The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was a groundbreaking late-night talk show that aired on NBC from 1962 to 1992, with Johnny Carson as its legendary host. Known for its sharp monologues, iconic characters like Carnac the Magnificent, and classic interviews with celebrities, the show set the standard for late-night television.
On the September 6, 1973 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Dom DeLuise delivered one of the most hilariously chaotic moments in the show’s history with a magic trick involving eggs. What began as a simple sleight-of-hand routine quickly unraveled into a slapstick free-for-all as DeLuise and Carson started stuffing eggs
into their clothes and flinging them at each other. Though the trick technically succeeded, it was the spontaneous egg fight—complete with yolk-soaked jackets and uncontrollable laughter—that stole the show. Carson, ever the master of timing, leaned into the absurdity, letting the messy mayhem unfold and sealing the segment as a fan-favorite moment of late-night television.
Rodney Dangerfield made more than 35 appearances on the johnny Carson show. It was always a good night when he appeared. I could not find the exact debut appearance date.
Fans often recall Dangerfield’s comedic chemistry with Carson blossoming during those mid-1970s episodes—his rapid-fire, “no‑respect” one-liners and his ability to have Carson breaking down in laughter became a hallmark of the show. One standout appearance from that era aired on September 2, 1974, as part of a segment where Dangerfield delivered classic jokes about being lost on the beach.
Drew Carey made a standout debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on November 8, 1991, delivering a sharp, energetic stand-up set that so impressed Johnny that he called Carey over to sit on the couch—a rare honor for a first-time guest. Carey’s material, focusing on relatable frustrations and everyday absurdities, showcased his clean delivery and self-deprecating humor, earning big laughs from the audience
and clear approval from Carson. That moment proved pivotal, launching Carey’s national career and leading to major roles in television, including The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and eventually hosting The Price Is Right.
Tim Conway made his debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on September 15, 1977, and immediately won the crowd—and Johnny—over with his trademark deadpan humor and affable storytelling.
He spoke candidly about his work on The Carol Burnett Show, his knack for making co-star Harvey Korman break character, even joked about being a father of six, and the ease with which he had seemingly performed under a goldfish‑dress outfit and stage fright. Carson praised Conway’s effortless comic timing, noting it had taken sixteen years for Conway to finally appear on his show, and the visit set the tone for many more riotous Tonight Show appearances over the years.
One of the most legendary comedy bits in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson history was the “Copper Clappers” spoof performed by Johnny Carson and Jack Webb on March 3, 1968. In this parody of Dragnet—the iconic police procedural that Webb both created and starred in—Carson plays a nervous victim named Claude Cooper,
who reports a bizarre robbery to deadpan detective Joe Friday (played by Webb). The entire sketch revolves around a tongue-twisting, alliterative series of lines about “copper clappers” being “clipped” from Claude Cooper’s closet, with increasingly absurd wordplay like “Claude Cooper, the kleptomaniac from Cleveland, who copped the clean copper clappers.” What made the sketch unforgettable was Webb’s perfectly straight delivery amid the nonsense, maintaining the same serious tone he used on Dragnet, which made the absurdity even funnier. The bit became an instant classic and is still cited as one of Carson’s greatest comedic moments.
ZZ Top made their television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on May 16, 1986, delivering electrifying performances of their hits “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Tush” during the Afterburner tour. This appearance marked a significant milestone for the band, introducing their blues-
infused rock to a broader television audience. The performance was notable not only for the band’s dynamic stage presence but also for the playful involvement of Johnny Carson and bandleader Doc Severinsen, who donned fake
beards in homage to the band’s signature look. This lighthearted moment added a touch of humor to the rock performance, showcasing the show’s tradition of blending music with comedy. The episode remains a memorable instance of ZZ Top’s crossover into mainstream television.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “Eliminator” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliminator_%28album%29
- Wikipedia “Tim Conway” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Conway
- Wikipedia “Rodney Dangerfield” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_Dangerfield
- Wikipedia “Dragnet (franchise)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragnet_(franchise)
- Wikipedia “Dom DeLuise” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dom_DeLuise
- Wikipedia “Drew Carey” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Carey
