The main focus of the program though is positive. With the stellar reputation American Masters enjoys, they were able to interview nearly 50 people for the show. There are a great number of funny anecdotes, and vintage footage of first appearances from Seinfeld, Drew Carey, and others.
What I found especially illuminating is how Johnny Carson spent the years after his retirement. He was never in the news, and turned down all requests for appearances. Rather, he seemed to enjoy his retirement thoroughly, and spent a great deal of time reading in the yard of his Malibu home.
This American Masters biography of Johnny Carson is the best, and most informative one I have seen, and there have been a number of them over the years. This one is well worth tuning into, and does an outstanding job of presenting all sides of the television legend.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
I caught a glimpse of this when they previewed it at the Winter TCA Upfronts. Glad to hear it's as good as advertised.
P.S. Who likes Jay?
2 - Jet Gardner
Every once in a while Johnny would have to do commercial intros before his first guest came out.
One night he looked over to the little side table and started snickering. Ed grinned and asked "What?"
Johnny stared laughing and said, "No; I don't dare."
Ed replied, "Why?"
"Well for one thing, they're sponsors."
Ed cracked up and said, "We've never had trouble getting other sponsers; have we?"
Johnny shrugged and held up a very large "Stic-up" air freshner intended to be placed on the underside of an outdoor trash container lid, then he struggled to keep from laughing, looked right into the camera and said off the top of his head,
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Shell products has finally come up with the perfect American product... It goes straight from the store and into your garbage can!"
3 - Greg Barbrick
Yeah Bicho - your comment about Jay is true, no doubt. I never watch him, no matter who's on.
As for your anecdote Jet, that is the perfect example of Johnny's greatness. He was the best!
4 - ghostwriter
Carson was a wife-beating d-bag