The Johnny Carson Show

7.8
195530m

While working as a staff writer on The Red Skelton Show, local Los Angeles television comedian Carson filled in as host when Skelton was injured during a show rehearsal. As a result of Carson’s performance, CBS created the primetime variety program: The Johnny Carson Show, a traditional potpourri of comedy, music, dance, skits and monologues. The short-lived 1955-56 series served as a precursor of what would come later for Carson, planting the seeds for sketches he would perform on the later The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson such as "Mighty Carson Art Players".

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: JAMES ARNESS FROM GUNSMOKE. The Johnny Carson Show from 1955.

JAMES ARNESS FROM GUNSMOKE. The Johnny Carson Show from 1955.

Seasons

9 Episodes • Premiered 1955

Still image for The Johnny Carson Show season 1 episode 1: Catch Up With the News

1. Catch Up With the News

In the series premiere, Johnny imitates Edward R. Murrow in a spoof of Murrow's Person to Person program featuring Johnny's first wife Jody and their three children. In Catch Up With the News, Johnny plays a roving reporter.

Still image for The Johnny Carson Show season 1 episode 4: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

4. Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Johnny imitates Walter Cronkite, takes a look at the pitfalls of marriage, and parodies Goldilocks And The Three Bears and You Are There.

Still image for The Johnny Carson Show season 1 episode 9: Life in the 80's

9. Life in the 80's

Sketches include a spoof of the Russian ballet, Catch Up With The News and a 1950s-style look at the future, as Johnny imagines what life will be like in 1980.

Still image for The Johnny Carson Show season 1 episode 10: Dillinger, The Mental Wizard

10. Dillinger, The Mental Wizard

Johnny plays Dillinger, The Mental Wizard, in a parody of Joseph Dunniger, the famous mind reader (This sketch is the early inspiration for Carson's most famous character from his Tonight Show years, Carnac The Magnificent). Another sketch finds Johnny playing tourist in Paris; we also get an idea of what might happen to your television reception near an airport.

Still image for The Johnny Carson Show season 1 episode 11: James Arness

11. James Arness

James Arness visits the show to promote his new series, Gunsmoke, Jack Albertson appears in a grocery store sketch and Johnny plays Colonel John J. Carson in a military sketch.

Still image for The Johnny Carson Show season 1 episode 16: Jack Albertson

16. Jack Albertson

Johnny takes care of unfinished business; Jack Albertson appears in sketches about Johnny's fan club and bachelor life. Then Johnny plays violinist Yasha Carson.

Still image for The Johnny Carson Show season 1 episode 19: Dimitri Tiomkin

19. Dimitri Tiomkin

Legendary movie composer Dimitri Tiomkin appears in the Johnny's Record Collection sketch. Then Johnny salutes old time Vaudeville, and stars in an epic Greek-Trojan war sketch.

Still image for The Johnny Carson Show season 1 episode 20: Ed Sullivan Impersonation

20. Ed Sullivan Impersonation

Still image for The Johnny Carson Show season 1 episode 25: Stay-at-Home Husband

25. Stay-at-Home Husband

Johnny plays a stay-at-home husband whose wife has a very unusual job. Other sketches include the Giveaway Pet Parade, a precursor to the numerous segments Johnny would do with animals later in his career, and a look at what the detective show Dragnet might have been like during the time of Alexander the Great.

Cast

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