January 24, 2005 HEEEERE'S TO JOHNNY Remembering talk show legend, Nebraska favorite son Johnny Carson By Jim D. Berryman MissingNebraska.com Entertainers like Johnny Carson don't come around very often. That's why it was particularly hard to receive the news Sunday that Carson had passed away at his Malibu, California home. Even though he was nearly 80 years-old and appeared overweight, unhealthy, and pale in recent pictures, it is difficult to hear the words we all heard Sunday. For this Nebraska boy, the Nebraska boy who made it big in Hollywood was an inspiration. Carson was a professional. His on-air style was so smooth and comfortable. He made something difficult seem effortless. For millions each night, Johnny Carson was the last thing they saw before drifting off to sleep, with the exception of their two big toes framing each side of the bedroom TV. The broadcasting bug bit me early on, so I was a "Tonight Show" junkie as a kid. I loved hearing "The Tonight Show" theme song. I loved it when Ed McMahon introduced Johnny each night. I loved it when a joke bombed and Johnny tapped the microphone above him asking whether or not it was on. I loved it that Johnny Carson was from Nebraska. Sure he was born in Corning, Iowa but Norfolk and the rest of Nebraska claims him as their own. Carson contributed financially to a number of projects and causes in Norfolk over his life, often without fanfare or even anonymously. Johnny could do it all. He could interview guests and make them look good. He could chat on the fly with Ed McMahon, often producing memorable exchanges. His comedic timing was impeccable. His physical comedy and telling facial expressions could bring an audience to tears of laughter. All the while he kept track of the time, kept an eye on his interview notes, even while he listened to answers from guests for follow-up questions. Johnny Carson could poke fun at anyone and anything, but was never nasty or needed profanity to be funny. He had a keen sense of what was going on in the world. His observations about society were not only funny, they were tactful. Johnny Carson was a class act. The only time Carson wanted the spotlight was during the minutes of "The Tonight Show" broadcast. He was a very private man who kept to himself and home life. Even though we respect his privacy away from the "Tonight Show", I wish Carson would have made a few more public appearances over the years since he left the limelight. Carson is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and worked at KFAB back when it was located in Lincoln and went on to television in Omaha. Talk show host and Nebraska native Dick Cavett called into Larry King's CNN program Sunday night (01-24-05) to say that he had first met Johnny on South Street in Lincoln, Nebraska at a magic show Carson was putting on. Cavett was just one of many celebrities who were reminiscing about Carson on the King broadcast. Losing Johnny Carson is a sad loss for the entire country. We wish his family well. At the same time, we have Johnny Carson forever: on video, on highlight specials, and in our memories. Johnny Carson was the pride of Nebraska. Nebraskans will continue to be proud of his career and legacy. And don't worry Johnny, we'll always have our eyes peeled for that "fork in the road". Feedback Stories & Links on the death of Johnny Carson Good-night Johnny: Remembering the king of late night TV More from OWH Carson left legacy of generosity in Nebraska, Iowa More from OWH Cavett knew Johnny's soft spot for Nebraska More from OWH Some of Carson's gifts for Nebraska and Iowa projects More from OWH Lincoln residents remember Johnny More from LJS Linked Up: Johnny Carson (links to Johnny sites on the web) More from LJS Johnny Carson Photo Gallery Pics from LJS Norfolk residents mourn loss of comedy genius More from LJS Norfolk plans memorial service More from LJS Carson's hometown turns out for Memorial More from OWH