Regis Philbin visits Johnny Carson at NBC Burbank 1984 (unedited)

Regis Philbin visits Johnny Carson at the NBC Studios in Burbank prior to the taping of The Tonight Show on January 11, 1984. Regis meets up with Johnny in the parking lot, and then they stop by the wardrobe room before walking out onto the Tonight Show set. (unedited video) 🅲🅲 / @tvcrewguy

[@TomChasuk]

This is so great to see again! In 1984 I was a producer on "The Morning Show", the WABC-TV show Regis was hosting at the time. Long story short...Regis and I were coming out to California to interview a few celebrities. Unbeknownst to Regis, I called Peter Lassally, The Tonight Show producer, and asked if Mr. Carson would be available to do an interview with Regis. Peter knew Regis was a huge fan of Mr. Carson and said he would ask Mr. Carson and get back to me. Peter called back and told me Mr. Carson said that since it was for Regis, he would do it. Regis was so excited when I told him he was going to interview Johnny Carson, the man he loved and admired. Before anything could take place, I had to facilitate an agreement between ABC and NBC for a ABC crew to tape the interview at NBC because Regis had requested his favorite cameraman from KABC-TV to shoot the segment. The interview took place and Mr. Carson and Regis were great together. Regis was thrilled and happy...and I was happy for him. I am so thankful and grateful for the fun times spent with Regis. We had lots of laughs. He was so kind and good to me throughout my life. He will always be near. Thank you so much TV Crew Guy for posting this special interview!

[@dmiller1000]

As TV Crew Guy points out, my suppositions about Carson's reluctance were pretty well known, and it's really not unusual for interviews to be lined up as reciprocal or inside favors, so the above is not surprising, but interesting to hear. Carson's people I'm sure knew they had an extremely limited number of these things that Johnny would agree to over the course of a year.

[@TVCrewGuy]

@dmiller1000 Thanks for your insightful comments but it was @Tom Chasuk who reinforced your view. I pinned his comment to the top because it provides excellent background information on how the visit / interview came about.

[@mlvc82]

thank you for this insight :-)

[@TVCrewGuy]

@Tom Chasuk After we shot it an NBC exec had us show him the video to make sure we made Johnny look good and he loved it and Regis was ecstatic! Good times!!

[@edwardhayes6111]

TV Crew Guy So great to listen in on your insider views and comments. Really great. Funny how some things just work out great.

[@sweydert]

A bittersweet reminder of how fleeting it all is.

[@ciadella1971]

As is life.

[@RB-ib3mo]

It's crazy. When Carson started the tonight show TV was still relatively new in the scheme of things, but the other side of it is there were a whole generation of stars that came before Johnny that had almost whole careers before Carson even started. People like Milton Berle,(who was almost the very first TV star) John Daly(and the cast of what's my line), ed Sullivan, Sid Caesar and Imogene cocoa, Lucile ball, and countless more extremely talented people. I guess my point is that it really is so fleeting. There are names of legends of showbusiness that were huge in their day but have all but been forgotten about bar those who have an interest in the history of TV. I hope Johnny Carson will be remembered long after this generation

[@Rob_Kates]

@@RB-ib3mo I hope Johnny is remembered too, but I don't know if those who are millennials know who he is.

[@nightowl5475]

I grew up with Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show. This was a rare treat to get to see how Johnny starts his day behind the scenes.

[@gvalley07]

Two talents that can never be replaced and are sorely missed.

[@jankypop-a-matic58]

All these decades and I never saw any "behind the scenes" with Carson like that before! Awesome clip and RIP Reeeg!

[@Rob_Kates]

I have read that it was very rare for Johnny to grant crews the right to shoot behind the scenes footage of the show. On the final show in 1992, this was a great video that aired that showed the inner workings of this legendary show. This was big time show biz at its finest. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hISnlIShpcdsqac

[@TVCrewGuy]

@Rob Kates I don't remember ever seeing that. It's well produced, just excellent! Thanks for the link!

[@Rob_Kates]

​@@TVCrewGuyOne of the primary people who worked on that was Jeff Sotzing, Johnny's nephew and a Tonight Show producer. Look up his Carson Podcast episode and it's a fascinating discussion.

[@TVCrewGuy]

@@Rob_Kates Thanks. Will check it out.

[@kellycoleman715]

Johnny was so quick-witted and smooth. No one like him.

[@mikestevenson576]

He was amazing here. Truthfully, I almost never saw him this funny on his show.

[@waynedeadder664]

Regis was something. His ability to laugh at himself made him special. Just a wonderful personality.

[@mikebradshaw6484]

Will Smith and especially his (current) wife should watch old clips of the stars that took shots from Don Rickles and their reactions. I put current in paranthesis because his Agents will make sure she's not around in the next five years. Then they can rehab HIS image.

[@truestory5695]

Regis so sincere and kind

[@robertwalls5794]

Back in 1989 I was 19 and my mom was in Cali for a year long job contract and I flew into Burbank California from my home in Texas, my only time ever there, and told my mom I hope we see a celebrity around here. We get a mile from the airport and while at a red light a white Corvette pulled up on my passenger side and I looked over and I'll be damned if it wasn't Johnny Carson. I stared in star struck amazement and he rolled his window down, mine was already down, and he asked how you doing and waved. The light turned green, he left and me and my mom just stared at each other.

[@chuckdieselkicksdisks2380]

So cool , lots of positive fun energy in this clip. Rip Johnny Ed & Regis

[@Cloud39.]

R.I.P Regis Philbin

[@paulvanallen-lononca]

Just a kid in a candy store. Regis had so much fun always!

[@laserluver1]

A pair of legends. The two men that David Letterman respected more than anyone.

[@victorkong82]

King of Morning and King of Late Night

[@AlexZafer]

Both men were class acts. Legends in TV. Pretty gracious of Carson to do this extremely rare behind the scenes bit. Carson was patient and in good humour. He must have liked Regis to put up with it. Fun watch. Historical piece.

[@tomremes9826]

So a friend of mine and I went to LA in early '84 and ended up in the tour group Johnny's talking to. We had just walked down a hallway where Ed McMahon ended up behind us. We walk out to the parking lot and there's Regis and Johnny standing at Johnny's Corvette. At this time I mostly knew Regis from this show he did in St. Louis on Saturday nights in the early? 70s. (Why he was doing this I have no idea.) Anyway, I told my friend I wanted to walk up to Regis all excited about meeting him, make a big deal about that old St. Louis show, and totally ignore Johnny. I thought it would've been hilarious to see what transpired but I chickened out because I figured I'd be escorted off the lot, or worse. Remaining on the tour meant I got to see the Wheel of Fortune used-letter board, but all these years later I wish I had tried to talk to Regis.

[@scaron1933]

The class these two gentlemen exude. The current crop of of late night hosts need to acquire some of this.

[@milfordcivic6755]

Trump has no class, that's why it's easy to notice the difference when observing anyone else

[@the4seasons4ever]

they never will sadly.to political,johnny kept out of that stuff.

[@maddogmcrae]

@@milfordcivic6755 That's because you are a leftard.

[@greatbyrondo]

@@milfordcivic6755 ...Trump doesn't host a late night talk show, ya numb-nut...

[@Tunz909]

The idiot/bird brain hosts who pretend to be comedians are disgusting that are doing these late night shows. If being not funny isn't enough, they have no decency constantly trashing our President..all they are is a continuation of their MSNBC/and CNN counterparts. Cannot wait till the President is reelected then maybe just maybe, they will get a life. God Bless our President!!! TRUMP 2020!!!

[@Tom_Brennan]

I love this so much, I want to cry. This is an amazing piece of history right here. Two giants of television. Thank you so much for preserving this footage and allowing us to view it.

[@andya2665]

"I come in here and whimper... then I go into the sulking room." Pure Gold!

[@suzannemcmaken4648]

I loved Regis. Such a wonderful, talented, and sweet gentleman. 💝

[@jolenaagapisou3803]

Johnny is sooooo cool!!! Regis acts like a little boy at xmas!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ R.I.P. Johnny & Regis

[@janetwoods3751]

Two fantastic legends! These men have something you don't see anymore class.

[@jraoul711]

Two of the greatest entertainers of all time. Cool video. It's rare to see Johnny behind the scenes like this. It was kind of raw footage. All the greats are dying off. Regis always seemed like a man that was the same off screen as on screen. Truly a nice man.

[@otolith5]

priceless and miss them both

[@charlesmerlis9713]

“Am I being canceled” -Johnny Carson

[@ShawnUlibarri]

Thanks for this. Used to work there in the early 80s and this brought back good memories. Especially those just inside the hallway, I saw so many celebrities there (Bob Hope nearly clocked me in the head with his golf club once!). Even the vending machines (If you held the handle just right on one of them, out would pop your item for free! - Hey, I was young and had no money). Great video!

[@TVCrewGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Great comment!!

[@Ptpop]

Late night talk went right down the crapper when he retired.

[@jadenlaue8822]

David Letterman was still good and conan.

[@Patriot751]

Carson was The King of Late night !! Regis seemed like a great guy too !!

[@Eggmanontheair]

I was in a contestant corral for the daytime version of 'The Weakest Link' and we all milled about in the hallways behind the former Tonight Show set. It was like being in a living history exhibit.

[@tg8150]

Ed is a friggin monster. He could’ve crushed Regis. These guys were larger than life- literally. Literally had the world in their hands.

[@jeepguy220]

Johnny Carson the king of cool, he even drove a Corvette!!

[@bratton79]

That’s the car I always associate him with. I think that was his favorite car, or maybe that was his work car. I know he used to own a DeLorean. I have never seen him drive it though.

[@ronniebishop2496]

Just a lot of class. I loved Regis who just died.

[@karenimran3349]

Regis was young here. RIP Regis.

[@milo8796]

Incredible how many jokes were cracked in these short 10 minutes. I love how off the cuff he is when he doesn’t need to be appeasing the network!

[@chrisfreeman4457]

Thanks for this one. The spotinaity and friendship, both personally and professionally, between both men, was so enjoyable to see. Since Carson always preferred to do his own driving, I marveled at how he could drive from Malibu to Burbank 5 days a week (4 days a week...I guess...after he cut down to doing 4 new shows a week in the later years) so much. I'm familiar with Malibu and the San Fernando valley, and the distance between the two can be challenging, on a daily basis. The frequent traffic tie-ups on the Ventura Fwy, the less frequent, yet formidable, mudslides, fires, etc, which affect Malibu residents. A long way to drive, every day, for so many years, and yet he did it...and then gave us such a great show every night. Thank you, Johnny.

[@omegaman1409]

Johnny was the best. I watch the show for years in the 1980s in my teenage years. The jokes were brilliant. Miss him and now Regis is gone too. Life is short.

[@bigsky1970]

Thanks for this upload! This was a great piece of video. You could really tell Regis was like a kid in a candy store talking to the one guy he admired. They sure had great chemistry together. They'll both be missed. After his passing, I read that Regis never turned down an opportunity for someone to get his autograph or a selfie, even right there on the sidewalks of NYC. He was always accommodating for little gestures like that.

[@erielighthousetheater5395]

This is amazing behind the scenes! Dear God, I miss these men. Such class!

[@rollandmakinano1744]

That was awesome to see. Such mutual respect for Johnny Carson and visa versa. Johnny respectfully doing a interview and tour for Regis.

[@ebonymanley26]

Love this video so much so cool and awesome two of the greatest of all time legends and icons rip regis.

[@Mibbitmaker]

The greatest late night host ever and the greatest morning host ever!

[@joespag26]

Regis and Johnny = Class,Class, Class !!

[@heygetoffmylawn1572]

There they are...two American classic TV icons together. Their class can never be repeated by anyone. Hiii Yoooo!!!

[@rickmontgomery3037]

This is great to see! And goodness, at 8:00 I had no idea the audience sat that close to where Johnny did his monologue; in any clips I've ever seen I was under the impression they were back quite a fit further...

[@stevenlewis7921]

The whole place looks tiny in comparison to how it appears on television!

[@Th3MagicBullet]

Johnny was the BEST.

[@ucctgg]

No one else even close

[@mdo5121]

Carson to Regis...YOU HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO THIS!!!. This was about the time he started his ABC morning show.

[@billyrayvalentine7972]

RIP Regis. You managed to live at least two full lives in one life... Much respect for your ability to be a success over and over again. Say hi to Johnny and the gang

[@Rob_Kates]

This was fascinating, thanks for posting. If you have any more footage of NBC Burbank, I'd love to see it.

[@johnworrall3646]

Johnny Carson seemed so down to earth !

[@JakeMabe1]

I LOVE this! Thank you so much.

[@tdunph4250]

Great video! Being able to interview and have fun with Mr Carson would have been a treat! Only the Great Regis could have pulled this off!!

[@8corymix8]

What a fantastic clip. 2 absolute American icons

[@HHH-ye1ro]

A rare glimpse at the King. So effortless. Still at the top of his game. Really enjoyed this. Thanks for positing.

[@rubensaucedo4118]

Wow, both Regis as the interviewer and Carson as the interviewee were at the top of their game. Just awesome to watch.

[@TA-pp9jk]

Long time ago. Miss them both.

[@LAFan]

This is awesome. Thank you for posting it. I was in Burbank the other day remembering Johnny's Tonight Show which is the best. Regis RIP. Both of these gentlemen are missed.

[@danielsavard5977]

Regis was always Regis on or off the air but from all accounts Johnny Carson was extremely introverted and private when he wasn't on camera ... for a guy who was so uncomfortable around people in real life it's amazing how he was so good on the tonight show , a true TV legend ...

[@garysimons1608]

Two of the best right there.

[@liz326522]

Johnny was very charming and very attractive.

[@Grandizer8989]

Ed is an underrated aviator from WW2. Of his class of 220 cadets, he was one of two or three that didn’t wash out while earning his wings.

[@markjackson6431]

Regis and Johnny would make a great show

[@alanmorris7669]

Two moguls gone forever. May they both rest in peace.

[@michaelproctor9114]

Excellent / Excellent Video.. I really enjoyed it and am now a Subscriber .. Thank You Very Much

[@TVCrewGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it so much and thanks for subscribing !!

[@patriciaspadea2266]

We miss them BOTH💝💝

[@jeffwads]

I never saw this. Pure gold.

[@xploit811]

Amazing rare video. Thank you so much for uploading this

[@nancyterrywhittemore2015]

I always liked these 2 guys. Don't make them like that anymore...Johnny and Regis, you are missed by many!

[@pronemanoldbutyoung5548]

I love Johnny Carson so much and what he gave all of us for so many years. This was a great video that I never saw before. Regis was a good guy that did well, but to see Carson drive into the lot of Burbank Studios is classic. Just enjoy folks, this was magic and still is.

[@stephaniesturgeon5591]

Beautiful humans 😍 .Miss them days 😥

[@flixsymmetry]

What a treat! Two icons. I was 16 in 1984 and that took me right back. Didn’t need a DeLorean just Carson’s 84 Vette!

[@brettbaratheon9776]

wild I’ve never seen this. What a treat. Man, the good days are behind us on television, that is for sure.

[@liz326522]

This is great stuff!!! Thank you for the upload, really enjoyed this!!

[@TVCrewGuy]

You're welcome! Thanks for the comment!

[@lightningbrigade4722]

Thanks for the memories Johnny and Regis, Your fans miss you guys alot.📺

[@thatjoeshow2270]

2:41 that was no purse, that was Johnny's gun that he carried for self-protection.

[@thatjoeshow2270]

@Christopher Agan well-documented in books about Carson. He had an extortion attempt against him in the 70s and he was one of the people Mark David Chapman considered assassinating instead of John Lennon, so he had good reason to carry a gun.

[@Rob_Kates]

Correct, he carried a gun. It is mentioned in the book Johnny Carson by his ex-lawyer, Henry "Bombastic" Bushkin.

[@JECKBLADE425]

Good call. I have known guys that do the same thing.

[@robertcarly9183]

Johnny carried a .38

[@RADIUMGLASS]

In the late 80s, someone was on the lot and walked up to Carson and said are you Johnny Carson? Carson said "yeah" and the guy socked Carson and ran off.

[@coldwinter5710]

This clip is amazing! 👍

[@manofmanyinterests]

Very respectful to Mr. Carson, who was most gracious.

[@MrJlee64]

Great video thanks !!!!

[@TVCrewGuy]

Glad you liked it!

[@JayAyers]

I

[@fenwaypark1725]

Wow. I’ve never had more fun reading comments. Fantastic knowledge on this video.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🖖

[@Joncotter324]

Is it just me, but people were just so much more cool back in the day. Their dialogue is just smooth and authentic. There’s so much more effort in trying to entertain, or shock, these days.

[@LAFan]

People were charming in those days. That has been lost in this country. Vulgarity is what people like now.

[@baronvonnembles]

Carson used to make fun of Regis in a joke ever now and then. That was when Philbin was on local TV long before he went national. Good to see it was all in fun.

[@M3LTUP]

Carson was great. All the Late Night Shows today are terrible.

[@sunnygirl4017]

Agreed!

[@capitanfuturo594]

Agreed ! Jimmy Kimmel is rubish

[@rberka555]

This is amazing

[@luisa.vazquezherrera8802]

Great interview!!!!

[@stevecochrane8799]

You can tell that Carson is uncomfortable. He would rather ask questions then be asked questions. Trait of many Midwesterns.

[@liz326522]

Steve Cochrane I’m from NYC, not the Midwest but totally picked up on that as well. You can definitely tell he feels awkward and out of sorts.

[@weirdshibainu]

True.

[@cjaquilino]

Yeah, Johnny is being put on the spot. Everyone’s been in that situation where you get caught off guard because a friend you haven’t talked to in a while randomly shows up at your door. You were in the middle of something else and now you suddenly have to get out of that headspace and make conversation.

[@thetreasurehouse1742]

Mine was the 700th thumbs up!!! I actually saw bits of this segment when they reaired on Live in the early 1990s. What a treat to see the unedited tape!!!

[@ocker2000]

I got to walk around in that very studio in 1989. Its just the way I remember it in this video.

[@nigel900]

Two class acts. R.I.P. quality entertainment...

[@JohnRoland]

This is awesome

[@stevemarshallveryfunny6907]

Love it ! love it!

[@KBTime]

Recorded the afternoon of January 11, 1984

[@davidhunt8456]

So regis was 52? How old was johnny?

[@davidhunt8456]

So johnny was 59 and regis was 52? Johnny seems much older than regis

[@MT-tu8dt]

2 Legends.

[@kaukase539]

The old days 😍

[@annabellem.4014]

Wow, this is so cool! Two greats.

[@gvalley07]

Johnny; "You've been reduced to this? Catching people in parking lots." LOL!!

[@johnking5174]

0:05 - Our wonderful Los Angeles smog and fog seen in the distance here.

[@donniemoder1466]

Regis was great at making something out of nothing.

[@sammauldin1402]

And making it actually entertaining and interesting.

[@FIXTREME]

Regis could make a crap filled, backed up toilet seem like the story of the century! RIP Regis 😢

[@capitanfuturo594]

@@FIXTREME 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@touchofdumb]

Reg is in his early 50’s here, that is some livin’ right (and luck). Woah!

[@lapseevident3132]

Nice! Good stuff!

[@massapower]

This is G O L D !!😁👍🏻

[@ANOSINCRIVEIS1973]

i love johnny carson!!!!!!!!

[@chadcollins6068]

I can't believe I've never seen this before. Letterman once said that Regis was the most like Carson but Regis was easier to push around. He was a little more accomodating which you can see from all the comments about him meeting with fans. Johnny was more closed off and private off screen. The repoire and mutual appreciation between the two is obvious. What a sad thing that they've both passed on. The middle aged and up all remember Carson and what he meant and the young and old all remember Regis. They were natural showmen and equally entertaining.

[@ralphalessandra2604]

Regis was most certainly the last of the past. All the great ones are gone now.

[@ralphalessandra2604]

True. But I was talking about icon television hosts. Johnny Carson Merv Griffin Mike Douglas Steve Allen,.