Vlasta Krsek the "Queen Of The Polka" Has Johnny Dying | Carson Tonight Show

[@thomastimlin1724]

This woman was the real deal and yet was a total scream to be around. You can't help but love her!

[@LouT1501]

She's the most genuine person I've seen on television. And thanks to her persistence and Johnny Carson, we all get to know her.

[@paulgekides6608]

One of the best “Nighttime talk show King” episodes ever.

[@ahsatan8997]

And this channel ❤

[@maxmason6053]

There will never be another Johnny Carson. R.I.P.

[@JanieCapri-q2r]

He died from emphysema he was a chainsmoker so sad

[@delavalmilker]

He could talk with and be totally comfortable with any guest. From Presidents to Polka Queens.

[@patriciaoreilly8907]

RIP Johnny 😊 you were absolutely great TV viewing & still 😊 laugh great humour 😊

[@patrickwalters8817]

Johnny Carson is a masterclass on how to host a talk show. He never upstaged the guests, he always allowed them to shine, and he knew exactly how and when to add to what they were doing. There will never be another late night host as talented and gracious as he was.

[@MartaMixa]

Amen!

[@chrisbrown7362]

Man! Doc and the band went above and beyond to make her feel welcome!!

[@janicescott6569]

Way above and beyond!

[@GabrielVelasco]

Easily one of the greatest big bands ever. I've seen lots of videos featuring The Tonight Show band just playing tunes and they are hot, hot, hot. Doc Severinsen is a fantastic trumpet player and his band could swing so hard.

[@lisasante254]

He played with the Buffalo Philharmonic when Johnny retired.

[@SuperScar03]

Why wouldn’t he? She’s a wonderful musician and performer. I’m sure everyone in the band enjoyed having her there! They probably enjoyed the chance to take a moment to play polka like that with a bone vide polka star, given the mores of American entertainment. (People who play band instruments get into that traditional stuff so Doc obviously wanted her to perform with the Tonight Show band) And you just want to hug her! Also back then people enjoyed polka music for a change every now and then, it was synonymous with being relaxed, eating, drinking, having fun. Whoopee John Wilfahrt whom Johnny mentioned, his band was a cut above, it’s no surprise that Doc knew who he was, he probably knew it well.

[@kiwimax4659]

Doc's band respected her and rose to the occasion to support her musically. ❤🎉

[@jeanesingsjazz]

what an infectious and effervescent personality. And a kickass accordionist too.

[@littleme3597]

That accordion is very heavy. Then her dancing some. That is exhausting. I see she had padding for her chest. My parents didn't think of that. It was painful and yes, I pinched myself. DD cup. Not my idea to play accordion, that was moms idea. Ugh.

[@beth12svist]

@@littleme3597 Not padding, nothing to do with the accordeon, those tassels are just a traditional part of the bodice in one specific spot in Moravia. Though I'm sure they helped. 😀

[@scarletryane8842]

@@beth12svist I think her chest had padding underneath top? I feel I can tell she's much thinner than that...?

[@beth12svist]

@@scarletryane8842 Personally I just see the very full tassels; though it's hard to decode details with the old footage. 😀 Gathered shirt, wool broadcloth bodice - the clothing itself would do a bit of padding.

[@chuckberlin4605]

​@@littleme3597Ouch. Ouch!

[@Violet-fj8yd]

Watching this feels like he never left.

[@edwardboe7290]

The only comment on KZbin that has brought tears to my eyes.

[@brianonley]

My gawd, I dont remember ever seeing the band stand up for anyone LOL. So awesome :)

[@detroitjack0325]

Johnny Carson was the most versatile host in the history of television. Anybody who had an unusual way of entertaining, could appear on his show. Carson is the reason the Tonight Show has been on the air for 70 years! I miss him.

[@mikelair9144]

Grace in action. Generous, humble

[@kathrynmolesa1641]

She is a triple threat: sing, dance and play the accordion. 😅

[@GaiaCarney]

@kathrynmolesa1641 - she’s also a born comedian 😆

[@AlmostThere-i1q]

While on the toilet!

[@lelandconner3337]

So can Weird Al. ....🫨

[@gemelindacjp7976]

Dancing with an accordion is no joke! Those things can be heavy.

[@babybloc]

That thing weighs 20 lbs at least 🪗 She’s just swinging it around like it’s nothing

[@joegun9237]

Another reason Johnny was the King of the late night talk shows.

[@thyslop1737]

Missed this episode. She was 100% correct. Playing for the President was nothing to being on Johnny's show. Being on Johnny's show was HUGE.

[@SuperiorHound]

I sang for Gerald Ford in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial celebration. I’d have been 100x more nervous singin’ for Johnny.

[@chuckberlin4605]

​@@SuperiorHoundCurious to know what songs you sang. An honor to sing for the President 🇺🇲!

[@skipperpetetravel]

I live in Nebraska. My aunt listened to polkas every single day. we actually had a wonderful polka band for her birthday a year ago. This is an absolute gem of a show. Thank you so much for sharing. I’ve posted to my friends. We are all from the Czech Republic and we love it. Thank you!

[@kimbrey65]

So did my father-in-law, on the weekends.

[@delavalmilker]

I appreciate Johnny mentioning his early days on WOW-TV in Omaha. Announcing their "Polka Parade" show. Lots of Czech, Polish, and German descendants here in Nebraska keep the polka tradition going.

[@blackawana]

I visited Wilbur! It was fantastic to learn about this culture!❤🎉

[@gtlfb]

Carson genuinely enjoyed having these quirky guests and always treated them with the greatest courtesy and respect. Notice how often he reaches over and puts his hand on hers.

[@robecon49]

Truly wonderful. Where have these wholesome, good days gone?

[@WalburgisLuppus]

Been replaced with degeneracy, I can't find any other way to put it. Remember Laurence Welk? 😊

[@kyliesbubbie]

​@@WalburgisLuppusLawrence Welk is still on every Sunday night on PBS

[@utahdan231]

@@WalburgisLuppusit was a joy to watch it.

[@WalburgisLuppus]

@@utahdan231 😊❤️‍🔥

[@ellyjett]

Pity, what a sad life you must have if you pine for “the good old days.” Days are still good, there’s still good people but so much more freedom. You must just be blind to them and stuck in the past. And it’s not if back then there wasn’t misery or strife. As in any decade you need to find the bright spots.

[@grandlotus1]

What a stellar performer! Vlasta turns first to the audience, then to the band and you can see in their eyes their affirmation of her talent and status. This is very, very old school. That is exactly why I love it.

[@bill8985]

Don't ever forget... she got on Johnny... and then was soon playing accordion on the parade float in the famous Ferris Bueller "Danke Schoen" sequence in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." She looked so happy. RIP, beautiful lady.

[@barbarasmith1085]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoPGp2ekpNB-a5Isi=xEUZqJKkJiUpgxke

[@MaryBethPetra]

It’s so cute to see Johnny blush.

[@Thecrazyisstrong]

This was so delightful to watch! I grinned the entire time.

[@catherineconnolly2722]

Me too!😄

[@cc1k435]

It was. I have trouble imagining this getting 15 minutes of airtime anywhere else these days, though. 😂

[@craiggleason8386]

Johnny was the best by far

[@dj33036]

He and Steve Allen

[@tylerfoss3346]

Polka music is happy music.

[@SuperiorHound]

Right up there with yodeling! Put them together, and I’m a goner.

[@LoisHarris-n8e]

She was fun. In 2024, I think the polka queen would be Molly B on RFD TV.

[@cc1k435]

It is. My grandma was a great dancer and could definitely polka, but she never taught me how. It's just as well, I'd have to dance alone. 😂

[@janicescott6569]

Yes and doc and the band were superb!🎺

[@kyliesbubbie]

The polka is a great part of Wisconsin culture.

[@lorrainewolk8939]

Johnny Carson was the best late night show ever

[@SueProv]

This was great... the reason that Johnny was so successful he had this type of guest.

[@johnperrigo6474]

And he treated them with respect but still got laughs.

[@virginiaspeciale8641]

I was thinking the same thing. Some of his best shows had regular people on like this amazing lady.

[@SueProv]

@@johnperrigo6474 yes he really did. He had a kindness for the average person and children.

[@annetterohla8932]

Then you should try watching Lawrence Welk ! He was a German speaking American whose parents emigrated from Odessa Russia .

[@boblozaintherealworld3577]

DAMN good accordion player! I was forced to learn as a kid, but damn. She rocks it.

[@thomastimlin1724]

Eat your heart out Crazy Al Yankovich

[@SuperiorHound]

I’ve wished all my life I could play the accordion. Myron Floren was one of my heroes, took my kids (aged 3 and 4) to see him in the 1990s. What a precious memory!!

[@boblozaintherealworld3577]

@@SuperiorHound It's a hard instrument to play well. Check out Weird Al.

[@chuckberlin4605]

​@@SuperiorHoundMyron Floren 🪗👏🏼

[@SuperiorHound]

@@boblozaintherealworld3577 I used to live in Wisconsin, land of polka. Weird Al is a hero!

[@rickyprado3304]

Just lovely - genuine - love when Johnny says 'I'm telling you this is show business.'

[@supe254]

A genuine lady full of life and happiness. 👍

[@nschlaak]

This wonderful woman is a ball of energy. The Energizer Bunny could get a jump start off of her.

[@vanmamawannabe6360]

She was dancing around the entire time carrying around what, 20 pounds of weight? She’s an athlete!

[@chuckberlin4605]

🐰🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋😅

[@judithrees6919]

When I was a kid, growing up in Johnstown PA, we listened to the Polka Party on the radio every Sunday during lunch. I miss those days.

[@iamrepete]

Seeing this makes me realize how much real talent we lost.

[@bobwatson1162]

😎 I can't ever remember seeing the full band like that for any other performances on the show

[@surryhouse]

I started watching Johnny in the 70's as a teenager with the volume just loud enough to hear, parents went to bed at 11 p.m. and mom had great hearing. I had a little black and white 12 inch tv in my room.

[@Lisa-pl6gv]

Me too. Great memories!

[@vivianpowell1732]

Same Tonight Show story as mine, except the years were in the 1960s.

[@LindaThompson-j6k]

Johnny was the best of the best and I'm 74 and still find his shows to watch

[@KristaCarrington]

He was the GOAT. Always light hearted and very funny

[@Neptuneman07]

This is what I call great TV. Can't go wrong with a killer Polka legend on the best talk show.

[@Mulderfactoring]

She's adorable in so many ways! 😊

[@ceciliajcasarez1166]

OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG SHE IS GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!! Johnny is great with her taking a bath with her husband Johnny and writes a song about Johnny Carson I LOVE IT!!! lolololol

[@1105pitbull]

Can't believe they gave her such a long piece of the show. what a character.

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

When she started playing with Doc and the band, I had the urge to open a beer.

[@kinjo5416]

lmao, so true!

[@charliecovert576]

She's a hoot!!!

[@MeMeDaVinci]

Nothing more fun than a good polka song!

[@tootired76]

What a delightful woman!! 😊😊😊 They don't make them like this no more.... 😑😑😑

[@nicholasosb8015]

She was adorable. So genuine and happy!

[@paulgekides6608]

Suggestion for anyone feeling down : WATCH THIS EPISODE OF JC!

[@jb6712]

🙄🙄

[@gracefulvintage]

You can tell this lady spread joy wherever she went!

[@kyliesbubbie]

Ive got tears in my eyes! She's playing and singing the state song of my Wisconsin..Roll out the Barrel 0!

[@melscore2865]

I absolutely love her! He joy and enthusiasm is contagious! Thanks to the great Johnny Carson for having her on his show. May he rest in peace.

[@debbiebrooks3473]

Oh, my, I miss the Johnny Carson Show! There has never been another like it! 😂😂🥰

[@TheCaliReadingTeacher]

I adore this woman. ❤❤❤

[@raagtop363]

It's allowing guests like her that helped make Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show so wonderful to watch. Back in the day, I didn't miss very many Tonight Shows.

[@jimtownsend7899]

Remember when there used to be a late-night show on TV to watch and enjoy? I sure miss having that.

[@shirleypena4133]

To forgive is human, but to Polka is DIVINE. ROCK OUT, VLASTA!!!😁😁👍👍

[@RVH-io3dr]

The only good thing about the internet is that you can watch old time late night tv!

[@shadowwolf9503]

Roger that !

[@Derfboy]

Right?! 👍

[@MrBiscotti2011]

There’s a few other advantages, for example, my wife can talk to her sister in Spain all she wants for free.

[@DaveBogovich]

Couldn't have said it better!!!!

[@xneapolisx]

Right on!

[@peggyconti1225]

Loved when the entire band stood to play❤

[@bethedmonds9635]

She is so delightful🤣

[@abunchahooey]

😂😂 Thank you so much for posting this! She is precious, Johnny was on point as always with his zingers, and I truly miss him and the Tonight Show. I miss the days of wholesome entertainment, with performers who had actual talent.

[@janvan113]

Jonny's shows were the best. He sometimes had random, regular people on, not just famous people. The animal guest shows were top notch. He always kept things interesting, and he never lost his sense of humor. We could never tell how things were going to go but we always knew Jonny would just be Jonny and find the laughable moments. It was fun (still is) to watch Jonny just crack up. He was real, and genuine. He'll always be missed.

[@trishalivingston1051]

This is great... and Carson is wonderful. He's a class act, and so is she... what fun, and what energy she has!

[@jb6712]

WAS great...he died in Jan. 2005. She died in 2020.

[@Matt2chee]

What a humble women.

[@jimm9577]

She is definitely A Class Act! You can see .how genuinely honored she is to be there.

[@gxl5892]

Love KZbin, brings all the wonderful feelings right back from when I first watched Johnny as a kid with Dad when I got to stay up late.

[@susanramsey5096]

What a great memory Johhny Carson made for her! A lifetime achievement ❤😊🎉

[@BlueSky-eb7ru]

She died in 2020 ... RIP. ( 1937- 2020)

[@TMcConnaughhay]

😪

[@missparsley3202]

Never knew about this joyful funny talent. May the Good Lord keep her soul in Heaven above.🙏🙏🙏

[@marthasimons7940]

She brought so much joy. What a beautiful soul.

[@shiliela_rhymes_with_delilah]

I think she was in Ferris Bueller's Day Off too. She was playing on the float with Matthew Broderick.

[@jaysmith1408]

Immediately pictured her. Makes sense being set in Chicago.

[@sgabig]

Here's the clip of Vlasta playing the accordion 🪗 in Ferris Bueller kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoPGp2ekpNB-a5I

[@some1funny28]

What a pleasure to watch her. She wanted a sip of something and drank his coffee! She was overwhelmed to sit beside him! I wish I didn't have to go to bed in the 60's & 70's I may have seen this if awake! Miss Johnny Carson he was an original!

[@bbailey7818]

Tubi has complete shows. I had to turn in early in those days too!

[@Kat-gx3se]

This is precious. My grandmother played piano and accordion in my grandfather's big band.....she had this enormous, to me, accordion with her name on it....ALMA. She would play Beer Barrel Polka and she and I would sing. I was just a little one...6 or 7 years old. When I got older they wanted me to play accordion. No dice.....those suckers weigh a ton.......the way this lady is dancing around with that thing strapped on is amazing.

[@stefaniekuzminski9575]

What a sweet lovely woman!! ❤❤❤

[@johnlarocco3348]

Yes we need more Polka and family entertainment in America 🇺🇸 where we live free or Die.

[@MomIrregardless]

from when television was real entertainment!! clean, fun, kind!!! thank you !!

[@royskuderin2386]

Watching her reminds me of watching a show called "Polka Varieties" on WEWS Channel 5 on Sundays at 1:00 P.M. (after Church, of course) in Cleveland, Ohio. Our family name in The Old Country was Jedlicka, and being Polish, this feels heart-warming.

[@davidpetrie3793]

I remember Polka Varieties, too! Thanks for recalling that memory for me!

[@royskuderin2386]

@@davidpetrie3793 You're welcome. Are you a Clevelander? I grew up on The West Side (the Best Side!), Broadview and Oak Park.

[@curlyfries5095]

Carson was hands down the best host ever!

[@heidibee501]

I used to hang out at the German Club in Toronto. We used to do the polka with such enthusiasm the floor would be shaking. At one point visitors from Germany saw us dancing. What? You don't play music by the Beatles, they asked. No. We answered. THIS LOVELY LADY reminded me of that fun time. She is great with the accordian and Johnny had a full on Oohmpa-pa band. Love it.

[@WalburgisLuppus]

When I was a kid in the 80's we used to go with our church once a year to the Natur Freunde in the hills of California and the adults would dance the night away! Us kids just revelled in their joy and tried our best to keep up! Some of my happiest memories were made with those lovely German immigrants. This Lady is a real Schatz! ❤

[@lynnemoulton8173]

She is pure joy. We need more people like her. We definitely need another Johnny Carson. He knew how to make each guest shine brightly.

[@judyhalsell9510]

Oh look no cussing no weird people no barely dressed women no filth. I miss those days.

[@betsybauer7340]

Yes she wasn’t weird at all

[@marykeen4462]

Betsy, think about what you are saying, have you gone to the grocery store this week. All of the men actually were wearing ties and dressed liked they cared to be seen on television.

[@cc1k435]

There was plenty of all that to be found on tv at the time, including on this very program. 😂

[@cc1k435]

​@@betsybauer7340😂

[@casyatbat]

Why can't you just enjoy a woman having the time of her life without your silly commentary? Those are the days I miss.

[@sharonbowers9929]

She is precious! ❤

[@LJones-n8c]

This was great. I'm Czech also. My family came from old Bohemia. I love the polkas and getting together with other Czech people. We enjoy the fellowships and the traditional foods. ❤😊

[@eugeneharry481]

Johnny was the best. No one since has come close.

[@darealGOAT-xj1eo]

I saw this episode in a small camper trailer in Cass county Texas. Loved her and Carson I sure miss him.

[@kristenhurst683]

My neighbor would come home from work at 3 am with Polka music blaring from his Bronco.

[@musical98765]

Doc got a very funny quip in there with "and his band will play" at 6:43. Took Johnny a second to catch on but he got it, haha.

[@xneapolisx]

😂😂

[@tammyalbertsen9522]

Couldn't imagine Johnny had a bigger fan than I, but International Polka Lady might have me beat. Miss Johnny forever.

[@spotsonadog]

So funny how we all love these old shows :) ...

[@speedyboris]

LOL @ 13:30 - "We'll dance at a time to be announced in your local paper". A polite, funny way of saying "Never".

[@rcdoodles6214]

Priceless.

[@alanjbuddendeck186]

Such an adorable and lovely guest! Her joy and authenticity are delightful!

[@rubberbiscuit99]

She embodies joy and inspires me with her true-to-herself weirdness.

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

What a wonderful lady! So full of life and spirit!! Love her. Thank you, Johnny, for allowing genuine folks to be a part of your wonderful show.

[@kepckatherinec805]

Reminds me of some episodes from the I Love Lucy show-wacky, wonderful, joyful stuff.

[@delavalmilker]

Her enthusiasm is infectious. You can't help but be happy after watching this!

[@rogerbrinker7417]

Second time seeing this lady and she is an absolute delight!

[@nhmooytis7058]

I’m from Cleveland so polka is in my blood 😊!

[@michaellicavoli3921]

Polka, my first cultural experience as a lad….at 82 I STILL 😍!

[@dekelanson5280]

Love it. What an entertaining lady. RIP Vlasta

[@RobertDeMartin]

Johnny, I don't know what cloud you're floating around on these days but I want to tell you, "Thank you very, very much for making my day! She was great and everybody loved her including all the members of the band!"

[@terryt.1643]

Still great TV after all these years. I laughed until I cried. I hope she’s still playing and dancing…

[@jb6712]

She died in 2020.

[@howlinhobbit]

god bless Doc and the orchestra. and, of course, Johnny himself.

[@vanmamawannabe6360]

They really gave her a memory didn’t they!

[@AizenSama5]

Wow, what a beautiful, energetic, and kind lady. Johnny Carson shines as always and the sadness of his loss hits me again. I was just a little upset by the unpleasant behavior of the audience, who did not show mutual respect for this precious lady.

[@danielbrosky]

Wonderful fun!! My mom used to play the accordion and my dad played trumpet. This took be back to my childhood. Thank you!

[@ShirleyPoteet-u6d]

Nobody will be as good as Johnny Carson! ❤

[@motoxdudeNV-UT]

What type of Human could down-vote this beauty and fun!

[@AAA-o4g]

When these videos start with the ending of the songs played by the band it brings back memories of watching Johnny

[@mariacompton1416]

There will never never be a TV host as good and talented and funny as Johnny Carson.

[@homespace1268]

Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, and Letterman were the last great talk show hosts... because they were only concerned about entertaining the audience...not politics.

[@irenedifillippo5429]

True..😢

[@chanchan5349]

Johnny was also so respectful & kind to people. I always admired that quality.

[@jb6712]

🙄🙄

[@SandyVos2012]

What a trip down memory lane! A much happier time in this country.

[@armlovesmetal1036]

What a ball of energy and an adorable personality. Carson was the best late night host. She made this heavy metal chick clapping with her.