William Shatner appeared on The Tonight Show numerous times during Johnny Carson’s legendary run as host. However, after one interview in 1983, fans noticed something unusual. Shatner never again sat across from Carson, even though he continued appearing on the program when guest hosts took over.
According to VICE, years later, the Star Trek icon shared his own explanation for the abrupt change. According to Shatner, one conversation may have cost him future appearances alongside one of late-night television’s biggest legends.
William Shatner Thinks He Talked Himself Off ‘The Tonight Show’
In his 2011 book, Shatner claimed Carson stopped inviting him because he talked too much during their final interview together. While telling a lengthy story, Shatner dominated much of the conversation, prompting Carson to jokingly interrupt him and ask, “Did I say, ‘Good evening,’ Bill?” The exchange drew laughs, but Shatner later wondered if it reflected genuine frustration.
Shatner also recalled briefly turning away from Carson to speak with fellow guest Buddy Hackett during the interview. In addition, he mentioned that his television series T.J. Hooker aired on ABC, one of NBC’s competitors. According to later accounts, those moments may have violated several of Carson’s unwritten rules for guests.
His Appearances Continued Without Carson
Although Carson never interviewed him again, William Shatner did not disappear from The Tonight Show. Guest hosts, including Patrick Duffy and later Jay Leno, continued inviting him onto the program. Once Leno officially succeeded Carson as host, Shatner returned regularly and also appeared with later hosts such as Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Fallon.
Neither Carson nor NBC publicly confirmed that they banned William Shatner, leaving the story open to interpretation. Nevertheless, the actor’s account has fascinated fans for years because it offers a rare glimpse into the unwritten expectations of classic late-night television. Whether Carson truly banned him or simply chose different guests afterward, the story remains one of Hollywood’s most intriguing behind-the-scenes tales and another memorable chapter in William Shatner’s remarkable career.