Fans of the iconic talk show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, were in for a treat when the legendary Bob Newhart made an appearance. Known for his impeccable comedic timing and deadpan delivery, Newhart had the audience in stitches from start to finish.
As the show began, Carson acknowledged his admiration for Newhart, describing him as one of the funniest men to have ever graced the stage. The audience erupted in applause, showing their appreciation for the comedy legend.
Newhart, never one to take himself too seriously, jokingly brushed off the ovation, claiming that he couldn’t tell apart an ovation from his frequent appearances on stage with fellow comedian Don Rickles. The banter between Carson and Newhart was effortless and showed the genuine friendship between the two.
From the start, it was evident that Newhart had no ulterior motive for being on the show. He insisted that he had nothing to plug, not even his upcoming appearance at the Harris Club in February. He simply wanted Carson to know that he missed him and had been trying to visit him but was always told that Carson was out.
The conversation flowed effortlessly, with Newhart expressing his admiration for Carson’s show, which continued to be one of the top shows in the country. Carson, ever humble, expressed his happiness at the show’s success, emphasizing that he genuinely liked Newhart.
As the interview progressed, it became clear that the naturalness of their conversation was a result of their genuine friendship. Newhart revealed that he hadn’t even prepared any notes for the show, wanting it to be a casual and unscripted conversation. He playfully poked fun at his writer, Craig, who never laughed and always stood back, delivering dry remarks.
They touched on various topics, including their shared love for neurotic people. Newhart admitted to finding them the most interesting individuals, as long as they were self-aware and understood their quirks. Newhart also shared his indulgence in building model airplanes as a way to relax and tune out from the world. He even joked about his overreaction when someone took his model airplane, realizing that he was a grown man screaming over a toy.
The conversation took a humorous turn as they discussed their lack of musical talent. Newhart revealed his amateur drum-playing skills, joking about being man enough to admit that he didn’t play well. Carson chimed in, agreeing that their lack of expertise was evident in one of their jam sessions.
The conversation meandered through various topics, including their Midwestern upbringing and the misconceptions people often had about the region. Newhart, who hailed from Chicago, set the record straight that not everyone from the Midwest lived on a farm or had extensive knowledge of it.
The playful banter continued, with Newhart reminiscing about his short-lived career as a game show host. Despite Carson not recalling the show, Newhart’s sense of humor shone through.
The interview reached its conclusion without any significant revelations or plugs, a refreshing change from the typical talk show format. The casual and natural conversation between Carson and Newhart left the audience entertained and reminded us of the genuine camaraderie that existed between the two comedy legends.
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Originally aired on December 3, 1974
