Jay Leno Vents About Flying on The Airlines, on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson - 08/07/1987

[@Araconox]

Johnny was so good, so professional. He had a marvellous wit and quick mind. Best of all he really enjoyed his guests , laughed so deeply and genuinely and made sure that he helped bring the best out of his guests. He helped them shine. Hard to measure up to a man with his talents and longevity. RIP Johnny.

[@jonhohensee3258]

RIP, Ursula.

[@kathyduby8150]

No one else even comes close. Carson was the master.

[@jonhohensee3258]

@@kathyduby8150 I come close.

[@lindadownes5070]

No current tonight shows hosts come close to the excellence of Johny Carson. He enjoyed his quests and his laughter proved it. I do miss him.

[@lodestarsprayer5660]

The GOAT! charming and fun..The best Era of TV!! The world has gone needlessly Dark..Bring back the old times

[@SkipT07]

My goodness, how good to watch an actually funny Tonight Show with a host who knows what he's doing and a very funny Jay Leno to boot!

[@ms90sbabyy]

Johnny hated republicans as much as any of them do now

[@SkipT07]

@@ms90sbabyy - Carson's former lawyer Henry Bushkin stated in his book, "Carson was by instinct and upbringing definitely Republican, but of an Eisenhower sort that we don't see much of anymore." I guess I could add, the Democratic Party of today has no resemblance whatsoever to the Democratic Party of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

[@4LeeAbraham]

I bet people in the future would say the same thing about Jimmy Fallon.

[@SkipT07]

@@4LeeAbraham - The way the world is going, you are right.

[@EdKazO-Vision]

Bill of Rights shhhh.

[@followthesun2115]

This is Jay at his best in my opinion. Pure comedic talent.

[@wilrobles9824]

Jay and Johnny. What a memory.

[@lightningbrigade4722]

I was a security guard at Stapleton Airport In Denver CO when I met Jay Leno. He was very pleasant and very funny. We talked for about a good twenty minutes before he had to go walk to another concourse to catch a flight to LAX. He still had dark hair and wasnt famous yet. He was going to LAX to do his first show for Carson as a substitute talk show host.

[@krisstopher8259]

wow

[@edwarddejong8025]

Jay leno was on fire that night. Carson really liked him. He appreciated his talent, and the fact that the was very clean, which is somewhat rare in the late 80's, as things were getting edgier. Leno has that old time attitude of the greats, which is why he lasted so long.

[@VincesInHocSigno]

Recycled some Jokes on Letterman or vice versa

[@disposablehero4911]

Particulary love the bit about the pilot putting quarters in the insurance machine.

[@beltycat5490]

There will never be another Tonight Show this good.

[@marthajoyce8571]

Johnny Carson was THE BEST! I still watch reruns of his shows and laugh! RIP, Johnny...you are truly missed.

[@MGB18]

@Daniel Large: Compared to Johnny or even Jay for that matter, Colbert and Stewart are non funny liberal hacks.

[@sagatuppercut2960]

Especially since we have late night hosts who are more obsessed with telling us who we should vote for instead of just making us laugh.

[@garymcaleer6112]

Johnny sure loved Jay's wit. Always quick on his feet. No delays. No hesitation: BAM!

[@commentatron]

I'm guessing quick wit is 98% preparation.

[@garymcaleer6112]

@@commentatron I beg to differ: 98.2%. :^)

[@Dana-wq5tp]

According to Jimmie Walker, Johnny didn't care for Leno but then, that's only his side of the story. Supposedly, he didn't want him to be the host of the Tonight Show. He had pretty much groomed Joan Rivers to be that person and she bolted to another network.

[@martycech5844]

Dana James ... Joan Rivers ‘Schtupped’ Mr. Carson.

[@commentatron]

@@martycech5844 If his reputation with the 'ladies' is to be believed, he wouldn't have put that much value on 'schtupping.'

[@jeffkralka8003]

I love how patient Jay is. Always waiting for the perfect time to deliver the punch line

[@robr5786]

All these jokes were tried out on Jays visit to Letterman earlier

[@oliveroneill1388]

Thickness alive and well

[@jonathanwilson4276]

In my opinion Johnny Carson was the best Host of the tonight show

[@S.E.C-R]

Jonathan Wilson I couldn’t agree more. Jimmy Fallon ruined the Tonight Show!

[@KRAKENNCHANNEL]

Johnny Carson is the Tonight Show

[@jonathanwilson4276]

@@KRAKENNCHANNEL yes he is even though he's Dead and gone now

[@jeffstewart5766]

agree completely!

[@Sabercats12]

Johnny Carson will always be the undisputed King of late-night television. Jay Leno was the right choice to come after Carson, as the ratings reflected that during his tenure.

[@veecee3669]

Of course, it goes without saying that the incomparable Johnny Carson was king, but I'd forgotten just how funny Jay Leno was back then. Especially now, in these dark times, I miss the old days.

[@veecee3669]

uni blab Thanks, I'll check it out!

[@moa3810]

There is no comedy left these days

[@carolhoover6064]

@@moa3810 try Kathleen Madigan. I am 73 and my granddaughter is 30 and we Both laugh our Butte off each time we see her. We can quote her word for word, good times.

[@graceamerican3558]

You’re not the only one. Back when late night was funny.

[@sandraaune6681]

Yes, Jay Leno too....he and Johnny Carson were and still are the best. :)

[@truthseeker5890]

Those were the days!! Absolutely fabulous!! Today - pathetic! Today, late not comedy is nonexistent.

[@worldtraveler930]

It's Now the world of PCBS.

[@truthseeker5890]

@@worldtraveler930 Not for me, though. They won’t see me succumbing to their crap. Not going to happen. I may be the only one out of 7,000,000,000+ people who fight them, but I will most certainly fight them.

[@ice9594]

I grew up with abusive parents. Staying up late & watching The Late Show & Johnny made me laugh & salvaged (most of) my sanity.

[@fandude7]

Johnny is STILL the King of late night.

[@User-x5s3x]

Well not really - he's been dead for awhile!! 😅😮😊

[@fandude7]

@@User-x5s3x Exactly! That's how bad things are with today's goons.

[@leggomyeggo2073]

Back in the day, as a comedian, if you made Johnny laugh uncontrollably, you had made the big time. Very few got that reaction from Johnny.

[@sandraracicot934]

Ya, not like fallon's fake shoulder shaking laugh...

[@235buz]

Carson and Rickles was the best.

[@BOORAGG]

@@235buz Jonathon Winters or Rodney.

[@Heavywall70]

I’d say Robin Williams was the king of that. By the later years it was understood that he’d be out of control , and that was ok.

[@kkossor3046]

And if you got a nod from Johnny after your stand up routine, that meant you were good & could come sit down for an interview. Food for thought: Talking about plane crashes, “they” say when it’s your time to go, it’s your time. But what if you’re on a plane when it’s the pilot’s time to go..... badda bing! LOL

[@genesisplanet]

Jay Leno Was the Best person to take over from Johnny. For a younger Comedian, he was the Last of the Old Timers as far as Style. Surly Better than Anything going today!

[@carmium]

My brother and his girlfriend went to see Leno when he was touring and landed safely in Vancouver. They were just blown away by the show, including a bit where he'd grab a copy of the latest TV Guide and just pick apart all the shows and made-for-TV movies off the cuff based on the descriptions!

[@nickrigdon8883]

Letterman has more humor in his pinky than Jay Leno has in his entire body

[@calkelpdiver]

Dave Letterman was way funnier than Leno. Also, Johnny wanted Letterman to take the Tonight Show after he retired. Warren Littlefield loaded the dice for Leno because Littlefield wanted to own the show and not Letterman (which he was already doing with his current show) as part of taking over. Littlefield screwed up because Leno's agent hard balled to get ownership. This was about the only time Jay Leno was funny.

[@bogieand2sisters]

Nick Rigdon : Another rabid democrat!

[@minermike61]

I struggled to watch him but I can't disagree with your comment.

[@QueerOkie]

“Three ages of man winging through time!” I love Jay Leno!

[@Gwesep]

I almost forgot how funny Jay was back in the day. There was some true gold in that interchange. And Johnny, what can you say, he was the high water mark. No one comes close.

[@vrASMR180]

Johnny was just a little bit before my time but I find myself watching quite a bit of him on KZbin and enjoying it far more than anything current late night has to offer.

[@patrickjordan2233]

What a class act. Man, I miss Johnny...

[@jasonbowser5754]

This is the Jay I wish would have been the host. He was so comfortable and witty but he didn’t have the pressure of hosting. He changed a lot when he became host. But, today’s show had given me a new respect for Jay because he was 1000 times better than what we have today

[@scythelord]

Jay had to play the middle of the audience to draw the ratings. He couldn't be too edgy. He had to remain palatable to the generations that watched Carson.

[@lorireece1970]

@@scythelord I think that’s why so many people today are negatively critical of Fallon

[@will89687]

When you have to grind it out five days a week instead of honing your material over weeks or months it's a monumental challenge.

[@followthesun2115]

I loved Jay's standup routine. When he hosted the Tonight Show his humor and tone became more adolescent and crude. Very disappointing.

[@datruth9872]

Johnny , we need ya back ! No one has EVER filled your shoes. And never will. R.I.P.

[@SparkyMcBiff]

Jay Leno was my favorite comedian back in the day. He was non-stop hysterical.

[@61dodgelancer]

I love the comedians from back in the day! Jay Leno and Johnny Carson were hilarious!

[@deedeegreen8338]

I've never seen Johnny laugh so hard. Jay Leno, back in the day, was one of the funniest comedians in the business. He was the only comedian who could make my father do a belly laugh.

[@StrangerHappened]

Jay's wit was lightning fast, it seems. Nowadays, he still performs regularly, but I did not see his recent bits, so I do not know how sharp he is today.

[@andrewpolasek5524]

Before he landed the Tonight Show I saw Jay's standup act at a Daytona Beach Holiday Inn during Bike Week. Absolutely gut busting funny, there was no doubt he was headed for bigger things.

[@mtkoslowski]

Yet when Johnny retired, he wanted Letterman to replace him and was angry when NBC chose Leno.

[@msr1116]

Jay's delivery was among the best out there. And didn't stoop to vulgarity to get laughs---just a wacky, goofy take on situations he's experienced or observed. He had a particular talent for pointing out absurdities without any malice whatsoever.

[@joycemcmurray102]

Jay Leno grew up in Andover, Mass, I grew up in the next town over. As a teenager he worked at The local McDonalds in his neighborhood, whenever I go thru that one I always think of Jay working there. We miss you out this way Jay.

[@Jtrekvulcan66]

I like Jay’s style of comedy. Clean and funny

[@thewatcher9545]

Say what you want about Jay, but he could really make Johnny laugh.

[@computerkid1416]

Johnny himself would disagree with you. He much preferred Dave over Jay.

[@traviscarlson6718]

And so Did Johnnys Close Friend Legendary Insult Comedian Don Rickles who is No longer With us He Cracked johnny Up to a Point where He Was in Fits of Laughter And so did other people aswell like Milton Berle and Bob Hope And some of the greats of that Era Yeah Jay could definitely make Johnny laugh but so could David Letterman And Many others

[@M167A1]

I always liked Leno over Letterman

[@traviscarlson6718]

@@M167A1 fair enough everyone has their own preference

[@johanbrand8601]

@@computerkid1416 DAVE WHO?!

[@lottatroublemaker6130]

Johnny Carson was a fantastic show host! It’s amazing that more than 3 decades later, we can watch old shows and it’s still enjoyable and funny!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👍🙌🌞 RIP Johnny Carson 💟

[@viking22]

I sure miss these two. They made it worth while to stay up for late night tv and made ya laugh. No one is funny anymore and thinks crude language will make us laugh. Wrong! These guys had some class and respect for each other and their craft. Fun to see this. Thank you!

[@axiomist1076]

That was too short ! I could listen to Jay for hours. And hes making all this up right there.

[@andrewpolasek5524]

I love Leno, but not entirely true. A couple of his jokes including the "3 ages of man" were recycled verbatim from his standup act.

[@rollotomassi7437]

Most people forget how really funny Jay’s stand up was. He was a great joke and story teller and was far more entertaining than Letterman ever was. Letterman prided himself on two things, interviews, where he played the sarcastic foil and prodding his guests to provide most of the entertaining. Leno also dominated the ratings when he guest hosted for Johnny. Again, people forget both Leno and Letterman were guest hosts and Leno crushed Letterman in the ratings. Leno kept the tonight show atop of the ratings for over 25 years...

[@jquinlan]

You left out Mr NBC'S final tv appearance was going to CBS to appear with DL.

[@brittscott4673]

I liked Letterman in the late night time slot. The top ten list,stupid human tricks etc. The guests seemed secondary on Late night Letterman though . The Carson show guests were #1 and other things like Carson as that magician were secondary .I liked Letterman on CBS ,but I think Leno was the best host to take over for Carson.

[@janeferguson5145]

Letterman was brilliant. Leno was not.

[@Riteaidbob]

I have been watching these clips with Jay Leno on the Tonight show. I had completely forgotten how funny he was. And it is just as fun to watch Johnny laugh.

[@carolynfeldman9643]

When late night and comedians were funny! I miss those times and Johnny Carson. Today, it's about politics with venom. No humor. Just anger and people are supposed to laugh. The good old days of entertainment mixed with fun, laughter and class are long gone😢

[@marycook1644]

They also used to make jokes about both parties ! NOT anymore. 🐴 🐘

[@gh1613]

That’s because some current pols open themselves to ridicule by their statements and behavior. Had they existed in the time of Carson he would have hammered them.

[@sherrismith1520]

I think I miss the class most of all. Now, everyone’s minds stay in the gutter. It is so disgusting.

[@blairbrown4812]

When you have the host, one of the funniest men who have ever lived perhaps even the funniest,bent over with laughter, you know that he has found his worthy successor and heir.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

That would be Patrice Not wife beating Johnny

[@Parialated]

@@lockandloadlikehell my guy, patrice o"neal was funny just talking about any subject.

[@ginsure]

Without question Johnny was the best and I doubt there will ever be another like him.

[@Rbl7132]

Leno was overwhelmingly spontaneous and natural

[@Rbl7132]

@@PrimeDirective101 true. Very natural...

[@sooke54]

Jerry Seinfeld was on the Howard Stern Show and they were talking about comedians. Stern mentioned Leno as one of the best, Seinfeld corrected him, "THE best".

[@liduck52]

Jay Leno did the address at my daughter's college graduation.

[@dabprod]

This was back in the day when there was something to watch on late night TV. Now there's NOTHING to watch on TV anytime.

[@scootergeorge9576]

Yeah but there's 200+ channels of nothing to watch!

[@Grandizer8989]

dabprod get off my lawn!

[@1970borntorun]

Yes there is! Sopranos on Amazon Prime! lol :)

[@eligebrown8998]

Truth

[@tee4222]

Your recollection of the past is through rose colored glasses. Minus the couple hours of late shows there was nothing to watch but informercials. Now there’s entire networks of nothing but stand up comedy, movies, old shows, new shows, etc. through all hours of the day and night as well as Netflix and all the other streaming sites.

[@FreedomFighter-cr5xg]

Johnny gone , Jay Leno fired ...RIP Tonight Show ..you are missed .. ...sad that their is no more late night talk shows ..just these poor imitations rule now ...Thank goodness for KZbin ..

[@sasfunc6170]

Used to watch nightly. I guess they don't want me anymore. Who is watching?

[@briananthony4044]

Jay Leno fired, I didn't know that.

[@FreedomFighter-cr5xg]

@@briananthony4044 They did not renew Jay's contract because they wanted the present idiot to take over the Tonight show .. even though Jay had the highest ratings .. Jay is missed

[@briananthony4044]

@@FreedomFighter-cr5xg Seeing Jay, with his now love of denim, wearing a expensive tailored suit, is a bit of a shock. But he made enough to be able to expand his second love, which must keep him very busy, his collection of cars and bikes. He must have been paid a helluva lot towards the end, no wonder they found a cheaper replacement.

[@FreedomFighter-cr5xg]

Brian Anthony Don’t watch that replacement ... RIP Tonight show

[@ezrc9294]

Fallon is a tool box , absolute horror show. I want to set my calendar to re-watch all the JC episodes by date for the next 10 years. Jay Leno was a great act too!

[@armybeef68]

I wouldn't know, I haven't watched him, I kid you people not, I have not watched one single episode of any of the talk shows nowadays, not one, not one single time, not even out of curiosity, late night is dead to me.

[@jeffwvu4602]

Not just him, but boring political Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, etc. But it's true that the audience changed as well. This was the 80s, now they have politically correct liberals looking at them who get offended by everything because it makes them feel socially responsible.

[@duskeyowl2507]

@@jeffwvu4602 Yep all us politically correct Liberals are just annoying you thieving uneducated trumpers.

[@jeffwvu4602]

@@duskeyowl2507 Thieving? Uneducated? Are you talking about the people you need to beg to vote so you can win something?

[@nathandrums0]

@@duskeyowl2507 uneducated? Says the guy whose political party created a lottery winning so people would fall in line and get vaccinated like little sheep lol.

[@010hek]

Gotta love Johnny and Jay. Awsome talent.

[@TheTektronik]

The Tonight Show were a lot better with Carson and Leno as it's host.

[@littledeel]

The tonight show were a lot? That doesn’t make any sense.

[@littledeel]

Go back to school. Both of you are uneducated moronic illiterate degenerates.

[@leooneil5690]

The understatement of the decade! Humor is now gone from late-night TV.

[@MillerMeteor74]

Man, I forgot what Jay Leno was like in comedy. He had me laughing good.

[@diamondhead5432101]

He still does stand up, all over actually.

[@sidv192]

Saw Jay in person back then, he had us laughing so hard for so long my muscles that control laughter were sore the next day

[@seanraines5871]

I think Jay is way better here without teleprompters telling him what to say

[@ORagnar]

I think he was moderated while on the talk show so as to not offend anyone.

[@rebekkad.2092]

These two greats on one stage prove that comedy was king back in the day. Nothing dirty, just funny. No swear words, but lots of laughs.

[@timothycook2917]

Back in the day when I enjoyed watching late-night. Then I'd switch to CBS to watch reruns of Columbo, McMillian and Wife, Quincy, Trapper John MD or McCloud

[@veteranpatriot4474]

The way Late night should be.

[@doudymac]

Yep... Now it's all politics...🤦🏼‍♂️

[@aaronlopez3585]

"The anvil headed comedian" That friendly welcome by Johny means your in.

[@SixSonn]

What a gifted comedian, Jay Leno never ceases to impress.

[@mistergrampy6452]

"Frequent Survivor Program" Hahhahahah!

[@rickmontgomery3037]

Yeah, lol, and I love the line about the pilots lined up shoving quarters in the insurance machine LOL

[@anyasilka2325]

Johnny Carson was as always, brilliant in every aspect!! What a magnificent participating Prese ter with his comedic experience! Jay Leno is a great Guest for him!! Wish I knew about all these great guys were around then when Comedy and GOOD LATE NIGHT SHOWS and Other Shows WITHOUT POLITICS were around!!! He must be SO MISSED!! Imiss him and did not have the privilege of watching him live!! R.I.P dear Johnny, a very good philanthropist!!!

[@richardsavino3612]

The 2 funniest stand up comics I've ever seen were Leno and Seinfeld. And not a cuss word between them!

[@clairelivefreeordie2551]

Believe me...I first saw Jay on a comedy cruise on Boston harbor years ago before he became famous and he was raunchy! But still very funny. He had wonderful comedic timing even back then. One of the best evenings of my life !!!

[@joesantamaria5874]

Jerry uses profanity pretty liberally in his stand up, don’t fool yourself.

[@logant44]

Ya jay only went clean once his audience became octogenarians

[@cisium1184]

Both swear a fair amount in their club routines. They both just write a lot - Seinfeld writes every day I think - so they've accumulated enough killer shots that they are to be able to work entirely clean for TV.

[@don2458]

Jay was and will always be an ASSHOLE.

[@morningdove20]

This was when the Tonight Show Cared More to make Us laugh at the end of our already Stressful day, than they were to Crank up our Blood Press right before we went to bed with the damn Politics.. as IS Today! Damn do I miss Johnny! And the Comedians with Absolutely No P. C. !!!

[@rebelbaron7003]

Boy you said it.Since Johnny left,I watched Jay for awhile,couldn't stomach 30 seconds of Letterman,but left late night talk shows pretty much for good

[@56squadron]

@@musoangelo - Your reply sounds like "sanity" to you? It was an insult, a death threat and bad grammar. Everything you leftist morons represent all rolled into one forgettable blurb.

[@musoangelo]

@@56squadron Just suggesting what your chosen one instructed to do. Yeah and don't get sanctimonious with me. Your dear leader, fu*king moron trump says worse on a daily basis. You're trump turds sh1t on people all the time, try calling them out on their sh1t.

[@kevinbillingsley8256]

@Bill of Rights Yeah, so were the confederates.

[@lordgarion514]

@Bill of Rights I'm of the belief that you're an idiot for believing in any political party. That being said, you're delusional. That idiot lost the popular vote.... And in the midterms, the republicans lost 6 state governorships, while taking none from the democrats. And the republicans lost several congressional seats as well. And his handling of covid-19 is costing him people in states he just barely won. The problem with losing the popular vote, but winning the electoral college is losing just a few voters swings a lot of electoral college votes.

[@biomed007]

I sure miss the days when the pilot would come out and walk down the aisle and talk to people. What a power gesture that is truly missed.

[@peterclark6290]

It was the airborne equivalent to showing it off to his friends at an unscheduled stop - Look ma no hands.

[@kennethneece4838]

As far as I’m concerned, that Johnny Carson was the king of late night talk shows and he was the master of it! There never will be a another Johnny Carson again “ EVER “

[@summerlakephotog8239]

Jay is so comfortable in his own skin-very affable.

[@keithalcorn9102]

Jay is a funny man!

[@AFMMD-q8]

Ah, the real good O'l days, there will never be another Carson, his charisma, immense wit and stage presence were incomparable, he also had the most sincere contagious laughter.

[@strmchsr63]

John Carson WAS the king of late night talk shows.

[@cuttysupe7749]

Leno was always the BEST next guy after Johnny. Not a replacement.. Just the next guy. He did a great job. Love them both.

[@wtz650]

Johnny still the KING .......................even though he's been dead for 16 years ................you go Johnny !

[@bassreeves2410]

miss leno and his headlines segment.

[@probuilder961]

Me too. There's a bunch of them here on KZbin.

[@rockinredneck57]

I loved Jaywalking. God, people are stupid.

[@bethpemberton7980]

My fave. Monday night. Never missed it and actually had one to appear that I'd sent in. I mailed almost once a month weird things in the paper. I screamed when Jay read the one I sent in. It was fried laundry detergent. Proud moment.

[@fredericmartin7148]

@@rockinredneck57 Yes, people are stupid now, thanks to 60 years of political correctness in our schools from elementary through college.

[@marycook1644]

And when school teachers could not even get our wars correct ! 🕷

[@nancyhowell4505]

@4:04 . . . "The three ages of man." Cracked me up! Thanks and blessings for posting this show! 🙏👏👍👍

[@rbouncier669]

When late night was worth staying up for. For all the criticism Jay gets from many, he was a sharp, funny man. Few of the current batch can compare.

[@bryduhbikeguy]

None compare.I don't watch Any of them.I will,and do watch the Stars on here.

[@erict7867]

Since Craig Ferguson left there is absolutely no one worth a crap on late night

[@cheif10thumbs]

You got that right!

[@spiff8862]

Craig was T H E Best!!!

[@sandraaune6681]

I watch re-runs of Johnny Carson. :)

[@GD1082]

Agreed

[@LOLINC2010]

Ferguson was a gem. Conan is still great in my opinion...he may be the last of the greats.

[@rociobany290]

Legend Johnny ... sorely missed And whoda thought Leno would become a show host & sit on a Johnny's thrown ...but I think Johnny would be pleased ... RIP

[@darrenwayne8263]

They both are infinitely better than any late show host today.

[@Setmose]

Jay Leno was absolutely the natural choice to follow Carson as host of the Tonight Show. Easy-going, accessible, funny, and puts the other guy at ease to let him shine.

[@BBQFanNo1]

When Johnny laughed back in his chair as if it was going to fall back on the floor like that you were exceptionally funny. Only 5 other guests I can recall made him laugh like that : His idol Jack Benny, Don Rickles, Rodney Dangerfield, Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams. I wonder if that might have been the reason Jay Leno was the only right guy to take over the Tonight Show after Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon and Doc Severinsen retired from the show.

[@jesusmysavior3552]

Cool Comment👍

[@cz2165]

Flip Wilson told a story and the final punch line sent Carson out of his chair.

[@TheIrishrogue68]

Bob Newhart too.

[@daveluttinen2547]

Louis Anderson's line "sorry I'm sweating, but if I didn't I'd explode" had Johnny laughing loud enough to be heard. George Gobel also when he said "Did you ever get the feeling the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?" There were not many that got that kind of response from Johnny, but like many have observed here, Mr. Carson was the consummate professional who enhanced people's performances and stayed out of the way. Wonderful times.

[@funkster007]

Jim Carrey, Dana Carvey, Martin Short all had Johnny in stitches as well.

[@jessstone7211]

Too funny ...Leno totally on his game ... and no foul language!! whoo hoo!

[@brewer9565]

Two consummate professionals at work here. Johnny teeing up the bits for Leno to run with and both making it appear as if they’re just having a conversation. Absolutely seamless pitching to the hitter. You don’t find this on late night television any more. If you listen closely during the intro of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon you can hear Johnny Carson rolling over in his grave. Beer pong anyone?

[@CK61380]

God this reminds me of how shitty the Tonight Show is now. These guys are about 50 times more intelligent than Jimmy Fallon.

[@dusthue]

Who is Jimmy Fallon?😏

[@carlbeaudry4142]

So true.

[@stevethomas2285]

Fallon is talented, just not as a talk show host. That fake laugh is over the top stupid.

[@denieledwards6893]

AGREED FALLON IS A BIG DISAPPOINTED CREEPY GUY.

[@janetremsing6988]

🥴 ONLY 50?

[@captainthrall]

Wow, Johnny's laugh is infectious. I'm dying over here

[@PC4USE1]

Jay was great as a guest,johnny was the King.Personalities to the side-pure entertainment.

[@nuggets.6774]

Yep, that was fantastic. I love Johnny's authentic laugh.

[@jackobora3193]

With as tame as his show was when he was host it's often easy to forget just how funny Jay Leno was as a stand up.

[@johnciely8209]

I saw Johnny Carson live in the late 70’s or early 80’s hysterical and clean. I love Jay Lennos car show.

[@kepler240]

"...a flying slave ship..." damn. Good thing there wasn't Twitter back then

[@timothysullysullivan2571]

he means like a roman galley where they made their captives row- like charleton heston in ben hur. nothing racial about it.

[@whatdidoursurveysay]

@@timothysullysullivan2571 I can say with 1,001% certainty that wouldn't be the first thing most people think of if they were to hear "slave ship".

[@timothysullysullivan2571]

@@whatdidoursurveysay yes, probably right. my point was what he actually said, not what brainwashed idiots would instantly 'hear'.

[@A.C31]

No, good thing political correctness didn't exist back then. Too bad it does now, because it has ruined everything, including comedy!

[@tek6423]

Too bd there is twitter now.

[@RobertCrandall-ce8gv]

The etc of Johnny carson, Jay Leno was a good time period. The humor, commentary was first rate, always enjoy watching these shows played again on tv. Bob

[@TheBigScat]

Leno has taken a lot of heat, some of it deserved, but I remember him as a really nice guy. My friends and I saw him on Letterman once in the early '80s. After the show, we were wandering outside and saw Jay across the street. The three of us, college-age kids with natty clothes and long hair, shouted to Jay, and he immediately crossed the street with his hand extended to say hello. What a gesture. I saw him perform a couple of years later in a Long Island comedy club and he killed. I don't recall the jokes, but I remember him closing with about 10 minutes of rapid-fire stuff that completely crushed it. Something about a petting zoo. Good times.

[@aprils376]

Why has he taken a lot of heat lately?

[@andybaldman]

Cuz he’s gay.

[@KnickKnack07]

NONE of it was deserved. He did nothing but be loyal to his employer. It was CONAN who stabbed Leno in the back. In 2004. He went to NBC...while Leno was still CRUSHING Letterman in the ratings and making the network millions and said "Promise me the Tonight Show or I'm leaving to ABC." So without talking to Leno, they agreed and THEN went to Leno and said "We know you are still #1, and that you don't want to leave, but this next 5 year contract you are signing is going to be your last." Leno agreed solely because he had no choice. then, as 2009 came along and Leno was still crushing Letterman in the ratings, NBC realized they made a huge mistake and scrambled to keep Leno with the ill fated prime time show. And then, partly due to them forcing Conan to move to California which was a HORRIBLE idea that Conan never recovered from even on TBS, his show flopped. Most of his early joes were "Look how out of place I am in California." And what made people like him at 12:30 was taken away from him, like the Masturbating Bear, or Preparation H Raymond. They were allowed to use them only very sparingly. But there is no denying that the show flopped and The Tonight show went from dominating the ratings to second place by Week 2 and was falling dangerously close to 3rd place. And worse, it was losing money. As was Leno's prime time show. The decision to cancel Conan did not come from Leno. He didn't have that power even if he wanted it. As shown by how NBC went behind his back AGAIN just a few years later after he had regained the #1 spot and showed no signs of slowing down, but still pushed him out for Jimmy Fallon. As for originally taking over for Carson...it was not his decision that NBC didn't feel Letterman's humor worked at 11:30. But they KNEW that Tonight Show audiences loved Leno because whenever he would guest host, his ratings were much better than Johnny's. This made it a no-brainer for NBC. (People give Helen Kushnick way too much "credit" for this as if she really had any power with the network.) And the ratings for 90-95% of their time head to head showed that NBC made the right call. Letterman tried to blame it on the NBC prime time dominance giving a better lead in. But then in the mid to late '00s, CBS became the dominant prime time ratings winner and NBC was in the tank. And yet Leno STILL dominated. The one that has the most to be mad about IS Leno. He had his show taken away behind his back THREE TIMES. First when they promised it to Letterman, but Letterman rejected it and went to CBS instead, then in 2004 (2009) when they promised it to Conan and pushed him out 5 years later. And then another 5 years later when they pushed him out for Fallon. All while he did everything NBC asked of him and delivered them tens of millions of dollars a year.

[@manofiske3318]

@@KnickKnack07 "Kushnick" 'Mushnick' hasn't received _any_ 'credit'

[@KnickKnack07]

@@manofiske3318 Everybody says she was the reason why it happened. Have you not read, nor seen The Late Shift? But thanks for being a good typo police, officer. The world is more safer knowing you are on patrol.

[@kennethneece4838]

Oh Johnny Carson!😁 He was certainly the king of the late night shows! R.I.P. Johnny Carson!

[@rowdyyates8626]

If you ever wondered why Johnny Carson wanted Jay Leno to succeed him this episode explains it. He made Johnny genuinely laugh and Carson obviously likes him. It was the right choice. Kinda of a rags to riches for Leno. Sleeping in his car on the road, etc. of course Leno would have made it. He had amazing talent.

[@YouzTube99]

@rowdyyates8626 Note that at the end (04:52) Carson says, "A lot of good stuff there." He really appreciated guests who were prepared AND could banter with him. You're absolutely correct that this is a good example. Seinfeld has often said that Jay was the hardest working comedian he ever met. NBC knew how difficult it would be to follow Carson and how demanding the job was so Jay's work ethic was likely a significant factor in his favor. IMO, they made an excellent decision.

[@cindydufala7646]

Class puns. Love Johnny. And Jay almost filled his shoes. No one is like Johnny Carson our USA beloved icon in history.

[@JohnWilliams-fj4rl]

Hi Cindy how are you doing

[@rickarchambault4756]

Now the Tonight Show is "Games and Gigglefest with Jimmy Fallon!"

[@johnnycrash3270]

And one day Jay Leno will have one of the BEST CAR COLLECTIONS in the world 🚓🚕🚙🏎🏍🛵👍

[@thomasmathews7408]

Back in the late sixties I was in the Navy and flew home quite a bit. From DFW to Shreveport I'd he t stuck on TTA (TRANS-TEXAS-AIRWAYS) I swear one time they landed in Lonview, TX just to unload an upright vacuum cleaner. No kidding.

[@coopstripes]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@marka1422]

I remember that airline. We moved to the Rio Grande Valley in late '67, and that airline flew into Harlingen, TX. It had a bad reputation, and my dad used to call it Tinker-Toys Airways. :D

[@pistolp01]

Dude..... that is comedy gold. If Leno would have said; one Airline I flew had to stop in Waco, to unload a vacuum cleaner and a box of clackers. It might have killed Johnny. LMAO

[@demisx]

The tonight show has died after these two retired from it.

[@deannaausten8867]

Very different audience now

[@ctb2814]

Deanna Austen very deferent hosts

[@danvetor1365]

Literally. I couldn't even say who the host is anymore! They all are not funny. They used to make fun of politicians, now its just hate crap!

[@johnciely8209]

Truth. The last of the great hosts.

[@Markustajahoyrylaiva]

so did america

[@ninline2000]

He's complaining about air travel in the 80s. LOL! It's 10 times worse now. Today it comes with a rectal exam.

[@mikeyh0]

yep. A-holes checking a-holes.

[@lorireece1970]

I’m a proud, strong physically challenged woman who uses a wheelchair. I always have to get felt up by Big Bertha every time I want to board a plane! It’s sickening and totally unnecessary!

[@tomgates316]

They’re checking your seat before you get to sit in theirs.

[@PlanetEarth3141]

I quit flying many years ago. I remember when my pilot said to me, "So which city are you traveling to"? That was my last flight. I'm not saying flying has gotten bad, but on my last plane flight the tail was painted with skull and crossed bones.

[@zyrrhos]

@@PlanetEarth3141 Ba-dum-bum.

[@lynnnettelfield1042]

I miss Johnny Carson so much

[@georgerife8729]

35 years later, he still got a lot of laughs from me!

[@TORTLESSS]

goddamn jay brought it here, the ages of man bit accompanied by the time travelling movement was genius

[@jillschneider2953]

Back when late night TV was worth staying up late to watch.

[@gregwatson8219]

Johnny was too judgemental toward Jay years later.

[@gregwatson8219]

Letterman acted like a spoiled kid when passed over Tonite Show

[@gregwatson8219]

Disappointed in Carson too

[@mauryd3444]

This is when late-night television was funny. I haven't watched these shows since Jay Leno retired and haven't missed anything.

[@gop4usa12]

Of all the things Jay Leno and other comedians had to say about air travel 30 years ago, I'd gladly go back to it if I could.

[@James_Bowie]

Jay never really left the stand-up circuit. I love his material.

[@SPEEDOFDOG]

I remember seeing him in the PSA terminal at SFO. I was working for the airline and had just come up the jetway from the ramp to have a smoke. He was sitting all by himself in the dark in the corner by the jetway door. I quietly said hello Mr Leno. He just nodded. And yes I left him alone. Had to be this time or maybe 1986. I worked there from 82 to 87 and saw a lot of celebrities.

[@janroth9131]

Johnny and Jay - the best late night hosts!

[@jamisoncarlson6003]

Say what you want about Jay, but Jay Leno is funny! I laughed out loud multiple times during this segment!!

[@jonhohensee3258]

I didn't laugh once.

[@williamdunlop8191]

This bit holds up perfectly ! Some things never evolve ! Love Jay And Johnny