In a recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, legendary actor Michael Landon made his final appearance. Known for his odd sense of humor, Landon shared a hilarious story from a dinner he had with Carson at a restaurant in Malibu called The Bull Revives.
As they were leaving the restaurant, Landon accidentally backed over a cat that was known to hang around the area. Unbeknownst to Landon, Carson called him the next day and informed him that the restaurant owner had called to say that Landon had killed his cat. Landon was shocked and felt terrible for what he had done.
A month later, Landon and Carson decided to revisit the same restaurant. Landon, in his usual sense of humor, thought it would be funny to play a prank on the owner. He called ahead and requested a big trailer with a toy flattened cat to be brought to their table during dinner.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Landon and Carson sat down, and the waiter handed them the menu. Landon, playing along with the prank, pretended to read the menu aloud. He stumbled upon some comically altered dishes, such as “Terrine of Tabby” and “Priss [ ] Provencal served outside in the dark.” Landon and Carson couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the menu items.
During the interview, Landon also took a moment to address a serious topic. He spoke about the importance of maintaining a positive mental attitude, especially for those who have loved ones battling cancer. Landon shared his frustration with tabloids that spread false rumors about his health, emphasizing the insensitivity of such claims, particularly when it involves children.
Carson joined in the conversation, expressing his disdain for tabloids like The Enquirer and The Star, noting that they are known for their lack of decency and the truth. Fortunately, both Landon and Carson believed that most people watching the show had enough intelligence to see through such sensationalized stories.
As the interview progressed, Landon discussed his new pilot for CBS and expressed his hope that it would be well received. Despite his initial concerns about the interview, Carson’s lighthearted banter and support made Landon feel more at ease.
Before the interview concluded, a brief clip from Landon’s pilot was shown. The scene portrayed a powerful exchange between Landon’s character and his father, played by Barney Martin. Landon’s character had been wrongfully imprisoned and encouraged his wife to tell their son that he had died. However, after 18 years, their son discovers the truth and confronts Landon’s character.
Overall, Landon’s final appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was a memorable one. From humorous anecdotes about backing over a restaurant cat to heartfelt discussions about cancer and family, Landon captivated the audience with his charm and wit. As the curtain closed on that evening’s episode, viewers couldn’t help but reflect on Landon’s talent and genuine humanity.
