There was a documentary about stand up comedians that had footage of Steven Wright in the green room before he was about to go on here. It was his first National tv appearance and he was nervously pacing watching the monitor when a producer told him he was up in 60 seconds, and Wright mumbled to himself “I’ve been working all my life for this moment but right now I’d give anything not to be here”.
@jamiev7165 Жыл бұрын
What was the documentary called?
@scotiacrumpler2824 Жыл бұрын
@@jamiev7165 I can't remember...I've been looking for the clip on KZbin and can't find it :/
@kyledawes3236 Жыл бұрын
@@jamiev7165 I think it’s “when stand up stood out”.
@jamiev7165 Жыл бұрын
@@kyledawes3236 @kyle dawes I didn't hear him say much about appearing on national television, but I watched the documentary and it was really cool. Thank you for sharing. :)
@visionlandmusic Жыл бұрын
I know that feeling very well!
@sp10683 жыл бұрын
"That's wonderfully inventive stuff." Carson said it with genuine love. He appreciated great comedy so much.
@deenine2 жыл бұрын
I love that you could see him trying to keep a straight face. This is the most emotion I have ever seen come out of him.
@ashleyriddell75912 жыл бұрын
Yep, the hare krishna pony joke almost broke him.
@asafish16502 жыл бұрын
I saw him perform live back in the early 90s. There were several occasions when he looked like he was going to lose it.
@markpullenfineart2 жыл бұрын
So true !!
@nickrich562 жыл бұрын
I've never seen Steven break character in his later performances but this was close. Like he said to Johnny, he was in a dream 💖
@john_avernia10 ай бұрын
you can watch his interview with Conan O'Brien in his podcast. He laughed and looked so happy there
@EnlightnMe482 жыл бұрын
I love how Johnny noticed Steven's first time awkwardness and still got him through the interview-- True professional.
@kleverich2 жыл бұрын
I think he was staying in character.
@shelleyinthecity2 жыл бұрын
His awkwardness is all part of the act.
@fireballxl-57482 жыл бұрын
Johnny Carson was a gentleman and especially kind to comedians, knowing the business himself how hard it is to do. Insightful of you to see it.
@johnstadler9643 Жыл бұрын
Johnny was always a consumate host
@brianlane9534 Жыл бұрын
You can tell Johnny liked him.
@craigchristiansen73462 жыл бұрын
The king of dry humor. So many comedians come out like cheerleaders with crazy cocaine energy but Steven’s delivery really pulled you in. Even the silent pauses are hilarious
@bernadettegraywashington4143 Жыл бұрын
I AGREE .
@bernadettegraywashington4143 Жыл бұрын
I AGREE .
@gregkral4467 Жыл бұрын
nobody could pretend to be Steven Wright and pull it off as good as this guy.
@Daniel_Antonio_Arellano7824 ай бұрын
No kidding when he said, " One time during an interview, I took out a book and started reading.." Everybody starts laughing but the joke hadn't even started.
@ComputerLearning03 жыл бұрын
I remember when this man hit the scene. Nobody had ever seen standup done like this before and he was an instant hit.
@Armored_Fist2 жыл бұрын
I remember when this guy came out. He sucked then and never got any better.....
@m.redleg2522 жыл бұрын
@@Armored_Fist Yet here you are.
@madgepins19672 жыл бұрын
@@Armored_Fist Have one of the attendants at your rest home explain his jokes to you.
@moneymike55492 жыл бұрын
@@Armored_Fist Viking FISTER lol
@RetroRogue.2 жыл бұрын
@@Armored_Fist Why are you in the comment section on a video of a comedian you apparently don't like? Go somewhere.
@buixrule2 жыл бұрын
Steven Wright is a genius. Saw him back in '85 at a college in NJ, we laughed our asses off the whole way home that night. Never seen anyone that original before or since.
@TruthWiz Жыл бұрын
I so agree. I saw him live in San Francisco three times. Each time I laughed so hard I had muscles aching all over my body from laughing so hard. Including my face. He delivers a bunch of long form material in his live acts that you don't see in most of his short form stuff that's recorded. He is one of the most brilliant comics ever.
@FirstnameLastname-fn6ik Жыл бұрын
That "I thought was dreaming" line felt very sweet and genuine.
@johnbutler1133 жыл бұрын
Steven Wright is one of my favorites. If surrealism had a comedy act, this would be it.
@jbzdyk2 жыл бұрын
he is the Salvador Dali of comedy
@TheVoxbox13 Жыл бұрын
👍Very astute. I just saw him on Conan's podcast and Steven said he actually studied painting, and feels like abstract & impressionistic painting was a big influence on him.
@Charles53412 Жыл бұрын
Steven Wright was so funny that Johnny had him back with in a week. Which was really unheard of at the time.
@RetroDawn7 ай бұрын
Seems his next appearance was on 11/23/82, so it was rather soon, but about 3.5 mo's later. I watched that appearance right before this one and based on what Carson said something about it being his 2nd performance. I searched on this channel, and the only other appearance on here was in 83.
@tbrackett93443 жыл бұрын
"They say you don't know what you have until it's gone. So I sold everything to see what I had." - Steven Wright :)
@peppereater30283 жыл бұрын
"I bought some batteries, they weren't included so I had to go back and buy them again" Steve Wright
@KutWrite3 жыл бұрын
"If we're not supposed to eat animals, why are they made of meat?" - Steven Wright
@tbrackett93443 жыл бұрын
@@KutWrite Hermits have no peer pressure. - Steven Wright
@leeawful3 жыл бұрын
"The other day I found a diary from when I was a kid. I looked at the first entry. Day one. Still tired from the big move "
@galaxyii3 жыл бұрын
hahahaha that's funny!!!
@MeneerHerculePoirot3 жыл бұрын
I remember watching this with my uncle when it aired. My uncle, who was a great stand up in his day said, "This kid's got it." My uncle did alot of corporate gigs and auctioneering. He laughed hysterically at everything Steven said. Loved him. RIP, Uncle Bernie
@heavnnnsent2 жыл бұрын
Awww. What is your uncle's name if you don't mind?
@whosyodaddy7632 жыл бұрын
@@heavnnnsent Bernie, did you read the comment
@robapple782 жыл бұрын
@@whosyodaddy763 you’re a jerk, but you made me laugh so more jokes funny man 😂
@markmower65072 жыл бұрын
Steven Wright reminds me of George Carlin and Robin Williams All Unique and All Brilliant...
@GR_BackingTracks2 жыл бұрын
Ah, the great Bernie Jones.
@erock8643 жыл бұрын
Dude was / IS on a whole other level... genius!! “I broke a mirror at my house. I’m supposed to get 7 years bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me 5.”
@henrythegreatamerican81363 жыл бұрын
Never heard of Steven Wright.....
@djm44573 жыл бұрын
@@henrythegreatamerican8136 You missed out. And he's still doing standup. See him live and you won't stop laughing. He's the anti Dangerfield.
@richardkimble11913 жыл бұрын
How does a guy come up with all his material? He is my all time favorite comedian. I was fortunate to get to see him at UIS several years ago.
@heavnnnsent3 жыл бұрын
@@henrythegreatamerican8136 .... So now that you know who he is.... what do ya think of him?
@henrythegreatamerican81363 жыл бұрын
@heavnnnsent He's not my style of comic. I need the crazier more upbeat guys like Robin Williams or Dangerfield who are all over the place with their thoughts. Some of Wright's observations are great, but he feels way to scripted in his delivery.
@fireballxl-57482 жыл бұрын
Over the years Steven has refined his comedy to be even more deadpan and it worked even better. You can tell he was excited and nervous with this, his first Carson appearance. Incredible talent and a lot of work. One of my top 3 comedians, maybe number 1. I'd like to meet him one day and just shake his hand and say thanks (in the style Steven uses when he first begins his set).
@alexcampbell3032 Жыл бұрын
He would love that I'm sure. Just watched his recent appearance on the Rich Eisen show and he comes across as extremely gracious and modest. Hilarious too obviously!
@alexthecomic9 ай бұрын
I actually came up to him after a show in 1996 or 1997 at Roy Thomson HAll in Toronto, right before I started doing stand up comedy. I asked him if he has any advice for me, as I was very nervous about my first show. He looked at me, and said (totally deadpan) "Yeah, go with your gut!" ... Best advice I ever got! :) And I did become a professional comedian...
@williamnorkelun14683 жыл бұрын
What a great guy Johnny is to make people feel comfortable...so gracious! Thank you, Johnny!
@Brendan-Black2 жыл бұрын
That was his job!
@alcalu2 жыл бұрын
As a kid, I'd overhear adults say what a class act Johnny was. As an adult (now), I get it. Indeed he was.
@skykingusa3 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite comedians of all time with my favorite talk show host of all time. What a great combo!
@unbroken10103 жыл бұрын
we watching him lately courtesy of Pluto. I think I was just watching a best of from the 17th anniversary. It's here on KZbin. There's a very strange skit he did free basically hung himself. I'm trying to figure out how this got okayed and what was the story behind it
@heavnnnsent3 жыл бұрын
Yes ...what a rush.
@moshfists3 жыл бұрын
Steven's greatest line was, something like, "I called everyone and no one was home, so I sat and watched cartoons and thought I was dreaming." You can tell that was such an honest statement of how grateful he was for the opportunity. There was a lot of greatness on stage that night. ✌️😎
@kenoneill87832 жыл бұрын
Didn't he just say that in the interview?
@kristopherbeer54222 жыл бұрын
Yes he did I heard it too!
@Moose8032 жыл бұрын
@@kenoneill8783 hilarious, I heard he liked wearing long-sleeved white button up shirts.
@dulpurp2 жыл бұрын
And Johnny, who could have teased him, was genuine and warm with him
@rickykatt16342 жыл бұрын
Not cartoons, CAHtoons!
@simplesimon7553 жыл бұрын
I was a kid when I first heard Steven Wright. I remember laughing so hard while at the same time feeling like he was causing my brain to open up in ways that it never did before. From that moment on I was always eager to hear his performances because I knew he would say things that would amuse and bemuse. I loved every minute of every performance. He is truly one of the all time greats. So glad you posted this.
@cowel87342 жыл бұрын
He is very thought provoking
@jonbongjovi18692 жыл бұрын
one joke that always stuck with me: "WHY IS 'ABBREVIATED'.......SUCH A LONG WORD?"
@moistmike41502 жыл бұрын
@Jesus has given you all. Repent or die. That Habakkuk always has me rolling on the floor.
@blissfulbaboon2 жыл бұрын
Yes..he is brilliant!
@alanstrange11712 жыл бұрын
Steven is the best. I can't get enough of his endlessly inventive and brilliant humor. He is the absolute master of what he does.
@Matthew-Anthony Жыл бұрын
What about Rodney Dangerfield, Dave Chapelle, and Ron White?
@LordStanley943 жыл бұрын
A person can truly see and feel that Johnny really liked Steven. Two legends right there
@johnglenn30csardas3 жыл бұрын
What a barn-burner. And I love how Johnny is genuinely happy for him.
@redacted22753 жыл бұрын
Carson's approval was kind of a seal of quality for upcoming stand up comics. Their career would really take off after that.
@BolofromAvlis3 жыл бұрын
I loved that about Johny. He was a huge fan of comics and seemed to genuinely want them to do well. Whenever I would see a comedian on his show, I'd always listen close because you could make out his distinctive cackle. You could hear him laughing in this, in fact.
@samanthab19233 жыл бұрын
Johnny like him because his set is smart. You have to think.
@ammaleslie5093 жыл бұрын
I saw that appearance the night it aired. He was already a big deal in Boston and Cambridge and everyone was so happy for him.
@BobBlanchett3 жыл бұрын
Very well spotted. Johnny was cheering for him. That clenched fist at the end was his excitement barely restrained
@EXPRESSO7193 жыл бұрын
That low fist-pump at the end. Johnny was the greatest and pure class.
@goodwilj2 жыл бұрын
Imagine how good it must have felt to go on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson where a successful gig could make you a star and this guy ROCKED IT his first time and had the audience eating out of his hand. What a great feeling that must have been for a truly unique, funny and talented comic. Very cool!
@jonbongjovi18692 жыл бұрын
NOW ask yourself why COLBERT refuses to help UNKNOWN comics on HIS show!
@TomDavidMcCauley2 жыл бұрын
@@jonbongjovi1869 Because late-night TV hosts struggle to attract viewers nowadays, since viewers have so many options. Late-night shows can’t afford to risk unproven comedians anymore. Back when Johnny was the only thing on, the audience was built-in, so shows could take more risks
@jonbongjovi18692 жыл бұрын
@@TomDavidMcCauley I must disagree. No one watches Colbert or Kimmel or Fallon for the GUEST! (Maybe in shorter clips later on YT.) And Colbert has the same 20 guests on over and over and NOT EVEN FAMOUS COMICS get to do sets on his show. (Maybe he doesn't want the competition?) ALL of COlbert's guests are ADVERTISEMENTS for Big Corporations. (Movies, books, etc.) STAND-UP COMICS who are unknown, don't have the MONEY to buy a slot! It's rigged top to bottom today, for GREED.
@kelvancro2 жыл бұрын
Down and talk with Johnny that doesn't happen every time
@Teelirious Жыл бұрын
@@jonbongjovi1869 Maybe lay off the bong, jon jovi, your crazy right wing conspiracy underwear is showing.
@plev102 жыл бұрын
I'm so glad this clip is available on KZbin because it confirms I actually saw this when it first aired. I remember Steven made such an impression on me that I couldn't stop talking about him the next day and repeated many of his jokes, which I can recall almost 40 years later. Absolutely mindblowing how original and brilliant he is. And Johnny immediately knew he had something special and his seal of approval made Steven a star. This was an amazing performance. I'm such a nerd that I counted the responses and in 5 minutes he got 29 laughs and 10 applause breaks. Not in a row ...
@Kat.Evangeline142 жыл бұрын
I really loved watching Johnny Carson.
@lilybond64852 жыл бұрын
@plev: Same here. I’ll never forget the first time I saw this.
@Tom_H3272 жыл бұрын
This guys comedy actually stuck with me to this day. I still quote this funny bastard.
@stevefolsom76042 жыл бұрын
Same. was with a group of bandmates after a gig. we were pretty beat and no one said a word . Then we all looked at each other like did that really happen. Never skip over a clip of his that is posted.
@joefunsmith2 жыл бұрын
Not in a row. You're killin me!
@paulfrombrooklyn54093 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite Steven Wright jokes is this: "I once worked at a factory that made fire Hydrants. You couldn't park within a mile of that place."
@meganbaker91162 жыл бұрын
My favorite: “I found my diary from when I was a baby. Day One: Still tired from the move. Day Two: Everyone talks to me like I’m an idiot.”
@unclebob43862 жыл бұрын
Laughed so hard I couldn't see
@rodhorne32812 жыл бұрын
"I went to the store and bought some powdered water....didn't know what to add".
@PetroicaRodinogaster2642 жыл бұрын
@Jim Morris….did he add…but the dogs in the area had a great time!
@footfeathers2 жыл бұрын
"I was reading the dictionary. I thought it was a poem about everything."
@dannobles80282 жыл бұрын
One word - the first word he spoke to a national audience - got laughs and it wasn't even the word he said, it was the way he said it. He's always been my favorite comedian - genius level.
@lance1346793 жыл бұрын
I take Steven Wright's comedy for granted now, but it was such a fresh style back then.
@plumlogan3 жыл бұрын
Casa Blanca affect. When you discover it, it seems run of the mill, but you don't realize it launched all the tropes that make it seem unremarkable.
@williamallen3193 жыл бұрын
I find nothing funny .. straight stupidity
@willmercury3 жыл бұрын
@@williamallen319 Remarkable. That's precisely what I find in your comment. Shalom.
@garybooth42703 жыл бұрын
@@williamallen319....it's over your head.....
@rogerscottcathey3 жыл бұрын
Funny isnt it, how comedy can make one laugh . . .
@porflepopnecker43763 жыл бұрын
Nothing like killing it on the Tonight Show and then having Johnny invite you over to the desk.
@garycitro16743 жыл бұрын
It meant that you would easily have bookings for years to come. That one successful appearance literally made a career.
@susanbartlett-ye64763 жыл бұрын
And on your first appearance! Even Steve Martin had many appearances before being invited to tje couch
@LMacNeill3 жыл бұрын
Yep. Make Johnny laugh, get invited to the couch, you're made for life. So many famous comedians got their start that way!
@dingfeldersmurfalot45603 жыл бұрын
And give you an open invitation to come back!
@deanronson63313 жыл бұрын
@@susanbartlett-ye6476 I didn't realize Johnny was into guys.
@mattray48763 жыл бұрын
Getting invited to sit and talk with Johnny has always been the moment when standup comics knew they had just been elevated to the next level, so to get invited to sit and talk with Johnny AND to have Johnny say he hopes he comes back on was the biggest endorsement someone like Steven Wright could ever hope for. His career as a headliner was solidified in those few minutes.
@ChefZee196410 ай бұрын
He was back the following week with an even funnier set.
@quickmike4202 жыл бұрын
"It's a small world, but I'd hate to paint it." my favorite one liner ever!
@morningstar92332 жыл бұрын
Occasionally i'll here people say that line in every day speech or if someone says, "It's a small world" another will reply "but i wouldn't wanna paint it". I'd always thought it was an old saying from long ago. Didn't know it was another of Steven Wright's gems.
@lilivonshtup38083 жыл бұрын
Although there are too many too count, one of my favorites is, "No matter what room you're in, it's always room temperature."
@NeedsMoreRitalin3 жыл бұрын
My favorite is when he said he knows what he wants on his tombstone "You're Next."
@FreeSpear3 жыл бұрын
That one is so amazing. Mine is still his one word opener... "...thanks"
@thegoose8583 жыл бұрын
My favorite Steven Wright joke sums up my own life quite well: "There's a time and a place for everything, but I must have lost the schedule."
@jjsuperstar9003 жыл бұрын
"If i make instant coffee in a microwave oven, will i go back in time?"
@bobcaygeon67993 жыл бұрын
One of my fav is "Everything's in walking distance, when you have the time."
@ericpitt38763 жыл бұрын
Saw this when it first came out. Laughed my ass off. He introduced this humor.
@jeffreygranger69133 жыл бұрын
And it's clean! Rare in this day and age.
@tallman40403 жыл бұрын
Same here, and I still quote so many of his unique one-liners. Sometime later i bought his comedy album on LP. His mind is so different than anyone elses.
@code-523 жыл бұрын
To each his own. I don't find him funny at all.
@jeffreygranger69133 жыл бұрын
@@code-52 Who do you like?
@byronp23113 жыл бұрын
I also saw this when it first aired. My first thought was, where did Johnny get this drunk guy from? Took a bit for me to catch on.
@lightyear9993 жыл бұрын
Proof that Steven Wright plays in a different league: “I’m not afraid of heights. I’m afraid of widths.”
@samanthab19233 жыл бұрын
Always remember, wants to put a humidifier & a dehumidifier in a room & let them fight it out 🤣
@robertveith63833 жыл бұрын
George Carlin: "I'm not afraid of heights. I'm afraid of falling from heights."
@dingfeldersmurfalot45603 жыл бұрын
My favorite of his, to paraphrase: I've just written the Great American Novel. It's 800 pages long. It started out as a suicide note ...
@ihavefallenandicantreachmy21133 жыл бұрын
Don't pull my Finger. I'm afraid of "whiffs."
@sunyata9993 жыл бұрын
My favourite: " I had a recurring dream...once "
@Fred-ql3gq3 жыл бұрын
Steven and I (and 3 other high school buddies) spent a summer on Martha's Vineyard in 1977, it was the most amazing time. He had us on the floor laughing the entire summer. I'm thrilled and not surprised, that he took advantage of his obvious talent. Got to see him backstage at SNL years ago, and went to the SNL after party. Sorry that I haven't had a chance to see him in years.
@basehead6173 жыл бұрын
he seems like a great guy
@texasgina3 жыл бұрын
Wow that’s awesome. I remember watching this exact show and I remember just laughing so hard.
@Fred-ql3gq3 жыл бұрын
@@texasgina I taped the show and still have the VHS tape! BTW Steve was so poor that he lived on PB&J sandwiches for almost every meal that summer of '77.
@christopheredman49603 жыл бұрын
Now I see where why he seemed depressed.
@stevehorn6463 жыл бұрын
Sure bud
@maxthefoooool2 жыл бұрын
I've never seen Steven's stand up before but I've always heard his name mentioned as one of the best to ever do it. Now I completely understand why, he's absolutely hilarious
@michaeleaster18152 жыл бұрын
He's so original that there are lists of his jokes on the Internet, and some aren't his. Though they are plausible, because he has such a distinctive style. My faves are "It doesn't matter what temperature a room is: it's always room temperature" and "I played poker with Tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died."
@craighunter90822 жыл бұрын
It's pretty cool that your first exposure to his comedy was his first appearance with Johnny. He has a ton of material. I saw him live in Boulder, Colorado after I had been a huge fan for about 15 years. He performed for 90 minutes and about 75% of his jokes were ones I had never heard. The joke I recall best from the first time I saw him is: I spilled spot remover on my dog. He's gone now. Since you like him, you would probably like Emo Phillips and Mitch Hedberg if you aren't aware of them.
@brianlane9534 Жыл бұрын
I made instant coffee in a microwave oven. I went back in time. SW
@jimmyjoe1591 Жыл бұрын
@@michaeleaster1815 i like the voodoo accupuncture one
@flyingdutch98183 жыл бұрын
An absolute giant; you not only think but he puts you in a place where you feel the need to think differently.
@leom73 жыл бұрын
and you do
@jerrygerardi85523 жыл бұрын
With all due respect to Carnac, Aunt Blabby, his Reagan imitation, his recoveries from jokes that went awry, the best thing about Johnny was that he gave chances/took chances on young and/or struggling comics to help them out. Great clip indeed!
@highvoltage60163 жыл бұрын
Art Fern was great also.
@kennybluet55273 жыл бұрын
@@highvoltage6016 the guy with the checkered hat and ear flaps.
@highvoltage60163 жыл бұрын
@@kennybluet5527 That would be Floyd R. Turbo.
@kennybluet55273 жыл бұрын
@@highvoltage6016 yeah couldn't think of his name. Always thought that may have been influenced a bit by Jonathan Winters.
@highvoltage60163 жыл бұрын
@@kennybluet5527 Yes, I can definitely see that.
@sun6223 жыл бұрын
Steven really is a one of a kind. You never know what he'll say next. Beyond brilliant.
@stephenholland63283 жыл бұрын
It was great that Johnny put him on. Very kind to a new talent. I could feel Johnny appreciating what it is like to start out.
@moncorp13 жыл бұрын
People forget, Johnny was a king maker. This appearance made Steven Wright.
@MrRaulstrnad3 жыл бұрын
steven breaks character at 6:56 and makes a self-satisfied smirk- he was never expecting that his first appearance would go so well
@KutWrite3 жыл бұрын
I saw that a few times. Later on, I don't think a bomb in the audience would faze him.
@samanthab19233 жыл бұрын
I caught that as well!
@leilanirocks3 жыл бұрын
Like he suddenly woke up and realized he’s next to Johnny Carson on his couch, and not only did he survive the set, he killed.
@gigisasz45802 жыл бұрын
@@leilanirocks can you imagine being him right there.. what!!!??? 🤯😅
@willswalkingwest72673 жыл бұрын
He got the couch. As all greats did. RIP, Johnny.
@thebrazilianatlantis1653 жыл бұрын
"It's a small world but I wouldn't want to paint it" is one of the all-time great lines.
@timmeyer91913 жыл бұрын
The guy on the couch. Half baked.
@boomer_ange3 жыл бұрын
Notice Johnny's subtle air punch right at the end. Can't get higher praise than that.
@Edyth_Hedd3 жыл бұрын
@@thebrazilianatlantis165 Absolutely agree. I quote it all the time.
@Joe_Brig3 жыл бұрын
He was in shock on the couch.
@heberthybr3 жыл бұрын
Steven delivers a unique kind of stand up. Never saw someone like him. Timeless.
@johnbaer15283 жыл бұрын
Mitch Hedburg must have garnered some insperation from this guy, lol.
@bikerrider48453 жыл бұрын
"I bought a new coffee table last week, i got the decaffeinated style" (SW)
@lalaland9623 жыл бұрын
I tell anyone who's interested in comedy to watch Steven Wright. He is the funniest comedian I've ever seen.
@Marc-io8qm3 жыл бұрын
@@johnbaer1528 yup. Love Steven and Mitch reminds me of him.
@a2ndopynyn3 жыл бұрын
@@Marc-io8qm Me too. Both of them great; such a shame about Mitch.
@poetcomic13 жыл бұрын
Watching Steve here you have to remember that the size of the crowd in the STUDIO AUDIENCE was ten times bigger than he had ever worked with never mind the many many millions of TV viewers. He delivers a few of his pure and classic originals here but certainly went on to perfect his craft over many years.
@Wutzmename2 жыл бұрын
"I get up and everything in my apartment has been stolen and replaced with an exact replica." Classic that'll never die.
@allenwalker13792 жыл бұрын
That happened to me once. I only Rent unfurnished apartments now.
@michaelb.421123 жыл бұрын
GENIUS. I remember when he first started and people were blown away by his style. SO fresh and clever. I LOVE Stephen Wright !!!!!!!
@setaside23 жыл бұрын
"Got called in for jury duty. It's a strange case: 10,000 ants dressed up as rice and robbed a Chinese restaurant... I don't think they did it." - SW. The man is a f__king genius. I've never seen this footage of his first time on the national stage. I love how the awe and the total disbelief that he's made it for real can't help but peek through that Steven Wright wall. I felt like I was actually living it in real time. Truly one of the best non sequitur storytellers in the American pantheon. If he'd been British, he might've been a Python. So glad the audience bought in for the ride when he invited them to do so. We're all better for it.
@robertburks21263 жыл бұрын
I did see it when it happened, I was like...14 ish, laughed my ass off cause.... well.... I understood it the way he was telling it! Miss those days, and all those "new comedians', who now are some of the greatest ever.
@heidiewert91453 жыл бұрын
“I have a collection of seashells - I keep them on beaches all over the world.”
@unbroken10103 жыл бұрын
That's my collection actually
@richardhelder95213 жыл бұрын
My fave Steven Wright observation!
@DaDitka3 жыл бұрын
"I also collect rare paintings. One is of Harry Houdini locking his keys in his car... "Another one is of Norman Rockwell beating up a small child...?
@unbroken10103 жыл бұрын
@@DaDitka can I buy the Rockwell? He was a solid man
@kevindoyle36143 жыл бұрын
" You can observe a lot by watching." ------- Yogi Berra
@keithf_2 жыл бұрын
'The other day I bought an occasional table ... I don't know what it is the rest of the time' ... one of my favourite Steven Wright jokes. A stand-up genius !
@grendlsma10 ай бұрын
I spilled spot remover on my dog....now he's gone.
@keithf_10 ай бұрын
@@grendlsma Brilliant !
@russellhowell98542 жыл бұрын
Steven is a unique and brilliant comedian. I've seen him live in Houston a couple of times years ago. He's so intelligent with his humor the crowd would have delayed laughter because he was already on the next joke and you re still processing the last joke and busting out laughing from the joke right before that. I enjoy his sense of humor!
@ralphmerwin71832 жыл бұрын
Where is he now
@russellhowell98542 жыл бұрын
@@ralphmerwin7183 I have no idea. Might goggle his name.
@michaelsprindis61493 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite Steven Wright sayings... You know when you're sitting on a bar stool and you rock back on the back legs... To the point you feel like you're almost going to fall back... I feel like that all the time! Steven had some great stuff!!
@EvilSean622 жыл бұрын
i love comedy like that !! ... my brother in law was in edinburgh at the festival and saw emo phillips walking with a trombone case , he stopped him and said " im a big fan ... i never knew you played trombone too !!" .. emo saind .. " i dont" and walked away ... how long had he been walking around waiting for someone to ask !!? ... stephen wright makes me feel like that all the time
@mikec-hamilton3 жыл бұрын
I've told his " not in a row" joke for years. Hes a master.
@heatwave3 жыл бұрын
"I went to a restaurant that serves breakfast at any time. I ordered French toast during the Renaissance."
@gmoney99613 жыл бұрын
My All Time Wrightism!
@nowthatsjustducky3 жыл бұрын
I have had to resist the temptation to use that one out in the wild many many times over the years.
@kevindoyle36143 жыл бұрын
@@nowthatsjustducky I used that on a waiter at Dennys. Then he proceeded to ask me how I wanted my eggs ? Sunnyside down and don't turn them over. It rendered him dysfunctional for a few moments
@jamesdaly56982 жыл бұрын
"I have the world's largest seashell collection. Perhaps you've seen it. I keep it scattered on beaches all over the world so everyone can enjoy it" Truly a unique comedian.......
@michaelmoore79753 жыл бұрын
Saw this _when 1st aired._ Never heard of him prior. Instant fan. Tried to tell my friends his jokes...I suck.
@mr.pitjoey29103 жыл бұрын
Tried his jokes? Maybe they sucked.
@darkovusir77243 жыл бұрын
I did as well. At first, I wasn't quite sure about his comedy, but after bit of time it sunk in . I got it. A week later he was back on the show,,,
@robschroeder53773 жыл бұрын
his timing is flawless
@michaelmoore79753 жыл бұрын
@@robschroeder5377 True. _Even if you know,_ and you _know_ it's coming, he hangs it out there...just a little..... and makes it 10 times funnier.
@foto213 жыл бұрын
In my age group, younger at the time, he was an instant star. Just such a unique but hip guy.
@davidmorin66673 жыл бұрын
Got to say one thing about Johnny tried to help new acts, he didn't feel like they were competing with him. RIP Johnny Carson 🇺🇸🐱
@weirdshibainu3 жыл бұрын
True. He was quite gracious to new comedians on their way up. A single appearance on Carson was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
@LaurieWilliams-lk8fc3 жыл бұрын
The best never do, only the pretenders. Same in all things, including work.
@weirdshibainu3 жыл бұрын
@@LaurieWilliams-lk8fc True
@lance314153 жыл бұрын
Johnny knew he shone brightest when the light was reflected off his guests. The King of Late Night.
@weirdshibainu3 жыл бұрын
@@lance31415 Fantastic way to phrase it.
@johnwooden83933 жыл бұрын
Two Babies in a nursery side by side. Decades later they are side by side in a nursing home, one looks over at the other and says, " So What Did You Think?""
@mrreemann37399 ай бұрын
I miss the 80s!❤ Johnny was a classy man too! Bravo
@DeeEllEff2 жыл бұрын
I remember seeing this on the TV in my college dorm’s lounge. To this day, I not only remember all these jokes, but I often retell many of them (and always crediting Mr. Wright) to this day. They never, ever fail to get laughs, no matter the context or audience, 40 years later!
@ExtremeRecluse3 жыл бұрын
I brought a cancer patient to a drive in theater in my ambulance to watch Wrath of Khan. He passed away within a few days. Real nice kid. God Bless him.
@vegas40273 жыл бұрын
Love this guy! My brothers and I grew up with his material.. I met him in Vegas while I was working in the gym at the MGM Grand, in the mid-nineties. He gave me and my 2 brothers tickets to his show at the Sahara hotel that night. He knocked it out of the park. “ I was looking at my grandfather while he was lying in his casket, and I began thinking about the batteries in my flashlight at home. Then I thought, maybe he’s not dead, maybe he’s just in the wrong way” A comedy legend, and a real class act!
@pjgdba3063 жыл бұрын
Great...
@22Danibelle3 жыл бұрын
Just think of all the great comedians getting their break on Johnny’s stage. He was and is still the best king of all late-night shows.
@Moose8032 жыл бұрын
I wish someone would make that list 😕 Quite interesting 🤔
@louisvillebsc19762 жыл бұрын
It’s a small world but I wouldn’t want to paint it. Greatest line ever
@jasonligon59373 жыл бұрын
"I was thirsty and bought some powdered water..... I didn't know what to add." 😂 That joke made me instantly love the dude.
@magdalenem49493 жыл бұрын
I love that one!! The other one is "I put spot remover on my dog and he disappeared"
@jasonligon59373 жыл бұрын
@@magdalenem4949 😆😆😆
@JustTanya.3 жыл бұрын
He's one of my favorite comedians. He never fails to crack me up and no one can do deadpan dry literal humor like him. Some have tried but no one can come close to him, in my opinion.
@djdon603 жыл бұрын
He's one, of my all-time favourites; thank-you,for putting it up,here.
@rosario5083 жыл бұрын
Wow what a treat to have KZbin to recommend this to me. This guy really stood out from all the other typical eighties comedians. I found his style and delivery a stroke of genius.
@deejustdee4752 Жыл бұрын
I love Steven's deadpan delivery.
@FlightSims3 жыл бұрын
I actually saw this back then. I even remember how much my face hurt from laughing so hard. And still does! That night, He became one of my all time favorite comedians.
@nunidee723 жыл бұрын
Johnny Carson is the goat of late night hands down
@KokoTheGorilla693 жыл бұрын
Fallon is #1
@Hof799053 жыл бұрын
@@KokoTheGorilla69 don’t tell Wayne Newton that.
@MisterTwister883 жыл бұрын
@@KokoTheGorilla69 Fallon couldn’t find his ass with both hands
@BolofromAvlis3 жыл бұрын
@@KokoTheGorilla69 It's all subjective but Fallon seems like a hack to me. His humor is better suited to a kids' show.
@Matty09233 жыл бұрын
Agreed and I would say Letterman is # 2
@MickLoud9993 жыл бұрын
"I once worked in a factory that made fire hydrants. You couldn't park anywhere near the place".
@needsaride151263 жыл бұрын
One of the most under rated comedians. This guy is fantastic.
@richardkimble11913 жыл бұрын
I never thought he is underrated. I was fortunate to see him several years ago at UIS.
@gigisasz45802 жыл бұрын
Wish I had seen way more of him. Seems I only saw him a few times over the years after that show. I wonder where he is now? I hope he comes back. We could all use his humor esp right now!! Come back Steven!! ❤️✌️🥰
@jackpotjoey88282 жыл бұрын
“I sprayed spot remover on my dog and he disappeared” was always one of my favorites. It’s a level of genius there to be so simple in concept, and dry in delivery but makes everyone think for a second to get it and then laugh twice as hard
@neiljohnson79142 жыл бұрын
i bought batteries, but they weren't included, so I had to buy them again.
@rjl76552 жыл бұрын
Agreed...
@underscorejojo2 жыл бұрын
"I dated a chick who was a bilingual illiterate, she couldn't read in two different languages."
@rjl76552 жыл бұрын
my 2 s.w. favs are: i bought powered water but i didn't know what to add. i am going to write an unauthorized autobiography.
@rjl76552 жыл бұрын
@@underscorejojo 1st time i heard that one. some of these remind me of Yogisms..
@seanstephens55783 жыл бұрын
About 20 years ago we were on a family vacation and I found "I Have a Pony" on cassette at a truck stop. We listened to it the whole trup. My kids are all adults now but they still remember it and repeat Steven Wright jokes.
@johnkruton97083 жыл бұрын
“I put SPOT remover on my dog..................now he’s GONE.......” one of my all time punny funny’s from Steven Wright. My type of cerebral humor.
@williamwatson43543 жыл бұрын
My favorite has to be why do we drive on the parkway and park on the driveway?
@renaissanceman1653 жыл бұрын
@@williamwatson4354 My favorite is..."Any Stones fans. (Audience applauds). Hard to believe they're still going strong after all these years...yeah, Fred and Barney". Check it Out! Ciao!!!
@stevemarshall39863 жыл бұрын
I bought powdered water....what do i add.
@leslauner50623 жыл бұрын
I put instant coffee in a microwave and almost went back in time....
@beandean233 жыл бұрын
I lost a button hole once
@Ponzotopia3 жыл бұрын
One of my all time favorite comedians.
@davidburkholder73603 жыл бұрын
Johnny Carson...The Natural. No one yet has come close.
@plev103 жыл бұрын
Johnny had such a gift for recognizing great comedians. And you can see the delight he took when he found someone as uniquely talented and original as Mr. Wright.
@shanedenny52342 жыл бұрын
Steven Wright has a different kind of comedic genius. No vulgarity, just sheer wit and brilliance that really gets your brain to working. Things that make you wonder, "I never thought of that", and make you laugh at the same time. A couple of his- "If you shoot a mime should you use a silencer"? "Ever wonder why you drive on the Parkway and park in the driveway"? I mean who thinks like that?..lol. Brilliant comedy genius. Hands down like no other. 👍
@jamesyu99263 жыл бұрын
No one can come close to Johnny Carson’s quickest wit and wisdom. He flies when all late night show hosts crawl.
@mark831753 жыл бұрын
I don’t disagree but isn’t this more about Steven Wright?
@frommatorav12 жыл бұрын
Steven had a great reply to Johnny's wisecrack that he was able to get out to do the show... I've got to back in an hour, though. It was even more impressive because you could see how nervous he was sitting up there.
@jamesyu99262 жыл бұрын
@@mark83175 You right. :)
@planetearthmember16993 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite Steven Wright quips: "What's another word for Thesaurus?"
@MrRaulstrnad3 жыл бұрын
i bought a dehumidifier and a humidifier and let them fight it out
@denverwagner2013 жыл бұрын
I used to work at the Fire Hydrant Factory. You couldn't park anywhere near the place! My Friend bought a house on a One Way, Dead End Street. He can't get out!
@aaronharlow21373 жыл бұрын
No matter what room you're in, it's always room temperature.
@keithcastleberry39933 жыл бұрын
One time...I lost a button hole
@xHICKORYx3 жыл бұрын
The other day I... no, that wasn't me.
@jenniferbobic80053 жыл бұрын
I know Johnny discovered and brought to us a lot of great comedians - Steven Wright is certainly at or near the top of that list.
@angusmcbean44492 жыл бұрын
No one has what Steven Wright has. His brand of humor is unmatched. Incredible. Literal and unmatched. 🇺🇸😎
@shanedenny52342 жыл бұрын
First time on national television and he nailed it. You can tell he is gifted with a natural sense of humor. Just smart enough to get fame and fortune from it. Hey why not? A God given talent and providing the world with the best medicine. Glad you decided to buddy. The type of guy you could hang out with all day cause you're sure to have a great time laughing all the time. 👍
@pam06263 жыл бұрын
Carson telling you that your work is inventive - what a high.
@markperkins78793 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite lines of his is the one about socks. "I don't go by color, I go by thickness".
@redacted22753 жыл бұрын
Jerry Lewis feeding bits of cookies to a deadpan Steven Wright on "Mad About You" is one of greatest scenes of 90s TV.
@brentanthony60382 жыл бұрын
I love Stephen Wright. Seeing this and how confident he was, even while this was his first time on national tv, was supremely satisfying. I kept saying to myself, good for you man. One of my favorite jokes of Stephen's is "The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese." Brillant. Lol
@critter423 жыл бұрын
I remember this performance. I was literally crying laughing at this. One of my favorite comedians of all time
@ScottDaddyMac3 жыл бұрын
You can tell he is nervous. His pulse rate is 3 beats per minute.
@kevintex23213 жыл бұрын
Made me snot
@gmar78363 жыл бұрын
Huh?
@Indus853 жыл бұрын
@@gmar7836 The joke is that his resting pulse is even slower than 3 beats per minute. He is nervous, and now it's through the roof at a whopping 3bpm. It was a solid little zinger; I exhaled audibly through my nose.
@gmar78363 жыл бұрын
@@Indus85 ok
@setaside23 жыл бұрын
Hahaaa! Well done.
@markpatterson25073 жыл бұрын
The Gary Larson of stand up....great literalists
@JCSAXON3 жыл бұрын
Well stated
@sgt.thundercok47043 жыл бұрын
Great take.
@JCSAXON3 жыл бұрын
@Jeff Bailey Perspective, bud. I grew up with a great appreciation for them both and still recognize some orbital similarities in their careers and the way that they were perceived by audience and media and stand by that recollection/experience. What isn’t a laugh under magnification? Laugh, poke, prod or ponder... you just might become a t-rex in reading glasses
@markpatterson25073 жыл бұрын
@Jeff Bailey thanks, jeff
@the_greck3 жыл бұрын
Always thought that same thing, too.
@mogatdula2 жыл бұрын
First time I saw him smile during a set. Guess it took some practice not to laugh or smile at his own jokes. He is HILARIOUS
@randomgrinn3 жыл бұрын
Every sentence a joke. Love it. Hate comedians who talk for 10 minutes for one weak punchline. One of the greatest comedians ever.
@bryanmannoia8410 Жыл бұрын
and no politics. the good old days indeed.
@TrackpadProductions Жыл бұрын
Pretty sure you just described Norm Macdonald 🤔
@jamiew1664 Жыл бұрын
@@TrackpadProductions lol
@heatherperleberg7816 Жыл бұрын
@@TrackpadProductions He sure did. "One of the greatest comedians ever" is an apt description of Norm.
@Jacob-sl6ur Жыл бұрын
@@bryanmannoia8410I love the good old days when politics weren't a thing and everybody just agreed on everything because if you didn't you got beat up like you came from another country or something. These days people think they can say what they want and get away with it. We need to go back!
@drewby6132 жыл бұрын
Boy, getting the couch the first time, and that little ovation he got after he sat down---that is about as good as it gets. He was a little too overwhelmed to really engage with Johnny, but no worries, "I hope this won't be the last time you'll be here." He must have been fist pumping like crazy (whenever he got to his fist pumping place). What a BOSS!!
@plumlogan3 жыл бұрын
That little punch Carson did at the end - he knew he had something special
@johnmastandrea1373 жыл бұрын
agree.that's what I got out of it.
@bridgebum8263 жыл бұрын
I saw him the following May at Ohio State. Howie Mandel was the headliner but I think most of us were there to see Steven Wright.
@enfieldjohn1013 жыл бұрын
Funniest thing I ever saw on the Tonight Show! I get his sense of humor. So different. He's funny even when Johnny interviews him.
@NSResponder2 ай бұрын
I will never forget seeing this when it aired the first time. I've been a Steven Wright fan ever since.
@wavelengthrecords-12 жыл бұрын
At 00:32 notice the sly half smile on his face...he knew RIGHT THEN that he had them. Awesome. Steven Wright forever!!
@tadmarshall27393 жыл бұрын
Steven Wright: “You can’t have everything ... where would you put it?”
@bobbendesky38513 жыл бұрын
I’d keep it right where it is
@sandeedobberstine55913 жыл бұрын
All these years later and I still tell myself that 😂🤣
@ihavefallenandicantreachmy21133 жыл бұрын
I have a Seashell collection. You can "wave" at it, if you want.
@ammaleslie5093 жыл бұрын
@@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113 i heard that joke another way: "i have a beautiful seashell collection. Maybe you've seen it. I keep it scattered on beaches all over the world."