her back in the beginning, dont like her to this day. No class

[@hughcandraw]

If only Johnny Carson knew how much of a racist Bette Midler was, he wouldn't have said that.

[@jackjones6668]

NOT true

[@kirkreid743]

Bette Midler ISN'T racist. Donald Trump and his followers are racist, misogynistic, homophobic and transphobic. Get your facts straight.

[@michaellt1281]

you drank too much maga juice

[@rolandreyna215]

Would a racist person have the great Kobe Bryant on her show back in 2000 or a black man sing her a song of her career at the Kennedy Awards?

[@kenq1363]

She speaks like an old gay queen…

[@malissahyatt2425]

Do you know any personally to make an accurate comparison???

[@marksolarz3756]

Over rated.

[@maryelliott2097]

Rough on the eyes

[@noleeps]

And now she's filled with hate.

[@rolandreyna215]

No different than any Russian MAGAtt.

[@johndalton3180]

No. People who support Trump, like YOU are filled with hate.

[@michaelcolors]

U can see this so well in this video -- Bette's dominate inner child self is male, but prefers men. So as a result, Bette expresses in similar ways as would an effeminate gay man. Understand? ❤