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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson...July 28,1978

[@user-uj4vy8vd7s]

The good old days ! Johnny, Ed, And Doc. The best of all time. Subscribed right away.

[@nazmoking3171]

Carson was at his best in completely impromptu situations like this - witty as anyone on the planet! Haha "My cord isn't long enough amongst other things"! Everything with Johnny was an innuendo - loved it!

[@sonnyburnett8725]

People used to complain how they just had to stay up late and watch Johnny cause he was so entertaining and fun.

[@porico51]

Was fortunate to attend a show when they did Stump the Band. All these singers were auditioned while we stood in line for four hours and they sat them all in that section

[@1223baddad]

That's always seemed obvious. Thanks for verifying. I would have loved to have gone to a Tonight Show taping.

[@AlcibiadesMD]

Best show host on the planet, Carson's talent was unlimited and very unique, love Johnny.

[@gamernorcal]

Such a simpler time....now so far way .... thanks for posting - good memories!

[@liz326522]

“Shades of Who Do You Trust.” I miss Johnny Carson.

[@pronemanoldbutyoung5548]

I hope Mr Carson has a late night show in heaven

[@DD-fm7xb]

Remember when late night used to make ya smile and laugh ??

[@LogoMan7777]

Now it incites riots against conservatives.

[@BLD426]

Back when somebody would want to go to Los Angeles.

[@horaceball5418]

Doc Severinson.....greatness!

[@ontarioguy2738]

Hard to believe hes 91 now!

[@sooz9433]

I absolutely loved STB. It was really fun to watch Johnny interact with members of the audience 😄

[@MaryDavidson911]

I loved these skits with the audience

[@Joeblow-ms3cv]

Indubidubly 🙂

[@ApartmentKing66]

"Stump the Band" started as an off-hand joke back during the Steve Allen days, but writers Stan Burns and Herb Sargent saw potential in the bit, which is how it survived past Allen's tenure. Whenever a guest didn't show, or canceled, and it was too short of notice to book someone else (or for some other reason), they had to do something to fill time. In those days, "Tonight" was 105 minutes long 5 nights a week. But there were also fringe benefits to the bit: usually, most of the studio audience was content to simply sit and watch the show in production from an audience seat. But there are those who get a big thrill from actually *being on TV*, even for only a few minutes, especially on a show as big as "Tonight" with Johnny Carson. Certain members of the studio audience were picked to "Stump the Band," and for those few minutes, were not only seen on national TV, something to tell their friends and family (and record for posterity when the technology became available), but they also got to win a prize of some sort, usually dinner for 2 or 4 at some Southern California eatery, or a trip in the Goodyear Blimp, among other things. I'm surprised that Johnny didn't do the bit more often than he did, being the promotional boon the bit was to the show. But then, as time went on, the show was shaved down to 60 minutes.

[@MarkSmith-hf5nh]

I loved it when Ed and Doc and the band would make up silly songs during 'Stump the Band' and howl over pretty girls. So much fun.

[@tonyreynolds5112]

This was such a great segment when I was stoned outta my gourd! I feel bad for the people who never got to watch the show live. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@keeploving5850]

9:30 Oh the underwear song by Doc. I'd love a full song of this fantastic melody.

[@Cola64]

My mom use to sing that Island Song 🤙🏻

[@bigjohn3928]

I remember when Microphones had wires attached....wow!

[@Joeblow-ms3cv]

Super fun 🙂

[@Frankf9382]

Back when men could be men

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Just for yucks, imagine David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon or Conan trying this. Yeah, they would be complete eejits. No one could entertain like Johnny. He respected people, he was funny without being deprecating, people loved him.

[@samking6335]

Letterman, in fact, often did Stump the Band - as a tribute to Carson.

[@ThatgirlnamedJodie]

At 2:41, that guy is from north east England (Newcastle Upon Tyne region - yes, it’s where Newcastle Brown Ale is from). Everyone here knows ‘The Blaydon Races’ song. It’s funny hearing Johnny struggle with the Geordie accent 😂

[@MargittheDiamondPainter]

The show starts at 4:10 and 9:33

[@markfx12]

People used to be so nice. Nowadays, this would be "Shock the Band"

[@BLD426]

Yes I did realize late night sucks now.

[@gamernorcal]

Donna was right - Cubs got swept by the Dodgers in LA from July 24 - 26 1978!

[@edkienzler406]

Donna Bruner from Springfield Illinois...I was born there!!!

[@Wa3ypx]

Ya ever meet Donna??

[@gamernorcal]

@@Wa3ypx was thinking the same thing - wonder if she knows this even exists!

[@Joeblow-ms3cv]

The radiologist is a DISH 🙂

[@johncasciello4123]

They should show the AUDIENCE once or twice when CARSON comes out the curtain at the begginning but could not understand why they didnt?

[@TECH097]

4:51 Used to watch this clip on Reelz over and over just, perfect comedy on all ends really XD. (For extra humor play it in slowspeed)

[@russphilly]

that was you on the show LesA !!!...I knew iT!

[@utheboss]

Ypu

[@kwdrm1]

Don Ashworth could be hilarious if given a chance.

[@JiM-SWEET-art]

That guys dressed like Bill Jack.

[@Rottiezucco1]

Being from the Quad Cites, I remember the Open 👍

[@aaa7189]

Test tube babies - fumy !