| Description |
1 online resource (1 video file, approximately 115 min.) : digital, .flv file, sound |
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digital |
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video file MPEG-4 Flash |
| Note |
Title from title frames. |
| Event |
Originally produced by PBS in 2012. |
| Summary |
Narrated by two-time Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey, the film features 45 original interviews with Carson's friends, family and colleagues, including his second wife, Joanne, Dick Cavett, Doc Severinsen, and other The Tonight Show staff. Performers who appeared, or began their careers, on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson are also interviewed, including David Letterman, Jay Leno, Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Drew Carey, Garry Shandling, Steve Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ellen DeGeneres, Carl Reiner, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart,Joan Rivers, and David Steinberg. Late night TV hosts Jimmy Fallon and Conan O'Brien also discuss Carson's influence on their careers. For 15 years Jones wrote an annual letter to Carson requesting his cooperation in the production of a documentary. His appeals went unanswered until 2003, when he received a telephone call from Carson himself: "You write a damn fine letter, Peter, but I don't have anything more to say." Following Carson's death in 2005, Jones directed his letters to Johnny's nephew, Jeff Sotzing, who controls his uncle's archives. Finally, in 2010, Sotzing agreed to cooperate and the Carson Entertainment Group granted unprecedented access to Johnny's personal and professional archives, including family photo albums, home movies, memorabilia, and all existing episodes of The Tonight Show from 1962 until his retirement in 1992. His simple reason: "I didn't want people to forget Johnny Carson." Quite possibly the biggest star that television has ever produced, Carson commanded, at his peak, a nightly audience of 15 million viewers - double the current audience of Leno and Letterman - combined. Rarely giving interviews, Carson chose to remain a very private man whose public persona made him an American superstar. He once revealed, "I can get in front of an audience and be in control. I suppose it's manipulation. Offstage, I'm aloof because I'm not very comfortable." American Masters Johnny Carson: King of Late Night explores this dichotomy and enigma, unearthing clues about Carson's childhood, early days in the business, and personal and professional life. |
| System Details |
Mode of access: World Wide Web. |
| Subject |
Carson, Johnny, 1925-2005.
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Television personalities -- United States -- Tonight Show.
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Television -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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| Genre/Form |
Documentary films.
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| Added Author |
Catalena, Mark, film director.
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Jones, Peter, film director.
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Kanopy (Firm)
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| Music No. |
1137226 Kanopy |
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