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January 23, 2005
Johnny
When I was a kid, there were only two nights a year I was guaranteed to be allowed to stay up really late: New Year's Eve and the baseball All-Star Game. But once in a while, if I was particularly good (trust me; it wasn't often) or something else was going on, I'd find myself awake after 11:30.
One such occasion - I must have been 10 or 11 - I was up late Saturday, turned on the TV...and was heartbroken that some stupid show called "Saturday Night Live" (again, trust me; it was stupid in 1984) was on instead of Johnny.
I'm too young to have seen Johnny's glory days. But I remember the visits from Joan Embry, vaguely remember Carnac, and I know what do do if you're ever driving on the Slauson Cutoff.
We'll miss ya, Johnny.
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Comments
Carson was great, simply THE best ever at this late night talk show stuff. People around America stayed up late to watch him and see what he had to say. Not just the demographics that Leno and Letterman get today -- just about anyone of any age watched him in his day. He kept his pulse on the national leanings on politics. People talked the next day and days later about what he had to say, far more than anyone talks about what is said on late night shows these days. He was funny. He had great facial reactions and flawless timing. He was respectful. He was risque and edgy for his time. Most of all he was classy and he was entertaining.
In a way, I have been glad that after he retired he did not come back in some cheesy take-off or new show, and even declined to appear on shows like NBC's anniversary show. He did his show, then retired, and then led a private life. In many ways, that was classy too.
So here is a pull of the cuff, a straightening of the tie (if I was wearing one), and a tug at the jacket in your fidgety honor, Mr. Carson. You will be missed.
Posted by: Vin | January 24, 2005 10:19 AM
