Bob Newhart made a hilarious appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, showcasing his incredible German impression. As Carson introduced Newhart, he mentioned that his first guest is a good friend who was rooting for him on the monologue. Newhart’s response to this was, “I’m really rooting to see how they’re going to be.” The audience erupted in laughter, setting the tone for a lively chat show episode.
Newhart, known for his cleverly titled show “Newhart,” which airs on Monday nights at 9:30, expressed his wishes to be on the same network as Carson’s show. Carson, being the charming host that he is, warmly welcomed Newhart to the stage. The audience applauded and cheered as Newhart made his entrance.
During their conversation, Newhart revealed that he doesn’t attend the monologue from the backstage, but he noticed that if the monologue goes well, it sets a positive tone for the rest of the evening. He also shared a playful moment with Carson, joking about his position in the lineup between Tony Quinn, a bigger star, and Carson himself.
The conversation then veered towards Newhart’s heritage, with Carson mentioning that People magazine had recently published an article stating that Newhart is one quarter German. Newhart proudly confirmed this, adding that he is three quarters Irish, which makes him a very meticulous drunk, as Germans are known for their seriousness.
Discussing the differences in humor between Germans and Americans, Newhart pointed out that Germans are very literal people and not typically known for their sense of humor. He shared an amusing anecdote about a television show Dick Cavett appeared on in Germany, where the host’s literal responses to Cavett’s funny remarks left the audience confused and unresponsive.
Carson then asked if Newhart had ever performed in Germany, to which he replied that he had no reason to. He mentioned that singing in different languages is more easily enjoyable than entertaining with comedy, especially when cultural nuances come into play. Newhart did mention having performed in England, where the language barrier was not an issue, but the cultural differences still presented challenges.
Carson playfully teased Newhart about his wife’s habit of taking naps, reminiscing about a previous episode where he joked about it. The conversation then drifted to Newhart’s worst routine, a comedy sketch about a civilian’s impressions of visiting other planets. The routine did not resonate with the audience, and Newhart humorously shared some of the jokes that fell flat, including a punchline about Martians being cheap.
The episode demonstrated Newhart’s signature wit and Carson’s ability to engage guests in entertaining conversations. Both comedians showcased their comedic prowess, leaving the audience in stitches throughout the talk show. With Newhart’s incredible German impression and their playful banter, this episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was certainly one for the books.
Overall, Bob Newhart‘s appearance on The Tonight Show was a comedic delight, bringing laughter and entertainment to viewers of the popular chat show. Their dynamic and engaging conversation kept the audience captivated throughout the episode, proving once again why this talk show remains a fan favorite.
