What is required in order to be exiled from the most famous couch in late-night television? Perhaps for Johnny Carson, it’s simply anything from an untimely joke to an offense of backstage protocol. The “King of Late Night’s” benevolent uncle was adored by millions of viewers, but backstage, he was a jealous proprietor of his turf and not everyone was welcome.
Mark Malkoff has written a new book called Love Johnny Carson, which gives a behind-the-scenes look at Carson’s famous heyday in the Tonight Show chair. Although Carson’s producer Peter Lassally has maintained there was never a document listing a “ban list,” actors Burt Reynolds and comedian Rich Little both said they had seen a physical copy of the list with thirty-plus names. The lengths of the punishments varied: some were absolute until a guest host was in the chair in the next episode.
For classic TV fans, this is far from gossip but rather anecdotes that reflect an era when the whim of one individual challenged the guest list of the most popular late-night broadcast in America. Below are ten of the most interesting names and what landed them on the wrong side of Carson.
1. Jay Leno’s Early Cold Reception
Jay Leno’s first appearance in March 1977 was an “overnight success,” but his fifth appearance, in February of the following year, flopped so badly that Carson decreed Carson (and his producers) “swore he would never set foot on the show again.” Despite his enthusiasm for Leno, talent scout Jim McCawley was summarily dismissed by producer Peter Lassally, who spoke as though Carson’s dislike of Leno was the final word on the subject: ” Johnny just doesn’t like him. He doesn’t like his jokes Once he doesn’t like someone, he doesn’t start liking them later.’ Jay Leno would go on to host The Tonight Show for 22 years.
2. Ellen DeGeneres Defies Direct Orders
Then, in November of 1986, Ellen DeGeneres became the first female comedian to be invited to sit on Carson’s couch. During her third appearance, which occurred in May of 1987, she disregarded Carson’s request to not perform a specific joke. Talent scout Jim McCawley was recalled by publicist Charlie Barrett to chew her out in the green room, “I told you not to do that material.” Blushing, she was told, “You won’t be back again too soon.” Ellen didn’t go back until 1989 when Jay Leno was guest hosting.
3. Triple Breach by William Shat
The Star Trek captain’s call in 1983 broke three of the series’s big rules that were unspoken but well understood: He spoke in a monotone voice for four minutes straight without Carson interrupting him; he turned his back on Carson in order to speak with the other guest, Buddy Hackett; and he got in a plug that his series, T.J. Hooker, was broadcast on the competitor network ABC. Carson’s dislike was evident in the one mention of ABC in the broadcast but in USA Today, Shatner said Carson “would get a hate-on for people” and never invite them back.
4. Carl Sagan’s Comet Correction
Carl Sagan was a popular guest and came on at least 24 times, but in January 1986, he talked about Halley’s Comet and challenged Carson twice. Though he smiled it off, according to Malkoff, he felt slighted. Carson ended any chances of the astrophysicist returning to his show despite treating him respectfully on-air while closing down on an on-air friendship that had developed.
5. Misfire in Dana Carvey’s
Initially flattered by Dana Carvey’s impression of him on “Saturday Night Live,” Carson grew irate over a 1990 sketch pairing him as “out of touch, unhip, and clueless” alongside Arsenio Hall, appearing ridiculous himself. “I don’t talk like that,” producer Jeff Sotzing remembered Carson grumbling. “I don’t use those expressions.” A few days later, Carson cracked in the opening monologue, “We’re a couple of old farts,” but Carvey was henceforth blacklisted, a decision, he said, “started the whole thing” regarding Carson’s thoughts of retirement.
6. The Scam of Orson Welles
Carson was a fan of Orson Welles, but their friendship ended after Welles’ fifth guest host gig in 1978. Welles attempted a mentalist bit with ringers in attendance. Carson was upset, not with the loss, but with being fooled. “A magician using audience plants was inexcusable,” Malkoff continues. Carson and Welles never worked together after that.
7. Jerry Lewis’ Staff Tussle
Jerry Lewis had guest hosted or appeared on the show over 80 times by 1975. In one week when Lewis guest hosted, card man Don Schiff denied Lewis a last-minute request of some kind, and Lewis had a “hysterical” breakdown. Carson agreed with Carson, banning Lewis, except for a brief comeback. Carson, as Malkoff observes, tolerated no lack of manners.
8. Steve Allen’s Rudeness and Mockery
The Coarse and Teasing Style of Steve Allen Carson’s first guest was Steve Allen, who had been the first host of “The Tonight Show.” Steve Allen appeared regularly until October 1982, when he insulted Carson in reference to an injury he had previously sustained, as well as talking rudely to some of Carson’s staff regarding changes his associates had asked for. Carson learned about the incident, so he reassured the staff person that Steve Allen would never appear as a guest while Carson was hosting “The Tonight Show.”
9. Failures of Uri Geller
Uri Geller, a mentalist, came to Carson in August 1973. Carson chose him for a stunt against him. Carson is an amateur magician himself and dislikes performers who claim magical or psychic talents. Carson hired magician and skeptic Uri Geller’s critic, James Randi, beforehand and told him that he would not be allowed to touch any props during the show. Geller was unable to bend nails or keys and finally told Carson, “I don’t feel strong.” Many years later, he looked back and said, “I was humiliated. I thought to myself, ‘Uri Geller, you’re finished.’ I never came back.”
10. Barbra Streisand’s Last-Minute Cancellation
The trouble between Carson and Barbra Streisand dates back to a 1975 show that started with a late cancellation. Carson felt that Streisand had failed him with a lack of professionalism. Although it is not as well-known a banning as some of the others, it ensured that if Carson hosted the show, she would never appear. By examining what happened with Carson’s ban list, it is clear that Carson placed a high priority upon control, professionalism, and respect above that accorded by fame.
Whether or not these acts represented some divergence from acceptable behavior, a bad show, or a perceived slight, Carson chose the guests with great care. Such episodes from classic television history are more than simple warnings they are a beginning towards a possible full appreciation for a man who dominated television late-night programming for thirty years.
