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.
#2 - Richard Pryor, Rain Pryor, Jake Johannsen
Season 27 - Episode 108 - Aired 5/11/1989
Actor/comedian Richard Pryor; actress Rain Pryor. Standup comic Jake Johannsen.
#3 - Robin Williams, Phyllis Newman
Season 22 - Episode 55 - Aired 4/3/1984
#5 - Robin Williams, Jean Marsh
Season 19 - Episode 178 - Aired 10/14/1981
With Actor Robin Williams, and Actress Jean Marsh. Blackouts: Takeoff of 'Patton' and Takeoff of a 'Chess Match'.
#6 - Dennis Weaver, McLean Stevenson, Erich von Daniken
Season 11 - Episode 262 - Aired 10/4/1973
#7 - Ricardo Montalban, Laura Bergt, Uri Geller
Season 11 - Episode 216 - Aired 8/1/1973
Desk- "Commercially Oriented Greeting Cards" Laura Bergt introduces World Eskimo-Indian Olympics champions Lester Bodfish, Reggie Joule, Roger Kunayak and Fred Titus who demonstrate their talents. Actor Ricardo Montalban discusses bullfighting. Illusionist Uri Geller demonstrates psychokinesis.
#8 - Jack Benny, Rich Little, Dylan Jenson, Dick Barlow and Roger Pida
Season 11 - Episode 77 - Aired 1/17/1973
Los Angeles detectives Dick Barlow and Roger Pida chat with Johnny about going undercover in drag; Jack Benny plugs the upcoming "Jack Benny's First Farewell Special" and shows an out-take; Child prodigy Dylan Jenson plays the violin and impressionist Rich Little imitates Benny and Carson.
#9 - Burt Reynolds, Dick Shawn
Season 25 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/5/1986
Actor Burt Reynolds; comedian Dick Shawn.
#10 - Robin Williams, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett
Season 26 - Episode 45 - Aired 12/18/1987
#11 - Mabel Hines Buck, Paul Reiser, Jason Bateman
Season 27 - Episode 44 - Aired 1/6/1989
#12 - Michael J. Fox, Larry Miller, Harry Lorayne
Season 27 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/3/1988
Actor Michael J. Fox; Larry Miller; magician Harry Lorayne.
#13 - 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.
#14 - Michael Keaton, Martin Short, Teri Garr
Season 30 - Episode 115 - Aired 5/14/1992
Actor Michael Keaton; actor Martin Short; actress Teri Garr. Copper Clappers/Jack Webb Sketch (from 1968)
#15 - Jay Leno (guest host), Shirley MacLaine, Kirk Cameron
Season 30 - Episode 33 - Aired 11/29/1991
#16 - Jay Leno (guest host), Lily Tomlin, Neil Patrick Harris
Season 30 - Episode 12 - Aired 10/18/1991
#17 - Robin Williams, Jonathan Winters, Park Overall
Season 29 - Episode 176 - Aired 9/19/1991
Actor Robin Williams; comic Jonathan Winters; actress Park Overall.
#18 - Joan Embery, Art Donovan, Ron Silver
Season 28 - Episode 52 - Aired 1/18/1990
Actor Ron Silver; Art Donovan; animal expert Joan Embery.
#19 - 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
#20 - Jack Lemmon, Steven Wright
Season 28 - Episode 15 - Aired 11/1/1989
Extension Courses. Guests: Actor Jack Lemmon; comic Steven Wright.
#21 - Shelley Winters, David Susskind
Season 7 - Episode 239 - Aired 12/2/1969
#22 - Don Johnson, David Brenner, Dale Robertson
Season 25 - Episode 167 - Aired 9/25/1987
Comic David Brenner; actor Don Johnson; actor Dale Robertson.
#24 - Chevy Chase, Thalassa Cruso, John Suter
Season 26 - Episode 84 - Aired 5/26/1988
Starring Chevy Chase and Thalassa Cruso
#25 - 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.