If Johnny Carson Was King of Late-Night Comedy, then Ed McMahon Was Prince: RIP, Ed
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on June 24, 2009
Ed McMahon passed away yesterday, at age 86, after a long illness. He worked for more than three decades with the undisputed king of late-night comedy, Johnny Carson, on The Tonight Show.
In an interview yesterday with comedienne Phyllis Diller, who appeared often on The Tonight Show, she said that McMahon was the perfect foil for Johnny. And he was. One of the truly great “second bananas,” McMahon made Johnny look good, night after night after night.
Andrea Shea King has written an outstanding essay, profiling the man who was content to be on the sidelines: Ed McMahon – When Late Night Television Was Young.
Rather than mourn his passing, I’d rather celebrate McMahon’s long, successful partnership with Carson. Below are three video clips from The Tonight Show for your enjoyment and nostalgia. It’s a marvel to watch true professionals at work.
Ed, rest in peace. Johnny left us a while back, and now you’ve joined him up on that great stage in the sky. Two amazingly talented icons of television who made a nation laugh through good and bad times. Even though Carson and you retired from the show in 1992, I can still here your distinctive voice proclaiming, “Heeeeeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!”
Johnny Carson Shows Clip of Ed McMahon Being Tipsy on Show
Johnny Carson & Dom DeLuise: The Infamous Egg Trick… classic comedy
Behind the Scenes: Johnny Carson, Saying Goodbye to Ed McMahon and Doc Severinsen | Tribute, The Final Show, May 22, 1992
Related reading:
USA Today: Ed McMahon: Television’s singular sidekick signs off
Yahoo News: Conan O’Brien, ‘Tonight’ pay tribute to Ed McMahon
Horiwood’s Blog: ED McMAHON PASSES AWAY
GayPatriot: Ed McMahon – RIP
Ernie Mannix, Big Hollywood: The Ghost of Johnny Carson
Just Politics: Jay Leno Retires, I Think of Johnny Carson
And Still I Persist: Something I didn’t know about (the late) Ed McMahon
Entertainment Daily: Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson’s loyal longtime ‘Tonight Show’ sidekick, dies in Los Angeles at 86
Jeffrey Jena, Big Hollywood: Time for a Comedy Czar?
Chris Stigall, Big Hollywood: Remember When SNL Was Funny? (Obama Ushers in New Era of Comedic Irresponsibility)
John T. Simpson, Big Hollywood: Did You Hear the One About President Obama?
Tim Slade: Political Late Night Winners and Losers
S.T. Karnick, Big Hollywood: O’Brien Plays it Safe, Smart in ‘Tonight Show’ Debut
Frugal Café Blog Zone: Thanks for the Laughs, Jay Leno | More Obama and Liberal Jokes from Leno
The 9th Soul: I will miss Jay Leno…
Scott Graves, Big Hollywood: Satire is the Highest Form of Dissent?
Jim Blazsik: Obama states that the Constitution was written 20 centuries ago: why political satire and humor is important
Breitbart.TV: Obama is not too impressed with how he’s impersonated on SNL
I Think, Therefore I Rant!: Conan O’Brien is boring
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