David Letterman's Tribute to Johnny Carson

[Josh]

Anyone see Letterman last night? His first night back since Johnny's death.

It was great. So much more GENUINE than ths schlock Leno dished out... probably because Johnny actually liked Dave as opposed to hating Leno and wishing death on him.

Dave's entire opening monologue consisted of jokes that Johnny had sent him to use.

On the show, he had on Johnny's best friend (hint, it wasn't Ed McMahon, Johnny didn't care for Ed and they weren't friends whatever Ed might say) and they talked about what Johnny was like, and about how after he retired Johnny started sendin Dave jokes to use. And Dave did use them.

They showed some great clips of Johnny making fun of Dave.

One where Dave was on the Tonight Show, and Johnny stole his old beat to hell truck and had it towed on stage.

Then another where Johnny was a guest aon Dave's show and Johnny came out with a fold out desk and set it up on stage next to Daves.

Just great stuff.

Dave should have been back a week earlier though. Shame.

[Matt]

I think Johnny and Ed were friendly to each other. They just weren't best friends. I also don't think Johnny hated Jay. I just think he preferred Leno.

But both Leno and Letterman are poor ass replacements for Johnny Carson.

[Josh]

No, seriously, Johnny really did hate Jay.

Johnny had everything planned for Letterman to take over, and Jay screwed him over.

They never spoke again after Jay took over the Tonight Show.

Jay took over and fired all of Johnny's people.

By all accounts he really hated the guy.

[Matt]

I don't know how Jay could have screwed Johnny. NBC could have though.

But I didn't know that he hated Jay. I don't blame Jay for hiring his own people though. That's just normal business. But I don't like Jay so it's not that I'm trying to defend him.

[Josh]

Well, I guess Johnny had worked a "handshake" deal with NBC that Dave would be his successor...

..and then knowing this, Jay went behind his back and ass kissed and convinced them that Johnny was leaving anyway, so who cared what he wanted, and got them to hire him instead.

Something like that. It's been a long time since I've read any of this crap.

I think there was even rumor that Johnny hadn't intended to retire as early as he did, but NBC and Leno pushed him out faster than he'd intended to get it over with and put Leno in.

[masterthes]

Well then that's just plain mean. so, Johnny was more friendly with Doc than Ed?

[Josh]

Originally posted by masterthes
Well then that's just plain mean. so, Johnny was more friendly with Doc than Ed? No idea, just know he and Ed weren't really "friends". I don't think there was animosity there, they just didn't socialize.