Iowa Native Johnny Carson’s Last Tonight Show May 22, 1992
Who knew the little boy that grew up in Corning, Iowa would become such a huge star? In fact, he was widely regarded as the "king of late night television".
Johnny Carson ended his 30-year career as host of The Tonight Show on May 22, 1992. Sitting next to him on the couch was his trusty "straight man", Ed McMahon. I'll always remember McMahon laughing at Johnny's jokes and giving him a hearty "Yes Sir". Along with, Doc Severinsen & the Tonight Show Band blasting out what may be the most catchy and memorable TV show theme song of all time. If you were a rising comedian or tv/movie star you wanted to be on the Tonight Show. Carson was known for launching the careers of many comedians, including David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon. Leno would eventually be named his successor and now Jimmy Fallon is the current host.
Carson had all the stars of the day on this show. If you were on the "Tonight Show", that would have meant "you made it". Carson was funny himself, with fantastic nightly monologues and hysterical characters such as "Carnac the Magnificent", a turbaned psychic, could answer questions before hearing them and "Floyd R. Turbo, American" (with no pause between words). Floyd was a stereotypical common working man, wearing a plaid hunting coat and cap. Sadly, Carson passed away of respiratory failure on January 23, 2005. Carson certainly had a knack for making people laugh and will always be missed.