Product Details

• Actors: Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Lisa Frantz, Letha Hadady, Anita Merritt
• Directors: Bobby Quinn, Dick Carson, Frederick De Cordova
• Writers: Allyn Warner, Andrew Nicholls, Bob Keane, Bob Smith, Ed. Weinberger
• Format: NTSC
• Number of tapes: 4
• VHS Release Date: June 25, 2002
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000068WS6
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,934 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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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 of 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. --Doug Thomas

Product Description
On his final Tonight Show telecast, Johnny Carson summed up the feelings of a nation of late night viewers. Host of the most highly-acclaimed late night show in television history, for seven presidential administrations, Johnny's monologue was a nightly barometer of the times. While his wide range of characters, comic impersonations and merry band of Tonight Show regulars became fixtures of pop culture, his guest list was a virtual Who's Who of show business legends, sports heroes, authors, heads of state, amazing animals and average citizens with above average talents. For fans of Johnny, The Tonight Show and 30 wonderful years of laughter, this is the definitive retrospective chronicling television's late night legend and legacy. Enjoy.
The four-tape set includes: The Best of the 60s & 70s; The Best of the 70s & 80s; The Best of the 80s & 90s; The Final Show - America Says Farewell.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

167 of 179 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What's There Is Great, But There Should Be A Lot More, August 18, 2004

By	K. Palmer (Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Ultimate Johnny Carson Collection - His Favorite Moments from The Tonight Show (Vols. 1-3) (1962-1992) (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!

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the King!, June 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ultimate Johnny Carson Collection - His Favorite Moments from The Tonight Show (Vols. 1-3) (1962-1992) (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.

68 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Can't Believe It's Been Ten Years Since Johnny Left, January 9, 2003

By	Michael K. Beusch (San Mateo, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Ultimate Johnny Carson Collection - His Favorite Moments from The Tonight Show (Vols. 1-3) (1962-1992) (DVD)

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.