The late-night host looms over the culture to this day, in part because he knew how to mix comedy and sex. But there was a darkness at the heart of his appeal. By Jason Zinoman Johnny Carson dominated ...

Late Night Last Century is a new weekly column highlighting some of the funniest and most unforgettable comedy from late night, talk shows, and variety shows of the 20th century that’s currently ...

There were previous hosts of "The Tonight Show," TV pioneers who made their mark on the burgeoning late-night talk show form.

In 1970, Jeff Dunham was given a Mortimer Snerd dummy, a gift from his parents. Twenty years later, at age 28, he made his first appearance, along with Peanut, on "The Tonight Show." Dunham could’ve ...

Late Night Last Century is a weekly column highlighting some of the funniest and most unforgettable comedy from late night, talk shows, and variety shows of the 20th century currently streaming on ...

In the 1970s, if Johnny Carson called you over to his couch after finishing a set, you were golden. “There was a beam that could catapult people to the stars,” says comedian Jim Carrey, “and that was ...

From 1962 to 1992, America went to bed with The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. On the show, Johnny perfected the art of the topical opening monologue, performed in long-running comedy sketches ...

In exploring the colorful comedy scene of the early 1970s, the new Showtime series “I’m Dying Up Here” presents a keen reminder of Johnny Carson’s role — unparalleled before or since — in launching ...

Comedians ruled television’s first golden age: Milton Berle, Lucille Ball and Jackie Gleason were among its biggest stars, but no one would have a more lasting impact on comedy and broadcasting than ...

"The Comedy Awards," the first multi-network, multiplatform, annual event dedicated to honoring and celebrating the world of comedy, has unveiled the Johnny Carson Award For Comedic Excellence. The ...