King of the Night: The Life of Johnny Carson [Mass Market Paperback]

Laurence Leamer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2005

A candid, unauthorized portrait of Johnny Carson draws on the observations of ex-wives, paramours, colleagues, family, and friends to provide a close-up study of America's most famous talk-show host. Reissue.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"The King of the Night--the entertainer adored by millions of devotees of the Tonight Show --is Killjoy of the Day, according to Leamer, who in this lively unauthorized biography depicts 'the most uptight, nervous guy you'll ever want to meet,"' reported PW . Photos.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Why yet another Carson biography? Carson refuses to be interviewed (he's going to write his own book), so earlier efforts (by Paul Corkery, Carson: The Unauthorized Biography , LJ 9/15/87; and Ronald Smith, Johnny Carson , LJ 12/87) have suffered as biographers have had to rely on published material and interviews with friends and ex-wives. However, interest in Carson remains high, and though Leamer also had to rely on interviews (over 700) with others, his book is the closest thing to "definitive" until Johnny writes his own. The private Carson who emerges, cold and retiring, doesn't much resemble the public outgoing, clownish Carson. The life is all here; wives and relationships are explored. This is neither a flattering puff piece or Carson-bashing. The exhaustive research has culminated in a revealing and entertaining account. But despite how well done this is, we'll have to wait for Carson's book for the whole story.
- Rosellen Brewer, Monterey Cty. Free Libs., Seaside, Cal.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Avon (March 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060840994
• ISBN-13: 978-0060840990
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,082,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Revealing Bio, May 28, 2005

By 

Kelli N. "snoops71" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King of the Night: The Life of Johnny Carson (Mass Market Paperback)

If you are a fan of Johnny Carson, this is the book for you to read. However, I have to warn you- if you only like seeing Johnny in a completely positive light, this is not the book for you. It will more than likely offend you. This book holds nothing back on the life of Johnny Carson, from his childhood and college years, stint in the Navy, career and life before "The Tonight Show," his four marriages, friends and enemies, and everything else in between. Enormous, thorough research has been done, along with literally hundreds of interviews. This new, updated version also includes his life after his 30 years on "The Tonight Show," and his recent passing. I bought this book not too long ago, and it introduced me to the real Johnny Carson- warts and all.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Carson the ruthless, Carson the insecure, Carson the entertainment genius, Carson the man, January 22, 2007

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: King of the Night: The Life of Johnny Carson (Hardcover)

Johnny Carson was without question one of the most influential people of the twentieth century. He probably logged more television time than anyone else and his on camera persona was one of deep trust and honesty. There is the classic story of how Carson created a toilet paper shortage by making a joke about there being a toilet paper shortage. I watched him for years and he provided America with a stability and comfort level that most likely will never be repeated.
Carson was reasonably honest about some of his personal life, openly joking about his marriages. He would occasionally say something about other aspects of his life, although there was never any great detail. This book supplies those details. As an unauthorized biography where Carson did little to assist, there are many areas where the author must resort to reasoned speculation. Nevertheless, you get a clear sense of the ruthlessness of Carson in his personal, entertainment and business dealings. Johnny Carson going sour on you was a kiss of death and he destroyed many careers by making it clear that dealing with one of his "enemies" made you an enemy. The only one who seemed immune to this was Ed McMahon. There were several instances where the only person associated with Johnny and the Tonight show who contacted someone on Johnny's blacklist was McMahon.
It is also clear that in the early years Ed McMahon was Johnny's protector, bailing him out of many spots when Carson was drinking and about to go over the edge. However, in later years their relationship became one almost totally restricted to the vicinity of the Tonight show set. What had been a friendship became much less, as McMahon went on to throw himself into many different endeavors while Johnny became totally defined by the Tonight show.
Like so many entertainment personalities, Carson was a shy person haunted by many demons of insecurity. Despite his tremendous success, he was never able to conquer them, and it is unfortunate, because at the end, despite having millions of close acquaintances who adored him, he had few if any close friends. This book places all of this before you, showing you a side of the man that could never have appeared while he was on camera.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Information on Johnny's Childhood and Rise To Stardom, August 21, 2003

By 

First Things First "captainreflection" (Burbank, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King of the Night: The Life of Johnny Carson (Hardcover)

Surprisingly little material is available concerning the life and times of America's greatest stand-up comic genius Johnny Carson. This book (a former Book-of-the-Month Club selection) offers up a wealth of illuminating information, particularly strong as it relates to Johnny's childhood and his first steps towards embracing the idea of a life in entertainment. A magic set he received as a youngster allowed Johhny to put on funny shows for his friends and family (wouldn't THAT have been something to behold!), and some years later in college, Johhny was the toast of the campus where he performed stand-up and emceed many events for the student body. Eventually the engaging Carson earned his legendary status as the 3rd host of the Tonight Show: 1. Steve Allen, 2. Jack Paar, 3. Johnny Carson, 4. Jay Leno. Until Johnny's own long-promised autobiography comes into print (which seems to be a big if at this point, unfortunately) we must make do with the scarce resources that are available, and this book does a good job with the Carson roots, and rise to prominence. Enjoy it!