On the 12th of January, 1979, Richard Pryor made a memorable appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The renowned talk show host introduced Pryor, expressing his admiration for the actor’s talent and mentioning his role in a new Neil Simon film, “California Sweet.” The conversation quickly turned to Pryor’s upcoming concert film, “Richard Pryor Live in Concert,” which was set to be released nationwide on the 9th of February.
Carson remarked on Pryor’s unique brand of comedy, describing him as a “funny man.” Pryor, visibly appreciative, thanked Carson and expressed his joy and contentment. The two engaged in light banter about the new year and the recent earthquake scare. Pryor shared a humorous anecdote from a previous earthquake experience, relaying how, during a particularly strong tremor, he found himself naked in bed, wielding a samurai sword and a bottle of whiskey.
The conversation then shifted to Pryor’s distinctive fashion sense. Carson acknowledged the gold accents on Pryor’s shoes, causing Pryor to joke about whether it was similar to admiring someone’s clothes. Pryor playfully responded that it was indeed his shoes, complete with 14-karat gold accents, and mentioned that things were going well for him.
As the interview progressed, Pryor claimed that his mind had deserted him the moment he stepped onto the stage. He humorously described a moment of panic when he went to use the bathroom and found himself whistling from his nose for no reason. The conversation flowed effortlessly, with Pryor offering amusing anecdotes and Carson expertly chiming in with witty remarks.
Carson brought up the topic of how Pryor’s mother viewed his career. Pryor chuckled and noted that while his parents were undoubtedly proud of him, they treated him like any other person when he visited home. He contrasted the familiarity his family had with him to the adoration and reverence he received from the general public.
Drawing from his own experience working with Red Skelton, Pryor recalled a moment when Skelton’s children excitedly approached him for an autograph, seemingly oblivious to their father’s fame. It was a testament to how children, aware of their parents’ celebrity status, could still be more impressed by seeing someone they recognized on television.
Pryor lightened the mood further by sharing a funny story involving his own children making prank phone calls. They had participated in a radio contest where the question was, “Who’s the funniest guy in the world?” Pryor’s daughter called in and correctly answered “Steve Martin.” In a playful twist, Pryor suggested to Carson that he should ask Martin for a Christmas gift as a reward.
The Richard Pryor interview on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was filled with laughter and entertaining anecdotes. Pryor’s brilliant comedic timing and Carson’s charm made for a memorable conversation that left the audience in stitches. It was just another example of the incredible talent and wit that graced this iconic talk show.
