‘Simply no comparison’ to Carson

For Barry Bell Johnny Carson’s death was more than the death of a talk show legend.

“He was a symbol . . . ,” the acting director for the Performing Arts Theater department said. “I was born in ’51, and Jack Paar was the host, but by the time I was old enough for late-night TV Carson was there.”

Bell added his father would tease him and say, “You should have watched Johnny last night,” because he was still too young to watch and enjoy.

Accompanied nightly by his co-host and friend Ed McMahon, Carson embodied the founding spirit of late-night television. “Heeeeere’s Johnny!” was the phrase America came to know and love ever since Carson took over hosting duties of “The Tonight Show” in 1962.

He regaled audiences with opening monologues that set the standard for today’s late-night format. He introduced characters such as “Carnac the Magnificent.” Carson also was known for his powerful influence in the entertainment industry.

If he gave a comedian’s performance a “thumbs up,” it would make their career. Indifference was a deadly response to receive from Johnny. If he called you over to talk after your performance, you had made it.

Comedy heavyweights like Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres and others jump-started their careers appearing on Carson’s show.

Carson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and afterwards he became a regular on local television stations in his native Nebraska during the late 1940’s. He went on to define late-night TV for thirty years, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.

He was given the award by then-president George H.W. Bush who said, “with decency and style he’s made America laugh and think.”

The New York Times’ online discussion board posted readers’ responses to Carson’s death, with one reader saying, “Watch Letterman and Leno this week, if you can stand it, and then recall the talent of Johnny Carson. There is simply no comparison.”