2005: David Brenner recounts 'Tonight Show'

Показать описание

Late comedian David Brenner remembers his first appearance on "The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson."

Рекомендации по теме

Комментарии

News obits reviewing the life of comic David Brenner note that he appeared on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" over 150 times and guest hosted the show too. I had forgotten about his brief time as a Carson competitor in the 1986-87 television season, when I was a high school sophomore. Without knowing if Brenner made public comment on the current changes in late night television taking place just before his death, I do recall an interview he gave, I think to Bob Costas on "Later", circa 1992.

When the discussion turned to "Tonight" and the the fiercely competitive environment these shows operate in, Brennner talked about the feud between Carson and Joan Rivers. Rivers was the first permanent guest host named to "Tonight"; her new “Late Show Starring Joan Rivers” failed on FOX in the same season Brenner’s new, syndicated half-hour offering, “Nightlife”, failed to catch on with viewers. Both one time Carson favorites, Brenner said he didn’t fall out of favor with Carson because he handled the situation differently than Rivers.

Comparing himself and Rivers to kids living under Carson’s roof, Brenner drew an analogy that had him coming to Carson and telling him he wanted to move out and go to California to start a new life. Brenner said that Rivers on the other hand, called Carson and said: “Hey Dad, I’m in California”.

The analogy was spawned by news that Carson first learned Rivers had signed with FOX to launch a competing talk show at the same time the rest of the world did, by watching her press conference. By contrast, Brenner said he had discussed his plans to start a competing talk show with Carson beforehand and got his blessing.

In Her Own Defense:

Rivers said she called Carson shortly after the press conference that day to talk about the FOX job. Famously, feeling blindsided and betrayed, Carson hung up on her, and she says never spoke to her again. Defending her choice, Rivers in interviews asked rhetorically, how many people would turn down a career promotion that would let them make three times (or was it five?) their current salary and reach the pinnacle of the profession—their name on the show? She also said her decision to make the move was fueled by an internal memo at NBC that she wasn't supposed to see. She said the memo was a list of possible Carson successors when he retired and that her name was not on it.

Over the years, Rivers has expressed seemingly genuine surprise and sadness that Carson never spoke to her again, but never stopped giving him credit for making her career. I think she gave her view of the Carson feud with Costas on the same "Later" episode that instead of knocking on wood, she said she would knock on "the ugliest chairs I've ever seen". It was a reference to the large, garish chairs on the "Later" set.

Years later, 6/22/73-born Carson Jones Daly (who should have been given "Tonight" because of his last name?!?) fronts Costas' old "Later" time slot in "Last Call with Carson Daly".

It's not your grandma's or iconic comic legend George Carlins' late night landscape, that's for sure. Carlin was the first-ever host of "Saturday Night Live"—the 1975 groundbreaking sketch comedy show historic and successful enough that its Canadian executive producer, Lorne Michaels, has been given the keys to NBC's "Tonight" and "Late Night" franchise in the 21st century.

Note: Carson's last performance "Tonight" on 5/21/92 had Bette Midler and Robins Williams. Leno's first ep. as "Tonight" host four days later had Billy Crystal; TV journalist Robert Krulwich and recording artist, SHANice

Very curious, those rich, television egomaniacs, right?

GWhiz