In Memoriam: Carson

One of the problems with L.O.'s absence is that L.O. was unable to pay tribute to one of the paragons of comedy and entertainment, Johnny Carson, who died this past January. So L.O. is taking the opportunity to do so now, noting that other bloggers have done so.

L.O. believes that, contrary to popular opinion, Carson's influence is not what it should be. Frankly, it would be impossible. Carson put late night on the map in a big way. But he also owed a great debt to those who pioneered it before him---Jack Paar had a greater gift for unpredictability, but that same unpredictability that made his show a flashfire of surprising emotion also made Paar unstable and hampered his continued success. Carson was not as vulnerable as Paar. Carson was, amazingly, a sphinx. Behind his quips and his persona, no one knew what went on behind the curtain. Carson held SOMETHING in reserve---an alien concept to the entertainment figures of today. That was, perhaps, a reflection of the different era in which Carson came up. But at the same time, for over 30 years Carson stood in the unrelenting spotlight and gave up only what he wanted to give up. You have to admire that. Carson wasn't as proficient a jokester as Steve Allen. And his dry wit and cutting edge was not even close to that of the marvelous Fred Allen (no relation). But Carson had the martini recipe---he was just dry enough, just cutting enough, and with just enough of a buzz.

More importantly, Carson's show was more than just a vehicle for cardboard cutouts to sell their latest fluff. Who today would have devoted 30 minutes of a show to interviewing Jim Garrison at the height of his JFK investigation? Carson actually wanted to have conversations with his guests, unlike today--where the "conversations" are planned out in advance and meant to lead to the plug. Look at his dubious namesake, Carson Daly. There is a perfect example of how far things have fallen.

So while Leno and Letterman have continued the tradition of having shows late at night--with the same formats Carson used--they lack the essential ingredients that made Carson worth watching. Letterman probably is the more worthy successor to Carson in terms of fundamentals---a fact demonstrated by Carson's walk-on and by his contributing jokes. Leno's been nothing but a guest host for 13 years.

But it's a different climate today. Entertainment across the board is more synergized, more of an efficiency product than anything else. Americans just don't have time for mirth and wit anymore. Carson knew the change was coming--and bowed out. You have to admire that, too. He knew the amount of stupid annoying crap he was willing to put up with in life and drew the line. Tell that to, well, anyone.

In closing, L.O.'s favorite Carson moment. Dean Martin and George Gobel were guests. George Gobel was a dopey, corny clueless Borscht Belt comic. Dean Martin was one of the great, fearless b-s detectors in showbiz. He was another brave man who knew his limits. Dean Martin sat in the chair next to Gobel. And Gobel is going on and on and on. Meanwhile, Martin, sitting silently, expressionlessly, is surreptiously tapping the ashes from his cigarette into Gobel's cup. Carson knows it and can barely contain himself, while Gobel goes on and on obliviously. The studio audience is hysterical. The message got across.

So long Johnny.