Monday, January 24, 2005

The Obligatory Carson Piece

My initial thoughts on hearing about Johnny Carson's passing were the lyrics from Dramarama's "Last Cigarette" - "I don't have to hear the headlines, I can hear what Johnny Carson said", but the fact that Johnny succumbed to empysema now makes those lyrics all the more ironic. So how about some Brian Wilson penned lyrics from the overlooked classic album Love You: the song titled "Johnny Carson" -

He sits behind his microphone
John-ny Car-son
He speaks in such a manly tone
John-ny Car-son

Ed McMahon comes on and says "Here's Johhny"
Every night at eleven thirty he's so funny
It's (nice) to (have) you (on) the (show) tonight
I've seen (your) act (in) Vegas out of sight

When guests are boring he fills up the slack
John-ny Car-son
The network makes him break his back
John-ny Car-son

Ed McMahon comes on and says "Here's Johhny"
Every night at eleven thirty he's so funny
Don't (you) think (he's) such (a) natural guy
The (way) he's (kept) it (up) could make you cry

Who's a man that we admire?
Johnny Carson is a real live wire.
Who's a man that we admire?
Johnny Carson is a real live wire.
Who's a man that we admire?
Johnny Carson is a real live wire.
Who's the man that we admire?
Johnny Carson is a real live wire.


I really didn't watch much Carson. He was before my time. When I finally was old to stay up late I went straight to Letterman, usually watching the local ABC's stations's syndicated sitcoms before Late Night would come on. I would take WKRP In Cincinnati and Barney Miller any time over Carson. I have to admit tuning in near the end of his run and finding him very humorous. Godspeed.

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