The BEST episodes of The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson

Every episode of The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson!

Late-night talk show hosted by Johnny Carson, including guest interviews and musical performances.

Last Updated: 7/19/2025Network: NBCStatus: Ended
Lily Tomlin, Walter Slezak, Jerry Van Dyke, Sam Blotner
star
10.00
1 votes

#1 - Lily Tomlin, Walter Slezak, Jerry Van Dyke, Sam Blotner

Season 13 - Episode 99 - Aired 2/20/1975

The famous sage, seer, soothsayer, all omniscient, all knowing, all seeing Carnac the Magnificent makes an appearance; Comedienne/actress Lily Tomlin chats about her childhood; Austrian-born character actor Walter Slezak tells some great stories; Comedian/actor Jerry Van Dyke does standup and chats with Johnny; and the Tonight Show's correspondent from Costa Rica, Sam Blotner is back.

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star
10.00
1 votes

#2 - Robin Williams

Season 21 - Episode 125 - Aired 6/16/1983

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star
10.00
1 votes

#3 - Robin Williams, Phyllis Newman

Season 22 - Episode 55 - Aired 4/3/1984

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star
10.00
1 votes

#4 - Shirley MacLaine, k.d. lang

Season 27 - Episode 125 - Aired 6/9/1989

Directors: Bobby Quinn
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Tim Conway, Jodie Foster, Maureen Murphy
star
9.00
1 votes

#5 - Tim Conway, Jodie Foster, Maureen Murphy

Season 21 - Episode 76 - Aired 3/4/1983

With Comedian Tim Conway, Actress Jodie Foster, and Actress Maureen Murphy

Directors: Bobby Quinn
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Chevy Chase, Thalassa Cruso, John Suter
star
8.00
1 votes

#6 - Chevy Chase, Thalassa Cruso, John Suter

Season 26 - Episode 84 - Aired 5/26/1988

Starring Chevy Chase and Thalassa Cruso

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Jack Lemmon, Steven Wright
star
8.00
1 votes

#7 - Jack Lemmon, Steven Wright

Season 28 - Episode 15 - Aired 11/1/1989

Extension Courses. Guests: Actor Jack Lemmon; comic Steven Wright.

Directors: Bobby Quinn
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star
8.00
31 votes

#8 - Shelley Winters, David Susskind

Season 7 - Episode 239 - Aired 12/2/1969

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George Plimpton, Joan Rivers, Gabriel Kaplan, Adrienne Barbeau
star
7.00
1 votes

#9 - George Plimpton, Joan Rivers, Gabriel Kaplan, Adrienne Barbeau

Season 12 - Episode 45 - Aired 12/20/1973

Directors: Bobby Quinn
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James Garner, Ellen Burstyn, David Letterman, Rod Dornsife
star
7.00
1 votes

#10 - James Garner, Ellen Burstyn, David Letterman, Rod Dornsife

Season 17 - Episode 30 - Aired 11/24/1978

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star
7.00
1 votes

#11 - George Carlin (guest host), Rich Little, Dr. Joyce Brothers

Season 16 - Episode 32 - Aired 11/28/1977

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star
6.88
8 votes

#12 - Tony Bennett, Mel Brooks, Joan Crawford, Rudy Vallee

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/1/1962

Guests for tonight: Joan Crawford, Mel Brooks, Tony Bennett and Rudy Vallee. Johnny is introduced by Groucho Marx.

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star
6.00
1 votes

#13 - Wil Shriner, Joan Embery, Mary Gross

Season 22 - Episode 94 - Aired 6/13/1984

Actor Wil Shriner; actress Mary Gross; actress Joan Embery.

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star
6.00
1 votes

#14 - Show #1048

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/21/1966

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George Carlin, Jackie Cooper, Marvin Hamlisch, Jack Knight
star
6.00
1 votes

#15 - George Carlin, Jackie Cooper, Marvin Hamlisch, Jack Knight

Season 12 - Episode 160 - Aired 6/3/1974

With Comic George Carlin; actor Jackie Cooper; composer Marvin Hamlisch; songwriter Jack Knight.

Directors: Bobby Quinn
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star
0.00
0 votes

#16 - Joey Bishop (guest host), Bob Rosefsky

Season 12 - Episode 205 - Aired 8/5/1974

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0.00
0 votes

#17 - McLean Stevenson (guest host), George Gobel, Peter Fonda

Season 12 - Episode 174 - Aired 6/21/1974

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0.00
0 votes

#18 - Joey Bishop (guest host), Shelley Winters

Season 12 - Episode 204 - Aired 8/2/1974

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0.00
0 votes

#19 - Joey Bishop (guest host), Robert Blake, Suzanne Somers

Season 12 - Episode 203 - Aired 8/1/1974

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0.00
0 votes

#20 - Orson Bean

Season 12 - Episode 202 - Aired 7/31/1974

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0.00
0 votes

#21 - Jennifer O'Neill, Tony Randall

Season 12 - Episode 201 - Aired 7/30/1974

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0.00
0 votes

#22 - Roy Clark (guest host), Ernest Borgnine, Kreskin

Season 12 - Episode 199 - Aired 7/26/1974

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0.00
0 votes

#23 - Euell Gibbons

Season 12 - Episode 198 - Aired 7/25/1974

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0.00
0 votes

#24 - Don Meredith

Season 12 - Episode 196 - Aired 7/23/1974

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0.00
0 votes

#25 - John Denver (guest host), George Gobel, Smothers Brothers

Season 12 - Episode 194 - Aired 7/19/1974