Missing the Days When Late Night TV Host Comedians Were Funny

Johnny Carson and Friend *Pinterest.co.kr

There are a ton of political shows on TV: regular and cable. Maybe too many. But, you could always depend on the late-night and sometimes late afternoon hosts who would provide a much-needed escape from the tensions of the world. 

Yes, they would have a little bit of political satire humor, but it wasn’t their bread and butter. The most entertaining segments when they would feature the interactions of animals with the host.

Many times, especially on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, he would interview regular people who were just as funny as some of the entertainers who came on.

Some entertainers were very difficult to interview because they were so used to reading from a script, they would freeze when questioned about their personal life.

One of the best guests Johnny Carson had on was Jimmy Stewart. I would suggest that people look at YouTube of shows such as: Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Jay Leno, and some of the comedians who guest-hosted when Johnny Carson wasn’t there.

Here’s a big difference: people were able to laugh at themselves. If you want to see what real love and respect is, you need to look at the Dean Martin Roast. A celebrity or well-known individual would be roasted by a host of comedians or acquaintances. It didn’t matter if you were a male or a female.

Good natured insults would be flying left and right. It would be an insult if you weren’t insulted or laughing.

Dean Martin’s
Celebrity Roast *AP

After the roast, everyone would embrace each other in good fun.

Some of the comments that were made back then, would probably be viewed as an insult today. The difference is that back then, people had a genuine affection for each other.

I don’t want to put all talk show comedians down today, because there are a few that have made me laugh when they stray away from the hostile political attacks. 

To me, Jimmy Fallon and his crew are hysterical when they did a takeoff on Downton Abbey which they called “Downton Sixbey”. Another skit I love watching is when Fallon, his staff and the musicians dressed in drag and pretended to be their wives. You talk about funny – it’s above and beyond. I suggest the skit when the staff dressed as the wives go to a city where the super bowl was being played not knowing that team was not in the super bowl. I have tears rolling down my eyes with laughter.

James Corden who is an Australian actor likes to sing with celebrities while they are driving in a car which is a pleasant segment. I love the one when he is in the car with Paul McCartney and they drive to his childhood home and surprise the current occupant. After that, they go to a local bar and surprise those patrons with a concert. 

Thanks for the happy memories! C.M.