The internet has yet to figure out how to dispense warm, soothing water, but now that Stephen Colbert has finally lost his platform of bitterness against more than half of America, the chronic narcissist’s long goodbye may have left you feeling like you just need a warm shower.
I may have just the thing. Consider this a news cycle cleanse. It’s nothing more than some clips of Johnny Carson and a reminder that there was a time when TV could be funny and not preachy, a time when TV considered its job one of entertainment, and not manipulation.
That said, Heeere’s Johnny! And a tipsy Ed McMahon.
A classic moment with George Burns.
George Burns: "This is my 10th or 11th cigar. I smoke 15-20 cigars a day."
— Joe Rogan Podcast News (@joeroganhq) April 9, 2026
Johnny Carson: "What has you doctor said about..."
Burns: "My doctor's dead."pic.twitter.com/TSGVlJwnxG
Or the time Rodney Dangerfield broke character at the end of this clip.
Rodney Dangerfield, I never saw this one where he had previously told Johnny Carson he had no more Jokes. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/lpg4jPYeOJ
— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_The_Dr) April 8, 2026
One of the things people actually tuned in to watch was when Carson wasn’t the planned events, but when things went off the rails. When his jokes weren’t landing, when an animal from the zoo got out of control, or when Johnny himself was just in one of those moods.
Johnny Carson always funny and entertaining! pic.twitter.com/uVaIZhPYJw
— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_The_Dr) May 14, 2026
A few other things the Tonight Show’s format allowed for when Carson was host was much longer interviews, and guests would stick around and sit on the couch while another guest was being interviewed. The spontaneity of the interactions was often the secret sauce of a given show.
Richard Pryor, Tim Conway and Johnny Carson losing it because Dr. Lendon Smith is the most boring guest who won't stop talking 😂 pic.twitter.com/J5AZGaSOZ9
— Todd Spence (@Todd_Spence) May 14, 2026
Another thing Carson did that doesn’t get mentioned much is that he didn’t limit his guests to celebrities touring the circuit to promote a movie or TV show. In this case, it’s just Johnny and a 105-year-old woman, and he still makes it entertaining.
Johnny Carson had on a 105 year old lady,
— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_The_Dr) May 10, 2026
Johnny tried her drink. 🍹 🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/qbgHVyvW3z
Related: MS NOW's Katy Tur Takes Historical Illiteracy and Godlessness to the Next Level
When Johnny Carson did his last show, he wasn’t bitter, hateful, or angry. He left with class, so much class that even though he was surrounded by libs, none of that even came up. He chose pre-crazy Bette Midler as his last guest.
📺On May 21, 1992, Johnny Carson welcomed Bette Midler as his final guest on ‘The Tonight Show’ pic.twitter.com/FUte3G6rlH
— RetroNewsNow (@RetroNewsNow) May 21, 2026
Maybe it's just me, but we don’t need to hear any more about the latest dud in the CBS late night lineup. Colbert used up way more than his 15 minutes of fame. It's time to move on from him. Ironically, one way to move on is to cleanse the comedic palate with some genuinely funny old clips.
Have a happy Friday!
