Johnny Carson, a true legend, dead at 79!
 

So sad and totally shocking, this has been reported and verified by NBC News as 'breaking news'. Apparently of complications from emphysema. R.I.P. He was a true and beloved legend!!
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So far it's just a "breaking news" headline; no story to go with it yet.

Very sad indeed. It's almost a shame he chose to stay out of the limelight these last few years (except of course for sending the Letterman show the occasional joke for Dave's monologue). He was a tremendous presence in the entertainment industry, and he will definitely be missed.

A true pioneer. Who would have thought that someone sitting behind a desk could be so entertaining. RIP.

Boy...they work quick.

LOS ANGELES - Johnny Carson (news), the "Tonight Show" TV host who served America a smooth nightcap of celebrity banter, droll comedy and heartland charm for 30 years, has died. He was 79.

"Mr. Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning," his nephew, Jeff Sotzing, told The Associated Press. "He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable. There will be no memorial service."

Sotzing would not give further details, including the time of death or the location.

The boyish-looking Nebraska native with the disarming grin, who survived every attempt to topple him from his late-night talk show throne, was a star who managed never to distance himself from his audience.

His wealth, the adoration of his guests — particularly the many young comics whose careers he launched — the wry tales of multiple divorces: Carson's air of modesty made it all serve to enhance his bedtime intimacy with viewers.

"Heeeeere's Johnny!" was the booming announcement from sidekick Ed McMahon that ushered Carson out to the stage. Then the formula: the topical monologue, the guests, the broadly played skits such as "Carnac the Magnificent."

But America never tired of him; Carson went out on top when he retired in May 1992. In his final show, he told his audience: "And so it has come to this. I am one of the lucky people in the world. I found something that I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it."

His personal life could not match the perfection of his career. Carson was married four times, divorced three. In 1991, one of his three sons, 39-year-old Ricky, was killed in a car accident.

Nearly all of Carson's professional life was spent in television, from his postwar start at Nebraska stations in the late 1940s to his three decades with NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."

Carson choose to let "Tonight" stand as his career zenith and his finale, withdrawing into a quiet retirement that suited his private nature and refusing involvement in other show business projects.

In 1993, he explained his absence from the limelight.

"I have an ego like anybody else," Carson told The Washington Post, "but I don't need to be stoked by going before the public all the time."

:(

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/0...n.carson.reut/

comfirmed.

Very sad, he brought entertainment to so many people. :(

really, do you have to post it in every forum?

Very very sad day today.

I couldn't believe it when I first read your thread in Movie Talk, but then when I saw it here too I knew it must be true. :(

:( RIP

I just now noticed that this is in Movie Talk. I kind of feel stupid for posting instead of ripping into the OP. :lol:

:( I just heard the news myself. He was such a big part of my childhood and my early adult life. I remember I thought it was such a big deal to stay up and watch him as a kid. I still have his final Tonight Show on Tape. That's the last time I have ever sat through an entire late show. Leno and the rest of them can't hold a candle to Johnny. RIP, you were one of the all time greats.

He's been missed for a long time since handing the reigns over to Leno. A true television legend. :(

RIP Johnny Carson :(

More than anything I wish the man had had more time for himself out of the limelight at the end, for all the joy and pleasure he gave all of us. From all accounts he enjoyed his retirement a great deal.

There'd be no David Letterman or Conan O'Brien without Johnny Carson. He was a direct influence on both of them, particularly Letterman. There'd probably still be a Jay Leno since that guy has as little in common with Carson as is possible. In 10+ years of being bored stiff late at night and switching over to see if, miracle or miracles, Leno would make a funny, I have yet to so much as chuckle at anything Jay Leno has said or done. I'm baffled that enough people watch him and apparently enjoy whatever he's doing enough to keep him on the air.

He also had several books written about him. Might want to cut and paste your original post and start a new thread in book talk. oh.. oh... he has some dvds out.. doesn't mean that another thread is needed in Dvd talk.

thankfully the threads were merged. I don't see any better way to pay tribute to him then in just having as few threads possible so people can share their feelings all at once.. No need to spread this around to the other forums were he may not have been directly related to. His spots on film were mainly as Himself.

One of the truly GREAT television entertainers. He'll be missed.

I had a very rough stretch in my life during the mid-1980's. My most distinct memory is of watching Johnny every night for some light moments. I'm very saddened by this news.

A Very Sad Day indeed.

I remember watching Carson with my grandma before I had to go to bed. He entertained me as a 5 year old kid. RIP Johnny.

I was going to post something about how Mr. Carson's passing affected me, but instead I was thouroughly annoyed with the complaining.

Could you guys move the squabbling to PM's or something? If the mods want the other threads gone, they'll do it (Edit: See? They merged them).

And honestly, who cares?

:rolleyes:

Anyway, take care Johnny. Thanks for the laughs.

A monologue on Letterman would've been VERY cool. Sad to see his legacy [the Tonight Show] is being pissed on nightly.

Letterman already is for me, but Monday's show will be Must-See.

RIP Johnny.

again...sad news

I've never watched Leno. Seriously, not once since Johnny left have I watched a Tonight Show. When Carson left they should have turned off the lights. He has been missed in my daily television viewing for over a decade and is a loss as large as any other entertainment great one could name.

A passing of a true legend.
 

The death of Johnny Carson truly marks the passing of an age in the entertainment industry.

Not only was Carson a brilliant interviewer, but his opening monologues often had more insight into the news than news reporters of the day! :) And he was very good at doing comedy bits and his ability to ad lib was nothing short of superb.

Yet, Carson wasn't one of the types to strut a big ego outside of business dealings. He had the smarts to leave on top and when he retired he stayed retired, passing on his legacy to Jay Leno and David Letterman, two men who owed almost everything of their current careers to Carson himself.

I think the entire Baby Boom generation will miss this guy--and so do I. :(

Sad day.