On the March 24, 1978 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, viewers were treated to an unexpected surprise when a rooster made an appearance on stage. The talk show, known for its lively and entertaining guests, truly outdid itself with this unique and memorable moment.
The rooster, named Baby, was brought on the show by Donna Pyle from Charles City, Iowa. Donna introduced Baby as her pet rooster, who had not only done a radio commercial but had also won two international crowing contests in Waterloo, Iowa. Baby was truly a remarkable bird.
Bringing Baby on the show was no small feat, as Donna had to figure out a way to transport him from Iowa to Los Angeles. Traveling with a rooster was certainly out of the ordinary, but Donna made it work. She revealed that she had to bring Baby in first class, as she wasn’t sure how to check him in as luggage. The size of Baby made it a bit challenging, but she managed to bring him safely to The Tonight Show studio.
When Baby made his grand entrance, the audience couldn’t help but be in awe of his magnificent appearance. Johnny Carson himself marveled at the sight of the large rooster, noting his red feathers and impressive size. Baby weighed around 10 to 12 pounds, making him quite the presence on stage.
Johnny, curious about the logistics of bringing Baby to the show, asked Donna about the process. Donna explained that she had to call the airline to inquire about bringing Baby on board. Unfortunately, due to regulations, she couldn’t bring him as carry-on, so she had to find another way. Despite the challenges, Donna managed to make it happen, and the audience was grateful for the opportunity to see Baby up close.
As the conversation continued, Johnny inquired about Baby’s unique accomplishments. Donna explained that Baby had landed a commercial with Citizens National Bank after she had contacted them about their advertising poster featuring a crowing rooster. Baby’s ability to crow on command made him the perfect choice for the bank’s campaign.
Curiosity got the best of Johnny, as he asked Donna about the crowing contests in which Baby had won. Donna revealed that the number of times a rooster crows within a specific timeframe determines the winner. She had witnessed roosters crowing up to 90 times in a half-hour during previous contests. It was quite the spectacle, and Baby’s skills had certainly impressed the judges.
As the conversation came to a close, Johnny couldn’t resist asking Donna if Baby would crow during the show. Donna, hopeful that Baby would oblige, offered him some corn as an incentive. However, to everybody’s amusement, Baby remained silent. It seemed that the long trip and unfamiliar surroundings had thrown him off.
Johnny playfully expressed his disappointment, assuring Donna that Baby’s presence on the show wasn’t just for nothing. However, just as the show was about to cut to commercial, Baby let out a crow, much to everyone’s delight. The audience erupted in cheers and applause, thrilled to have witnessed such a rare and entertaining moment.
In the end, Baby the rooster proved to be a true star, capturing the hearts of The Tonight Show audience. His appearance on the show added a touch of charm and whimsy, reminding viewers that sometimes the most unexpected things can make for the most memorable moments in entertainment. It was a night that would be remembered in the talk show’s history, a night when a rooster named Baby became the center of attention on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
