The Tonight Show - Stan Freberg, Joan Rivers, Jim Fowler 6/13/69

[@babyboy1971]

I am Stan Freberg’s son. Thank you for posting this!

[@deffer1856]

Gosh! My Mom (she’s from the US) brought several records by your Dad to us in Denmark from the States in ‘74 … we listened to them over and over and when we are together, my brothers and I, we are still reciting loads from these records whenever there is just one word setting us off. He has brightened up our lives no end!

[@gbrinch]

@@deffer1856 Hi Sis! I was about to write a similar reply! Stan Freebergs comedy was funny satirical, thought-provoking and warm all at the same time!

[@TGoat123]

They don't make commercials anymore like your dad used to make. We miss him.

[@civwar054]

He was a brilliant man! You must be so proud.

[@nightowl5475]

Well, you may be Stan Freberg’s son but back in 1972, I was standing on the corner of Broadway and 5th avenue, when I bumped into your dad, THE Stan Freberg. I said, Oh, my God, I can’t believe it. I’m your biggest fan, I love all your work. Mr. Freberg, would you mind if I asked you for your autograph? And I’ll never forget, he said to me, “Will you get the hell away from Me!” And I never forget those inspirational words!

[@bobblankenship3427]

Makes one almost cry to watch those wonderful musicians when they were so young and we actually remember physically watching this show. Doc was the world's best. Loved those magnificent guys. Beautiful!!!!

[@printpreview9260]

Doc's still with us. 93.

[@davemiller4721]

See NY Times article 3/29/21.

[@printpreview9260]

@@davemiller4721 Thanks , I did look that up. There is a documentary on PBS coming up. Should be interesting.

[@dmiller1000]

@@printpreview9260 According to the "Doc" documentary, this just might have been the night where he brought on the crazy ties and got enough of a rise out of Johnny for it to morph into the crazy outfits he wore beginning later in '69.

[@KJSturr]

Cool

[@theartistbonez1930]

Because he can still get horny. That’s something at 93

[@ChadQuick270W]

Wow! This is very rare. It’s a black and white kinescope and likely the only copy of this episode as NBC wiped the videotapes before Carson started paying to store them in late 1972. Thanks so much for sharing this rare gem with us 👍

[@johnsjohnson448]

Only 39 full episodes are known to be in existence between 1962 and 1972. That is A LOT of great Television lost.

[@scatdad]

It’s great to see the old studio. New York musicians on the Tonight Show Clark, Terry, paul faulise john frisk all guys my dad worked with he was marky Markowitz

[@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLL]

Most of the old NYC shows were recorded over, weren't they? That shows what networks really think of their content and those who watch it.

[@KayBarsotti]

I liked Joan Rivers and appreciated her honesty and she WAS funny.

[@matthewreed2585]

This truly is an AWESOME gem! Finding early episodes of Johnny's show, especially those from the 1960's, are extremely rare. Thanks for the upload!

[@nellsstuff2.052]

Glad you enjoyed it. I came across it while doing some cleaning. My brother somehow found it a while ago for me because he knew I like Freberg. NO CLUE where!

[@nellsstuff2.052]

@GR MP2000 Alas, the only reason I have this one is because my brother found a copy many years ago and gave it to me as a present.

[@lanceschaina3084]

Nell, thank you so much for going through the hassle of posting this. This is priceless.

[@oldgroucho2203]

what a rare treasure, thank you for sharing this gem.

[@Rob_Kates]

This is a rare gem, since about 99% of the New York shows (1962-1972) were erased.

[@chuckdieselkicksdisks2380]

A great rare treat indeed!

[@codychristopher3744]

It's sad that it was erased cause for one thing it's hard to find them Golden Treasures but yeah. that's like gold to me when you find them Older Television Variety Shows like Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan, Red Skelton, Jackie Gleason, Kraft Music Hall, Lawrence Welk, Milton Berle, and many other rare Television Variety Shows from The Late 40's to The 70's is definitely Gold and Vaulable to me indeed but yeah

[@raymondstern9046]

Also mlb games at various point were taped over as the combination of old fashioned cumbersome tape and an perception that "ni one would be interested in future viewing ". Thankfully for KZbin there are ways to view nostalgia

[@janekailey2173]

And the New York shows we’re the best. The show went downhill as soon as it moved to LA.

[@robertszvetics210]

very smart of nbc those assholes

[@evoman1776]

Doc Severinsen is still around at 94. Must be really cool for him to be able to watch himself perform like this from more than half a century ago.. Wonder if he wishes he could just project himself into the video and be there playing that again?

[@twistoffate4791]

I wonder that as well. At least he's got lots of footage of himself, so he can look back at himself talking, joking, playing, etc. It must be like visiting an old friend.

[@lawrenceharris8919]

Doc Severinsen was part of Skitch Henderson's band on the first Tonight Show with Steve Allen on September 27, 1954. Although he wasn't continuously on the Tonight Show, it is still amazing that Doc was there at the start in 1954 and on Johnny's last show in 1992. Steve was both a talented piano player and comedian, so music with singers such as Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme, and Andy Williams was a major portion of the original Tonight Show, along with comic skits. Steve would sometimes play with the band. There wasn't much talk on Steve's show.

[@gstockwell5315]

2024. Doc is now 97.🎉

[@sdcafunnyguru]

I'm guessing this kinescope was sent for viewing by U.S. troops on Armed Forces Television at bases overseas, since the commercials were cut out.

[@AvengerII]

@3:16 -- Dov Severinsen, age 41(?). 93 today and STILL touring playing his trumpet!

[@AmbroseOLippe]

Since the commercials were removed, that would mean that this program was made for rebroadcast through the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS)

[@NelsonVlog66]

Most of the surviving pre 1972 Tonight Show episodes are from the Armed Forces TV broadcasts which were transferred to film from the original studio video tape reels. The film reels seemed to be less expensive than the original color VTR reels.

[@troybirch]

This is more valuable then gold!

[@johnturner642]

Stan Freberg’s Jeno’s Pizza Rolls commercial with the Lone Ranger is the best commercial of all time, in my opinion, especially if you’re old enough to remember the “Show us your Lark pack” cigarette commercials.

[@NelsonVlog66]

Love me some pizza rolls.

[@nightowl5475]

This show is a rare gem. You know what I’ve noticed about this show, Johnny was a little tipsy tonight. Not drunk, just I can tell, he’s had a few. I loved the female singer Dana Valery.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

This is so fabulous! Thank you! I search for Paar and Carson all of the time. Thanks for this upload!

[@tstahler5420]

Johnny Carson is the absolute KING of late night! I was 4 years old when this episode aired. It's incredible to me that Johnny had a 30 year run and it's been 31 years since he retired.

[@neiljohnson7914]

I'm your senior. I was 5

[@percybyssheshelly]

Thanks for uploading this!

[@drivesideways6550]

Johnny never changed class act thru and thru!! Love him!

[@michaeltekulsky5665]

The band!! 👏👏👏👏👏. Doc plays with such expression.

[@felixdk8727]

Another one from Denmark here, who loves your dad's work.

[@TexasMan77]

Wow very rare sixties tape, few exist. Love docs look.

[@Chicken_Wing91]

I wish they never erased those tapes. Johnny looks so young here never got to see him on the air he retired the year i was born

[@chuckdieselkicksdisks2380]

Young johnny is awesome- he still has the same general feel in a throughout his career but it's interesting to see him in his first 10 years on the show

[@analogdesigner-Jay]

Thanks for sharing this gem!

[@Scalihoo]

These NY shows are a treat, never saw any except small clips maybe

[@williamdunphy352]

A rare Tonight Show from New York with Johnny Carson. And they don't even air it on Antenna TV.

[@ronaldpokatiloff5704]

Because he was bad back then

[@dunphym]

I never saw these earlier shows. Ed so much more talkative! And so funny! Johnny seemed really amused by him and stimulated by his energy. Ed was always great in later shows too

[@AvengerII]

I like the clips of the 1960s Tonight Show that I've seen MUCH better than what was on-air from the mid-1970s onwards. The energy was higher, the guests were more interesting, and Johnny and Ed didn't seem so tired. NOBODY has been able to recapture that energy. Possibly in his last year (1992) when he KNEW he was going off the air, Johnny had moments like this. The last late night talk show host I care to see now is Craig Ferguson but he's been off the air for 7 years now. I don't care for the other talk show hosts at all. Leno, ironically, is VERY good with his car show on MSNBC and KZbin. I thought his stand up was actually very good on Letterman in the 1980s but he had to tone himself down and compromise for Tonight Show so he was never as good. As a car historian, Leno is EXCELLENT. Who knew???

[@zyxmyk]

This is really about when this was peaking. There was a two or three year period where this show was a National Event every night. It was just too good.

[@scooter5940]

I was kinda young, but the early 70’s when he moved the show to CA were great, too. The nights when Dean Martin, Hope, and some of those guys were all out together were really funny.

[@timsullivan3715]

Wow. A Johnny from when he was still in NY.

[@johnking5174]

This was a film copy of what was originally transmitted. Someone used kinescope to keep this edition, which NBC wiped the original video tape. So much of Johnny's first decade as host of the Tonight Show was wiped by NBC

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

Considering they took out the commercials, my guess is it might have been a copy that was made for Armed Forces Radio and Television (AFRTN would put in military-centric ads instead of the ones for NBC). The famed episode with Bob Hope, Dean Martin and George Gobel was one that was found in the AFRTN archives

[@BucketHead4901]

Stan Freberg. The radio show I end up listening to the most. Tis a thing I broadcast over AM for my block.

[@gibby100]

Great! Never saw any of the shows from these years ( late 60’s)

[@dm0065]

Lots of comedians would fold up during that stinker of a monologue, not Johnny. The way he could manage it when he was bombing was sooo good. He could take a bad joke and turn it into an object to just play with and make another joke about, right in front of the audience, under pressure but cool as a cucumber. Beautiful to watch.

[@BabyChili1]

That was wonderful! Thank you for sharing. ✨

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

Had to Google that Dana Valery lady - never heard of her before watching this video.. and i was alive in 1969 when this was filmed! She had a fantastic voice!

[@FawleyJude]

44:30 jazz great Clark Terry on trumpet. He was mentioned earlier in the show by Doc as having just returned from Iowa where he talked to the girl that then sent the band those ties.

[@mjoven1975]

Stan Freberg’s son was the kid who had a report due on a space in the Encyclopedia Britannica commercials that aired in the late 1980’s. Freberg was the voice of the announcer in those ads.

[@nellsstuff2.052]

Aaaah yes, the Encyclopedia Kid!

[@akbarlebowitz8151]

Yes, that was Mr. Freberg's son Donavan.

[@robertabrams8562]

Omg, I was 8yrs old during this telecast…didn’t turn 9 until Sept! Dana Valery is 78 now.

[@nancyhowell4505]

I was 16yrs old. Such a different life and lifestyle in those ancient days!

[@robertabrams8562]

@@nancyhowell4505 Agreed! I often reminisce about the good old days!

[@adamantman3200]

Despite the 'In living color' intro, Film negatives are often lost, so the show survives only in a black and white kinescope, which is what happened here. The kinescopes were made as a 'backup', often at local level, as opposed to network. They were also made for stations in 'fringe areas' that the coax had not yet reached. The local stations would play the kinescope in leu of carrying it live., The first couple of seasons of DARK SHADOWS only survive in kinescope. There were probably a lot of other reasons backup Kinescopes were made, some probably for legal reasons. I do know that there was a kinescope made of Nixon's resignation. I was surprised when I found out about it. Nixon resigned in 1974, when kinescope technology was supposedly obsolete.

[@johnsjohnson448]

Mr. Carson's "Tonight" show was always produced and recorded in color on videotape which would later be "wiped" and reused. As networks fully converted to color, I am left baffled as to why they still utilized black and white kinescopes which were quite laborious to produce and process. Thank-You for your post. I greatly enjoyed reading it.

[@adamantman3200]

@@johnsjohnson448 THANK YOU!!

[@Pimp-Master]

These shows went on at 11:30pm. I remember breaking up a huge hippie houseparty on my beach town street, then ducked back inside my parent's house before they got wise as to who pulled the fuse. Carson was on the TV, holding court as usual. Ah, good times.

[@victorkreitner754]

I was watching this realizing within 4 months three of the greatest things in our history were about to happen, Woodstock, Man on the Moon, and The Miracle Mets. Never realized Jim Fowler was a guest this early on in Johnnys show, of course I was well familiar as most kids of the 70s of Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom. It was a staple show on Sunday nights along with Walt Disney. TV will never be as good as that ever again.

[@scooter5940]

Well, I agree with you, but TV will never be that much of a centerpiece in people’s lives, either. It was still fresh and new and the content was developing. Kids now would watch one of those old Wild Kingdoms and it would hold their interest for two minutes,

[@olivercrangle7160]

Speaking of parking tickets in NYC,I still haven't paid the one that I got in Greenwich Village the night that the Mets won the World Series that year.

[@JChow-e1c]

Wow - it is amazing to see this amszing TV/comdy history! Wow!!!!!

[@victorkreitner754]

Dana Valery still around today at age 78. Italian born but raised in South Africa.

[@darksideofthetube3027]

This is a crazy cool tape it was from a black and white TV and it’s rare to see that

[@dannystrat]

I had no idea Dana Valery was a singer! I've only seen her on those '70s "What's My Line" reruns on Buzzr TV!

[@p47thunderbolt68]

Colonel McMahon. F4U Corsair Fighter Pilot Ace . Watch when Johnathon Winters is a guest on the show . You will see Winters salute Ed . Both are Marines . Winters was an enlisted Marine .

[@JJJBRICE]

Johnny Carson at age 43 . By this time Carson was firmly entrenched as King of the Night and Paar was a distant memory . Dana Valery one of many guests who made most of their Tonight Show appearances while the program was in NYC . Phyliss Newman , Arlene Francis, Orson Bean , Woody Allen , et. al .

[@fatfreddyscat5767]

Orson Still made several appearances in the Burbank days, but the show definitely changed with the move.

[@JJJBRICE]

@@fatfreddyscat5767 Doug I looked at the IMDB after I wrote the comment . Bean actually made more appearances after the Burbank move . But i am sure that there are others in the NYC rather than CA category. Thanks for the catch .

[@wolfchrt]

Damn this is rare as hell

[@ClintScottFischer]

What a 💎 Thanks!!

[@JD-rt8ym]

Thank you for posting this! My birthday was on June 12, 1969 so this was an extra special treat!!

[@stanbrekston]

& i had turned 10 on June 13 1969.

[@andrewbuhman1066]

I think I could listen to Dana Valery read a phone book. What a beautiful voice.

[@jackmessick2869]

Doc Severinsen would be part of the half time entertainment at the Super Bowl the following January in New Orleans

[@tonypanzarella9387]

Who would have thought? A black-and-white kinescope, in 1969, more than a decade after the advent of color video tape, from the network that invented color TV in the US.

[@NelsonVlog66]

Most of the original color studio tapes of the Tonight Show prior to 1972 no longer exist. Color video tape was extremely expensive to archive back then. Those VTR reels also took up a lot of space. Kinescope film was less costly and easier to store.

[@tonypanzarella9387]

@@NelsonVlog66 Hence. the dearth of color episodes of "Hullabaloo".

[@FredLord-sp4ym]

@@NelsonVlog66 The entire archive (New York shows) was shipped to NBC Burbank after the show moved there and took up twelve rooms. The building manager wanted to use the rooms for offices. Fred DeCordova intervened, but once the person who reported this to him went on vacation, said office manager shipped the tapes off to a landfill and had them bulldozed in 1973. (Please google said story).

[@cessnaace]

In the early 70s NBC began erasing the 2" (wide) videotapes of many of their shows. Only highlights and key episodes of the era remain complete. While most people are aware that back then you could transfer film to videotape, many are unaware that the reverse was possible. I'm not speaking of Kinescopes (this doesn't look like a Kinescope). I'm speaking of a different process. For example, Laugh-In was shot on 2" Quad tape, which was expensive but cheaper than 35mm film, especially as they could keep the tape rolling for multiple takes and adlibs, then the (selected) shot footage was transferred to 35mm film for editing. Hee Haw was produced the same way (not by NBC though). I own some Kinoscopes and they have a completely different look to them then this.

[@tonypanzarella9387]

@@cessnaace This is definitely kinescope. I am familiar with the tape-to-film process, one of which was known as "Video Tape 50", which Frank Zappa used for "200 Motels", and which was used for some interior shots in the 1976 Redd Foxx theatrical picture, "Norman ... Is That You?" Look at the header, frame by frame, of the lead-in to this video, and you will see the "kine-photo" stamp on it. While the film may have been made from the videotape replay [or broadcast] of the show --- meaning, it is not 1950s-style kinescope, which was a reproduction of the love telecast --- the process was still the same. That is, it was not a direct tape-to-film transfer. Sounds as though you did not understand the original comment.

[@wulfnite4520]

This is probably a back-up tape which is why it's in B&W.

[@nancyhowell4505]

Doc looked good with that moustache and soul patch. 👏👍👍

[@barrybrown9104]

AWESOME!!! I have a feeling eventually Johnny's first show will be found! I may be wrong but I think the tenor sax solo is played by Al Klink who played in the Glenn Miller Orchestra....

[@NelsonVlog66]

Audio of Groucho Marx introduction of Carson and Johnny's monologue from his first Tonight Show is on KZbin.

[@johnsjohnson448]

I totally agree.

[@ronflatter1235]

19:51 Johnny impersonates the trilons from “Concentration.”

[@deanbianco4982]

Did anyone notice that Johnny's right-side sideburn is much longer than his left one, and that it was pointed?

[@robertcombs55]

I was in Vietnam when this aired...

[@otiscampbell2194]

Thank you for your service to our great nation ! ! You can not be thanked enough ! ! Welcome home and stay young and healthy !❤❤❤❤❤

[@pinedelgado4743]

In 37 days from the airing of this TONIGHT SHOW eppie, man would land on and walk on the surface of the moon for the first time!!

[@BenDover-f1g]

if you believe in fairy tales

[@bobdobs23]

@@BenDover-f1g still in kindergarden

[@johnsewell6593]

Oh I Forgot there are those ridiculous individuals who believe the moon landing is/was a hoax. The only thing I can think of is they weren't born yet, because if you were around then, and aware of what was going down, you KNOW it is real.My opinion is that its the millenials who are that "Gonzo".. !

[@frankdenardo8684]

Stan Freiberg hosted When Radio Was. Reruns of old radio shows

[@kevinfitzmaurice4072]

He succeeded Art Fleming, the original host of "Jeopardy!," on that show.

[@NelsonVlog66]

This was broadcast shortly after NBC pulled the plug on the original Star Trek after its original three season network run

[@lindascott2107]

Wonderful memories

[@victorkreitner754]

Donna Valery was 25 years old in this footage, now she's 76 today. She was a South African born in Italy.

[@ApartmentKing66]

I thought it was Dana.

[@tdunph4250]

Born in Italy would make her Italian wouldn't it?

[@MicroSoftner]

@@tdunph4250 lol

[@dvinedzine]

Dana V was a regular on the later version of "What's My Line" for a while, I believe.

[@gsadventures678]

Where's Jim Fowler??... where are the cameras?

[@videox222ify]

great show

[@chuckdieselkicksdisks2380]

Thanks again for posting this episode the musical numbers alone are awesome too, and I just randomly stumbled had an unknown person what's are the records give me an album of d a n a v a l l e r y with a group of albums in 2018.

[@mathonamoore123]

Joan starts at 33:17

[@twistoffate4791]

I have seen that particular interview many times. It's weird because it's tough to find footage from the 60s, except for THAT interview & it gets shown.

[@tripjet999]

Somewhere, lies a nice color videotape of this program...

[@altfactor]

Supposedly, few color tapes still exist of Carson shows prior to 1970 or so. Color tapes reportedly do exist for every Carson show after 1970 or 1971.

[@m42037]

@@altfactor I would think so being that colour was around since the 50s. These shows were all colour in 69, this is a private recording my guess

[@PC4USE1]

@@m42037 NBC was the 'all color network". I can remember watching johnny(sneaking since i was a young kid) in color in 1963. We got our first color TV in 1962,I think. As mentioned elsewhere NBC destroyed almost all of the color footage prior to 1970(much as the BBC did with Dr Who older seasons).

[@m42037]

@@PC4USE1 Dr Who?? Damn I was a little when I seen that, idr the show. I don't think we get that in the states, we should I watch Mr Bean sometimes I'm gonna look in here. .

[@ronaldpokatiloff5704]

Steve Allen said that he would have pick up his shows by truck. But they throw them out.

[@terryelliott3183]

Joan Rivers at "Upstairs at the Downstairs." I had forgotten that; she was there forever it seemed.

[@joeanon5788]

The program has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954-1957), Jack Paar (1957-1962), Johnny Carson (1962-1992), Jay Leno (1992-2009 and 2010-2014), Conan O'Brien (2009-2010), and Jimmy Fallon (2014-present).

[@nellsstuff2.052]

I believe Ernie Kovacs also hosted for a very short time

[@icetech6]

Leno destroyed the late night landscape.. Fallon put the dirt on it's grave... Ferguson was the last great host.

[@lesweizman388]

fallon is no comedian

[@cindymacferran331]

Happy Birthday to me...I turned 6 on this date!!! 🎉🌸 I💗Johnny! If you do too, listen to the Johnny Carson podcast full of interviews with Tonight Show guests and employees from this era.

[@twebb6152]

Only a month from the date this aired, poor Sharon Tate was murdered. It’s funny the things dates can come to you even when you’re 50 years older. That was so scary for me; seeing that on the news; I would turn 8 that October and still I recall the fear and the sadness

[@MrDuds1984]

As was Apollo 11 and the moon landing

[@chadpenner5059]

Sharon Tate was a ridiculously beautiful human being....tragic for her and her baby :(

[@twistoffate4791]

@@chadpenner5059 Yes, agreed.

[@lowbaritonewwj]

Who knows, the whole Manson bunch might have watched this episode, in one of those ratty buildings, there at the Spahn?

[@stevehunter6849]

This is the best Johnny Carson Show of all Time!

[@gladysvasquez2700]

I love this handsome guy Great comedian- he is so funny His shoes was and are really enjoyable

[@sheismymom]

amazing to see Joan so early

[@joshuaalexander6296]

Could u please see if u can find Barbra Streisand’s interview from the 60?s

[@lindapendleton9176]

Stan Freberg did a couple of guest appearances on "Roseanne ".

[@guskund3971]

Why is this in B&W If its in color ?

[@bme7491]

Dana Valery's brother was Sergio Franchi, a great singer in his own right.

[@richardweber5590]

Carson with a bad joke still made it entertaining. He took all challenges from other late night wannabes and crushed them.

[@J.B24]

24:35 That's an old Blood Sweat and Tears tune!

[@jackmessick2869]

Released as a single just three months before.

[@leewyton7975]

HE WAS FUNNY ALL THE TIME , BUT SERIOUS

[@patgalvez4563]

I always enjoyed it when Jim Fowler was on

[@rockfish74]

When Radio Was

[@Janster59]

never heard of the chick singer-very good

[@jehobden]

10:15 - Nowadays this bit would be illustrated graphically.

[@victorkreitner754]

I remember as a kid watching Wild Kingdom on Sunday nights with Marlon Perkins and Jim Fowler. This is the earliest version I ever saw Fowler on Carson. This was probably long before Joan Embry appeared.

[@rburly]

It was several years before she was on the Tonight Show.

[@douglaslowe5]

Joan started appearing in 72 when show moved to Burbank.

[@speedracer6294]

The H bomb joke was interesting. The problem was no one in the USSR was telling the same joke....

[@kevinfitzmaurice4072]

26:04--I don't recall "The Tonight Show" identifying the guests on the screen during the interviews. Letterman's "Late Night" show on NBC did early in its run.

[@keithhyttinen8275]

"Hi-yo!!"

[@JJJBRICE]

As part of promoting NBCs Wild Kingdom JC would have rugged Jim Fowler bring various animals on The Tonight Show . When JC went to Burbank and Wild Kingdom was no longer on NBC he would have Joan Embry from the San Diego Zoo continue the animal act . JC must have loved the animals.

[@fatfreddyscat5767]

Somewhere there is a compilation tape of various creatures relieving themselves on him. Or maybe I'm thinking of a "family guy" cutaway, lol

[@wmbrown6]

Mr. Fowler continued to appear after Carson moved to Burbank, but he was more in alternation with Ms. Embery in terms of show appearances. I read somewhere Jack Hanna also did some Carson shows before gravitating to David Letterman.

[@JJJBRICE]

@@wmbrown6 Thanks friend .i must have been asleep the nights Mr. Hanna was on . Again JC loved the animals , even better than some human guests like Zsa Zsa Gabor .

[@wmbrown6]

@@JJJBRICE - Or, especially after 1986, Joan Rivers.

[@francohilton532]

Joan and Johnny = magic on stage

[@mrminecraft6172]

Wow this is truly amazing! Where this you get this? Have you got the original tape from nbc or was this taped on tv?

[@nellsstuff2.052]

Honestly do not know... my brother picked it up for me a while back, NOT a commercial DVD, that I know

[@forestgeorge8855]

Looks like a kinoscope.

[@fatfreddyscat5767]

@@forestgeorge8855 it must be. NBC shortsightedly erased all the New York shows. (except for the two week return In November 72).

[@wmbrown6]

@@fatfreddyscat5767 - Actually two three-week returns (November '72 and May '73). Bookmark the date May 25, 1973. It was the last-ever "Tonight Show" to originate from New York during Johnny's time behind the desk.

[@davemiller4721]

@@wmbrown6 5/25/73 - it was the lousiest 18th birthday present I ever got - that I can tell you. I don't think Carson cared about coming back to NY - and it became far cheaper to fly the guests out to LA. The show nominally relocated to CA to get more marquis showbiz guests. But it lost something that it never got back. And late night TV now is just left wing garbage. Johnny was right. Make fun of both sides and stay out of the crossfire. Not only is the TV audience far smaller today, but they have written off around 45% of the potential audience. Great job, guys.

[@kromedome0101]

Dana Valery was Sergio Franchi's sister. Now l assume you're wondering "who's Sergio Franchi?"

[@twistoffate4791]

I Googled. He was an Italian-American tenor & actor who gained popularity in Britain in the early 60s. RCA Victor signed him in '62 and that same year he was on the Ed Sullivan Show. He died in 1990, age 64. (Wikipedia.)

[@keithhyttinen8275]

Boy ...in '69, NBC really splurged on Johnny's background set. LOL

[@vidiot9006]

It was low budget late night TV in the 60's... Remember when Letterman first started? The Tonight Show did an up-grade when they moved to the big new network TV studio in Burbank and got the "A" treatment 1972!

[@kevinfitzmaurice4072]

This set had multicolored lighting and looked better on color TV. The studios at NBC in New York were originally used for radio and some are relatively small.

[@deanbianco4982]

The pre-70's era had a buttoned-down, modest, streamlined look that was changed into the wide, flashy-colored, multi-textured, over-the-top look that lasted well into the 80's.

[@jehobden]

1968 had 2 Friday the 13th (Sept. & Dec.). 1969 had only 1 (June). 1970 had 3 (Feb., Mar., Nov.).

[@hi-railhardin]

Amazing how young and slender Johnny looked here, then in just 3 years later he'd look as if he aged 40 years?

[@mikestevenson576]

Please don't tell me chain smoking and hard drinking are bad things.

[@NelsonVlog66]

He stopped coloring his hair in 1972. From my understanding, his hair started turning gray-white early on.