On a recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, 19-year-old actor Jason Bateman made quite the entrance. As he sat down for an interview with Johnny, it quickly became clear that this young star was full of energy and charisma.
Johnny warmly welcomed Jason to the show, commenting on his talent and his role in the comedy series The Hogan Family, which aired on NBC. The audience applauded, setting the stage for an entertaining and lively conversation.
As the interview progressed, Jason took a moment to address his hair, which had a noticeable reddish tint. He jokingly explained that it was for a role as an Italian character and assured Johnny that he wasn’t going through a crazy phase. With his friendly banter, Jason immediately put the audience at ease.
Johnny, always one to keep the conversation flowing, asked Jason about his previous appearances on the show. Jason shared that he had been on before, but his growth spurts made it seem like forever since his last visit. At just 19 years old, he joked that he was almost done growing.
The talk turned to a moment from a previous appearance that had caused a bit of trouble. Jason had referenced a song by Sammy Davis Jr., saying “there are other fish in the sea.” Unfortunately, his girlfriend at the time took offense, leading to a lighthearted discussion about relationships and misunderstandings. Ultimately, Jason admitted that he and his girlfriend had broken up, and she was now dating Sammy Davis Jr., much to the amusement of the audience.
Johnny, always curious about the personal lives of his guests, inquired about Jason’s current relationship status. With a twinkle in his eye, Jason confirmed that he was still seeing the same girl and had never come close to a breakup, despite some bumps along the way. At 19 years old, he seemed committed to making it work.
The conversation then shifted to Jason’s pets, particularly his struggles with raising fish. He shared his experience with tropical and saltwater fish, including stories of diseases like ick and the challenges of maintaining a healthy aquarium. It was clear that Jason’s humorous anecdotes were keeping the audience entertained.
Johnny, ever the seasoned interviewer, took the opportunity to ask about Jason’s dog. Jason explained that he had sent his furry friend to puppy school while he was busy working. However, now that the dog was back home, Jason was facing challenges with training, especially when it came to the command “come.” The audience chuckled as Jason shared his funny and frustrating experiences with his mischievous pup.
As the interview drew to a close, Johnny couldn’t resist delving into the topic of going out to clubs. Explaining that he was a few months away from turning 21, Jason revealed that he had tried to obtain a fake ID but failed. He amusingly recounted the story of presenting a fake ID that looked nothing like him, only to be compared to a TV character by the ID maker. It was a reminder that age restrictions can sometimes be challenging for young stars in the entertainment industry.
With charismatic storytelling and effortless humor, Jason Bateman proved to be a delightful guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. His youthful energy and ability to connect with the audience made for an entertaining and lively conversation that kept viewers engaged from start to finish.
Originally aired on January 6, 1989
