On a recent episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson“, the legendary host welcomed comedian Albert Brooks to the stage. The audience erupted with applause as Brooks took his place next to Carson, expressing his admiration for the comedian and recalling his earlier appearances on the Steve Allen Show.
Brooks, who had recently directed, co-wrote, and starred in the film “Real Life”, which had received excellent reviews, brought a special gift for Carson and his sidekick Ed McMahon. He handed a package to Carson, saying, “Will you give that to Doc afterwards?” The gesture was met with appreciation from the audience.
But what was inside the package? Brooks revealed it as a joint, jokingly adding, “Nobody ever tips—I’m so cheap. I won’t even let the gag play,” before asking Carson to take it back. Laughter filled the room as the audience enjoyed Brooks’ comedic timing.
Brooks then clarified that the joint contained something different. To the surprise of the audience, he claimed it was heroin, insisting, “This is not a joint. It’s heroin, Johnny!” The comedian continued to playfully tease, confirming that it was, in fact, not heroin but a joint. The crowd erupted with laughter, enjoying the back-and-forth banter between Brooks and Carson.
Throughout the interview, Brooks infused his humor into discussions about drug use, personal habits, and hypochondria. He shared a hilarious story about smoking industrial-strength marijuana during his early years as a performer, joking about the audience’s perception of his state of mind. He humorously observed that performing for a stoned audience or a stoned performer often led to a better experience, as it reduced the chances of physical violence.
Brooks also touched on the changing times and how topics like marijuana were treated differently in the past. He reminisced about a time when networks would not allow pot jokes on air, while nowadays, the marijuana industry is thriving. Despite his amusing insights, Brooks made it clear that he preferred not to partake in public activities involving large crowds due to concerns about diseases.
As the conversation turned to age and hypochondria, Brooks shared his experiences with hair loss, exercising, and the guilt associated with not keeping up with exercise trends. He expressed his views on the fitness craze, joking about the dangers of jogging near exhaust fumes. Adding to the laughter, he light-heartedly offered a series of future-oriented jokes that played with well-known punchlines.
Brooks’ energy and wit brought an entertaining atmosphere to “The Tonight Show.” His comedic presence and ability to find humor in everyday situations captivated the audience from start to finish, making this episode one to remember.
Date: 25/07/1979
Originally aired on July 25, 1979
