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Special Features
- Volume 1 - The Best of the 60s & 70s; The Best of the 70s & 80s
- Volume 2 - The Best of the 80s & 90s; Johnny Goes Home
- Volume 3 - 5.21.92 Episode; The Final Show
- Additional Behind-the-Scenes Footage
- "Danger Johnny" featurette
- "The Johnny Carson Story" Featurette
- Art gallery including magazine covers
- Script notes and written questions
- Guest list
- The History of the Show
- Isolated Studio Camera (ISO) recordings of final show
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Culled from 30 years of material, this collection of moments from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson contains some of most inspired bits of lunacy ever recorded. Whether cajoling with Hollywood's biggest stars or normal folk with special talents, Carson was a master of finding the right joke, with timing second to none. Along with bits of his opening monologues, skits, and early standup appearances from the likes of David Letterman and Eddie Murphy, there are many highlights with perhaps the perfect Carson guest--exotic animals that stole the show. This collection was released shortly after Carson's reign ended in 1992. Although most of the tapes from his first decade are lost, there are plenty of highlights from the '70s through the '90s. Also included is Carson's touching and historic "Final Show," which finds the host simply talking to his audience and showing highlights--or just the faces--from his years on the set. Although many followed--and a few have even succeeded--Carson's Midwest charm made him the king of TV in a period when America was defined by television.
The DVD edition adds some superlative extras, including "Danger Johnny" segments from his first decade, short bits on the history of the show and the host, and more behind-the-scenes glances, including an intriguing way to watch the final show via unedited feeds from isolated studio cameras. Also included is the 1982 NBC special "Johnny Goes Home," which follows Carson on a tour of his rural Nebraska homeland, and a slightly edited version of the penultimate show, in which his last two guests, Robin Williams and Bette Midler, are on fire. These extras make the DVD, produced a decade after Carson left, a must-have piece of entertainment and pop history. --Doug Thomas
Product Description
Relive 30 years of classic television in this amazing three-disc collection from "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." Included are highlights from the show; the next-to-last episode with Robin Williams and Bette Midler and the final episode; "Danger Johnny," a look at location work from the '60s; "Backstage Studio One," a look behind the scenes at "The Tonight Show"; and more. 7 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; photo gallery; featurettes; guest list; more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
225 of 241 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I himmed and hawed about purchasing the Carson DVD package. I always loved Johnny's anniversary shows where he would break out old clips from over the years along with the highlights of the year just ended. So the package seemed intringing, but I decided to rent first. Good decision.
It is not that the content of the shows is terrible. Far from it. It's just woefully short on material to justify the rather steep pricetag of a 3 disc set. Understanding that a lot of the tapes from the early years were destroyed years ago, there still had to be over 20 years of material to put together several more hours. Instead, there is a "Best of the 60s/70s", "Best of the 70s/80s" and "Best of the 80s/90s" segment, each about 45 minutes each. Many of the classics are here (the Ed Ames hatchet throw, George Gobel's brown shoes joke, the marmoset using Johnny's head as a restroom, Jimmy Stewart's poem about his dog Bo, even a very funny intro of future president Clinton), but there had to be more. There were no Floyd R. Turbo (who I consider the first right wing militant) bits nor was my favorite Carnac the Magnificent moment included (the answer is Sis-Boom-Bah, the question: What sound does an exploding sheep make). The latter omission is interesting because I seem to recall Carson saying at one time that that bit garned the biggest laugh in the show's history.
There's also Carson's last shows, which I actually already have on tape, so other than a better picture, it doesn't do it for me. There's also a show from 1982 when Johnny went back home to Nebraska to visit old hangouts and friends that was interesting.
In summary, some great moments, but there should have been more!
It is not that the content of the shows is terrible. Far from it. It's just woefully short on material to justify the rather steep pricetag of a 3 disc set. Understanding that a lot of the tapes from the early years were destroyed years ago, there still had to be over 20 years of material to put together several more hours. Instead, there is a "Best of the 60s/70s", "Best of the 70s/80s" and "Best of the 80s/90s" segment, each about 45 minutes each. Many of the classics are here (the Ed Ames hatchet throw, George Gobel's brown shoes joke, the marmoset using Johnny's head as a restroom, Jimmy Stewart's poem about his dog Bo, even a very funny intro of future president Clinton), but there had to be more. There were no Floyd R. Turbo (who I consider the first right wing militant) bits nor was my favorite Carnac the Magnificent moment included (the answer is Sis-Boom-Bah, the question: What sound does an exploding sheep make). The latter omission is interesting because I seem to recall Carson saying at one time that that bit garned the biggest laugh in the show's history.
There's also Carson's last shows, which I actually already have on tape, so other than a better picture, it doesn't do it for me. There's also a show from 1982 when Johnny went back home to Nebraska to visit old hangouts and friends that was interesting.
In summary, some great moments, but there should have been more!
88 of 92 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As one of the millions that sorely miss the wit and wisdom of Johnny Carson, I was especially pleased to receive this "best of" DVD collection. The three DVD's feature the best moments from the show - divided by decade - from the 60's through the 90's, and also include the complete second-to-last show (with Bette Midler and Robin Williams) and the final show, along with a documentary on Johnny I had never seen before. The remastering quality is great. There is a fun little short film called "Danger Johnny", and one of the most interesting things about the DVD's are the ISO CAMS, that allow you to pick the camera angles to view some of the programs. You can even view scenes from Johnny's perspective. The menu options are terrific, and the packaging very deluxe. If you are a fan of classic television, this is a great addition to your library - and I plan to send them as gifts to family members I know miss Johnny too.
77 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
No matter what happens, Johnny Carson was, is and always will be the greatest late night host ever and one of the most towering figures in television history. David Letterman is terrific, but even he pales next to Carson. It's amazing to think that it's already been ten years since Johnny retired. This DVD collection brings it all back and reminds us all of just how great Carson was. (The Ed Ames tomahawk throwing segment just might be the funniest moment in TV history) The only disappointing thing about this set is that it does not include that much material from the first ten years. It's sad that so much classic material was lost. However, the set has a very comprehensive sample of Carson's funniest moments from over the years and show why Johnny will always be the King of Late Night.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Johnny Carson Review
I remember watching Johnny on the Late Night Show. He was so funny! This set has some of the better moments. Read more
Published 1 month ago by K. Baisley
Great compilation
Bought this to replace VHS version. We love the compilation. The extra feature of Johnny's visit to his hometown was a little dry, but had some interesting bits. Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. HARGROVE
I miss Johnny!
There were never be another like Johnny Carson, and this collection is excellent. My only complaint is that I wish it were much longer.
Published 4 months ago by Stephanie Dee
Johnny Carson DVDs
The Ultimate Johnny Carson Collection - His Favorite Moments From The Tonight Show (Vols. 1-3) (1962-1992)I bought this as a gift for my father - he really enjoyed it and I ended... Read more
Published 4 months ago by sue
From a BIG Johnny Carson Fan
Bought this as a Christmas gift for my Honey.
We haven't had time to watch it yet due to a greater amount of holiday activity than usual. Read more
We haven't had time to watch it yet due to a greater amount of holiday activity than usual. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sandy
Editing disappointment
The beginning of this compilation is every bit as good as you would expect of a Carson show. Even the first half of the second disc is entertaining. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Henry Gibson
no way this is ultimate at all
I actually found the "Johnny Goes Home" extra touching and a nice addition. What I was extremely disappointed in was the choice of clips. Don't get me wrong. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Brian Maitland
A Must Have
These 3 volumes contain some of the funniest moments from The Tonight Show. It also contains a trip to his home town and reunion with old clasmates and a class with an old... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Happy
Why do they do stupid !?@^$% like this?
The video quality stinks, and it was apparently done on purpose.
The DVD company reduced the image rate, removing half the video data in a headache-inducing attempt to... Read more
The DVD company reduced the image rate, removing half the video data in a headache-inducing attempt to... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Steven Capsuto
great nostalgia
Great laughs and hi-lights from many of Carson's best programs. There are classics we remember and some that were new to us. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Donald E. Necas
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