October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.

NOTE: Johnny's opening monologue includes cross talk with Doc Severinsen, and their appearance in Las Vegas, their flight back to New York, and the hot weather that he has returned to. Carson states "I saw a sparrow pick up a worm today with a pot holder." Carson mentions that on the show tonight (he gests) is Nanook Jorgensen, the first Eskimo to have a sex change. Carson states that Bette Midler is here on the show, a gal who is a little strange."                                                                         

October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.

NOTE: This TV audio air check only contains the opening seven minutes of the broadcast, including Ed McMahon's opening mentioning who will be appearing on tonight's show, Johnny's complete monologue, as he remarks about Rona Barret, Milburn Stone, jokes about Burbank, poor weather LA has been having while The Tonight Show is being broadcasts from California, the gas wars currently going on, and his observation that people never walk in LA like they do in New York.
 
Johnny mentions that one of his guests, Bette Midler, is on the show and she is a "Weird young lady, but a great singer."                                                                                        

Guest Peter Ustinov's portrayal of Beethoven is the highlight of this musical hour starring Burt Bacharach. Other guests include Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, and Gilbert O'Sullivan.                           

The 1974 Entertainer Of The Year Awards.

Host: Ed Sullivan                       

The 1974 Entertainer Of The Year Awards.

Host: Ed Sullivan       

Duplicate of #9994.                             

The 16th Annual Grammy Awards from the Hollywood Palladium, in Los Angeles, California.

Host: Andy Williams.            

A magazine show for children. Guest hosts have included Bette Midler and James Earl, Jones.             

The 19th Annual Grammy Awards from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Host: Andy Williams.

This would be the final time hosting for Andy Williams.                        

Bing Crosby celebrates 50 years in show business, dancing and singing with his family.  

Dupe Of 5073.                        

Bette Middler's first TV special, a musical hour in which she displays her flair for the dramatic, as well as her flair for song. A highlight of the show; Dustin Hoffman accompanies Middler on the piano as she sings "Shoot The Breeze," a love song composed by Hoffman, with lyrics by Bette Midler.                  

Bette Middler's first TV special, a musical hour in which she displays her flair for the dramatic, as well as her flair for song. A highlight of the show; Dustin Hoffman accompanies Midler on the piano as she sings "Shoot The Breeze," a love song composed by Hoffman, with lyrics by Bette Midler. 

Duplicate of #7705.                               

The 54th Annual Academy Awards from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California. Johnny Carson, host.

Winners: 

Best Picture: Chariots Of Fire
Best Actor: Henry Fonda
Best Actress: Katherine Hepburn
Best Supporting Actor: John Gielgud
Best Supporting Actress: Maureen Stapleton

Jane Fonda accepts the best actor award for Henry Fonda. Gregory Peck presents an honorary award to Danny Kaye.
Honorary award to Barbara Stanwyck.