Madeline Kahn Talks Phobias and Johnny Shows Why He Was the King | Carson Tonight Show

[@petercallahan7321]

Kahn is so uniquely hilarious because she doesn’t actually “make jokes”. It’s all about her unique persona and delivery. Its mysterious whether or not she knows why she’s funny. Which also makes her very touching and likable. And she’s so multitalented!

[@EvangelineDouros]

Johnny was The best his hand gestures and facial expressions and impersonation's and sing voice was the best especially when he played different characters on the tonight show

[@4Topwood]

Head over heels for this woman of infinite charm and talent... ❤❤❤❤❤

[@THX-kw2jh]

RIP The Late Great Beauty Madeline Kahn, Cancer took her away very young at age 57 back on December 1999. 😔

[@laurasating9828]

So sad.what a loss

[@dianewinters8628]

She was one of a kind. I miss her on tv and in the movies.

[@johnhoward8668]

What an absolutely delightful woman.

[@wespaul9345]

She knocks me for six too. This is the 2nd week in a row I've binged on her. She's wonderful

[@wespaul9345]

Thank you whoever liked my comment. MK just smashes all those try hard horrible feminist creepy things and shows the real power of a real woman. She's so classy man. In an age where protesters are banging on about trans women blah blah...here it is... the sublime effortless (well nearly) class, grace of a lady. She's fantastic and I am envious of her husband. Must be a top fellow the lucky bastard. I'm certain to be criticized but don't care. Viva when women were ladies and men were gentlemen.

[@johnhoward8668]

@@wespaul9345 Nicely said.

[@nancycurtis488]

She was one of my favorite actresses ever. Life is just not fair.

[@richardthelionheart5594]

Madeline was truly the most under-appreciated woman comedian ever. What a fabulous talent. Loved her in "Young Frankenstein" and the other Mel Brooks movies. She did a great sketch on SNL wherein she as Marlena Dietrich is interviewed by Gilda Radner as Barbara Wawa.

[@theJohnGaltLine]

Her "flames" scene on Clue cracks me up every time too.

[@drumbum3.142]

Far as Your First Assertion goes.. ...not one millimeter, hair follicle MORE underappreciated.. .....but Martha Raye is a Nitroglycerin Comedic Genius As Well.

[@richardthelionheart5594]

@@drumbum3.142 "Big Mouth" Martha Raye better than Imogene Coca? #Doubtful

[@drumbum3.142]

@@richardthelionheart5594 Well - that wasn't quite the comparison; but since we're talking about Imogene - I always felt that Fabray was a Better, Funnier "Mesh"/Bed Fellow of Sid, within Your Show of Shows than Coca.. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♀️

[@richardthelionheart5594]

@@drumbum3.142 We disagree and I watched a lot of "Show of Shows" in my time. I also think Howard Morris was funnier than Carl Reiner

[@nicotorio8627]

This exchange is gold and Ms Kahn's brilliant spontaniety knocks it right out of the 'ball" park, pun intended!

[@donovanw.2943]

She's one of the greats! Brilliant, funny and beautiful! And I love Johnny :) Thank you for posting this.

[@roccosophie6498]

Two of the greatest talents at what they do that we will ever see. Johnny was the most gracious host and Madeline was innately funny and dignified at the same time. I miss seeing them both.

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

I love Madeline Kahn's movies so much! She played a major supporting actor in, "What's Up Doc" with Ryan O'Neal and Barbara Striesand and was hysterical! I miss her comedy - she was marvelous!

[@rcdoodles6214]

Wonderful segment. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@joebiggs4387]

Also she was in Mel Brooks movie“high anxiety”. She was great! And she was in the movie “clue”. Funny movie! She was great just as she usually was. RIP Madeline

[@echoecho3108]

Madeline was also brilliant in What's Up, Doc?, and in Young Frankenstein. She's brilliant in pretty much everyrhing. RIP, dear lady, and thanx so very much, for the magic, music, and memories. RIP, and thanx so very very much, to the always charming Johnny Carson. I miss him so much.

[@Sneakycat1971]

And don't forget she did " A Little Poopie " on Broadway

[@johnshaw6405]

❤

[@joebiggs4387]

Madeline Gail Wolfson was her real name. I never knew that until now.

[@cheriebomb6110]

@@joebiggs4387 It was Kahn by 10 or 11 years old as her stepdad adopted her.

[@spiderlily4386]

Madeline Kahn! Great actress! Did a lot of Broadway. Super funny lady. Wish i could have seen her there.

[@tonyhoward7004]

Yep like four Tony nominations. Wish I could have seen her too

[@scottprice4813]

My heavens what sophisticated people these are. Just put a lot of current people in the industry to complete shame .

[@frankb1596]

You nailed it.

[@308W82]

One of the funniest interviews on Johnny Carson!!! Madeline Kahn -- a comedy superstar!

[@JAFO44]

Madeline you were the best. Gracious, funny without even trying and beautiful and So underrated. Your presence is missed. Rest in eternal peace

[@lauriefrancisco1084]

Madeline Kahn was absolutely great. I'll never forget the first time I'm aware of having seen her was in the movie "What's Up, Doc?" with Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal. A HIGHLY entertaining and clever movie, and Ms. Kahn was hilarious. As usual, Johnny was great with her and his reaction to her "phobia" was perfect. RIP, Ms. Kahn -- another mighty talent that we lost way too soon!

[@jillkjv3816]

That's my favorite film of the 1970's.

[@Sidetrackification]

When she says, I don't know what my voice is doing. I'm reminded of her ballad in Blazing Saddles, I'm so tired, when she stretches a note, between breaths. ..

[@jillkjv3816]

@@Sidetrackification "Ah! Sweet mystery of life, at last I've found you!" 😁

[@MrMenefrego1]

Laurie Francisco, Your comment: "RIP, Ms. Kahn -- another mighty talent that we lost way too soon!" brought tears to my old eyes. Maybe the tears came because I'm getting older and most of my friends and all of my family are gone now, I don't know. Getting older definitely isn't for the weak!

[@January.]

Madeline is absolutely hilarious in the fabulous What's Up Doc.

[@gup8175]

Her song in Blazing Saddles is my fave Madeline Kahn song.. I'm Tired!

[@RodericSpode]

...And always too soon.

[@pamelah6431]

Same

[@jimnewl]

There's something incredibly mysterious about her talent. No one could ever achieve what she did by trying. She was just naturally hilarious. It doesn't show so much here, but in her films there was never anyone better.

[@seamuswarren]

I loved Khan in Young Frankenstein. “Oh, sweet mystery of life at last I found you.”

[@tomlichnofsky.7048]

RIP Madeline Khan 😔 RIP Johnny Carson and ED 😔

[@BC99]

Beautiful, funny, smart, she had it all.

[@brocktoon8]

I laughed out loud at that balls comment. 😂

[@marsdrum3047]

Johnny Carson interrupts her answers all the time but she handles him with great aplomb.

[@guskund3971]

JHONNY is a dick in this interview

[@TheTishy44]

Madeline was one of my favorite actresses growing.

[@Liam_Maddog]

Up?

[@aaa7189]

All I can remember of Madeline Kahn is from young Frankenstein. She sang at the ending of the movie

[@johnllewlyndavies222]

Yes, but it was the best film ever made😂

[@kkampy4052]

Lilly von Schtupp in Blazing Saddles. Another classic

[@johnnyrottenpiss]

Wasn't she Mrs. White in "Clue" as well?

[@robertvance1873]

And wasn't she with Steve Martin in the JERK 🤣

[@winstonbyronic1248]

@@robertvance1873 Bernadette Peters, another QT. 74 now.

[@michaelcharlton8896]

Madeline Kahn - such an exceptionally talented, wonderful, lovely lady!

[@mdteletom1288]

After watching several interviews posted here there is one modern day actress whose interviews remind me of Madeline Kahn, Aubrey Plaza. This was a great interview by the King of Late Night though.

[@christianjohnsjohns8723]

That makes sense she has a similar awkwardness but with an added elegance to her at the same time which an interesting combination.

[@thomasbrennan1703]

She shows how smart she is to keep things on track

[@loucontino4804]

I miss Madeline, she was extremely funny. Of course missing Johnny and Ed goes without saying. I think everyone does.

[@RobertL.-np4qb]

You put this very well. I agree. It’s her facial expressions and the way she says normal, everyday things that’s so funny.

[@gabrielgolden4336]

There will never be another Madeline Kahn, look at all the subtle delightful things she does.

[@petergivenbless900]

She really got him with "frequency only cats can hear" comment!😂

[@jillkjv3816]

I MISS HER!!!! 😭

[@DelicateFlower-pp7yl]

She has such a great rage of character, and vocal. The inflection. It's so seductive.

[@JacquelineMcIntoshNo1]

Madeline Kahn was such a treasure.

[@Rtorresc4v]

One of my favorite actresses. She was a natural. Rip

[@MsNooneinparticular]

No put-on pretentious celebrity airs or "overdone characters" with lame one-liners like you see now. Just a *chill, dignified person being herself. If this was an act it was incredibly well-done. *She had terrible anxiety and hated interviews like this and was NOT, in fact, chill. But her voice & aura are very calming. Would be nice if these male interviewers would've let her answer a question every now and again.

[@4Topwood]

In fairness, I think Johnny was captivated and inspired by her. It was less a question of him trying to dominate the conversation and more that she sparked his wit. He's much warmer to her than he usually was with his guests.

[@aerotrooper]

Her final film performance in Judy Berlin was fantastic.

[@tonyhoward7004]

There are clips of it on the internet I’ve seen but would love to see the whole movie

[@kornei2007]

What a fabulous, fabulous lady!!!

[@blueline308]

It's twue, it's twue !

[@joebiggs4387]

Yeah!!😆😆

[@steveconn]

Cut line after was "you're sucking on my arm."

[@-------------------DD]

❤️

[@jamessanto9745]

Madeline Kahn was a very funny Talented actress,. Beautiful too . Gone 😢 Too soon

[@xy_andzee]

the classiest actress I've ever seen 🥰

[@hepgeoff]

Madeline Kahn was such a great comedian! She left us way too soon!

[@peachespavalko1980]

I had forgotten about this episode. God, I love her talent and genius-ness - if that’s a real word. 😅 Anywho,, when you combine those two, it’s gold in my book. That was a great interview! She’s a woman I could easily take in as one of my BFFs.

[@peachespavalko1980]

🙋‍♀️ And I definitely relate to her balls phobia. ⚾️ 🏈 🎾 🏀

[@charlesmoore766]

How I miss Johnny, Ed, Doc, and the band

[@000fuyt]

She was hilarious in history of the world with mel brooks

[@joebiggs4387]

She plays Nero’s mistress if I’m not mistaken. 😂 Leave it to Mel Brooks!

[@jhmoxl]

Man Madeline is great, she just is funny, and makes things uncomfortable in a funny way that Johnny can really work with.

[@michaelbackhus1923]

Yea, there is a sexiness about her demeanor.

[@jgaulorr]

She was wonderfully funny in Blazing Saddles.

[@paulwojnar2291]

They dont make them like Johnny nor Madeline anymore. 2 great proffessionals in their respective fields. Miss them both tremendously

[@pattibrooks1907]

I saw her in Paper Moon and on Carol Burnett !

[@rebeccaofsunnybrookfarm6698]

@ Patti Brooks was her character the one that Ryan's character wanted to "get" with and Tatum made the observation that she must have a bladder the size of a peanut because they had to keep stopping at gas stations so she could void? 🤣😅🤣

[@tonyhoward7004]

I just re-watched What’s Up Doc for the first time in years…..OMG she is hysterical! Should have been her first Oscar nomination. Then she would have three in a row, followed by Paper Moon and Blazing Saddles. As always Johnny’s interviews only remind me how horrible today’s late night hosts are. Here he listens, empathizes, and then waits for just the right time to crack the million dollar joke : testaphobia! God I miss him !!!

[@cbass2755]

I really liked this actress. She was great a comedy and could make me laugh…

[@pamelah6431]

Is funny. Audience laughs. 1:31 tells audience, "That's not funny." Who else ever did that??

[@johnmarx3919]

Wow so that bit in Seinfeld about Kramer having a fit while Mary Hart was speaking was based on a REAL incident!

[@JuicyTaz201]

She took the audience’s laugh personal in the beginning about her change of voice in movies. Interesting

[@petesmitt]

typical Germanic humour deficit..

[@cheriebomb6110]

not even close.

[@plentinough7222]

I’m so tired, I’m so tired of being admired. Love her and wish she could have stayed with us mere mortals for much longer. BDH.

[@mikedenison121]

Hello, how’re you doing?

[@chestercopperpot9294]

RIP Madeline

[@Hack_The_Planet_]

Man she was such a babe

[@philippapay4352]

Mercy, I have to wonder if she watched "The Prisoner" in the 1960s, which was complex and brilliant, but it had security-attack balls that popped up even out of the ocean and were a bit blob-like and chased you down wherever you went until they got you and enveloped you?

[@siggylloyd3566]

That was a great show, Patrick Mcgoohan as the Prisoner.

[@siggylloyd3566]

That was a great show, Patrick Mcgoohan as the Prisoner.

[@pauldavies5611]

@@siggylloyd3566 My favorite all-time tv show!

[@philippapay4352]

@@siggylloyd3566 Patrick McGoohan was the genius behind much of the creative work of writing, designing, producing, as well as his performance, in "The Prisoner." I believe Episode 16, I think called "Hammer & Anvil," with just him and Leo McKern as No. 2 is still one of the best hours of television art I've ever seen. And I say that about a series that I would vote as the first among my top 3 ever with M*A*S*H in second the "Call the Midwife" in third place. It was the penultimate episode of that series and a master class in acting art. I would include among the other best hours in TV ever several Sid Caesar shows, several Johnny Carson shows, the "Pine Barrens" episode of "Sopranos" behind which Steve Buscemi was the creative genius, as well as performing in the episode, etc. I am not one of those who asks about zodiac signs. I ask all I meet, "Who is No. 1?" LOL.

[@ElwoodPDowd-nz2si]

Young Frankenstein What's Up Doc She is so funny.

[@honeybeebadger]

Madeline was a brilliant comedic actress 💜

[@barney6888]

The psychology of an artist is a study on its own. People see it as self centered, conceited, rude, etc., and each artist is different of course, but, so many have this "wall" that makes them come off as a very unpleasant person. I believe it's part of what that individual artist needs to do to protect themselves against what they fear from the audience.

[@johnreed4503]

That was such a sad day when we lost this wonderful, talented and funny lady...

[@steves3422]

Wow! She is on her game. Keeping a straight face while doing dead pan humor -- she's got Johnny guessing, but he (almost) keeps up.

[@europa7775]

i first saw her in sesame street singing with brover "the echo song" she was lovely.... '

[@ryanellis4474]

The MASTER GREAT AD LIB! GREAT PAUSES! Truly the King! Johnny will never be topped by another I will pray for America. Please pray for me. God Bless you. The Legendary Lee Canady is where it is at! I miss Norm MacDonald Triple-jabbed Gilbert Gottfried, who died of a “heart condition,” is another comic I miss!

[@psw4763]

Good actress and looks like Jessica Lange here.

[@charlesboucher9533]

Oh yah... I found myself here for Ms. Con, and she was wonderful. So tallented, but humble, a little akward, and brillent as a performer.

[@tdunph4250]

A very amusing yet a little bizarre kind of interview. Only Johnny could handle all the various and unsuspecting curve balls that guests would throw at him!

[@petesmitt]

a fear of balls coming towards her.. she hadn't considered the obvious innuendo.

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

She's adorable loved her in young Frankenstein.

[@m.maclellan7147]

I have the same issue with sports where the baseball comes toward your face ! Years later I saw a Nuerologist for a different issue, and he discovered an issue with my eyes tracking close to my face. Made me happy that there was a real issue that explains it.

[@mooshuguy5141]

What a one off total original.

[@Eddie_Schantz]

This show aired on July 18, 1991

[@cherylbaker3353]

Johnny is fascinated by her he is so animated and funny with her

[@mikedenison121]

Hello, how’re you doing?

[@tonyvincent9753]

@5:13 I saw Jack Benny!

[@gamernorcal]

he loved Jack. In Henry Bushkin's book JOHNNY CARSON, he said that the 2 unhappiest people in show biz were Jack Benny and Johnny Carson. Excerpt : "Jack Benny was the unhappiest man I have ever known. And Benny is Carson's idol." Of course I knew who Jack Benny was but knew nothing of his private life, so I kept my mouth shut and summoned all the sangfroid I could muster." Sonny continued with astonishing bluntness. "Johnny is the second unhappiest person I've ever known."

[@GooseOD]

Great in "Simon" with Allan Arkin.

[@skybluemarshall]

Madeline was simply amazing. I'm a grown man, sitting here and getting choked up, just thinking about how great she was in Mel Brooks movies. Granted, I've been drinking a bottle sparkling wine which we didn't open at Thanksgiving, but that's beside the point. And you can say what you want about Johnny's off camera personality, but he wrote the book in late night talk show hosting.

[@boris8787]

PHOBIA - would be so nice to visit the safe space town of Chillingbourne - but bring hot water for obvious reasons.

[@vjhreeves]

How Johnny kept a straight face when she said she doesn't like balls coming right at her...true professionalism.

[@sammysouth8372]

the audience was underrated. there I think I have them all covered. cause god knows for many youtubers everyone and their uncle were underrated. criminally so even😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@sharoninglima1217]

Madeline Kahn was the absolute best. ❤

[@daleharapat4984]

She is an adorable woman in every way.

[@gerrymacpherson9598]

She was an awesome talent..RIP X

[@Casper61378]

I was sad to look her up and know she died in 1998 of ovarian cancer l😢

[@winstonbyronic1248]

Then Carson in '05. 2 immortals in their jobs. Was it Kahn and Feldman in Young Frankenstein? Lotta laffs. Good one SG.

[@petesmitt]

December 1999..

[@mikedenison121]

Hello, how’re you doing?

[@mjp96]

She is fantastic omg

[@Statickification]

I miss her so much. One of the funniest ladies I've ever seen next to Carol Burnett.

[@fuzziemorris886]

Madilan, perfect.

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

Taffeta darling, Taffeta.

[@rebeccaofsunnybrookfarm6698]

☺️💙☺️

[@oleogabalo]

Que guapura de mujer. Y chistosa como ella sola, un encanto.

[@ImmortalfireTheMod]

I always adored Madeline Kahn, she was a great one that was gone too soon 😢

[@Mollikar]

Its a tragedy that this woman and Aubrey Plaza did not meet.

[@tombrown1898]

Many years ago, I rented the video of Young Frankenstein and played it for the love of my life and her two teenage sons, none of whom had seen it. From the first scene in which Madeline Kahn appeared, the boys were rolling on the floor laughing and saying, "Mom, she's YOU!" And indeed she was. Curiously, they had the same birthday, September 29.

[@skywoof7]

"I think that's called testophobia...". Now THAT's entertainment!

[@watsonaqua4560]

A legend

[@brianeduardo1234]

Johnny Carson was a hopeless interviewer- can’t understand his success- she is pure gold

[@JaneDoe-bg9js]

It feels like Jennifer Aniston mimics Madeline Kahn when she talks, especially with like Rachel Green, Rachel Green feels like it is literally just trying to mimic Madelines diction as well as her speaking style

[@sammysouth8372]

johnny was underrated