Best Former Late Night Host: Vintage Throw-Back Edition

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Best Former Late Night Host: Vintage Throw-Back Edition
killdeer's avatar

killdeer

Hat Trick

1,538 posts
Jan 16, 2010 3:17 PM
With all the late night TV talk, bring to mind some of the old talkers, and some brief, and somewhat more lengthy tenures behind the old desk-set. Obviously the subject begins and ends with Carson. What do you think about some of these oldtimers?
Jan 16, 2010 3:17pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Jan 16, 2010 3:25 PM
Arsenio! Fist pump!
Jan 16, 2010 3:25pm
S

Swamp Fox

Senior Member

2,218 posts
Jan 16, 2010 3:26 PM
I would say that the vast majority of people from my era will be Carson supporters. The man could just look at you and make you laugh. Some of the funniest stuff of all time and not even a PG moment...unless you count the time Ed Ames was a little off when he tried to throw a tomahawk at a cardboard cut-out. The Matinee Lady, Karnac, Floyd R. Turbo , and a whole host of others. It was a riot every night. I've still not heard a monologue that could compare to his. A comic genius of monumental proportions.
Jan 16, 2010 3:26pm
Darkon's avatar

Darkon

Senior Member

3,476 posts
Jan 16, 2010 3:30 PM
It is funny how we now have the late night compitition. Back in the day it was Carson dominated. Arsenio tried but Johnny still was the the best.
Jan 16, 2010 3:30pm
killdeer's avatar

killdeer

Hat Trick

1,538 posts
Jan 16, 2010 3:32 PM
wot...no love for Sajak?:P
Jan 16, 2010 3:32pm
C

cat_lover

Senior Member

2,388 posts
Jan 16, 2010 3:34 PM
Arsenio wasn't too bad but Johnny Carson has no equal.
Jan 16, 2010 3:34pm
Q

queencitybuckeye

Senior Member

7,117 posts
Jan 16, 2010 6:15 PM
Carson was the king, and no one since has been in the same galaxy.
Jan 16, 2010 6:15pm
P

pepperpot

Senior Member

646 posts
Jan 16, 2010 6:18 PM
Never will be another Carson, he was great.
Jan 16, 2010 6:18pm
B

Buckeye2B

Member

66 posts
Jan 16, 2010 6:50 PM
Carson..bar none.
Jan 16, 2010 6:50pm
S

Sonofanump

Jan 17, 2010 8:39 AM
I did not find Ervin Johnson on the list...
Jan 17, 2010 8:39am
believer's avatar

believer

Senior Member

8,153 posts
Jan 17, 2010 9:30 AM
Johnny Carson...I miss those days.
Jan 17, 2010 9:30am
salto's avatar

salto

Senior Member

2,611 posts
Jan 18, 2010 11:54 AM
Carson
Jan 18, 2010 11:54am
S

SnotBubbles

Jan 18, 2010 11:55 AM
Carson no doubt. He was ahead of his time. That show could compete and would be #1 today.

On a side note...Chevy Chase had a late night show? I would think this would have been hilarious.
Jan 18, 2010 11:55am
zambrown's avatar

zambrown

Senior Member

1,093 posts
Jan 18, 2010 1:13 PM
Carson for sure, but no love to Tom Snyder? I used to enjoy his show after Johnny Carson.
Jan 18, 2010 1:13pm
killdeer's avatar

killdeer

Hat Trick

1,538 posts
Jan 18, 2010 1:44 PM
Tom Snyder....good point...forgot about the Tomorrow show.
Jan 18, 2010 1:44pm
killdeer's avatar

killdeer

Hat Trick

1,538 posts
Jan 18, 2010 1:46 PM
SnotBubbles wrote: ...On a side note...Chevy Chase had a late night show? I would think this would have been hilarious.
aired early 1990's....lasted just a few months if memory serves. Don't remember why it didn't have more success; he certainly has the comedy cred.
Jan 18, 2010 1:46pm
S

Swamp Fox

Senior Member

2,218 posts
Jan 18, 2010 3:46 PM
Tom Snyder was very good at what he did. Actually, when you think back, the night and day hosts were all pretty good. Jack Paar, Dave Garroway, Steve Allen, Arsenio a little later on, and so forth and so on...even the second fiddles were very good. I think Johnny would have been a lttle less funny as Karnac The Magnificent if it hadn't been for the wonderful assist he got from his right hand man, Ed McMahon. It was definitely a golden age of TV comedy. :)
Jan 18, 2010 3:46pm