Johnny Carson: Star Of The Night, 1962-1992

Johnny Carson was an unlikely prospect to become a comic legend.  Born in a small town in the American Midwest (Corning, Iowa) in 1925, his family relocated to an equally obscure area in Nebraska at the height of the Great Depression eight years later.  By his early teens, Carson discovered magic and the delight adults took in his amateur performances.  As a result, he became hooked on comedy.  If Americans ever needed a laugh, it was during the tumultuous times of 1930s and 1940s.  As economic ruin and war displaced millions of people worldwide, keeping one's sense of humor was imperative for survival. Of course, that is as true today as it was seventy years ago.
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After serving in the US Navy during the war, Carson returned home and took a bachelors degree from the University of Nebraska.  His senior thesis explored the comedy of popular vaudevillian and radio wit Jack Benny (1894-1974).  In the 1950s, Carson moved to Los Angeles and worked for CBS radio prior to moving over to television.  In hosting the game show Who Do You Trust? (1957-1962), Carson gained a following due to his natural charm, wit and affability.  That exposure led to an offer to take over The Tonight Show - a variety show that came on at 11:30PMEST.  On 1 October 1962, he made his first appearance on the program.  Nearly thirty years later on 22 May 1992, he would make his last.
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In a word, Johnny Carson was not only a cultural icon but also an institution of the American night.  When the late TV local news finished, millions of Americans forced themselves to stay awake at least fifteen to twenty minutes longer to hear Johnny's opening monologue of jokes on feckless politicians and unusual happenings all over the world.  His joke-writing and comedic timing were often impeccable, and viewers clung to his light-hearted disposition as an antidote to the daily stresses of maintaining professional and personal relationships.  As Carson kept his poise through laughter, his audience watched and followed suit.  For that reason, he became indispensable and beloved.
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As a Midwesterner, his humor was...well...silly.  Silly humor for Americans from the Midwest is a creative exercise of (limited) intelligence and an expression of joy in everyday living.  President Obama, who spent many years in Chicago - the capital of the Midwest, often makes silly jokes between serious matters of economy and international relations. Silly humor helps keep life in perspective.  The boss just rated your job-performance "poor" despite working off-the-clock for the last six months?  That's fine.  You didn't much care for his necktie at the review session anyway.  Your "significant other" just told you that he or she does not find you very significant anymore?  No problem.  You've been giving serious thought to the idea of moving to Finland and starting a career as a professional juggler and exotic rice salesman - door-to-door.  Now, there is nothing holding you back.
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In the absence of humor, we would all go crazy.  Perhaps Bono of the Irish rock band U2 put it best in a recent song title "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" on their most recent album No Line On The Horizon (2009).  Converting stress and steam into humor takes practice. Everyone, however, can and should adopt this method of living - as complaining or getting angry only aggravates others.  For Johnny Carson, overcoming hard times by creating laughter and joy was an art form, and that art form at 11:30PMEST is sorely missed.  Along with sharp monologues and talented guests (on most nights),Carson also did skits dressed up as various characters - including a female character called Aunt Blabby. Very funny.
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For thirty years, Johnny Carson was the star of the night.  After retiring in 1992, he lived a quiet life and died at age 79 in 2005.  Despite his passing, Carson's star still shines brightly on DVDs and YouTube, and he will always be remembered fondly for reminding us that laughter is indeed - the best medicine.
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(Photo: Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.  Carson first did the show from New York City before moving out to suburban Los Angeles later)
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Tonight Show Clip: To watch Johnny try to handle his sidekick (and good friend), who turned up to work after having a few drinks, please click onto the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwcfDa0gEPQ&feature=relmfu. To watch two additional clips of Steve Martin (American comedian and actor, b. 1945) doing his silly brand of humor on The Tonight Show, please click onto kleostimes.tumblr.com to the right and check postings for 29 May.
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J Roquen