In a recent episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” iconic comedian Mel Brooks left the audience in stitches with his hilarious Cary Grant story. The episode, which aired on May 5, 1992, showcased Brooks’ comedic talent and charm on the popular talk show.
As the episode began, host Johnny Carson introduced Mel Brooks as one of the first guests on the show’s debut episode. The star-studded lineup also included Joan Crawford, Groucho Marx, and Rudy Valley. Brooks, known for his wit and comedic genius, had recently released his album “The 2000-Year-Old Man,” which was gaining popularity.
Brooks and Carson engaged in humorous banter, reminiscing about the show’s early days. They shared black and white photos from the very first episode, showing a younger Mel Brooks sitting at the desk with Joan Crawford. The pictures brought back memories and highlighted the passage of time. Both Brooks and Carson were amazed at how quickly they had aged.
The conversation then turned to Brooks’ famous skit, “The 2000-Year-Old Man,” which he and Carl Reiner performed at parties. The skit had gained such popularity that Rhino Records planned to reissue the recordings on CDs.
Brooks shared childhood stories of growing up in a tough neighborhood in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He humorously recounted how he and his friends would steal from a local store, taking advantage of the distracted Filipino yo-yo demonstrator.
The conversation took a surprising turn when Brooks revealed his encounter with the legendary Cary Grant. While working at Universal Studios, he discovered that Grant’s company, Grant Art, was located in a nearby bungalow. To his amazement, Grant would visit the bungalow every day for lunch.
Excited at the prospect of meeting his idol, Brooks arranged to have lunch with Grant. They ate together at the commissary, with Grant opting for a simple hard-boiled egg, while Brooks enjoyed a tuna fish sandwich on whole wheat.
Amusingly, Grant and Brooks engaged in a conversation where they shared their favorite colors and cars. Grant favored yellow, while Brooks preferred blue. Grant’s car of choice was a Rolls-Royce, while Brooks humorously confessed his love for a Buick.
The story took a comedic twist when Grant began calling Brooks every day to have lunch together. Over time, the novelty wore off, and Brooks found himself desperately trying to come up with excuses to avoid another lunch date.
The punchline of the story came when Grant called Brooks one more time, and Brooks ultimately turned him down, citing that he had said everything he wanted to say and had exhausted their conversation.
This hilarious Cary Grant story showcased Mel Brooks‘ comedic timing and ability to entertain the audience with his witty anecdotes. It was a standout moment on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” leaving viewers laughing and wanting more from the talented comedian.
Originally aired on May 5, 1992
