Tuning into Johnny Carson was nightly ritual for some

For 30 years, Johnny Carson entertained America on "The Tonight Show." Bringing on guests ranging from celebrities to eccentric animals to quirky but average people, he carved out a path for other entertainers to follow.

His death Sunday from emphysema was a large loss to the television world and to viewers alike.

Carson brought humor into homes across the country. "The Tonight Show" made him a familiar face and a friend to those who watched regularly. At the Cape Girardeau Senior Center, the mention of his name Monday turned heads. After eating lunch, some reminisced about days gone by when his humor ruled the airwaves late at night.

"He put a lot of people to bed," said Bill Ford. Carson's voice on their bedroom television was the last thing Ford and his wife heard at night as they fell asleep.

For Susan McClanahan, the center's administrator, watching Carson was a ritual of a different sort. His unpredictable antics were cause for a date with her mother in front of the TV. Everything else in the house stopped while he was on.

"He was real comedy. You never knew what he was going to do," McClanahan said.

No comparison

Gene LaFont believes there is no comparison between Carson and David Letterman, host of CBS's "Late Show."

"Ain't nobody gonna replace him," LaFont said. "That's a shame."

"Some of the comedians are a joke themselves," Doyle Sample complained of the current late-night talk show hosts. His distaste for vulgar humor is the reason he rarely watches the shows except when looking forward to a particular guest. But as soon as the language turns foul he turns off the TV.

KFVS12 general manager Mike Smythe credits Carson's late-night success to his monologues. Competing television stations kept their nightly news programs running an extra five minutes so viewers would miss the beginning of "The Tonight Show" and Carson's monologue.

"That's how strong he was during the monologues," Smythe said. "Without any question, he is the guy that made late-night talk shows."

Although Carson was a TV personality people over the age of 30 grew up watching and was a major influence on current comedians and late-night talk show hosts, many of the new generation of couch potatoes never saw Carson perform on "The Tonight Show," even though some of the episodes are now available on DVD.

At Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, Carson's name drew blank expressions on young shoppers' faces.

Jeanine Choate, 29, may not have ever watched his show, but she was aware of his importance in the entertainment business.

"He started the late-night shows. That's awesome," she said. "I know a lot of people looked up to him."

cpierce@semissourian.com

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