I miss Sam...
Posted on 01/24/2005 1:36:15 AM PST by kcvl
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX MON APRIL 29 2002 13:08:27 ET XXXXX
JOHNNY CARSON BREAKS SILENCE: KNOCKS FOX FOR TOO MUCH PATRIOTISM AT SUPER BOWL; THINKS BUSH IN ENRON COVER-UP
**Exclusive Details**
Don't look for Johnny Carson to make an appearance during NBC's 75TH Anniversary Special -- even though NBC head Bob Wright has made a personal plea.
"That ain't gonna happen," the retired Carson tells ESQUIRE magazine. "That ain't gonna happen."
The retired funnyman throws cold water on Wright's May Sweep dreams.
"He means well. I know NBC means well. But I am retired. I ain't going back on television. There's no need for me to go back. It's gonna be one of those self-congratulatory things. Look how good we are! I'm just not going to do it!"
Reporter Bill Zehme has been courting Carson for years and the relationship has paid off in spades: On May 8th, ESQUIRE rolls out an exhaustive exclusive interview with the press-shy Carson, running 10 pages.
Carson rips FOX for its Super Bowl red-white-and-blue coverage following 9/11: "When you look at the production -- give me a break!" Carson says. "Norman Mailer said something about patriotism being a nice thing, but just ease up a bit... It's nice to live in this country, but ease up!"
Carson takes on Bush: "Can you believe this Enron mess? I love how his good friend 'Kenny Boy' suddenly turned into 'Mr. Lay'... Give me a break! It will be a long time before we ever understand what's going on behind that story."
Carson has nightmare dreams that he still is host of the TONIGHT SHOW: "It's show time and I am going on -- and I've got nothing to say! I wake up in a sweat!"
He tells Zehme that the only time he wished he was back on the air and not retired was during the Monica Lewinsky mess.
"It's John. I regret it now," Carson said to Wright in a phone call. "I haven't seen such an abundance of material in my life!"
Developing...
Rest in peace Johnny.
Anybody have that old May 10, 2002 Enquirer?
Drugdge either has bad taste of bad timing as Johnny Carson just passed away. He was a great talent, made Americans laugh for 30 years. I missed him after he retired, there's been nothing like him since. Rest in peace Mr. Carson, you helped millions of Americans feel good for a very long time, you will be sorely missed.
I'm still looking but here is an article I found interesting...
Johnny Carson Battling Emphysema
by Marcus Errico
Sep 19, 2002, 3:45 PM PT
Yes, Johnny Carson has emphysema. Yes, he is still keeping a low profile. But no, he is not on his deathbed, thank you very much.
That's the word today from the late-night talkmeister's camp as it tries to snuff an upcoming tabloid story claiming Carson is seriously ailing.
The National Enquirer will report in its next issue that Carson has "been grappling with killer emphysema for several years and wants to stay out of the public eye." Although the tab doesn't hit supermarket shelves until Friday, the gist of the story was leaked in Thursday's New York Post.
The report prompted a rare response from Carson himself, via his Carson Productions spokesman Jeff Sortzing.
"I'm dealing with it the best I can and it is not causing me any major problems," Carson said.
In the brief statement, Carson says he first learned of the story after a 45-minute stint of tennis at his Malibu cliff-side enclave.
Carson, who turns 77 in October, was frequently caught puffing away during his 1962-92 tenure manning the desk on NBC's Tonight Show, but he claims to have given up his cigarette habit. Smoking is the leading cause of emphysema, an incurable degenerative lung disease that causes shortness of breath. Exercise and medication are among the treatments used to keep the condition in check.
The iconic funnyman has remained way off the show-biz radar since his retirement, rarely turning up in public and even refusing to attend NBC's 75th anniversary special earlier this year.
Carson's reclusion has led to much speculation about his health, especially since he underwent quadruple-bypass heart surgery in 1999 following a reported heart attack.
But according to an Esquire magazine profile earlier this year, Carson's doing just fine. He and fourth wife Alexis spend most of their time ensconced in their Malibu digs or cruising the world in their custom-crafted 130-foot yacht, the Serengeti. (The vessel's name reflects Carson's love of Africa. He visits Tanzania so often he's even learned to speak some Swahili.)
He also reportedly finds time for the occasional poker game with fellow funnymen Carl Reiner, Steve Martin and Chevy Chase and media mogul Barry Diller.
http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,10560,00.html
What do you mean Drudge has bad taste? It is information that he reported on Carson in 2002. The man is not a saint. I liked Carson also but there is nothing wrong with the truth either. If you don't like it don't read it.
Johnny Carson was a yellow dog 'Ted the Swimmer' nutbar fanatic. Funny guy, though. FReegards....
Leno hasn't touched his Tonight Show money. With interest it should be 250,000,000 easy.
This is a reposted article. There are earlier threads.
Just goes to show where his heart and mind was in his final years.
That's a great find!
I wasn't aware he'd had the heart attack and subsequent surgery.
Have not seen a recent pic of him, have you?
I wonder if Carson ever was informed that the fatal trip to Croatia that resulted in Ron Brown's death -- however it happened -- was on behalf of Enron.
I wonder if Carson ever was informed that the fatal trip to Croatia that resulted in Ron Brown's death -- however it happened -- was on behalf of Enron.
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Survivor Johnny Carson says Survivor contestants are "silly people."
In a rare interview, Johnny Carson "disparaged" reality TV to Esquire, according to Reuters summary of the interview. He said of Survivor's cast members, "These silly people will do anything the director suggests because they want to be on television. They want to be somebody! I say, take 'em and put 'em in the Congo for four days -- see how they do over there."
This is the kind of shit here that pisses me off. The man isn't even cold in the ground, and someone has to find something to dis him over.
It is not very Christian to celebrate someones death in order to denounce their life.
However, all of these hosts-both past and present-pale in comparison to Dennis Prager.
If anyone needs a late night show, it's him.
OK, my mistake. Just the timing of this post to the one I just read about his death seemed odd.
Who's "dis"ing Johnny?
I wish Sam Kennison had been alive during the "Monica" era. What a target rich environment he would have had!
The thing about Johnny Carson was, you could barely tell his politics. Sure, from the sounds of it, he was left of center. But what made him so great was, you couldn't tell. His jokes and so forth didn't give off some political spin that today's comics do. And other then this interview, Carson kept to himself and stayed out of the limelight. Unlike some of today's so-called entertainers.
He may not be perfect (of course) but he was still a great man.
Whomever is "dissing" Johnny, it is certainly NOT kcvl.
She has posted two old articles that addressed his health issues.
What's your problem with THAT?
******
My dad died of emphysema so I don't wish that on anyone.
******
07/03/2004 Johnny Carson, The Man Who Retired From the 2002 Esquire article : "I think I left at the right time," he says now. "You've got to know when to get the hell off the stage, and the timing was right for me. The reason I really don't go back or do interviews is because I just let the work speak for itself." Inasmuch, I have come to know that he is far better than simply fine; he is supremely self-assured of his place in the firmament, secure about the lasting worth of that which he quit doing for television cameras and for his country. He is contented in a way wise humans can only aspire to be but rarely are. Always with a shrug and a whiff of final punctuation, he regularly repeats to friends and family three short words: "I did it." Nobody argues.
Looks like Johnny was an equal opportunity jokester.
I would have loved to hear him on this issue.
Hey, Johnny said something bad about Fox news!
He must be democratic!
A democratic communist!!
A democratic communist lesbian!!!
A democratic communist lesbian attorney!!!!
A democratic communist lesbian attorney Islamonazi!!!!!
This is hugh! This is series!
And it's all Bushes fault!!!!!!!!
When a person dies, it's time to respectfully (try) to remember the good things about them.
And even the mods will admit, that's above a few Freepers.
I'm not convinced he was left of center.
Merv Griffin is GOP and a close friend.
Heck, in the LKL transcript, Merv talks
about Johnny meeting President Reagan and
First Lady Nancy and being worried about
how they'd receive him because of the jokes
he told... naturally both Reagan's hugged him!
I think Carson was a class act.
His personal politics were kept to himself
as far as I can tell.
It is not very Christian to celebrate someones death in order to denounce their life.
No problem telling the truth, actually I never found him to be very funny.
During their coverage yesterday, the Fox News entertainment reporter (forgot his name, but he used to sit in the third seat on Fox & Friends Weekend before he was replaced with Julian) said that Johnny was a big fan of Fox News Channel.
I didn't see any of that in the piece.
Johnny was exercising free speech. kcvl found it on the web and posted it. What's not to like?
How is quoting the man considered "dis'ing" him? If he didn't want to be known for saying these things, then he shouldn't have said them, especially in a printed public interview!
When a person dies, it's time to respectfully (try) to remember the good things about them.
In death, as in life, a man in known by his words and his deeds.
That's entirely fine, it's your personal opinion and people will respect it.
But it seems to me there is a tendency to ry to completely demonize someone for something trivial that they said.
I watched Johnny for many years. I always found him honest and down to Earth. I would also bet my behind that he was just as appalled about some things that are going on as most Freepers are.
Talkshow legend Johnny Carson at the Malibu movie theatre to watch 'Aviator' starring Leonardo di Caprio. Mandatory Credit: Photo by 539/Most Wanted/ZUMA Press.
******
Some people try to be thread Nazis. If they don't like it, we aren't suppose to post it.
I have yet to read anything that indicates Johnny was
left of center, or a democrat or a Republican. He was
a great talent and I've missed him since he left his show.
When he retired, he RETIRED.
For me it will be interesting to see what Imus has to say about Johnny's passing.
I'm certain that the world completely changed for Johnny when his son died in 91. Same as for Bill Cosby.
Bless you!
You found a recent pic.
He looked GOOD.
Good thing I scrolled down and saw your post, I was like "WTF?".
Just who do you consider funny?
Johnny Carson was a loose cannon.......
Please post a synopsis of Imus's remarks.
I am without cable here or I'd be waiting for Imus's program too.
He looked good for someone dying of emphysema, that's for sure. How long ago was the movie Aviator in the theater?
You have GOT to be kidding. Jay has numerous garages full of six figure priced automobiles and five figured vintage and custom built bikes. Millions and millions worth.
Why don't you go on a "Freep" and photograph his home pre-Tonight show and his home(s) today.
Being one of Jay Leno's vendors is the sweetest gig on Earth.
I'm sure it did too. Someone said yesterday that his son died in a car crash while taking pictures. I didn't understand that.
A rabble rousing malcontent. I never trusted him, I'm glad you didn't either.
Why did I get pinged?
Right.
Granita is the restaurant.
Much talked about on LKL,
but the transcript reads "Grenada" lol.
Jay makes real good money off of his standup gigs. He still makes appearances.
Aviator is currently playing in several theaters.
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