On a recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, the audience got a glimpse into the humorous and sometimes controversial world of talk shows. Charles Grodin made an appearance on the show, alongside other guests Victoria Principal and Jeff Seinfeld. Carson, known for his witty banter and ability to draw out funny anecdotes from his guests, led the conversation down an unexpected path.
The discussion began innocently enough, with Grodin recounting his previous appearances on the show. But then, things took a turn when he mentioned that he had once been censored on a different talk show. Curiosity piqued, Carson prodded Grodin to reveal what had transpired.
It turns out that Grodin had been scheduled to discuss impotence with a doctor on the show. However, he admitted that he wasn’t entirely clear on what the term even meant. Was it the inability to achieve an erection or to maintain one? Regardless of his uncertainty, he went ahead with the segment.
The doctor proceeded to share an unusual impotence test, involving postage stamps. According to the doctor, during a night’s sleep, a man who is not impotent would have at least three erections. To determine whether the issue was physical or psychological, the doctor suggested placing stamps on the penis before going to bed. If the stamps remained intact in the morning, it indicated a psychological issue. If they were broken or canceled, it pointed to a physical problem.
Carson, always quick with a quip, found humor in the situation. He jokingly asked if penny stamps or airmail stamps should be used for this unconventional test. The conversation continued with lighthearted banter between Carson and Grodin, leaving the audience in stitches.
Interestingly, despite discussing this impotence test on the show, the actual question of what impotence meant had been censored. Grodin expressed confusion over this censorship, as he believed it was essential to understand the context of the discussion. Carson, never one to shy away from controversy, shared his own opinion, stating he didn’t see a reason to cut that part of the conversation.
As the interview progressed, Grodin revealed that he preferred not to use talk show appearances as a platform for blatant self-promotion. He believed that talk shows were an opportunity to establish an image or persona in the minds of the audience. This led to a discussion about how certain celebrities, like Burt Reynolds, meticulously crafted their on-screen personas to align with their public image.
The conversation concluded with Grodin affectionately calling out Carson for touching him and playfully predicting that it would happen before the night was over.
This lively and offbeat segment from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson gave viewers a glimpse into the unpredictable nature of talk shows. With Grodin’s wit and Carson’s charm, it left the audience entertained and eager for more unpredictable moments on future episodes.
Date of air: 06/04/1982
Originally aired on April 6, 1982
