October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992.
Ed McMahon introduces the opening of the TONIGHT SHOW with tonight's guests including special guest David Frost.
Frost discusses his book, "The Americans" and previous guest appearance TONIGHT SHOW conversation with Johnny Carson which is included in Frost's book on the solution to the population explosion which was to stop f-----g ("bleeping). Quotes including those from Truman Capote are stated who said "sex is just like sneezing." "Hate mail" is discussed. Comments from readers of Frost's book are exchanged. Both Johnny and David quote from fan letters they have received. Frost remembers his Jerry Rubin broadcast which had some unusual issues experienced.
Also, shows related to pollution and trade union leaders. Johnny Carson asks David Frost his most difficult interview. Carson relates an anecdote about his most difficult interview.
NOTE: Final few minutes missing.
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.