Jonathan Winters Puts His Improv Skills on Display | Carson Tonight Show

Original Airdate: 05/26/1976
#johnnycarson #thetonightshow #improvisation

[@marklentine8793]

I so miss Jonathan Winters…and I do miss the kind of world in which we loved when he was around… Bless you Jonathan…and thank you.

[@ToddBrittain1963]

I cannot put into words how much I love Jonathan Winters. I've only discovered him recently (I'm Australian) and it's as though my life of 62 years has somehow been shortchanged by his absence. He's the near-perfect amalgam of everything I love about great humor, especially great American humor.

[@gaylahuckaby1]

Johnathan Winters was a genius 😅.... still to this day I laugh so hard 🤣

[@NancySanders-om4ic]

Such nice,considerate,thoughtful comments.

[@mtsaz100]

No violence, no profanity, no sexual innuendos but hilarious. Absolute genius.

[@aarondigby5054]

No political satire either justclesn creative off the cuff humor in its grandest form

[@sammyoyola2042]

​@aarondigby5054 Jonathan Winters was the BEST improv comedian ever, second came Rodney Dangerfield.

[@donaldgraham6414]

What a comedian! The jokes, the faces, the accents … even the sound of a fishing line being taken by a typhoon! Brilliant and hilarious.

[@floydd_pw5188]

look up the bit he does pitching abaseball. I think it might be black and white maybe. and definitely the one with Dean Martin at the park bench.

[@tchrisou812]

I've loved watching him since I can remember, a unique talent that I have never seen before or since. I doubt I ever will and I'm fine with that.

[@ChristineZollinger]

One of my dad’s friends served with him in WW2. He said Jon was the favorite of all the guys- keeping them in stitches with his impersonations and stories..to me the most talented funny guy ever…I still listen to two of his comedy albums..and ‘Winter’s Tales’ his book. He was truly an improv genius- RIP forever

[@andrewpotok2661]

And he lived a long life. 87

[@jacobmccarty5576]

An age in late night television that can't be replicated. 👌

[@jjdogg0]

There is no late night anymore, just left wing propagandists.

[@samdrye8067]

totally genius in front of a camera. one of the best there ever was. I could watch him for hours

[@michaellinner7772]

Just be thankful you got to experience it. I know I am. Life was great and so uncomplicated as a kid in the 70s.

[@nancysanders2398]

@@michaellinner7772 Yes,I AGREE!!

[@nancysanders2398]

Without doubt!!

[@mkb7013]

His sound effects and facial expressions are amazing. 😂

[@wirrack]

Jonathan Winters is so great at improvising and creating new characters out of whole cloth.

[@artiste335]

Jonathan Winters is so brilliant and hilarious, he makes me cry with laughter. Always loved him!

[@altesta5560]

The best there was.

[@steffenritter7497]

Jonathan Winters was my favorite comedian. I'll never forget his performance in 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World."

[@timothytremblay7763]

The naturally humorous and spontaneous wit of Jonathan Winters is unparalleled in comedic history.

[@veritas41photo]

I think the hardest I ever laughed was when I saw and heard Jonathon Winters and Buddy Hackett together on the Jack Parr Tonight Show on a New Year's Eve. Buddy was 3 1/2 sheets to the wind, and Jon was in full form: especially as Maude Frickert. I literally fell on the floor, and thought my ribs would crack. Thanks so much, Johnny, I'll never forget you.

[@mikeg6666]

This guy was crazy funny , he always had great stories to tell Johnny and make him crack up! What a legend , the days of him , Rodney and Don Rickles will never be seen again in our lifetime! RIP to the 3 of them......

[@sammyoyola2042]

INDEED.

[@debbieforhim7800]

Oh how I miss these people! I loved Jonathon Winters, it is such fun to be able to watch whenever I'd like to now.

[@allisonpalmer7354]

A classic -- one of many. Long live Johnny Carson. The everlasting king of late night TV. No one compares. To watch Jonathan Winters is a big plus.

[@kathimills4247]

Thank you for all of this! Keep it up, please! I love it!

[@TheSassy777]

Great Jonathan Winters was one of the funniest comedians💥💥💥💥

[@paulyakaitis3352]

It’s a mad mad mad world

[@anonygent]

Jonathan Winters did something I've only seen once or twice, and that's make the camera crew laugh. He was on 60 Minutes and he had the guys behind the camera laughing their butts off.

[@DannyDrummer-q7f]

Brought up by a single parent seeing my Mom laugh at him on Johnny Carson was very special to me. I was laughing right along with her..his humor wasn't age restricted.

[@JDReynolds2005]

The Late Great US Marine, Comedian, and Actor Jonathan Winters!

[@michaelrief4424]

I remember once watching Jonathan Winters on the Jack Parr show on a Friday evening show in the 1950’s. There were multiple doors on the set and when Parr would answer a knock at the door Winters would appear as a different character each time. I’ve got to tell you this guy was simply hilarious and his talent of playing different characters each time was marvelously entertaining.

[@andrewpotok2661]

Sounds like the great one. Jackie Gleason. Bot of these guys r top 5 comedians. Sorry make that top 2. Ty

[@dianemartin8000]

This man made my younger sister and I laugh until we had tears in our eyes! One funny look from him and we were on the floor!!! I lost my sister 3 years ago, but we watched him together and we still laughed soooo hard ! A real entertainer!!!

[@georgemcelroy3058]

Sorry for your loss. It sounds like you have many great memories. God bless you and may God watch over your sister's soul.

[@Adogsmate4267]

I saw this guy on TV when I was a kid, bloody hilarious. Facial expressions are mega.

[@mikeg6666]

Same here...

[@sitarnut]

Me too.. his sound effects aren't heard that much nowadays, and that was a big part of his exposition. Especially, the outer space bits....@@mikeg6666

[@ericmarcos7063]

They took their time and wasnt much in any hurry back then. Amazing era.

[@terencem8795]

It was fun meeting Mr. Winters at my parent's Christmas party many years ago.

[@michaelsleater5865]

I remember watching his tv show as a kid. He was the funniest man I ever saw. Brilliant.

[@Redheadedlady55]

~Simply love watching Johnny Carson with Jonathan & with Robin...no television like this anywhere....miss it

[@grokeffer6226]

Jonathon Winters is right up there with my favorite comedians like Rodney Dangerfield and George Carlin.😆🥲

[@barbarathomas2999]

And Robin Williams

[@edechevarria1721]

And red skelton

[@mikedoyle5852]

@@barbarathomas2999 He was Robin’s idol & Williams emulated Jonathan Winters.

[@cliffordbowman6777]

George Carlin had too many opinions.

[@Vejur9000]

Jonathan was the man. GOAT.

[@JohnKorvell]

He could paint a story with his face and eyes! You knew by the "look" that somethng special was coming out of his mouth and mind. For me, that's half the fun of being entertained by Jonathan

[@LalaChristmas]

Just found Mr Winters a week ago when I was in a very dark place in my heart . NOW I cannot see enough of him . He made me laugh so hard that I cried .. in a good way . Thank God for Mr Winters .

[@johndublyoo2553]

I always remember his performance in the film It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, hilariously brilliant.

[@michaelrief4424]

I actually met him once at my aunt & uncles home during New Year’s in Dayton Ohio in like the 50’s. I was just a little boy back then but it wasn’t until the 1960’s when I saw him on the Jack Paar show or on the Tonight Show that I had met a Legend of talent and comedy. Oh my gosh was he great at improvisation.

[@garywemmer9342]

All are gone, but sure as HELL ,never forgotten!!!!! They are among the masters of comedy!!!!!!!!!!

[@danielsavage2481]

This is pure brilliance. Never get tired of watching.

[@TheNothing6]

This is fantastic! Johnny: No I'm off the sauce! 🤣😂

[@dwaldo3361]

Had to be the funniest man in the business, I watched him for yrs, RIP JW.

[@katharinebuckman2815]

There is a humility to J.W. that makes him totally unique and a compatriot with many outstandong observational comediens. Love his relatability.

[@elaineculbert8594]

@katharinebuckman: So very well said … humility! He had such a kind face and was never vulgar - just sheer talent! 🇨🇦

[@johnnauman347]

A genius. I love him.

[@bigdeal6852]

A time that you wish you could go back to ! Even when you thought the world had it's problems (and it did) but "NOTHING" like today. When I was a kid I was allowed sometimes to watch the Tonight show....as long as I promised to get up and go to school. I started to watch it a lot more by the time I was in high school and definitely on Friday nights. It was a time that you didn't know how important at a young age things were and family and friends were. But I thank the Lord I was in that time and had my parents for as long as I did ! 👍 🇺🇸 😊

[@maureenjanik1864]

🙏🇨🇦

[@sammyoyola2042]

❤🎉

[@damohanson5393]

One of his first jobs was at a radio station. The station did something very unpopular and many people called to complain. They’d let Jonathan take these calls and he’d use different voices. He’d answer in one voice and if the caller wasn’t satisfied they’d demand to speak to his boss so he said he’ll get him and Winters would impersonate the boss. If still angry Winters told the caller he’d get the VP of the company and then do his rendition of a VP. Occasionally they’d make it all the way to the President of the company and pour it on. The entire office would listen in and he cracked them up.Apparently he was convincing because no one found out and it seemed he had the ability to soothe the most irate caller. Jonathan’s boss knew and told him that he was very talented and was going places. Not much later he moved to New York. I would have loved to see Johnny and him lit up and drinking together. His story of sitting in the snow with a vodka bottle and a state trooper stopped is priceless. I’d rank him with Groucho talent wise.

[@scottanddebranelson8419]

dude was so funny. the gum bit got me. and this was the bicentennial year. cool year from what i remember.

[@beckykrechhamill85]

I will never forget who shows with Robin Williams in Mork and Mindy he was hilarious but you put him and Robin Williams together they both play off of each other it is magic that’s created a n that i will forever miss

[@gunner-]

People have no idea today of the quality of these old late night shows. Crap today can’t hold a candle.

[@peace-yv4qd]

I passed by Mr. Winters at a football game many years ago. Sort of wished I had said hello. He was much shorter than I thought he would be. RIP.

[@Joel-yi8gb]

I listened to jonathan winters records as a child. God I'm old

[@johnschick5827]

76 last January myself.

[@sammyoyola2042]

80 here.

[@patrickmcgee6917]

Can you imagine back in the day, the laughter all those guys had when they were having a few, or many!!!! Would have loved to have been there for that!!!!! Geez. Lol.

[@maxthefoooool]

Johnny Winters is amazing

[@sarahcrowe9730]

My two favorites together

[@movingaboveandbeyond]

The man was a genius.

[@dnfrank1]

Remember when he played the guy in coverall and the turned up rim hat? ("...Mad, mad world). That guy who single handily totally leveled, completely.destroyed a gas station. That guy...i was very young and thought right there that i would die laughing. What a great way to go.

[@lindasaunders9559]

My brother went to a classmates house years ago and when my father went to the door Jonathan Winters answered. He never put together that my brother's friend Jonathan was his son. He lived in Greenhaven section of Mamaroneck by at that time. My father who was a real fan was shocked and thrilled!! He loved to recall that !

[@fromthepeanutgallery1084]

Man that must be the baddest hair day I seen on Johnny his whole career!

[@brianoneill7186]

That hairpiece wasn't a good look.

[@m.e.d.7997]

Looks fine

[@nancybartunek4379]

Have always loved Johny,,, I live in Nebraska,,, and Jonathan is wonderful

[@timothyball7502]

7-6-2022. But Carson was born Iowa.

[@mhughes6303]

A great entertainer and very funny!

[@zdrumdude]

This was when Carson’s hair started the “come over” joke😂

[@michaellalli7693]

Many comedians studied Winters, he was a comedy genius

[@kendematteis3545]

One was Robin Williams.

[@laticialockleer4929]

Loved Jonathan!

[@edechevarria1721]

I use to stay up late for Johnny and stared in late tonight well worth it.

[@JoaniePerfetto]

He was brilliant and no comedian is as good as he was. He was the best ever!! I enjoy watching his re-runs!!

[@annadamien]

Once upon a time, I found out about him thanks to Robin Williams. To this day, I consider Jonathan Winters to be one of the most talented comedians I have ever seen. Real pleasure.🤍

[@starbellak5154]

Those were the days...with amazing comedians.

[@tonystracener9078]

Absolutely

[@INYB]

I know most critics have him ranked high in their lists for best comics.

[@drlong08]

You can see so much of him in Robin Williams skits and improvs. He really looked up to JW. He's one crazy bugger! Love him! JW started as a voice man which you can tell with all his crazy characters.

[@itsmeekers]

I think he grew up with Johnny.

[@dontrockboat]

Just making me do the search for Mr. Winters and Mr. Williams, doing their magic...

[@alanaadams7440]

You should see them together. Williams idolized Winters

[@donjuwann5868]

I was stationed at The Presideo of San Francisco in the mid 50's an Mr Winters climbed up a mast of big sail boat down at the harbor and spent quite a bit of time aloft before they were able to retrieve him

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

I only knew Jonathon Winters from movies, and was not impressed. Then I saw a short clip from the Hungry i or Purple Onion, where he walked on stage, saw a guy in a white suit in the front row, snapped off "Seersucker, eh? Good choice" without missing a step, absolutely flawless timing and delivery, the guy shrank in his seat, and then I realized what an absolute genius Jonathon Winters was.

[@rushpuppy2]

There isn’t anyone out there today who can compare to Winters or Carson. What a loss. Shame on America. 😢

[@user-mw3mb2uv8n]

I thought the work he did with Robbin Williams on Carson as a master class of improv.

[@ISRAELJOSEPH7-12]

I AM HIS 5TH COUSIN HE WAS BORN IN DAYTON OHIO . I WAS BORN IN CAPITAL CITY COLUMBUS OHIO. I LIVED IN LITTLE CHICAGO NIC NAME FOR DAYTON . AIR STREET OFF OF VALLEY ST . 1972 I LOVE ❤️ JESUS CHRIST . JOHNATHAN WAS DIFFERENT. REST IN PEACE.

[@stellamal7088]

Johnathan winters ❤ 😂 the best comedian that ever liked 😂

[@maureentrant5588]

I’ve LOVED Jonathan Winters since I was a little kid . The whole fam damily used to park it in front of the old black and white tv to watch Johnny Carson EVERY NIGHT. Saw so many comics get their start on Carson’s show… but Jonathan Winters was always my special favorite. Yessiree, I’m a BOOMER and I wouldn’t change it for the world 🌎🤩🤯🤪

[@donnafraser5195]

GREAT

[@kevinpaul180]

The fishing season bit is priceless 😊

[@Roonlovesfish3874]

"parking meter with 'just expired' on it"

[@hughgaynor-aldrich6735]

Excellent comedy, for all ages.

[@Sidetrackification]

All kidding aside, Jonathan Winters is one of my favorites, he played in Disney movies, and did an act in Vegas that would melt the wax in your ears

[@BMWMTEAM1]

Thank you for the continued posts

[@timothymcdonald6913]

To add: In my life this show was a night time staple if I came in early enough to catch it if the TV signal was coming in well in our bit of the world!

[@timothyball7502]

7-6-2022 Hiya Timothy from a different Timothy. Are you happy with your full 7 letter name? I love mine.

[@akhrormuminov7180]

Absolute classic. Rest in peace three

[@oobrocks]

I love Carson supported his guests without going over the top as does Jimmy Fallon

[@brendanjobe6895]

That's because Carson was so much better than Jimmy Fallon. In fact, he was better than any of the subsequent hosts.

[@jamiemiller9268]

@@brendanjobe6895 Johnny Carson was the BEST in my lifetime!

[@brendanjobe6895]

@@jamiemiller9268 Absolutely. Paar was great, too. They were just so different that they can't really be compared.

[@mikeg6666]

Fallon sucks along with all those late night crap shows , all of those no talents put together couldn't fill Johnny's shoes!

[@fernandoguevara8258]

Fallon: " Paul, your new album is fantastic. So great. The greatest. Can we talk about how great this album cover is? Tell me about this great back of the album design." McCartney: Even my giant sized ego is dying of embarrassment."

[@rancidcrawfish]

Man...he's an icon but that hair is killing me

[@mohammaddavoudian7897]

According to the producer of this show JW would never rehearse anything. Whatever he said was made in his mind and uttered at the time of his performance. To be able to do that, you have to be a genius. And that is what JW was. RIP.

[@ericwhitehead6451]

The man Robin Williams tried to emulate, but just fell short. The best improvvational comic ever.

[@damohanson5393]

The most clever entertainer I’ve seen or heard about. He was Robin Williams idol. There’s an episode of Johnny Carson with Robin and Jonathon on. I’ve never seen Robin Williams laugh that hard. Wish I could have seen either but these videos have to do. I lived in a golden era.

[@carolynf-f.1029]

I love Jonathan Winters!

[@edwardx4979]

I heard about Jonathan Winters but never really knew how comically great he was until Robin Williams revered him then I had to check him out. Turned out he was a great find...

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Full moon tonight ✨ I'd hide in the basement, if I had one 😁

[@michaellinner7772]

Not to be confused with the albino rocker Johnny Winter. Every time Winters was on you just knew it was going to be a great show. As a kid I used to watch the Tonight Show lying on the floor of my parents bedroom. When they announced who was going to be on the show and it was Johnathan Winters I always knew it was going to be special. He was one of the funniest people I ever saw. Norm McDonald reminds me a little of him, also a weird, of the wall comedic genius. It wasn't until years later that I came to understand why my dad wasn't always happy to have me in their bedroom late into the evening. 😉 It's interesting that Carson mentioned that Jack Parr had a morning show before hosting the Tonight Show. I don't know if people remember that David Letterman did as well. One other thing that many may not know is that desk Carson is sitting behind is just really cheap, thin pressed board made from recycled newsprint, it wasn't much better than a cardboard box with a little fake wood glued on it. It always seemed weird to me that the network was so cheap.

[@chirelle.alanalooney8609]

Yeah, and especially with the money that Johnny Carson makes, you'd think it least he'd say "lets get this desk out of here, and I want to pick something else, along with different chairs too, either that or a long couch." I mean come on now, this is Johnny's T.V. Show isn't it?! So, he definitely should be able to have some say in the quality of how his show looks, and comes across to the viewing public shouldn't he?!

[@davidmeckley3773]

I always liked Johnathan! Even as a little kid. He reminds me of an uncle I had. The good ole days!

[@Aggieblack]

Thank you thank you thank you ,for putting this up honest thank you sincerely.

[@WWAWHTR]

I was beat up, through, and into high school. Extraordinary improv.

[@nigeledkins6933]

Just so good

[@danielleschiazza6172]

I love Carson's voice.

[@patriciamooney928]

As a kid I loved Jonathan Winters and Red Skelton and Danny Kaye

[@joefischetti2383]

“Red” not “Fed” for anyone looking him up.

[@patriciamooney928]

@@joefischetti2383 a thank you for the correction. I also edited my comment.

[@bobdelaney3126]

What a talent

[@brucestewart5939]

Mr Carson has quite the wrap around goin on up top.

[@joecarr2224]

The president imitation is prophetic!

[@mohammadrahman1862]

Class, such Class!

[@mariealbers3833]

What a talent and clean humor!

[@Mr60minor]

A double hitter! Johnny and Jonathan.

[@FabioGhidoniRedFabiuz]

Damn, what a perfect ensemble Carson and Winters is. Both perfect.

[@Guppypants]

I wanted to see the Wishbone commercial.

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

Jonathan Harshman Winters III (11 de noviembre de 1925-11 de abril de 2013) fue un comediante, actor, autor, presentador de televisión y artista estadounidense. A partir de 1960, Winters grabó muchos álbumes de comedia clásica para el sello Verve Records. También tuvo un álbum cada década durante más de 50 años, recibiendo 11 nominaciones a los Grammy, incluyendo ocho al Mejor Álbum de Comedia, durante su carrera. De estas nominaciones, ganó el Premio Grammy al Mejor Álbum para Niños por su contribución a una adaptación de El Principito en 1975 y el Premio Grammy al Mejor Álbum de Comedia Hablada para Crank(y) Calls en 1996.

[@alamandrax]

The goat

[@LucilleandLeonard2]

I always thought his timing and craft were great. So, are we just going to ignore Johnny's hair swoop and low side part? Jonathan's facial expressions me in tears every time😂

[@larrymellon8095]

The Johnathon winters show wasthefuniest improv show I have ever seen

[@timothyball7502]

7-6-2022 Johnathan is his name.

[@larrymellon8095]

@@timothyball7502 just woke up?

[@cathyoutland8354]

I really miss the real talent back in the day. It's sad how they have destroyed TV today Johnny Robin Williams Johnathon Winters rickles

[@kevincerce5056]

To name a few.....