On October 1, 1962, a 36-year-old comedian walked through the curtain at NBC and into American bedrooms. Johnny Carson hosted ‘The Tonight Show’ for the first time that night, 64 years ago. He took over from Jack Paar, and nobody watching could have guessed how long he would stay.
Groucho Marx had the honor of introducing him. The guest list for the first broadcast included Joan Crawford, Rudy Vallée, Tony Bennett and a young Mel Brooks, according to the show’s episode records. Ed McMahon was at his side as announcer and remained there for the entire run. Skitch Henderson led the band at the start, and Doc Severinsen took over the bandstand in 1967. According to History.com, the show came from New York City until 1972, when it moved to Burbank, California.
Johnny Carson Stayed For Nearly 30 Years
Carson signed off for the last time on May 22, 1992. In between, a seat on his couch could launch a career, and a frosty reception could stall one. William Shatner has his own tale about that, which DYR told in the story of the interview he says got him banned. Carson died on January 23, 2005, at age 79, and McMahon followed on June 23, 2009. Two men tied to that history are still with us. Severinsen turned 99 in July, and Brooks celebrated his 100th birthday in June. No video of the first show is known to survive, so the memory of that opening night belongs to the people who stayed up to watch it.
