"The Tonight Show" Monologue (Dec. 15, 1963) Video

One of the longest running entertainment programs requires no introduction. However, this footage may.

Presented is Johnny Carson's monologue from "The Tonight Show", presumably circa December 15, 1963.

Program guests were Anne Jackson, Henry Morgan, The New Group, Ed McMahon, Skitch Henderson, and his orchestra.

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leftyspade: Vintage and incredible! Find another Johnny Carson and you'll own the world!

wmbrown6: I see he did the golf swing at the start of his monologue, as opposed to the end.

Strings1977: Thanks for posting!

strussman40: Good stuff!

proken58: I ready where Johnny said this was the tougest time for him to do the show, the months following the Kennedy assassination. He wouldn't touch politics or current afairs during his monologue because the nation was still in mourning. So there wasn't much to joke about, but he was still expected to be funny.

sfchris: This is awesome, thanks for uploading this!!!!. He seems to be less funny and far less sure of himself than he was in later years - probably because he was brand new. Hard to imagine Johnny young, new, and unsure of himself, but here it is! Reminds me of Conan O' Briens first year...great to see!

mccadnil: This is the day I was born... Wow. He was awesome back then too!!!!! Thanks Johnny

leroyinc: Notice how the format of the monologue here is far less refined than it is now. Whereas the late-night TV monologue is now a recap of the day's news, it was initially more of a warm-up for the night's program.

fromthesidelines: Johnny originally appeared at 11:15pm(et), for an hour and 45 minutes. However, some affiliates began to schedule half-hour local newscasts at 11, and this meant Johnny had to "start" the show again for those affiliates who carried it at 11:30. By February 1965, he decided he was only going to appear at 11:30, leaving the first 15 minutes to Ed and Skitch Henderson. However, he was not pleased with Ed taking that time away from him, insisting NBC start the show at 11:30 after January 1967.

paulv527: Thanks for the post. One thing about the date. Dec 15 was a Sunday (I was born on Dec 14, 1963 which I know was a Saturday) and Tonight was a Monday to Friday show. I love what must have been an early "How _____ was it?", a staple of the Carson monologue for the rest of his Tonight Show tenure. Thanks again.

Author: Wheelbrain; Uploaded: Jul 10, 2009; Duration: 4:27; Views: 2808

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