Tommy Smothers dead-on imitation of Johnny Carson - Feb 20, 1992

Tommy Smothers' does a dead-on imitation of Johnny Carson.
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[@rtususian]

No matter how well Rich Little impersonates Carson by voice, Tommy Smothers has him nailed VISUALLY. Incredible, especially when you have the long shot when he is just coming onto the stage, he looks EXACTLY like Johnny.

[@lilybond6485]

Exactly ! It’s almost eerie how much he looked like him here.

[@Kinseliplier]

He dose look like him but he dosen't have the Mannerisms or the Hand Gestures or the Voice Down.

[@lilybond6485]

He over exaggerated it to be funny otherwise if he had done it not exaggerated it would have been dead on identical.

[@brynne77]

@@lilybond6485 Ok, I was going to say, he turned his head this way and that way a little too much. You may be right that he was exaggerating it to be funny.

[@sandrasclarow3900]

​@@lilybond6485❤❤❤❤1 R2-D2 1\ \\ {

[@robynhowell9781]

I'm in the limo and town car industry. 15 years ago I drove Tom and Dick for a weekend of shows and an airport ride. They didn't use a limo, just a town car. They were amazing gentlemen, great conversation and even shared old stories with me. After the last show, Tom asked me if I could take him somewhere to get cigarettes. I said, "Sure, would you like me to get them so you don't get mobbed?" He laughed and told me, "Nobody recognizes me anymore." We pulled into an AM/PM gas station and I said, "Are you sure you don't want me to get your cigarettes it's not a problem?" He was laughing, "I can handle it, thanks?" I told him, "Cup of coffee says you get flagged." "Deal", said Tom. It was a Saturday night and busy. I watched him stand in line behind 5 other people with another 5 or so in the store. Sure enough, there were people staring at him and forming a semi circle at the register. I noticed an older lady talking to him and a few other customers chatting with him too. He came back to the car, hopped in the backseat and asked me, "What kind of coffee do you like?" "Ha, I told you," I replied. His response, "Yeah, I bet there's a lot of rest homes near by too." He had me laughing all the way back to the hotel. I picked him up the next morning to get him to the airport and he made good on our "bet". We went to a Starbucks on the way to the airport and sure enough he was recognized. Someone walked up to him and said, "You look like Tom Smothers" He replied, "I get that a lot." I've been in the black car industry since '97 and my time with The Smothers Brothers is still the most memorable celebrity gig I've ever done. Thanks for the memory gentlemen.

[@57highland]

I saw Tommy at the casino bar of the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas in, I think, 1985. He was at the bar with Jim Stafford, who was appearing with the Brothers there at the Riviera. I didn't say anything, though; I just got a kick out of standing there for a minute or so about 4 feet from a big name celebrity.

[@petegregory517]

@@57highlandI did the same with Richard Petty. All by himself so I just waved, he nodded. Had I tried to talk to him I’d have most likely tripped over my tied tongue. Petty’s we’re the only team for me since the ‘50’s.

[@57highland]

@@petegregory517 Yes, I saw a few celebrities on my visits to Las Vegas. I saw Gabe Kaplan at the bar in the Sands Hotel. When you see a celebrity in that setting, having a drink, you just get the feeling: "This guy is trying to unwind and relax and not be famous for a few minutes", and you just feel like you have to respect that. I suppose they appreciate it, since they know they're going to be recognized.

[@jerseymike7946]

Robyn, Great story! thank you for sharing it with us. You also take a nice picture.

[@barryrichman2874]

YOU LOST ME @ IM IN THE LIMO…..

[@stuartperry1047]

Tommy's passing brought me here. I'm surprised how emotional I am upon hearing the news- but the Smothers Brothers show played a part of my coming of age. He was very funny and talented. RIP

[@socraticgadfly]

Me, too man. RIP Tommy.

[@Kevin6059]

Same

[@montanacrone8984]

RIP dear Tommy. The Smother Brothers were the best ❤

[@stormyweather9917]

That one minute was funnier and more entertaining than a year's worth of Jimmy Kimmel shows.

[@79goldmaster1]

Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel.....not even as funny as Tommy Newsome !!

[@chiefscheider]

@@79goldmaster1 You left out Mr. Phony Laugh himself, that buffoon Jimmy Fallon

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

Make that 100 years. Carson WAS Tonight.

[@Gamble661]

Jay Leno did a passable job of carrying the torch, not nearly as good as Johnny but passable....everyone else since has been a joke in comparison, and not a funny joke.

[@chiefscheider]

Hey, Kev...why did you delete that novel you posted about Tommy being a complete you-know-what-bag? Some producer might have read it and paid you big bucks for the movie rights 😄

[@JustCallMeLoathesome]

100% spot-on. There are guys who can do Carson's voice, but I don't think any man could mimic Carson's mannerisms better than this.

[@leroyepps1146]

Rich Little did a great impression of Carson too.

[@hyacinthlynch843]

@@leroyepps1146 Yes. At a Dean Martin roast of Carson, himself . It was hilarious.

[@leroyepps1146]

@@hyacinthlynch843 I watched it ,he is really good at what he does, I've watched all of the Dean Martin's roast's,I love um

[@thegolfballshop]

Well said. He also could look just Johnny! I miss old shows like Johnny Caron and Dick Cavett. When you tuned in you didn't have to hear a political agenda or nasty personal attacks on anyone. However, if you were a political figure and did something egregious all it took was Johnny mentioning your name and making a backhanded joke about your behavior and that was it. As we used to say "Stick a Fork in Him He's DONE" No Kidding!

[@leroyepps1146]

@@thegolfballshop I love it when Johnny did his mighty art player's comedy skits.

[@jamescpotter]

Flat out the BEST imitation of Carson ever!

[@taroman7100]

And for all time!

[@TWTexasA1]

We’ve seen many people do Carson but no one’s come close to Tommy’s, that was awesome ✌🏼✌🏼

[@loydkline2644]

Johnny carlson twin brother

[@77-ty7gb]

Not even close. He sounds nothing like Johnny. He had his stance down and walk. Thats it. He naturally looks like Johnny (which is not an impression). Rich Little and many others do ans did way better impressions

[@TheBatugan77]

@@77-ty7gb 👈😆

[@kapppz]

You watched Carson every night and you took it for granted, that it would never end.

[@hankkingsley2976]

But like everything it does

[@paulk5311]

i get carson reruns on antenna tv. also on pluto. never watched it when he was on and generally stay away from all talk shows but i find myself watching some of those reruns as i am getting older and most of those guys carson brought on are now dead. i am not going to watch any reruns of letterman or leno when and if they should start coming on. now i might watch tom snyder should he come on but the bozos after carson, not a chance.

[@Danny-ju2ip]

If you were a young kid in the 70s you literally grew up watching Carson through 70s 80s until he left in early 90s. Yeah you thought it would never end

[@Rhythmicons]

@@paulk5311 When Jay Leno was tapped to replace Carson, my first thought was "The Dorito Guy?"

[@hermanlane6108]

eeeeeYup.

[@reybarreto7979]

Best Carson imitation ever! It’s scary how convincing Tommy’s impersonation is. In fact, he out-Carsoned Carson!

[@NadaSurferTube]

What a delight and privilege it was to have you in my childhood, Tom Smothers. And what a talent you were. Thank you, Yo Yo Man.

[@karinwetzel1773]

Just say “Yo!”

[@tanukiman3855]

One of the best aspects of Carson was that he -listened- to his guests and then was quick-witted enough to engage off of what the guest was saying. A master of the genre.

[@rexhoffmann7334]

Such true words my man. This is exactly what I have been saying since the day the "Tonight Show" lost it's real character.

[@acehandler1530]

His repartee with Rodney D was classic, loved seeing them together.

[@donaldelfreth553]

As to Johnny Carson and Rodney Dangerfield... Rodney's mannerisms and comic timing couldn't be measured with a metronome, they were too maniac and contrapuntal. But somehow Johnny Carson was able to figure out how to blend in almost perfectly with Rodney.

[@deviritter5232]

The art of repartee’

[@tfinn7]

Johnny was the absolute gold standard and the pinnacle of television. Just incredible and absolutely missed beyond belief.

[@lilybond6485]

So missed.

[@edwardknoch4987]

@@Bosco-ll8nq why is it necessary to belittle someone in order to pay a compliment to someone else? I've been wandering around on this big blue marble for nearly three quarters of a century, and have seen a LOT of hosts, whether late night or daytime talk shows, and there have a lot of greats and a lot of not-so-greats. Carson was great! But "what we have today", the likes of Kimmel, Colbert, Meyers or Fallon, are all great, entertaining hosts, good interviewers and funny people. Our culture today has turned so bitter and hateful that putting others down has seemingly become the norm, and I, for one, find it sad and disheartening.

[@larrystuder8543]

Didn't even have to say a word. The physicality was perfect.

[@jimschultz4720]

Johnny Carson was a gem !!! And Tommy Smothers doing a spot-on imitation of Johnny is PRICELESS !!! Talk shows have never been the same since !!! 😂😁❤

[@GFHanks]

Carson set such a high standard, no one else has even come close to equaling it. Used to go to work on 4 hours of sleep, just so I wouldn't miss a show. The man was brilliant.

[@MrEsMysteriesMagicks]

What's so great about this was how much Carson enjoyed it. He actually gave Tommy a hug afterward. A true gesture of respect.

[@skeezix8156]

I really have to wonder about this. Richard Little did a Johnny imitation and Carson hated it so much that he banned Little from the show.....forever.

[@rtususian]

I had read that Johnny was not a fan of Rich Little's impersonation of him.

[@midnightrider2342]

FYI - Carson absolutely HATED people doing impressions of him, and they made him very uncomfortable ... hence his awkward, overly-expressive hug to Tom. Dick finally told Tom to knock off the impression at 3:45 ... most likely after getting a "stop it" eye-contact vibe from McMahon.

[@johnnyblade9272]

The Tonight Show has never been the same since Johnny retired... RIP... Johnny Carson

[@ApartmentKing66]

Has never been the same? Hell, it hasn't *existed*. Someone said that Johnny didn't just leave the Tonight Show, he packed it up and took it with him. What passes as the "Tonight Show" now is in name only. Jimmy Gallon isn't worthy to tie Johnny Carson's shoes. And no, that wasn't a typo.

[@terrybalfour3284]

Most overrated tv personality of all time

[@Kieorasama]

Joe Blow Leno was pretty good! Letterman was good in a different way! No Johnny Carson of course. Either of them. but the fact the Carson gave letterman the turbine, and occasionally wrote jokes for letterman’s show made that show a little better, and until Carson’s death, kept Carson’s humor alive!

[@nunyabidnis5407]

Yep, watched him all the time. Can't watch any late night 'comedy' shows now. Only takes them 5 seconds to get political.

[@julianmarsh1378]

@@terrybalfour3284 As you are the most overrated human being of all time...or, do I do an injustice by including you among us?

[@Perktube1]

Now THIS was worth staying up for back in the day!

[@rowdyrx6109]

Perktube1 haven’t stayed up since Johnny retired

[@joejohnson6733]

rowdyrx That’s what your wife tells me

[@partylee007]

Perktube1 Yes, and Leno was worth staying up for also, but after Jay got kicked to the curb by NBC I never watched it again. ☹️

[@jjmanzano9]

OK boomer

[@partylee007]

jjman9 you had to be there 😬

[@CherrieMcKenzie]

This is comedy gold because he NAILED Carson to the point of scaring Carson with his own mannerisms and then went into his own famous persona. Great comedian!!

[@thyslop1737]

that was hysterical. there will never be a talk show host to compare to Johnny.

[@mf1116]

ah jimmy kimmel kicks asss now days, get your dentures off n go back to sleep old timer

[@CynHicks]

@@mf1116 Especially when he cries and pours his bought out heart out. Lol. Talk about sleeping to drums.

[@bikersoncall]

I don't think NBC back in the day would allow Kimmel to park cars.

[@jonscott623]

Kimmel is really good - but he’s not Johnny Carson. And Johnny Carson was not jimmy Kimmel. They’re two different people. There’ll never be another Johnny Carson - and I’m not putting anybody down by saying it.

[@marscruz]

@@mf1116 Kimmel was better with Adam Carolla on The Man Show. He's a pompous blowhard now. He's WOKE.

[@Chopin1397]

I’m old enough to remember how great the Smothers Brothers are!

[@markc9871]

Then you remember their weekly show.

[@Chopin1397]

Yes. I watched it every week. They were hilarious!

[@lilybond6485]

Wouldn’t miss the Smothers Brothers back in the day.

[@EDBZ28]

Ahhh…I’m old enough to now say…”the good old days”. We took SO MUCH for granted.

[@jerryjazzbo2845]

Man, i miss Carson. That little clip is just a reminder that he's the Real king of late night.

[@jamesleathers5488]

@shamanbear3 I agree with you and Jerry both. He was and still is the King of late night. Nobody compares favorably. I miss him a lot.

[@4406bbldb]

The new shows have nothing to offer. In entertainment anyhow.

[@erichvonmolder9310]

I don't miss him.

[@erichvonmolder9310]

@@4406bbldb, the new shows give a lot more people opportunity than just the Carson show. Carson was god and could make or break you or you go back into obscurity.

[@fmills1583]

Uncontested king of late night talk shows.

[@TexasDog3]

I miss Johnny Carson. Gone are the days of good programming.

[@MegaBubble]

yeah, the moving pictures haven't been the same since

[@richsackett3423]

And so is your youth. Get ready for the grave, gramps.

[@mannybest4110]

Pluto TV has a Johnny Carson channel (514) with 24/7 tonight show reruns.

[@TexasDog3]

@@mannybest4110 Thank you. I'll check it out.

[@meeofcourse4152]

Agree

[@Diskoboy1974]

RIP Tommy. I still laugh way too hard whenever I watch this clip.

[@Strangways]

This was the time👍🏻! Carson lived in Malibu and he had a route he’d take daily to Burbank studios. He was crazy about his white Corvette. That’s what he’d drive four days a week to the studio. He’d arrive around 3:30 and the show would start taping at 5:30 to be aired nightly at 11:30. I lived on the edge of Big Sur at the time and on several occasions (once I knew his driving schedule) I’d deliberately head up to his route just to pass him, wave and continue on. No chauffeurs for Carson. He drove that Corvette with precision (and fast). There was never a time that he failed to wave back at me with a wide smile behind an ass kicking set of Ray Bans. Carson was the real deal. That’s why he drove himself to work daily. He never gave up that midwestern work ethic. I miss him terribly. Icon.

[@ccatalano4236]

Great story. Thanks for sharing it!

[@Strangways]

Thanks. 👍🏻

[@sallybeaver9110]

Lee Roberts cool story!! Sounds like something id do!!

[@TheIrishrogue68]

Lee Roberts You drove from Big Sur? Over 200 miles away?

[@DatKat]

@@TheIrishrogue68 busted

[@stephensgate1]

Oh how I miss Johnny!! Those of us who use to watch Johnny every night didn’t realize what we had until he was gone. He will forever be the King of late night T.V.. -Stephen, Ohio

[@depaola63]

Oh yes indeed !! ...I just turned 56 and remember watching ALL this from 1977 on with my Grandparents sometimes too !! Brings back wonderful memories......and daytime was " Mike Douglas & Merv "

[@stephensgate1]

Nicky Depaola I’m 56 too, and I used to do the same. And even when I was on my own, after watching Johnny it meant it was bed time. LoL These late night guys today don’t do it for me. No one comes close to Johnny. All the best to you Nicky! -Steve

[@stevebloodworth995]

These clips of Carson are great....the very best late night talk show host ever. The way he interacted with his guests was so normal and personal, like they all were lifelong friends.....simply the best.

[@lilybond6485]

Johnny Carson was the Master of interview hosts. The best ever !

[@michaelbarnhart2593]

Oh my God! Tommy Smothers could have been the guest host all along and we would have never noticed the difference! ;-)

[@carlalbrecht818]

LOL

[@Mu5096rdgh]

Michael Barnhart I agree 😂

[@RBCharger]

Especially with the quality of the TV picture back then. At the time, I thought my picture quality was good because it only had a little ghosting and not much snow. If you blow up the thumbnail for this video to the size of a TV screen, that would be a pretty good representative of the picture quality.

[@lucyinthesky4682]

To see Carson's mannerisms mimicked so perfectly..eerie. What a time for comedy. I loved Johnny. I was a big fan of Don Rickles and it was one group of greats, Johnny, Newhart, George Burns, and Winters. I have several autobiographies from each of the comedians and it's so wonderful to read the intertwined stories of them all. Bittersweet memories.

[@tommurphy4307]

don't forget rita moreno and lola falana

[@chumpymcchump5024]

All legends. Absolute classic entertainers. I miss those good old days.

[@ManVsOven]

I love these guys... I saw them in Vegas many years ago. After the show, I was standing outside the theater with my friends, and Dick came out and we talked with him nearly a half hour... super nice down-to-earth guy... made my day...

[@gwarlow]

The imitated gestures were hillarious. One of the true all-time comedy greats! And, as someone else mentioned, a class act.

[@EYE_GOTCHA]

I thought that I was too old and jaded to really enjoy anything like this any more, but I laughed out loud throughout. 🙏🏼

[@tvgator1]

Same here; I laughed my ass off. Especially at the end. Didn’t expect to, but Smothers killed this.

[@franklamagna3889]

Has to be the best impersonation of him ever! He even makes himself look like him!

[@TralfazConstruction]

Yes. I'm rewatching this after about a year and it is utterly uncanny.

[@ApartmentKing66]

THIS...WAS...CLASSIC. I was truly disappointed when the clip ended.

[@ApartmentKing66]

@@cmoore7821 Yes! I'd love to see that too!

[@jchutoob]

@@cmoore7821 do post if you find. Johnny was da bomb of off the wall live (!) on air antics and provacateurship... hands down.

[@MkeKen67]

@@jchutoob - And all the late night TV greats learned from the legendary Steve Allen.

[@lads.7715]

Tommy has always been a very underrated comic talent.

[@normanacree1635]

Not without Dick, though, IMHO.

[@buckhorncortez]

Yeah...and I hear the Grand Canyon is underrated as a hole in the ground...by the people that doing all of the mysterious underrating...

[@TheBatugan77]

@@buckhorncortez ☝️😆Whadda Duushbag!

[@vinyltapelover]

@@TheBatugan77 '' @Buckhorn Cortez ☝😆Whadda Duushbag! Those of us who have followed the Smothers Brothers from '60s college tours to tv know that Tommy is anything but an underrated comic talent. I'm sure that @Buckhorn Cortez is more than able to speak up for him( or her)self, but because you don't agree with the response, does not mean that he( or she, and all the rest of us,)is a "duushbag,".

[@mplsmark222]

He and Dick worked hard to stay relevant in the public eye. Folk music, comedy. Yo-yos, film ect. Wouldn’t surprise me if they tried exercise videos when that was the craze. Their principled stand against the Vietnam war and censorship cost them dearly, but bet if you asked them, they would say they would do it again.

[@markmed9091]

Still hard to believe he has left us . One of a kind .

[@pollard068]

not hard at all, everyone dies once.

[@dirkbag22]

Classic Smothers Brothers. Brilliant.

[@zombywoof1015]

Tommy's imitation was spot on! The brothers playing off each other is hilarious. I've come back to watch this every few months.

[@jtpaar1732]

This was pure awesomeness! Johnny is STILL #1 in late night.

[@williamsmith920]

I miss Johnny Carson, and Ed McMahon, and everyone else from this era.

[@davidhutchinson7888]

YOU SIR ARE CORRECT

[@danialhowe9814]

thats called TALENT. you miss talent..... leno was bad enough but fallon? no... im only 52 and carson used to end every night for me... no more. havent watched in years

[@capacola262743]

everyone?? tiny tim?? the "you can call me ray" guy?? senor wences??

[@capacola262743]

@@davidhutchinson7888 4 words and you manage to fuck it up. the "sir" is at the end.

[@saltysenior6454]

@@capacola262743 you are correct, sir

[@don-music]

That was INCREDIBLE!!! Tommy was a genius.... crazy, wacky, that stammer and his timing were so unique with his brother.... and so different from his brother.... but what an absolute genius

[@BethyKable]

Hysterical! Best Johnny impression I’ve ever seen!

[@barackmycat9448]

Now that`s entertainment. I miss these professionals.

[@warriordragonify]

Carson was the Master of the double-take. Tommy did nice riff on that.

[@libertygiveme1987]

OH MY GOSH!!!! He was SPOT ON!!!

[@greglapointe1311]

That was a great imitation of Carson! Tommy Smothers looked and sounded just like him. Johnny will always be the king of late night talk tv for me.

[@maryoleary2037]

The Smother's Brothers were a great comedy team. They also sang well together and I was always sorry that there were not more songs, that weren't interrupted, by their jokes.

[@stevejoshua1995]

I wish the camera had been trained once in a while on Johnny, while Tommy was doing his routine. One of the best things about Johnny was his reactions to comic acts he really enjoyed.

[@man-bagdammit2297]

His impersonation was dead on.... Amazing! Impersonations are always a little over the top. I sincerely miss this era of comedians and talk shows.

[@willmack5909]

R.I.P. Tommy. Thanks for the memories.

[@vendingdudes]

Anybody else wish he had just stayed out there and did a one minute monologue too?

[@billg5428]

@Macro Economics He did the mannerism for fun, not really a impersonator like Rich Little etc..

[@satori03]

I did

[@nmelkhunter1]

Absolutely!

[@prayingmantis6777]

Short and sweet!

[@poohbeartube]

I did but noticed that he knocked it out of the park and wondered if he thought, I won't top that, I'm going out on a high note (Johnny's signature golf swing).

[@Leib33]

My father, may he rest in peace, always stayed up to watch Johnny. Even though us 4 kids had gone to sleep an hour earlier, he used to stay up roaring with laughter, of course waking us up. I miss him and Johnny too.

[@MasterJediDude]

Me too! My dad never missed Johnny Carson, followed by the CBS Late Night Movie. And I was often up with him to watch both!

[@57highland]

It was a big deal when you got old enough to stay up and watch The Tonight Show.

[@tint661]

I remember thinking I was grown up because my parents left me stay up and watch Johnny Carson as long as I was able to get up for school the next day. LOL I'm retired now and miss those days.

[@rtususian]

When I was about 9 years old I remember the kids on The Brady Bunch were all on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson on a New Year's Eve episode. It was either 12/31/69 or 12/31/70. However recently when they were on with Jimmy Fallon they claimed it was the first time they were on the show, which was not true.

[@cak8132]

Same for me, John. I loved when I was old enough to stay on my own and my parents would go out. I loved staying up late and watching “The Tonight Show”. It made me feel very grown-up, too. I bet that was a gold standard for many kids of our generation.

[@SilentKnight43]

I'm 58 now and still catching up on missed sleep from all those years stayin' up late watching Carson. Still miss the guy. Rarely missed a show back in the day.

[@cak8132]

@@SilentKnight43 He was the best. He was so witty and quick on his feet. He was never mean-spirited and he managed to stay apolitical.

[@SilentKnight43]

@@cak8132 And he could talk to literally anyone no matter how different they were, he was never judgemental or derrogatory.

[@walterpalmer2749]

One of the best things Tommy Smothers has done.

[@angelaweaver3867]

Walter Palmer There is a video from the Carol Burnett show where Ed, Eunice, and Mama go to visit Eunice's brother (played by Tommy Smothers) who is in the hospital facing surgery. It is definitely worth watching.

[@synchronicity492]

Even though The Beatles had stopped touring, they shot a video performance of "Hey Jude" and sent it to the Smothers Brothers to debut - to all of America - on their show (1968). Which says a lot!

[@barbarawinsor8401]

Yep, I remember watching that!

[@TWTexasA1]

OMG I’ve seen the Smothers Brothers twice do their full show in the late 90’s and early 2000’s , I’ve never laughed so much and so hard in my life…plus you get to see them play and sing , their great musicians..and all done without a curse word one..their just incredible 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@normanacree1635]

@@Koji-888 Not everybody was happy. Remember racism?

[@burtb.8536]

​@normanacree1635 it's worse now.

[@createone100]

‘they’re’.

[@carowee3462]

I was a kid when my parents only let me watch Johnny Carson on Friday nights, and most of the time I didn't get the jokes, but I enjoy them now! :)

[@m.m.6757]

This is the first Carson bit I’ve seen in many years. Right away when Tom walked out it was an instant Carson flashback. Spot on for sure. Too funny

[@kevinbraden798]

I grew up watching the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, especially in the summers when I never had to miss a show because of school. We knew it was special and we knew how good Johnny was, because all the big stars came on his show, and all the Hollywood agents tried to get their new talent on his show. Watching Johnny is how you got to see the "trailers" for the new films coming out. But The mid 80's was really something special when you could watch Johnny and then stay up even later and watch the new guy Dave Letterman, who really connected with the high school and college age group.

[@thedarci1368]

There has not been a late night show of this caliber since these guys were gone. Sure wish we had some like that now....

[@chucksherron]

@Brian Landers same Jay Leno was the last. Not the greatest but the last of the good ones.

[@melodiefrances3898]

Have to agree. The current ones are meh at best ...

[@J-S.P]

Craig Ferguson came the closest

[@oldschoolfunkster1]

We have Wendy Williams.... Buaahahaha!!! Sorry. I couldn't help it.

[@ccatalano4236]

Not only was The Tonight Show running in the 1970s but also The Dick Cavett Show, which had a more serious and political tone and had on some awesome guests such as Charles Bronson, who NEVER appeared on chat shows. It was pretty clear that he did so reluctantly only because the movie studio forced him into it in order to promote a movie, but it was still very unusual to see the laconic actor on ANY talk show. Also, more at a prime-time slot rather than late-night, The Merv Griffin Show was running. Not to mention the classic NYC talk show The Joe Franklin Show.

[@raulm1961]

The Smother Bros.were so under rated. They were very very funny.

[@tromboneJTS]

They weren't that underrated. They had their own prime time show on a major network.

[@SPCLPONY]

I loved the yo-yo man!

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

I saw an episode of LAUGH IN on video, and the funniest thing in it was TS introducing Rowan and Martin and being unable to get their names right!

[@justanotheroldguy738]

They weren't underrated so much as censored. They were very much against the Vietnam War and dug at it every chance they had. The pro-war politicians had them cancelled.

[@charlie-obrien]

@@justanotheroldguy738 They were as close to being heroes as comedians can be. Right up there with Will Rogers, George Carlin and Lenny.

[@tonyscates1884]

That’s amazing! I never knew Tommy was so talented! His mannerisms were spot on!

[@Frankincensedjb123]

I love the brothers, especially when they’d fight and Tommy would say the dumbest smart things ever. Great comedy team.

[@kjsfl386]

Tommy to Dickie “Mom always did like you best.”

[@keylearning5746]

The Smothers musical talent is completely overlooked. They were much better than average at producing serious two part harmonies and quality acoustic instrumental arrangements.

[@91dodgespiritrt]

The unfunny Smothers Brothers SUCKED!

[@keylearning5746]

@@91dodgespiritrt you suck 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@91dodgespiritrt]

@@keylearning5746 "Your mother and your father" - illegitimately birthed test tube baby. HA, HA, HA

[@ryoamora8655]

Gotta love Ed's side laughter in the background all the time...So classic, when TV made the whole family want to gather around and watch. Pure Americana.

[@colleenposadas8415]

Ryo Amora I never liked ed that much but just read an amazing story of what a great military man he was! Now I like him!!

[@spectralthundr9525]

Yeah now we get to watch progressives hate everyone and everything. I preferred the old days.

[@raybrown1725]

poor racist needs a safe space

[@ApartmentKing66]

What racist?

[@spectralthundr9525]

@shamanbear3 Bush and LBJ assassinated JFK, and really what you're talking about are globalists, they come in both R and D flavors, the majority of them are liberals.

[@NellsStuff]

Funny thing is, with the "imperfect" picture quality, he looks even MORE like Johnny when he comes out from the curtains! That slight blur helps! ;-)

[@tracyhall319]

Yes!! Between my bad, middle-aged eyesight, and the slightly blurry video, I honestly was thinking, "Wait, that IS Johnny!"

[@retroguy9494]

@@tracyhall319 Same here!

[@TheShadowKarl]

I saw this performance on the stage in Branson MO when I was in highschool and when he switched gears and became Johnny Carson it really seemed like Johnny had suddenly appeared on the stage. The mannerisms and appearance were so spot on it was actually difficult to tell and there was no TV blur factor issues getting in the way. It was remarkable how good the impression was and he looked so much like him when he adopted his facial expressions, posture and gestures it felt like Johnny had just walked out on the stage.

[@leroyepps1146]

@@tracyhall319 They do favor one another with the sqwinty eyes and the mannerisms was on point ☝️

[@AngusRockford]

Tommy Smothers makes me laugh every single time he's on a stage. Some guys are just born funny.

[@quintas66]

Tommy Smothers is one of the funniest people who has ever lived.

[@finddeniro]

He Should. Have been in. .Mel Brooks Films.

[@hyacinthlynch843]

@@finddeniro Yes, you're right. I've never thought of that. 👍

[@91dodgespiritrt]

The unfunny stupid Smothers Brothers SUCKED!

[@quintas66]

@@91dodgespiritrt Ha, good one!

[@johnking5174]

0:27 - Wow, the body language, the mannerisms, the head turns, he might even be better at Carson impressions than Rich Little was.

[@robertturner7147]

He is good , But NOBODY!!! is better than The Late Mr Rich Little ,was unbelievable!!!!😍😍😍😍

[@chiefscheider]

You have to admit, John...the head turns were so exaggerated. Hilarious but exaggerated 😁

[@ronachten2902]

@@robertturner7147 Not only is Rich is alive, he still performs in Las Vegas.

[@robertturner7147]

@@ronachten2902 , Really?? 😁 I would have never guessd that in a million years!! Thanks !! for sharing that information, I'm happy for him,and I've never been so happy to be wrong about something. 👍😊 Take Care Yourself ✌

[@toddstubbs9654]

Tommy Smothers every Tuesday!? A colossal missed opportunity.

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

Blacklisted

[@janem7518]

Oh that would have been so cool

[@91dodgespiritrt]

The unfunny stupid Smothers Brothers SUCKED!

[@thisbabyboomer]

Wish there was a comedy duo as classic as the Smothers Brothers out there again. And a late night entertainment show that you never wanted to miss. ♥♥♥

[@joeblaumer2085]

R.I.P. Tommy, you were one of a kind. Thanks for all the laughs.

[@james5460]

That's an amazing impression, great job Tommy!

[@chrisnedbalek2866]

It's just mind-boggling how empty and hollow we are without having real comedians like this anymore. I remember growing up with Johnny Carson on every night, and it was always something to look forward to and we would make jokes about it the next day at school. What an emptiness we have because we don't have anything like that today. not to mention not having any more real stars like Dean Martin & John Wayne & Frank Sinatra and people of that caliber and class. And television was funny and entertaining, not the crap it is today.

[@jmartin5692]

When Johnny stopped I stopped watching late night to this day! Nothing but a class act!!

[@mariocisneros911]

Same here and I guess to millions others too .

[@coryavila01]

Yup. Me too. Never liked Jay all that much or any of the other guys. Pretty much don't watch any TV programming, especially anything that has commercials.

[@hyacinthlynch843]

Likewise.

[@frannyleyden7988]

When Late Night was worth staying up for.

[@ApartmentKing66]

And we did.

[@halibut1249]

You got that right. Nothing worth watching on late night tv now. Just cynical b.s.

[@debbieseverson5130]

And when it was over the test pattern came up. It was so sad.

[@demetriaquilonian9216]

@@debbieseverson5130 We never had to take a test

[@Mr.CliffysWorld]

@@halibut1249 its all politics now . Same thing ruined SNL

[@HailAnts]

Just by chance I happen to see this when it aired. Both brothers were on the couch together when Dick said they were gonna do something and Tommy went backstage, then Dick leaned over to Ed to tell him what to say. It was incredible. All these years you never noticed for a second any resemblance, and suddenly it was like they were twins! And yes, The Smothers Brothers we’re geniuses. Way ahead of their time...

[@sturgisbaby9050]

I remember The Smothers Brothers! And they were hilarious. Just watching Johnny Carson's reactions to any of his guests were always worthy of belly laugh. Things were very very different then. People had "thicker skin", weren't so sensitive & offended by every little thing. It made for some extremely funny moments.

[@jimgray4327]

Hello Sturgis

[@brianeisenstein6144]

What was in this clip that people would get offended by today? People make that claim and then show clips that are not problematic at all.

[@sturgisbaby9050]

@@brianeisenstein6144 people are sensitive. "You offended me 😪" or "that hurt my feelings". People turn everything a person says into.something that is offensive. Such powderpuffs, snowflakes. We called those people something else 😉 where I come from. Watch Jo Koy's "coming in hot". You'll see the reference. 😁✌🏻

[@joeterp5615]

You are so right about the thicker skin! We’ve lost so much of our ability to just have fun and laugh.

[@normanacree1635]

@@brianeisenstein6144 They also make that comment without mentioning most of the offense taken by people are on behalf of others. Lots of people are fed up with others who make fun of people just because they are easy targets.

[@ericlozen9631]

It's almost January 2018 & this is my first time seeing this! What the heck, that is as close to perfect as you can get. WOW 👌

[@rickr949]

Now it's January 2019.

[@zindi1138]

if it was 144 i would have not noticed

[@elaineteut6508]

That impersonation by Tommy was perfect.

[@anthonymariani3793]

Love how Johnny lets the Smothers Brothers do their act without interrupting, and takes the jokes. Today's hosts would never do that,

[@rtususian]

Yes a lot of talk show hosts now interrupt their own guests with their own business. Good old talk shows like Merv Griffin from years ago would let their guests take over, not the other way around.

[@RoarOfWolverine]

Damn! He looked so much like Carson when he came out I couldn’t believe that it wasn’t Johnny. I never knew they looked so much alike. The Smothers Brothers were comedy geniuses. Too bad the networks weren’t gutsy enough to continue backing them after they ruffled a few feathers at the pentagon and White House. I was just a kid when their show was on the air and even though a lot of the humor went over my head, there was still enough laughs there to keep me interested. I can remember laughing at these guys for the whole hour. These guys were just brilliant and their show should have never been cancelled.

[@bholaoates1542]

Agreed. They had great guests on too.

[@bholaoates1542]

@Wagner PD Headline from last year: "50 Years Ago, CBS Fired The Smothers Brothers for Protesting the Vietnam War"

[@SuperWolsey]

They did come back. CBS was in dire need of programming during the 1988 WGA strike

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

The stuff they put out was causing a wakeup. The establishment couldn't have that.

[@terrietackett8964]

Unfortunately, given the times, they were too politically outspoken. Miss them !!

[@stevehoge]

Oh, this makes me miss Johnny even more!

[@JD-zm4eh]

The glory years, I remember waiting til the local news was finished in order to tune into watch Johnny. Thank you David.

[@wythetrumpet6419]

Ah yes, the good old days when late night TV was fun to watch! Thank you for posting!

[@kingdomofhope3371]

I remember this!!! I'm crying over the good ole days, I miss them..

[@Hettepop]

RIP Tommy Smothers!! The Tonight Show in Heaven just got better

[@tochlem54]

That is as good of an impersonation that I have ever seen. Extraordinary!

[@tadkingsbury9364]

Too Funny ! ! ! I haven't cracked up like this in years ......"National Policy", well that's the pro's for you. Man , I am glad I caught THIS !

[@carykillingbeck2874]

RIP, Tommy. You and your brother provided some much needed comic relief during the turbulent 1960's. And I'm sure Mrs. Smothers was the first one to greet you inside the Pearly Gates. 😞

[@tonybaloney8496]

Loved the Tonight Show, when I first started watching it came on at 11:30pm and was on for 90 minutes. I had to get up at 5:30am but stayed up to watch the entire program. Worth it!

[@mjcruiser4238]

Tony Baloney well you had at least stay up for the monologue

[@uneedtherapy42]

he nailed every mannerism this is fantastic

[@dennispearson9287]

INCREDIBLE !!!!......One of The Most Spot On Greatest Imitations of Johnny Carson , I Have Ever Seen !!!...My God He Looked EXACTLY LIKE HIM !!!!!.....

[@JudgeJulieLit]

The greatest impersonation, ever.

[@danturner4709]

Spot-on, you should see him with a yoyo. Super multi-talented, one of the best of our time.

[@stevebier710]

"How cold was it?" "....42 degrees." I damn near choked on my drink. There will never be another late-night show as good as this. Ever.

[@-danR]

_Give_ me that _pencil!_

[@carlgustav945]

@@-danR That was too funny!

[@gregbors8364]

HIYOOOOOOOO!

[@lilybond6485]

Never !

[@TimeSurfer206]

Ba doom tiss!

[@davemccarthy5824]

never saw this and I'm a big Smothers Brothers fan. Fantastic.

[@terryrussel523]

Classic and Classy. We the People CAN bring back the days of descent entertainment ya know. . . .

[@barbarawinsor8401]

Make comedy funny (and decent) again!

[@MkeKen67]

I love this clip so damn much.

[@mt2314]

Wow .. that was scary good. Physically he looks like him which helps but, all the mannerisms etc ..... spot on!