In a recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, the legendary talk show host welcomed comedian Jackie Mason. Mason, who has had a remarkable year, discussed his journey from opening his show in Beverly Hills to hitting it big on Broadway, winning a Tony Award, and being nominated for a Grammy. He also shared that he is currently starring in a new movie called Caddyshack 2.
Carson congratulated Mason on his success and acknowledged that it must have been hard for him to find the time to come on the show. Mason humorously replied that he didn’t actually want to come on the show, jokingly expressing his lack of enthusiasm for the whole idea. But despite his initial reluctance, Mason couldn’t deny that being a hit on Broadway and making a movie were important milestones in his career.
Carson brought up Mason’s extensive success on Broadway and commented on the standing-room-only crowds that flock to his show every night. Mason humbly admitted that he could have never imagined such overwhelming success. He described his one-man show as a phenomenon and emphasized that he is a bigger hit than every other show on Broadway, mentioning that some shows even want to close because nobody is going to see them anymore.
The conversation then shifted to Mason’s venture into the movie business. Mason explained that despite his love for performing on Broadway, making a movie offers a different kind of stardom. He acknowledged that movies reach a much larger audience and stated that he believes he is one of the greatest actors to have ever lived, albeit modestly.
Carson playfully asked Mason about rumors of him taking dancing lessons. Mason jokingly replied that he was taking the dance lessons with Diane Cannon, adding humorously that she had gone from being married to Cary Grant to dancing with him. He also mentioned being involved in a new movie and taking advantage of the opportunity to play a lead role in an important picture.
The conversation took a light-hearted turn as they discussed Mason’s habit of getting married frequently. Mason jokingly stated that he marries everyone he beats, mentioning the expensive cost of marriage. He reasoned that since he had worked so hard for his money, he didn’t see the need to make someone else a partner. Mason humorously expressed his views on marriage, stating that marriage is an expensive proposition that he doesn’t see the sense in. He also jokingly commented on the concept of equality in marriage, suggesting that if someone wants equality, they should give back some money if the marriage ends.
Carson shifted the conversation back to Mason’s current work in Hollywood and asked him about his thoughts on working in Los Angeles. Mason shared his love for the city, describing it as a place where he doesn’t need anyone and can simply enjoy being alone. He humorously remarked on the status-conscious nature of Beverly Hills and the prevalence of expensive cars like Mercedes. Mason sarcastically commented on the status symbol mentality and the tendency of people to buy luxury cars as a form of impressing others.
The conversation concluded with Carson expressing his delight in having Mason on the show and praising his success. Mason expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he has been given and his appreciation for his current success after years of struggle. The segment ended with warm wishes and Mason jokingly expressing his availability for future appearances on the show.
Overall, Jackie Mason‘s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was filled with humor, witty banter, and candid insights into his journey as a comedian and actor. Mason’s remarkable achievements in the entertainment industry and his unique perspective on fame and success made for an entertaining and lively interview.
