The Carson Podcast

Abbe Jaye discusses her memorable Carson appearance, how she convinced the show to book her, & appearing with guest host Joey Bishop.

Bruce Vilanch discusses writing for Bette Midler on Carson’s penultimate show, writing for The Oscars, Billy Crystal, Madeline Kahn, Paul Lynde, Midnight Special, Nell Carter, &…

Myra Richman discusses working at The Tonight Show in NY, Ella Fitzgerald, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Joan Rivers, Dick Cavett, Tommy Newsom, & the unusual gift Carson gave…

Tiny Tim biographer Justin Martell discusses Tiny Tim’s Carson appearances including 40 million viewers tuning into his wedding to Miss Vicki. The new documentary Tiny Tim: King For A Day…

John Byner discusses his Carson appearances, Orson Welles wanting him to be a guest, Fred de Cordova, The Carol Burnett Show, Jackie Mason’s Ed Sullivan…

Ruta Lee discusses going on Carson, doing films with The Rat Pack and Fred Astaire, her friend Phyllis Diller, The Twilight Zone & Rod Serling,…

Ken Kragen discusses his role in “The Late Shift” as well as managing frequent Carson guests including Kenny Rogers, Burt Reynolds, Harry Chapin, & The…

Jim Mulholland discusses writing for Carson in NY & Burbank, writing Carson’s material whenever he hosted the Oscars, writing on The Dean Martin Show, &…

Jimmy Buffett discusses Carson’s show being a huge break, being a guest on Carson’s final month in May 1992, & his fun with John Candy on…

Joel Tator discusses producing & directing Tom’s Snyder’s “Tomorrow”, Carson’s involvement with the show, George Carlin, Orson Welles, & John Lennon.

Jon Macks discusses at 15 yrs old sending jokes to Carson, Ed McMahon’s generosity, & his 22 yrs as monologue writer on Leno’s Tonight Show.

Lesley Ann Warren discusses Johnny Carson, working with Mel Brooks on Life Stinks, Milton Berle, David Brenner, Mission Impossible, being on The Muppet Show, & Fred MacMurray.

Former Carson staffer Debbie Feder discusses working on The Tonight Show, assisting guest hosts such as Diana Ross and David Letterman, & a staff memo from Fred…

Melba Moore discusses going on The Tonight Show, Ed McMahon knowing her father, The Carol Burnett Show, David Frost, Night of 100 Stars, & Jerry Lewis.

Rita Rudner discusses her numerous Carson appearances, Letterman, & Sam Kinison.

Carl Reiner returns for a 3rd appearance sharing stories about Johnny Carson, Ernie Kovacs, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Shelley Winters, & takes listener questions.

Wil Shriner discusses his Carson appearances, Fred de Cordova, being on Letterman’s morning show 26 times, Joan Rivers, John Denver, & Debbie Reynolds.

Nick Bernstein, CBS VP of late night west, returns to the podcast. Director Brian Gersten discusses Carson’s involvement in his documentary “The Great Toilet Paper…

Gina Hemphill-Strachan discusses working on The Tonight Show, meeting guests including Letterman and Bette Midler, & being the granddaughter of Olympic legend Jesse Owens.

Nick Bernstein discusses his 11 years at NBC working for Rick Ludwin, Rick’s relationship with Carson, and Rick’s involvement with Leno, Conan, & SNL.

Bill Carter in his 3rd episode discusses Carson’s advice to Lorne Michaels & Dick Ebersol, Carson phoning Conan, & NBC agonizing over picking Leno or…

Host Bill Boggs discusses interviews with frequent Carson guests. Jane Rothchild talks working on Carson in NY. Bill Boggs’ latest book is now available for…

Rob Burnett discusses Johnny’s 1994 cameo on Letterman, dining with Carson, & his years at Letterman.

Comedy historian, Kliph Nesteroff, discusses Johnny in NY, Jerry Vale being upset with Carson, The Jerry Lewis Show, Flip Wilson, & Don Adams.

Bill Carter (author of “The Late Shift”) discusses interviewing Johnny for his book, Carson hosting the Oscars, & why Carson going from 90 to 60…

Bill Carter (author of “The Late Shift) discusses the current late night hosts, Carson’s 1991 surprise retirement announcement, & Johnny’s 1993 final monologue.

Michael Bayouth discusses being an NBC graphic designer for Carson, Midnight Special, & David Copperfield.

Singer Donna Theodore discusses her 50 plus Carson appearances & opening up for Johnny in Las Vegas.

Bruce Merrin discusses working with Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Michael Landon, & Jackie Robinson.

Michael Brandman discusses being a Carson talent coordinator in NY, Groucho Marx, & George Carlin.

Bob Anderson discusses his Johnny appearances, Merv Griffin, Frank Sinatra, & Sammy Davis Jr.

Tom Noddy discusses his Johnny appearances, talking to Carson backstage and after Tom’s rehearsal, appearing on Letterman, That’s Incredible, Charles Kuralt, & his run-in with…

Howard Smith discusses his friendship with Johnny, playing tennis together, the two times Johnny got emotional, & having dinner with Carson just two week before…

Dan Menendez discusses his Johnny appearances, Phyllis Diller, Seinfeld, & Jerry Lewis.

Bob McGrath discusses Carson, Mitch Miller, Victor Borge, Jim Henson, Fred Rogers, and his four decades on Sesame Street.

Marilyn Roberts discusses working on The Tonight Show in NY, Jerry Lewis, & Groucho Marx.

Kevin Quinn returns for a 3rd & final time to discuss working on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Loni Anderson discusses her Johnny appearances, being friends with Carson, WKRP in Cincinnati, & former husband Burt Reynolds.

Mariette Hartley discusses her 22 Carson appearances, Rod Serling, Alfred Hitchcock, her famous Polaroid commercials with James Garner, Gene Roddenberry, & her 1964 Twilight Zone…

Kevin Quinn returns to discuss Rodney Dangerfield’s pre-Tonight Show ritual, Johnny’s backstage playfulness, Randall “Tex” Cobb, and an awkward segment involving Gallagher & Chevy Chase.

Don Sweeney returns to discuss behind the scenes footage he filmed during Carson’s final two shows, Johnny’s reaction after seeing the footage, & the Wayne…

Corinne Madden discusses working as Ed McMahon’s assistant, working previously on The Tonight Show in NY, touring as Ed’s road manager, and her special friendship…

Helen Sanders, longtime assistant to Johnny Carson, discusses working for him at The Tonight Show, Johnny’s daily routine leading up to 5:30pm, his love for…

Argus Hamilton discusses his 14 Carson appearances, Nancy Reagan’s request to Fred de Cordova, Freddie Prinze, Helen Kushnick, Paul Mooney, Wayne Newton, & Mitzi Shore.

Milt Larsen co-founder of The Magic Castle discusses Johnny being a longtime member, Johnny’s magic abilities, & Cary Grant.

Kevin Quinn discusses being stage manager on The Tonight Show, Johnny booking him as a guest, Tom Snyder, & his father Carson director Bobby Quinn.

Juggling duo the Raspyni Brothers, Dan Holzman & Barry Friedman, discuss their Johnny appearances, Carson participating, the show changing their lives, & opening for Robin…

Ronnie Schell discusses going on with Carson, his friendships with Pat McCormick and Jim Nabors, Don Adams doing standup in SF, Bob Newhart, & being…

Doc Severinsen discusses his friendship with Johnny, Tiny Tim’s 1969 wedding to Miss Vicki, Snooky Young, an incident involving NBC security, Judy Garland, & Tommy…

B.J. Thomas discusses his Carson appearances, Burt Bacharach, recording “Raindrops” & singing it at the 1970 Academy Awards, Elvis Presley, & a memorable Ed Sullivan…