Follows
"Tonight!" (1953)
"Tonight! America After Dark" (1957)
"Tonight Starring Jack Paar" (1957)
"The Tonight Show" (1962)
Followed by
"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992)
"The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" (2009)
Referenced in
Looking for Love (1964)
"Get Smart: Too Many Chiefs (#1.11)" (1965)
- The Chief explains that Alexi Sebastian impersonated Johnny on the Tonight Show for two weeks
"The Monkees: The Monkee's Paw (#2.19)" (1968)
- Mendrek gets an offer to be on this show
"The Monkees: The Monkees in Paris (#2.22)" (1968)
- Mentioned by James Frawley
Hello Down There (1969)
- Characters talk about this show in conjunction with Merv Griffin's.
"All in the Family: Success Story (#1.12)" (1971)
- referenced by Archie
Plaza Suite (1971)
- "The Tonight Show" is mentioned.
"All in the Family: Gloria Poses in the Nude (#2.2)" (1971)
- Discussed by Archie and Edith
Is There Sex After Death? (1971)
- The announcer mimics the "Here's Johnny" intro when introducing Merkin the Magician.
"The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour: (#2.8)" (1972)
- Mentioned while introducing Burt Reynolds
"All in the Family: Maude (#2.24)" (1972)
- Maude, referring to Archie going back to the hotel to watch TV: "Gov. Wallace is on 'The Tonight Show.' He'll love it".
"Maude: Like Mother, Like Daughter (#1.4)" (1972)
- Carol and her date watch his appearance on the show.
"Saturday Night Live: Elliot Gould/Anne Murray (#1.9)" (1976)
- Mentioned during a film by Albert Brooks
Murder by Death (1976)
- Character claims to have been on the Carson show.
"Saturday Night Live: Buck Henry/The Band (#2.6)" (1976)
- Mentioned on Weekend Update
"The Sonny and Cher Show: (#2.13)" (1976)
- Theme tune sung in the TV themes medley
"Saturday Night Live: Steve Martin/The Kinks (#2.15)" (1977)
- Mentioned during cold opening and Weekend Update
"Saturday Night Live: Sissy Spacek/Richard Baskin (#2.16)" (1977)
- Mentioned on Weekend Update
"Saturday Night Live: Elliot Gould/Kate & Anna McGarrigle/Roslyn Kind (#2.20)" (1977)
- Referenced during cold opening
Annie Hall (1977)
"Saturday Night Live: Eric Idle/Neil Innes (#2.21)" (1977)
- Nixon adresses David Frost as 'Johnny'
"Saturday Night Live: Shelley Duvall/Joan Armatrading (#2.22)" (1977)
- Referenced by Jane Curtin on Weekend Update
"Lou Grant: Aftershock (#1.6)" (1977)
- There is a phone call from this show to the man whose cockroaches can predict earthquakes
I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978)
"Saturday Night Live: Steve Martin/Van Morrison (#4.4)" (1978)
- Mentioned by Steve Martin during restaurant sketch
Magic (1978)
- "The Carson Show" mentioned
"Legends of the Superheroes" (1979)
- Weather Wizard impersonates Johnny Carson
Hardcore (1979)
"Saturday Night Live: Kate Jackson/Delbert McClinton (#4.13)" (1979)
- Referenced in Fred Silverman sketch
"Saturday Night Live: Michael Palin/James Taylor (#4.18)" (1979)
- Referenced by Fred Silverman
"Diff'rent Strokes: Feudin' and Fussin': Part 1 (#2.3)" (1979)
- The show is mentioned by name.
"Saturday Night Live: Rodney Dangerfield/The J. Geils Band (#5.13)" (1980)
- Mentioned during the monologue
Serial (1980)
Fame (1980)
The Shining (1980)
- Jack Nicholson ad-libbed the line "Here's Johnny!" in imitation of announcer Ed McMahon's famous introduction of Johnny Carson on the TV program "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962-1992).
"Saturday Night Live: Olivia Newton-John (#7.20)" (1982)
- Mentioned during SNL Newsbreak
Q (1982)
- character makes reference to the "Carson Show".
"Gimme a Break!: Brother Ed and the Hooker (#2.2)" (1982)
- The show is mentioned by name.
Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius (1982) (TV)
Overnight Sensation (1983)
- Eve leaves a message on the answering machine saying she's been invited to be on the show
"Saturday Night Live: Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas/The Bus Boys (#8.11)" (1983)
- Referenced in Ed McMahon For Rent
Without a Trace (1983)
- Quote: "I once heard about a greenroom on Johnny Carson"
"Saturday Night Live: Bruce Dern/Leon Redbone (#8.15)" (1983)
- Referenced on Saturday Night News
"The A-Team: A Nice Place to Visit (#1.13)" (1983)
- Mentioned by Hannibal
Trading Places (1983)
Repo Man (1984)
"Saturday Night Live: Mr. T and Hulk Hogan/The Commodores (#10.16)" (1985)
- Mentioned by Steve Landesberg
After Hours (1985)
"Muppet Babies: I Want My Muppet TV! (#2.7)" (1985)
- Piggy imagines appearing on this show.
"The Greatest American Hero: The Greatest American Heroine" (1986)
- Mentioned by Bill
The Whoopee Boys (1986)
Soul Man (1986)
- George says he wants to stay up late to watch the Johnny Carson show, because Joan Rivers is hosting
Spitting Image: The Ronnie and Nancy Show (1987) (TV)
Hunk (1987)
- Bradley asks Hunk if he's willing to start World War III "just to get laid more and to guest host on the Carson show"
Burglar (1987)
Harry and the Hendersons (1987)
- The "Carson show" is mentioned several times
Lip Service (1988) (TV)
Rocket Gibraltar (1988)
Punchline (1988)
- Tom Hanks' character Steven Gold had a chance to appear on the Tonight Show
Night Terror (1989)
"Good Morning, Miss Bliss: Stevie (#1.11)" (1989)
- It is one of the TV talk shows mentioned by Lisa that Stevie has recently appeared on.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Crawling Eye (#2.1)" (1989)
- Servo: Here's Johnny!
Blobermouth (1990)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Catalina Caper (#3.4)" (1990)
- Joel: People smoked openly on The Tonight Show...
"Tiny Toon Adventures: Hollywood Plucky (#1.26)" (1990)
- Plucky disguises himself as Johnny Carson while trying to enter DaVille Studio.
"Law & Order: Everybody's Favorite Bagman (#1.6)" (1990)
- Swersky is questioned about a coat and says "What am I - Carnac?" Carnac the Magnificent was a character played by Carson on Tonight Show.
"Full House: Joey Goes Hollywood (#4.23)" (1991)
- In a fantasy sequence, Michelle introduces Joey in an imitation of the famous "Here's Johnny" line.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Time of the Apes (#4.6)" (1991)
- "It's just like Ed Ames on the Tonight Show"
Past Midnight (1991)
- "went back to watching 'Johnny Carson'."
"The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror II (#3.7)" (1991)
- Marge, Bart, and Lisa are shown watching Johnny Carson on TV playing his character Carnac the Magnificent.
"Evening Shade: Busted (#2.10)" (1991)
- references the show
JFK (1991)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (#4.21)" (1991)
- Crow: (as Art Fern) Mmmmm, that's good pill.
The JFK Assassination: The Jim Garrison Tapes (1992)
"Showbiz Today: (1992-05-21)" (1992)
- There is an item on Johnny's last show
"The Ben Stiller Show: With Bobcat Goldthwait (#1.2)" (1992)
- Mentioned by Bobcat Goldthwait
"The Simpsons: Lisa's First Word (#4.10)" (1992)
- Homer watches an episode.
"The Ben Stiller Show: With Garry Shandling (#1.9)" (1992)
- Mentioned by Andy
Used People (1992)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Monster A-Go-Go (#5.21)" (1993)
- "He's good at that he should be on Carson"
"The Simpsons: Krusty Gets Kancelled (#4.22)" (1993)
- Johnny's door bell is the theme song to this TV series.
Another Stakeout (1993)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Operation Double 007 (#6.8)" (1993)
- Crow impersonate Art Fern.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Atomic Brain (#6.18)" (1993)
- Crow: (as Art Fern) Oo-hoo, the Slauson Cutoff!
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Radar Secret Service (#6.20)" (1993)
- Mike: (as Johnny Carson) You know Ed, that was a long way for a little bit.
Totally Bill Hicks (1994) (V)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Dead Talk Back (#7.3)" (1994)
- Servo: The answers have been hermetically sealed in a jar on Funk and Wagnalls...
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Sinister Urge (#7.13)" (1994)
- A character in the film mentions "Lt. Carson," after which Tom says, "Hey-o!"
Tommy Boy (1995)
- Richard does a Johnny Carson impersonation while drinking in the car.
"The Beatles Anthology" (1995)
Caught (1996)
Waiting for Guffman (1996)
Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life (1997)
"Saturday Night Live: Jeff Goldblum/En Vogue (#22.20)" (1997)
- Mentioned by Larry King (Norm MacDonald)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies (#9.12)" (1997)
- When someone enters from behind a curtain, Crow sings the Tonight Show theme.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Agent for H.A.R.M. (#9.15)" (1997)
- Crow hums the theme music.
Chicago Cab (1997)
- mentioned in film
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Invasion of the Neptune Men (#9.19)" (1997)
- Mike: (a la The Edge of Wetness) And he bought a stainless steel brassiere from this man!
"Just Shoot Me!: Amblushed (#2.21)" (1998)
- Dennis imitates Karnak the Magnificent.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Girl in Gold Boots (#11.2)" (1999)
- Mike: (as Art Fern) Oooh, that hurts.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Track of the Moon Beast (#11.7)" (1999)
- Servo: (as Ed McMahon) Hi-yo, get the kids outta the room.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders (#11.3)" (1999)
- Mike: Save it for Carson, Grandpa.
"Hope Island: Batten Down the Hatches (#1.12)" (1999)
- Kevin asks a Trivial Pursuit question on Johnny Carson's sidekick on the show.
Next Friday (2000)
"Just Shoot Me!: Finch on Ice (#4.22)" (2000)
- Ed McMahon, who was Johnny's sidekick, asks if he sent flowers.
"Twice in a Lifetime: The Escape Artist (#2.7)" (2000)
- There is a booking agent for the television show at the club.
Lucky Numbers (2000)
Mercy Streets (2000)
- "Here's Johnny!" is scrawled on the doorframe outside John's apartment.
"Everybody Loves Raymond: Ray's Journal (#5.14)" (2001)
- Mentioned by Marie.
Saving Silverman (2001)
Annie Goes to Hollywood (2001) (TV)
"Family Guy: Brian Does Hollywood (#3.2)" (2001)
- Joan Rivers mentions that she used to guest host the Tonight Show.
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
50 Years of NBC Late Night (2001) (TV)
Marty the Magnificent (2001)
- Marty is slated to appear on the show
Mass Murder (2002) (V)
- Alluded to by Richard Ramirez mentioning Ed McMahaon.
Shandling Talks... No Flipping! (2002) (V)
"South Park: Jared Has Aides (#6.1)" (2002)
- Cartman hums the Tonight Show theme song as Butters' parents arrive.
Auto Focus (2002)
- Mentioned in dialogue
Comedian (2002)
"That '70s Show: Bring It on Home (#5.19)" (2003)
- Mentioned by name.
Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Three's Company' (2003) (TV)
Tarnation (2003)
"That '70s Show: Magic Bus (#6.3)" (2003)
- When Kitty says that it is a special night in the bedroom, Red asks if anyone famous is on the Tonight Show
101 Most Unforgettable SNL Moments (2004) (TV)
- Dana Carvey as Johnny Carson is one of the moments
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Tom Hanks (2004) (TV)
- Mentioned by the three stand-ups
Life of the Party (2005)
- Michael holds an envelope to his forehead like Carnac and describes what is inside
Score! The Music of 'Family Guy' (2005) (V)
- mentioned once
Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live (2005) (TV)
- Mentioned in Steve Martin cold opening
"Weeds: Good Shit Lollipop (#1.3)" (2005)
- "Heeeeere's Johnny" is quoted
"The Office: The Dundies (#2.1)" (2005)
- referenced in dialogue
"Tripping the Rift: Chode's Near Death-Experience (#2.12)" (2005)
- Bob says 'Here's Johnny'
Silence Becomes You (2005)
- Luke enters a room while shouting: "Here's Johnny"
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005)
- Explicitly mentioned by a character
"The Simpsons: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore (#17.17)" (2006)
- Homer plays Karnak using his Sikh bodyguard's turban
"Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: (2006-05-03)" (2006)
- Ellen mentions to Merv Griffin (one of the guests in this episode) that she appeared in this show.
"Psych: Pilot (#1.1)" (2006)
- Lassiter references Carnac the Magnificent.
"Heroes: Unaired Premiere Episode (#1.0)" (2006/II)
- Thayer refers to Matt as "the Amazing Karnack."
Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Diff'rent Strokes' (2006) (TV)
- The show is mentioned by name.
"Heroes: Chapter Three 'One Giant Leap' (#1.3)" (2006/II)
- Audrey refers to Matt as "Karnack."
Black Dahlia (2006) (V)
- "Who are you, Carnac? I hate people who can read minds."
"Saturday Night Live: Jeremy Piven/AFI (#32.11)" (2007)
- Mentioned by 'Rich Little'
The Great Buck Howard (2008)
- Johnny Carson's show is mentioned
"The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-06-18)" (2008)
- Dennis Miller references this show while talking about Ed McMahon.
"The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-06-25)" (2008)
- Dennis Miller makes reference to this program in the 'Miller Time' segment.
Triloquist (2008) (V)
- "Almost made the Carson show."
"The Office: Lecture Circuit: Part 2 (#5.15)" (2009)
- After making a joke, Pam says "hey-oh!" to the camera - Ed McMahon's catchphrase.
"Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Jerry Seinfeld/Craig Bierko (#17.29)" (2009)
- Nathan Lane refers to Bette Midler's appearance as Carson's last guest
"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: (2009-05-29)" (2009)
- Conan O'Brien acknowledges a man in the audience who was also at Carson's last show
"The Jay Leno Show: (#1.15)" (2009)
- Jay says that Johnny used to call new comedians "young man"
Featured in
Goodbye, Columbus (1969)
- A character is watching The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson while waiting for her daughter to return home.
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)
"Columbo: Forgotten Lady (#5.1)" (1975)
Smile (1975)
- "The Tonight Show" is visible on a TV set.
The Girls in the Band (1976)
- A man watches a New Year's Eve episode of this TV show.
All the President's Men (1976)
CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years (1976) (TV)
10 (1979)
Middle Age Crazy (1980)
- Karnac sketch featured on television screen
Johnny Carson's 18th Anniversary Special (1980) (TV)
- clips
Oh, God! Book II (1980)
- God (George Burns) walks out in place of Johnny Carson to have a personal conversation with Tracy.
Tempest (1982)
- Miranda watches The Tonight Show in her kitchen.
Six Weeks (1982)
Brainstorm (1983)
D.C. Cab (1983)
- The cab owner's wife says she can't sleep unless she has a beer while watching Johnny Carson. When she goes up to her room, the show's familiar theme is heard.
Protocol (1984)
- They showed a clip of the show in that movie.
Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)
Blind Date (1987)
Baby Boom (1987)
- Ca. 15 minutes into the film J.C., Steven and the baby watch the older show on TV.
Hard to Kill (1990)
Home Alone (1990)
Michael Landon: Memories with Laughter and Love (1991) (V)
- Clips are shown of numerous Landon interviews
"Cheers: Heeeeeere's... Cliffy! (#10.24)" (1992)
- Cliff, Ma Clavin and Norm go to the show in Hollywood.
The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (1993) (TV)
Fargo (1996)
- As Carl and Gaear watch TV with the prostitutes at the motel, the "Tonight Show" theme is heard
Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13 (1996) (V)
Classic Stand-Up Comedy of Television (1996) (TV)
- footage from this show exists in this special
George Carlin: 40 Years of Comedy (1997) (TV)
- clips
Liv Ullmann scener fra et liv (1997)
The Newton Boys (1998)
One True Thing (1998)
Influences: From Yesterday to Today (1999) (TV)
- clips from this show are used in this special
Speaking in Strings (1999)
200 Cigarettes (1999)
Isn't She Great (2000)
"The Talk Show Story" (2000)
Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood (2001) (TV)
50 Years of NBC Late Night (2001) (TV)
Pink Floyd The Wall Redux (2002)
- A clip featuring Johnny Carson is shown.
TV Guide 50 Best Shows of All Time: A 50th Anniversary Celebration (2002) (TV)
Diet Coke with Lemon Celebrates 40 Years of Laughter: At the Improv (2002) (TV)
The Life of David Gale (2003)
The Reagans (2003) (TV)
- A clip is shown of Johnny Carson, on the Tonight Show, poking fun at Ronald Reagan in a monologue.
When Stand-Up Comics Ruled the World (2004) (TV)
- clips
"Biography: Bette Midler" (2004)
- clips of Midler in 1970 singing "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and from the final episode in 1992.
"Retrosexual: The 80's" (2004)
How It Began (2004) (V)
- clips shown
Inside Deep Throat (2005)
- Johnny Carson and Bob Hope crack about "Deep Throat" seperately.
"The Story of Light Entertainment: Chat Shows (#1.7)" (2006)
- Clips featured and discussed
Legends: Rodney Dangerfield (2006) (TV)
- clips
Ricky Gervais Meets... Garry Shandling (2006) (TV)
- clips
Gracie (2007)
- Gracie's dad watches an episode on TV.
Talk to Me (2007)
- Several clips featured
The Making of 'The Larry Sanders Show' (2007) (V)
- clip shown
Brando (2007) (TV)
- clips
"20 to 1: 50 to 01: Great Movie One Liners (#4.10)" (2007)
- Some clips from this title are shown when a segment on the line "Here's Johnny!" delves into its origin.
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007)
- clips
"The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-04-25)" (2008)
- Various clips from this show were featured during the 'American TV Icon' segment.
Religulous (2008)
- footage of Bill Maher performing his bringing-a-lawyer-to-confession joke
Watchmen (2009)
- Mentioned in the end credits
"The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: (#1.17)" (2009)
- Clips shown for Ed McMahon retrospective.
Muppets 201: Rarities from the Henson Vault (2009)
- clips from the show are included in the compilation, including part of an episode hosted by Kermit
Spoofed in
"Saturday Night Live: Eric Idle/Joe Cocker/Stuff (#2.3)" (1976)
- Spoofed during Weekend Update
Candy Goes to Hollywood (1979)
- Actress Carol Connors attends the taping of The Last Night Show starring Johnny Farson, Ed the Mann and Doc Revenson (parodying Carson, McMahon and Severinsen).
Scooby-Doo Goes Hollywood (1979) (TV)
Wacko (1982)
"Saturday Night Live: Tom & Dick Smothers/Laura Branigan (#8.8)" (1982)
- Spoofed during cold opening
The King of Comedy (1982)
The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones (1987) (TV)
"ALF: Tonight, Tonight: Part 1 (#3.4)" (1988)
- ALF, as the guest host for The Tonight Show, does his take on Johnny Carson's famous sketches and bits.
"ALF: Tonight, Tonight: Part 2 (#3.5)" (1988)
- ALF, as the guest host for The Tonight Show, does his take on Johnny Carson's famous sketches and bits.
Rodney Dangerfield: Opening Night at Rodney's Place (1989) (TV)
- a sketch parodying the show
The Best of Eddie Murphy: Saturday Night Live (1989) (V)
- Spoofed in The Tonight Show with Cos
"Saturday Night Live: James Woods/Don Henley (#15.4)" (1989)
- Spoofed during cold opening
"Saturday Night Live: Christopher Walken/Bonnie Raitt (#15.11)" (1990)
- Spoofed during the cold opening
"Saturday Night Live: Candice Bergen/The Notting Hillbillies (#15.20)" (1990)
- Spoofed in Tonight Show skit
"Saturday Night Live: Patrick Swayze/Mariah Carey (#16.4)" (1990)
- Spoofed in Tonight Show skit
"Saturday Night Live: Jeff Daniels/Color Me Badd (#17.2)" (1991)
- Spoofed during the cold opening
"In Living Color: Late Night with Mike Tyson (#3.8)" (1991)
- Imagines what it would be like if Mike Tyson replaced Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show". Does "Carnac the Magnificent".
"Saturday Night Live: Woody Harrelson/Vanessa Williams (#17.20)" (1992)
- Spoofed during cold opening
"The Simpsons: I Love Lisa (#4.15)" (1993)
- The "Krusty the Clown 29th Anniversary Special," complete with clips of past shows, is a spoof of Carson's anniversary shows.
"The Simpsons: Homer's Barbershop Quartet (#5.1)" (1993)
- Chief Wiggum watches this show make fun of him.
"The Critic: A Day at the Races and a Night at the Opera (#1.11)" (1994)
- a student in the talent show imitates Johnny Carson
"The Critic: Sherman, Woman and Child (#2.1)" (1995)
- a monk on a variety show does a Carnac the Magnificent routine
"The Critic: Lady Hawke (#2.3)" (1995)
- Jeremy imitates Johnny Carson as part of his monologue
Hercules (1997)
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Phil Hartman (1998) (TV)
- spoofed by Dana Carvey and Phil as Johnny and Ed
50 Years of NBC Late Night (2001) (TV)
Late Night with Conan O'Brien: 10th Anniversary Special (2003) (TV)
- Little Jay Leno comes out in a little car to the theme of the Tonight Show
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