Poncho The Parrot Blows Johnny Away | Carson Tonight Show

Funny singing parrot Poncho and animal trainer David Frank on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1981.
#JohnnyCarson #TheTonightShow #PanchoTheParrot

[@pharlap9]

NO one can EVER replace Carson. I sure do miss him

[@bobnagel6449]

pharlap9 Carson could get more laughs with a bad joke than a lot of people could get with a good one.

[@loucontino4804]

We all do. He was the greatest. 30 years on The Tonight Show seemed so long a run back then; but now, far too short.

[@paulleach5841]

That is such a BOOMER thing to say , I AGREE! LOL

[@williamanthony9090]

Carson was one of a kind.

[@richardshroyer3278]

U r correct cclol

[@TELMEman]

Johnny Carson's reactions are just priceless, especially after Poncho sings "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

[@cathypiner7075]

He loved it. That grin!

[@Glide9441]

8 years later

[@jeffbarkley3915]

What does Poncho say that makes Johnny laugh so hard? I'm not familiar with the song so maybe that's why I don't understand it. Doesn't sound like San Francisco

[@saraherrick9596]

@@cathypiner7075 m Mount mount

[@Kevin-rz6lm]

@@jeffbarkley3915 I'm not sure what tickled Carson, but I would guess is was the parrot's articulation of the complex phrase "San Francisco"

[@JL-zn7me]

It’s now 2024… Poncho, if you’re out there…thank you for honoring the Great Tony Bennett! You are an amazing, beautiful, brilliant baby! Times were much better when you appeared on Johnny Carson. I needed to see this!!! You’re a bundle of sunshine! 💛💚

[@mikemike1071]

I can't believe that was 40 years ago. Carson ruled.

[@depaola63]

I just graduated from Pittsburg High School in June of 1981 ❤️ Absolutely wonderful memories,can’t believe how fast these last 41 years went by soooooo fast! 🌈

[@roberthayes5037]

Never get tired of watching this one. This is when late night was late night, not the crap they have now.

[@AB-ez4rm]

I miss Johnny so much. I even miss Jay who was good in his own right.

[@rafaelsolorzano700]

I concur with you.

[@4seeableTV]

Bobby Hayes is officially an old fart

[@devodavis6747]

*touches ground and looks up grimly* "Something very boomer happened here."

[@tyrone-tydavis5858]

@@4seeableTV Trust me, you will never look back at the empty headed bullshit they play for late night now with the same fondness.

[@samanthab1923]

I have never seen Johnny so absolutely gobsmacked! He is loving this! Miss him 😂

[@vapoet]

I remember not just Poncho but a few of the others that Johnny had come in. He's tried for years to get a singing parrot, but the ones he had come in were not trained for audiences and either just sat there or hit a single note. I was happy to see this when it happened and I was floored as well.

[@Astrobrant2]

His pleasure wasn't just with the bird's performance. He was also relieved as hell that this one wasn't another flop.

[@kenleary9440]

What an amazing Bird.

[@kirbygene]

I was gobsmacked along with him! It quite odd to hear a human-sounding voice come out of a bird's beak

[@ardalla535]

Of all the late nite hosts, I think Johnny was the best with animals by far.

[@vs52217]

Johnny was the best period.

[@Crazy__Canuck]

Remove “with animals” from that statement and you’re spot on.

[@samanthab1923]

He was really smart & very interested it lists of things.

[@AaronShumaker]

Yeh I can appreciate he had clearly asked the audience not to clap when the bird was brought out.

[@daverunner3397]

Johnny was the king. Still is.

[@MrLasvegasvic]

The parrot has a better voice than most every band on late night today.

[@fifthbusiness1678]

I’ll give you a pass on this given it was 8 years ago, but even then there was Paul Schafer’s band on Letterman and the Saturday Night Live house band. Now you have fantastic bands on shows like Stephen Colbert (Jon Baptist’s, just nominated for 11 Grammys), Quest Love and his band on Kimmel? While the shows themselves may not be as good as as Carson’s, the bands are top-notch.

[@lisasegelbaum5543]

@@fifthbusiness1678 Melo

[@cathypiner7075]

He could sing like a canary!!!!!!lol

[@BLFulle]

You are obviously unfamiliar with The Roots. They're f'n legendary. Rolling Stone Magazine has them in the top 50 bands to see perform live.

[@devodavis6747]

Tell me you're old without saying it

[@ursulabklyn_mia6148]

I had a giant smile watching the parrot sing and warm up. All of Johnny's show leave me happy.

[@MrTiti]

so you think he warmed up?

[@alabarjhoni9742]

lets watch them and make out in our mutual bliss and see how far we go

[@larrymelear5446]

@@alabarjhoni9742 👈 One week old 🤡 account! Cope harder…

[@mickeyray3793]

I'm sure Poncho is still alive and making everybody happy.

[@douglasrowland3722]

The bird was killed by a security guard paid to watch him in a motel room....not too long after this appearance. The guard fell asleep in the bed and rolled over on the parrot. I saw this show the first night it aired.....never forgot it. I was FLABBERGASTED !!

[@Bossrich6287]

@@douglasrowland3722 bullshit

[@forestgeorge8855]

@@douglasrowland3722 Why was a bird sleeping on a bed?

[@douglasrowland3722]

@@forestgeorge8855 I dunno....why WAS a bird sleeping on a bed?????

[@thelost.wanderer]

@@forestgeorge8855not sure exactly what happened, but such birds grow best when left free in their human rooms. And they sleep wherever they can, unless trained otherwise. But they are smart enough to react when someone rolls over them.

[@alwms5106]

What a outstanding bird and trainer....Johnny is still the best.

[@italiantraditionalcatholic2390]

No..little old ladies trained the bird

[@sergeantmasson3669]

AL WMS, Johnny not so nice off-camera though. Arrogant anus off-camera. I've personally seen his off-camera side.

[@Bialy_1]

@@italiantraditionalcatholic2390 How exactly human can train bird when bird way of creating this sounds is 100% different? Birds do not have lips and they are important for our ability to speak. Not to mention that the birds ability to create sounds is superrior, both in range and the volume. Notice how small is the bird and how easy for him is to speak so loud.

[@Richard-gr8qv]

I still miss Johnny Carson. it's not the same without him

[@cynthiariordan1046]

@@sergeantmasson3669 Do tell. I grew up with the Tonight Show and always thought Johnny Carson was the best, but with age comes wisdom. Now as an older adult, when I see a rerun of the Tonight Show, the arrogance, insincerity, and sometimes downright meanness are obvious. Indications are he was a mean drunk. Wayne Newton had to bust into his office and threaten him with physical harm to get him to stop the gay jokes.

[@jgn2112]

As of today, June 28th, 2020, that bird is 51 and (barring any unbeknownst medical tragedies) would still be alive today.

[@back2basics597]

52 today October 28, 2021. Here here.

[@claudiafahey1353]

Yeah these guys live forever lol

[@jeffreymiller4814]

The great Dame Nellie Melba had a parrot in the 1920s. She died in 1931, and the parrot was still alive in 1961!

[@Peekul1]

Does the parrot still perform?

[@SuEnRoD]

SQUAAALK!! I’m still around!

[@brainscott8198]

Hard to stun Johnny...he was STUNNED and amazed.

[@melbapatti]

I remember seeing this “live” 40 years ago. I fell out of my chair when the bird did the warmups, then added the vibrato on San FrancisCOOOO! It was such a hit and Johnny LOVED it so much, he asked them to come back the very next night!! Johnny Carson was supreme at his job. Remember when his shows were 90 minutes? The hour and a half flew by!

[@milliegirl7514]

The parrot is amazing !!! Don't mean to be rude but are you entirely certain it was the bird singing and not his possibly ventriloquist owner/trainer ?

[@jeffreymiller4814]

@@milliegirl7514 not certain at all. I looked at this many times and saw no laryngeal movement in the trainer’s throat. But he does always have his mouth open. If the bird sang and the trainer’s mouth was closed it would have to be the bird. One way or another, this is hilariously funny.

[@randallmarsh1187]

@@milliegirl7514 You must lead a very sheltered life, there are many, many birds that sing and talk like this. Look up Alex the African Grey parrot and you'll quickly see this parrot is more the norm!

[@farmerdeb2863]

@@jeffreymiller4814 yeah, he is a ventriloquist! He always smiles when the bird is "singing". Look CLOSELY at his mouth. I remember this episode, way back then and thought even then, he was a ventriloquist.

[@darklordojeda]

@@farmerdeb2863 Lol, no chance. You can see the birds throat moving and if he was just throwing his voice why did he have to coax the bird so often to get it to sing if he was the one actually singing?

[@olejake1932]

Loved the Johnny Carson Show. I worked late and my wife would wait up for me and we would watch it together. OLD black and white TV with a poor over-the-air antenna. Poor as church mice but the happiest days of our lives. How I miss them.

[@theresultof777]

Got married in 78. My new wife and I would catch at least Johnny's monologue every night. I was learning to be a carpenter, she was beautiful. The sun was out, the air was sharp and clear, and the sorrows had not yet come. We didn't have much money, but it didn't seem to matter. It was perfect.

[@fuzzyscarfandmittens4772]

Johnny Carson was the absolute King of late night. Nobody else during that time or since could touch him

[@kashmello]

What an absolutely beautiful, calm parrot, and clearly such a patient and well-mannered owner to train with. He complied to some of those commands with zero hesitation, with some funny moments to spare! Really shows the bond the two must have.

[@jeffbarkley3915]

The owner/trainer has the most relaxing, soothing voice doesn't he?

[@Stephanie-gp2jc]

@@jeffbarkley3915 no its deep & loud

[@mendisegal56]

What's especially impressive about this act is that people don't realize that the parrot is actually the trainer and the young man is making requests of this bird precisely as he has been taught to do! 🙂

[@0r0r0]

Thanks for this comment :))

[@stephenr80]

He got his Pants full of bird food though xD

[@mikem5043]

The Tonight Show (w Johnny Carson) will never be matched!

[@karencahill4798]

Finally a bird who has no stage fright. Good Job. Sure do miss Johnny Carson.

[@valerieduncan9975]

Loved the clean humor of his show! There will never be another show worth staying up late to watch!

[@adrievandijk]

Even Johnny Carson was impresst. This bird is very talented. He is a real artist.🔝.😂.

[@stevebrennan2663]

Know

[@burdbrite-ling1514]

Ventriloquist...

[@KingpinTBM]

*Impressed

[@douglasrowland3722]

It would be a blessing....IF THE DEMOCRATS HAD THE BRAINS THIS BIRD HAS !!!!!!!!

[@richardadams4928]

Johnny's clear delight with this bird really warms my heart. You're missed, Mr Carson....

[@zippyzipster46]

Amazing animal. He was really focused. Hope Pancho is still alive. What a good boy.

[@christopherlucas4620]

I did a bit of research and Pancho died in June 2016.

[@zippyzipster46]

@@christopherlucas4620 That sucks! But at the same time great. He lived a good long life! Hopefully he was well taken care of.

[@sampuatisamuel9785]

@@christopherlucas4620 Aww RIP little Poncho

[@ordigger]

@@christopherlucas4620 That Pancho was a African Gray - different bird.

[@douglasrowland3722]

The bird was killed mere weeks after this appearance

[@282828lisa]

Johnny was overcome with joy that this bird spoke for him! The previous bird flew in the audience. Poncho wherever you are thanks!

[@ImogeneSantino]

Wonderful

[@marklaw3654]

I sure miss those days, Johnny Carson was easily the best of all time.

[@pedenmk]

There will never be another Johnny Carson or his long time partner Ed. This is back when television was worth watching.

[@douglasrowland3722]

Television was never ''worth'' watching. Back then it was better though. That is why it was so seductive. If we'd spent more time raising our children and monitoring our government....we wouldn't be where we have come to be today !!!

[@carolaugustus1687]

Johnny Carson is irreplaceable !!! ❤ loved Johnny !!!

[@steph13326ify]

The "I left my heart" song was the best part. I reacted just as Johnny did--unbelievable.

[@lbn1188]

I miss Johnny Carson. It was a treat to stay up late on a school night and watch him.

[@philipmartinseballos9847]

Incredible bird and his trainer is amazing too.And Johnny Carson?He is THE best host since he is authentically connected with his guests and very respectful.

[@christyharlan4074]

Loved it!!

[@Suzanne-f4x]

I so miss johnny Carson.

[@MichaelFick-q6w]

Love this poncho is amazing and beautiful i love johnny best show 4:06 ever miss

[@falconfeathers9454]

`1 absolutely adored Johnny Carson amazing guests, wonderful man. I watched Carol Burnett and Johnny Carson before sleep every night. Deeply sad when he left TV, but even more so when we lost him. Few people in this world are like him. RIP.

[@juneberry1982]

I love watching Johnny Carson and Carol Burnett too! These people had/have real talent unlike the low grade stuff we get today!

[@StevenSeven]

I bet I have watched this 50 times and still enjoy it. Nothing like this on TV anymore. 😀

[@gwenhafford4112]

Johnny had the best reactions around animals. He was great!!

[@keanureeves6257]

Pleasure to have you here. Hope you've all been vaccinated

[@ceecee3488]

Hilarious.....I think I will get a bird now!!!!!!! Great company for an ole gal like me i should think!

[@JT-1969]

You always new it was going to be a special night when Johnny had any kind of animals on. I sure miss tuning in and watching The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, he was and will always be the best! RIP!

[@wendyqallab6906]

Everything that was said about him was true and I miss him so much.

[@natalieangelo54]

I GREW UP WITH JOHNNY CARSON , HE WAS THE BEST , NO ONE CAN EVER TAKE HIS PLACE. I TRUELY MISS HIM , RIP MR TONIGHT SHOW 🙏🕊🥀

[@watchgoose]

I still miss Johnny so much.

[@lauriefrancisco1084]

Johnny's reactions -- as always -- were priceless! And as an aside -- PLEASE NOTE, anyone who thinks they may want a parrot as a pet. They take a great deal of care an attention, and THEY WILL PROBABLY OUTLIVE YOU! Think long and hard and do plenty of research. It's not a pet anyone should ever get on a whim!

[@timorvet1]

So this little guy could still be with us at 52 years of age!

[@Dbb27]

Don’t even think about it. Lots of issues and most people give them up.

[@joannaedwards6325]

One of the reasons I never bought a parrot is because they get sick if the temperature changes too much around them. I'm a person who opens windows and then changes my mind....turns on the heater then changes my mind. I would be a bad bird Mom. So sad 😢

[@thesmackdaddy9888]

A bird is a real commitment Never get any pet on a whim

[@Dbb27]

@@thesmackdaddy9888 it’s very sad how many of them get rehomed. With seldom a good outcome.

[@greatday41]

This deserves so many more likes and views!

[@TheDcgj45]

King of late night. Johnny Carson.

[@denniskuropatwa4023]

Cash

[@agwbcfjc2]

I grew up watching Johnny Carson...how I miss him.

[@joyceflannery9426]

Me too... I $

[@maestroh2986]

I remember watching this live (I'm old) and Johnny was so happy to get a winner.

[@michaelbarnhart2593]

Wow. Pancho is probably still with us, singing away! :-)

[@yashtrips91]

he isn’t.. i read somewhere above that he was killed.

[@theundercoveratheist]

Damn! I miss Johnny Carson. He was and is stand alone the greatest! I was in High School when his show first aired on TV. I grew up on the Tonight Show! I hated to see Johnny go. And no one can say truthfully anyone is as good as Johnny!

[@lesliehughes8700]

How fun and cute 🥰 lol. With all the disasters in 2021 it is refreshing to see things like this from the past. Thank you Jesus for joy! 🌹

[@douglasrowland3722]

We never used to think about the government or epidemics. All we thought about back ''in the day'' was Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and Chevrolet...!

[@vap0rland]

today that parrot would be 55 years old, amazing

[@gregorypatton4706]

On the top 10 list of best Johnny Carson videos.

[@janetragonesi1653]

I have parrots and Amazon parrots can be great singers! What a thrill for Johnny, the audience and all of us watching now or on TV at that time! Love Poncho and jos handler! Such Trust!

[@Primus54]

My maternal grandfather went blind in his 50’s and got a pet parakeet he named Ricky. He trained Ricky to repeat his name, address and phone number on command. Ricky would also sing a few bars of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett… but not always on command. Birds are amazing.

[@gggggggg3542]

I love watching old American shows like these, I'd say Carson was one of the very best (if not the best) talk show hosts ever. And the variety of guests he could get....... mind blowing.

[@letsgosurfing416]

Well that put a smile on my face ;)

[@michelmadaire1436]

On Jonnny's to.

[@cynthiasmith4130]

I remember this show.. Johnny was so great!!! I miss him so much.... No one compares to The Best, Johnny Carson!!! I still watch it today!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️!!!!!

[@dayveecarrothers7797]

What a good bird!!!! Johnny's reactions are priceless!!!

[@kimlersue]

RIP Johnny! Could use some entertainment on late night TV these days!

[@madmantours]

our bird......Boo Boo is poncho's fav fan. She is 29 and a double yellow and she knows most of Ponchos routines

[@Sundayschoolnetwork]

Johnny's facial expressions are gold! 🤣🤣🤣

[@toad4ever103]

I sure miss Johnny. That bird was fabulous.

[@conniebreines1725]

Johnny was simply the best. Grew up watching and learning from him. RIP💜

[@patdonnelly9392]

These clips are great. My Dad couldn't go to bed until the Carson show was over. Watching these clips...I can see why!

[@gregorypatton4706]

I'm obsessed with Pancho the parrot one of my all-time favorites

[@philholmes4183]

What an absolutely awesome parrot and an incredible voice

[@gregorypatton4706]

that parent is amazing wow Johnny Carson was the all-time best

[@Pewtooyou]

When late night television had class and was worthy of watching.

[@4seeableTV]

You're just an old fart

[@Pewtooyou]

@@4seeableTV No...The woke snow kittens that host these shows nowadays are bitter little mommies boys that choose to pee sitting down due to their lack of masculinity.

[@phyllisgarber7997]

Watching Johnny carson, he just makes it that much more enjoyable

[@mlghelp2day]

Bird sings better than me! Lol😅

[@EdWard-ju2gh]

I just looked up Pancho and he was last videoed in around 2012. So he's still alive and performing. How cool.

[@poochieg7064]

I'm old enough to remember watching all of Johnny Carson's shows and loved everyone of them!!! ❤❤❤ I have the entire set of shows on VHS when they came out! Wish they offered the same exact set on DVDs! Not partial clips!

[@ibeetellingya5683]

Man oh man. I watched most of the shows episodes when they originally aired. I have so many wonderful memories of this show, and it brought me relaxing joy. He had class and empathy, and he was easy to empathize with. A gentleman with a quick wit. So many iconic comedians, singers, actors were guests that he helped launch their careers.

[@EveryoneKnowsItsWendy]

Oh man, I grew up watching Johnny. Not another late night host has come close to filling this man's shoes!❤️❤️❤️

[@swakks]

Totally agree. Don’t even bother with any of the so called tonight shows at all.

[@EveryoneKnowsItsWendy]

@@swakks 💯

[@grammiesspirit4922]

I had forgotten how joyful Johnny Carson was and how timeless his gift to us always will be. 🕊️

[@scottrayhons2537]

Johnny's expressions are as comical as watching the bird! Great video!

[@beegee2718]

There will never be another.He was the Best.

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

Yes, there was only one Poncho the parrot, jk.

[@jrowdygi1837]

The bird or Johnny?

[@danielscott1275]

I used to love watching Johnny Carson back in the day love it 😊

[@anyasilka2325]

Johnny Carson is so great in bringing out guests socially and loves Animals!! He is so good with them and so fascinated whr6they perform. He interacts so well with every Guest, Human and Animal! Greatest Presenter and Show ever...wish I had been older and knew then!!!

[@mikedavidz6161]

Jesus is watching you A burglar breaks into a dark house one night. He's moving around in the dark, when he hears a calm voice say, "Jesus is watching you." The burglar freaks out, shines his flashlight around and spots a Parrot sitting in his cage. The parrot says again, "Jesus is watching you." Relieved it was just a Parrot, and laughing, the thief asks the Parrot, "what's your name, Parrot?" The Parrot replies, "My name is Moses." Laughing again, the burglar asks, "Who would name their Parrot Moses?" Parrot: "The same people who named their Doberman, Jesus."

[@rosamaemakaakit6529]

Amazing !That birds voice sounds like an old recording.OMG !

[@mieaab]

Missed Johnny Carson.. almost 40years ago when in States during my college days

[@debradunn9296]

I remember watching this in my dorm room at WSU (Wichita State University). My roommate and I laughed so bard we were crying. I miss the good ole days with Johnny, Ed and Doc!

[@ryanellis4474]

The best of all time is Johnny

[@eliz_scubavn]

This bird is more entertaining than a lot of human singers I’ve listened to.

[@jl3322]

That is one classic Carson show!!!

[@gaymichaelis7581]

Incredible parrot! We owned a yellow naped Amazon ourselves years ago down in Palm Beach, Florida. We named the parrot Colonel Knight, after older gentleman who lived down the street… we taught him to talk a bit… Nothing like this Poncho though! Thank you very much!

[@beththomas6763]

Wonderful I love poncho and miss Mr Carson

[@rick3747]

Carson was the best late night talk show ever.

[@brainscott8198]

My dad was a pretty hard working man, but would always have a last cigarette and stay up to watch Johnny's monologue...R I P, Dad.

[@frankpaya690]

Was your dad a mailman?

[@moomoo3031]

June 2020, corona19 everywhere, thanks for the reminder of happier times. we shall get thru this somehow tho nothing will be the same.

[@BeckVMH]

A web search based on Poncho the parrot, San Diego Wild Animal Park, produced no updates on Poncho, but we’ll trust he’s still doing well at approximately 52 years of age, given handler David Frank’s mention that he could live to 70-80 yrs of age.

[@jfoss1974]

Johnny was the best. Dad used to let me stay up on Friday night to watch. Great memories.

[@jarimikkola2426]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I remember watching Poncho when he was first on television! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@classiclife7204]

Grew up watching Poncho as a kid at Wild Animal Park (now Safari Park) as a kid back in the 70s. I wonder if Poncho is still with us. If so, he's like me - old.

[@geraldpatterson3903]

Yup...suckers still alive!

[@byamrcn]

Johnny wasn't kidding about the duds, I remember bird after bird going on that show and you could hear the breeze blowing.

[@alan30189]

I used to work at a pet store and we had a double yellow head parrot. It was the nicest parrot. I would often carry it around on my shoulder. Hopefully, that parrot and this parrot are still living.

[@mariaelenaguajardofigueroa9144]

Here is Jhonny !!! 💕 🎶 What a handsome, spectacular man. Missed him 💜🇨🇱

[@BlasphometicHermetic]

I love poncho! I hope he’s still alive and singing!

[@icook74]

Probably still alive...She was 12 when this was recorded in '81, so that makes her 53 now. A 60 year life expectancy is average, but some can live to 80 years or more.

[@albert7721]

Wonderful Double Yellow Headed Amazon parrot,with Johnny..HI!.

[@hermanlane6108]

I really loved his Animal segments!! His reactions were priceless!!...I really miss him.

[@janfreeman3627]

Johnny Carson was, is & ALWAYS be the King of late night talk shows. The people that think they're so great, should watch his reruns. Then they'll see what class & talent really is. RIP Johnny. You deserve it!

[@leftyspade]

Johnny is the Patron Saint of Talk Show Hosts, hands down! I was a very anxiety-ridden kid and from 12-16 watched everyone of his monologues when home- Miracle how people can do that for some of us, light up a tad of a dark world.

[@douglasrowland3722]

It's getting darker.................

[@sciencechus7243]

Too bad we don't have someone like Johnny anymore. Today's late night hosts just aren't the same.