Love Johnny Carson
One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Love Johnny Carson
Pre-order Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
About this listen
A wildly entertaining book by one of the world’s most obsessed and informed fans of TV icon Johnny Carson, setting the record straight on Carson's legacy and shining light on the personality behind the legendary comedian and talk show host
Over the course of his thirty-year career hosting The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson appeared on some 4,500 broadcasts, interviewed over 25,000 guests, and solidified himself as a warm, witty, comforting presence to US audiences during turbulent times.
Carson aficionado Mark Malkoff has amassed more Carson stories from original sources than anyone in entertainment history, speaking to over four hundred individuals, and now, in Love Johnny Carson, he sets the record straight in this comprehensive portrait of Carson's life, career, legacy, and character. Hear about the debuts of stand-up comics like David Letterman and Ellen DeGeneres, the never-before-detailed reasons why Johnny stopped talking to Joan Rivers, why he banned guests like William Shatner and Orson Welles, the true origins of Carnac the Magnificent (it wasn’t stolen from Steve Allen), the part Johnny played in getting Nixon elected president, the beloved comedian who the Carson writers dreaded guest-hosting, and many other behind-the-scenes stories of the funniest and most beloved Carson moments of all time.
In the end, Malkoff's book serves not only as a biography but also as a love letter; a love letter to show business, to personalities, and to the singular show-business legend of Johnny Carson.
©2025 Mark Malkoff and David Ritz (P)2025 Penguin AudioCritic reviews
"Johnny Carson should be studied by every entertainer, social media content creator, and anyone serious about building a career, a business, and a lasting legacy. He was like artificial intelligence before it existed—you had to actually know what you were talking about. If you don't know or can't quite remember who Johnny Carson was, the book Love Johnny Carson will educate you so you never forget."–George Lopez, actor and comedian
“On November 15th, 1991, I reached one of the pinnacles of my career: five minutes on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Mark Malkoff’s book is an in-depth, personal, and fascinating look at my first comedy hero, and a reminder of how important Johnny was to me and so many others."–Ray Romano, actor and comedian
"Johnny Carson was simply the best late night television talk show host of all time—the standard by which other hosts will always be measured. Mark Malkoff's wonderful book Love Johnny Carson is an amazingly entertaining and informative biography of the man who forever changed my life, and made millions of people laugh for decades. Johnny Carson was an American treasure, and this is truly a great read!"–Byron Allen, media mogul, comedian, and Carson guest