Johnny Carson
A Register of His Papers in the Library of Congress
Prepared by Joseph Sullivan with the assistance of Deloris Butler and Susie Moody
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
1997
Contact information: http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/mss/address.html
Finding aid encoded by Library of Congress
Manuscript Division, 2003
2004-08-12 converted from EAD 1.0 to EAD 2002
Title: Papers of Johnny Carson
Span Dates: 1970-1992
ID No.: MSS83848
Creator: Carson, Johnny, 1925-
Extent: 47,600 items; 136 containers; 54.4 linear feet
Language: Collection material in English
Repository: Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Abstract: Television personality. Correspondence, scripts, reports, and production files of the "Tonight Show" starring Johnny Carson
broadcast on the NBC television network documenting Carson's affiliation with the program from October 1972 through May 1992.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog. They are grouped
by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.
Names:
Carson, Johnny, 1925-
Bishop, Joey
Brenner, David, 1945-
Brown, Helen Gurley
Carlin, George
Charo
Crystal, Billy
Ho, Don
Hope, Bob, 1903-
Leno, Jay
Letterman, David
Lewis, Jerry, 1926-
Newhart, Bob
Price, Vincent, 1911-
Reilly, Charles Nelson
Rivers, Joan
Stevenson, McLean
National Broadcasting Company, inc.
Subjects:
Television programs--Production and direction
Occupation:
Television personalities
Provenance:The papers of Johnny Carson, comedian, entertainer, and television talk show host, were given to the Library of Congress by
the Carson Productions Group in December 1995.
Copyright Status:The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Johnny Carson is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States
(Title 17, U.S.C.).
Preferred Citation: Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container number, Johnny Carson Collection,
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
| Date |
Event |
| 1925, Oct. 23 |
Born, Corning, Iowa |
| 1942-1945 |
Served in the U.S. Navy aboard the Pennsylvania in the Pacific
|
| 1948 |
Married Jody Wolcott (divorced 1963)
Wrote radio scripts for radio station KFAB, Lincoln, Nebr.
|
| 1949 |
B.A., University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebr. |
| 1949 |
Worked for radio station WOW and television station WOW-TV, Omaha, Nebr. |
| 1951 |
Station announcer, KNXT-TV, Los Angeles, Calif. |
| 1951-1952 |
Star, Sunday afternoon comedy show, KNXT-TV, Los Angeles, Calif. |
| 1952-1954 |
Writer, Red Skelton television show on CBS Television Network, Los Angeles, Calif. |
| 1954 |
Starred in "Johnny Carson Show," CBS Television Network, Los Angeles, Calif. |
| 1956 |
Moved from California to New York, N.Y. |
| 1957 |
Master of ceremonies, "Who Do You Trust," ABC Television Network, New York, N.Y. |
| 1958 |
Guest host, "Tonight Show," substituting for Jack Paar |
| 1960s |
Night club performer, primarily in Las Vegas, Nev. |
| 1962-1992 |
Host, "Tonight Show," NBC Television Network |
| 1963 |
Married Joanne Copeland (divorced 1972) |
| 1965 |
Published Happiness Is...a Dry Martini (New York: Doubleday. unpaged)
Entertainer of the Year, Friars Club, New York, N.Y.
|
| 1967 |
Published Misery Is...A Blind Date (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday. unpaged)
|
| 1969 |
Negotiated contract with Hart, Schaffner & Marx to model a line of "Johnny Carson" clothing |
| 1972 |
Married Joanna Holland
Host, Emmy Awards ceremony, New York, N.Y.
"Tonight Show" moved from New York, N.Y., to Hollywood, Calif.
|
| 1992, May 29 |
Final telecast of the "Tonight Show" with Carson as host |
The papers of John William "Johnny" Carson (1925- ) consist of reports, scripts, correspondence, and production files of the
"Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" on the NBC Television Network. The papers comprise one series reflecting Carson's affiliation with the show for the period
October 1970 to May 1992.
The Carson Papers document each night's show and the production material pertaining to guest interviews. Typed index cards
contain introductory comments for use by Carson or a substitute host related to each guest. Linked to these cue cards are
typed commentaries prepared by researchers from preliminary interviews with a guest outlining areas of interest to be discussed.
Also with the file for each show is a listing of commercials, skits, guests, and network pauses in the sequence they occurred.
A "Broadcast Standards Acceptability" report includes the names of guests, the host, sponsors, personalities and commercial
products mentioned, and references which were censored and edited. The report expanded from an outline in the 1970s to a more
comprehensive review during the 1980s, especially after 1988. Comments by Carson, though rare, are pencilled on the reverse
of the show's cue cards. Files for shows aired January-June 1976 and January-April 1991 are missing. In 1971, Carson reduced
his appearances from five to four nights a week and in the late 1970s to three or four nights a week plus extended vacation
periods.
Comedy skits from the show are available in their entirety, often based on current political themes or topical personalities.
Letters from the viewing public to Carson or his producers focus on remarks made by guests or the cast or on specific situations.
A show receiving wide attention from the viewing audience aired on 4 December 1972 with guest Don Ho, a singer-entertainer
from Hawaii. Other correspondence concerns requests for guest appearances and complaints from agents. A wide range of individuals
appeared as guests. Stage, screen, and television personalities predominated, but journalists, singers, writers, sports figures,
scientists, politicians, comedians, and other celebrities also appeared. Guests included Joey Bishop, Helen Gurley Brown,
George Carlin, Charo, Billy Crystal, Bob Hope, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Vincent Price, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Joan Rivers.
Guest hosts included Joey Bishop, David Brenner, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Jerry Lewis, Bob Newhart, Joan Rivers, and McLean
Stevenson.
The collection is arranged in one series:
| Container |
Series |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BOX 1-136
|
|
|
Index cards, chronologies, outlines, scripts, broadcast standards reports, correspondence, and miscellaneous material related
to the television show.
|
|
Arranged chronologically by the date the show was aired. |
| Container |
Contents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BOX 1-136
|
"Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," 1970-1992
|
|
Index cards, chronologies, outlines, scripts, broadcast standards reports, correspondence, and miscellaneous material related
to the television show.
|
|
Arranged chronologically by the date the show was aired. |
|
| BOX 1
|
17 Oct.-4 Dec. 1970 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 2
|
7 Dec. 1970-22 Jan. 1971 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 3
|
25 Jan.-12 Mar. 1971 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 4
|
15 Mar.-30 Apr. 1971 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 5
|
3 May-18 June 1971 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 6
|
21 June-13 Aug. 1971 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 7
|
16 Aug.-1 Oct. 1971 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 8
|
4 Oct.-19. Nov. 1971 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 9
|
22 Nov. 1971-14 Jan. 1972 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 10
|
17 Jan.-21 Apr. 1972 |
|
(10 folders) |
|
| BOX 11
|
24 Apr.-9 June 1972 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 12
|
12 June-28 July 1972 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 13
|
31 July-15 Sept. 1972 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 14
|
18 Sept.-3 Nov. 1972 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 15
|
6 Nov.-22 Dec. 1972 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 16
|
25 Dec. 1972-9 Feb. 1973 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 17
|
12 Feb.-30 Mar. 1973 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 18
|
2 Apr.-18 May 1973 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 19
|
21 May-13 July 1973 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 20
|
16 July-31 Aug. 1973 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 21
|
3 Sept.-26 Oct. 1973 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 22
|
29 Oct.-21 Dec. 1973 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 23
|
25 Dec. 1973-15 Feb. 1974 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 24
|
18 Feb.-12 Apr. 1974 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 25
|
15 Apr.-31 May 1974 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 26
|
3 June-19 July 1974 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 27
|
22 July-5 Sept. 1974 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 28
|
9 Sept.-1 Nov. 1974 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 29
|
4 Nov.-20 Dec. 1974 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 30
|
23 Dec. 1974-14 Feb. 1975 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 31
|
17 Feb.-4 Apr. 1975 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 32
|
9 Apr.-30 May 1975 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 33
|
2 June-18 July 1975 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 34
|
21 July-11 Sept. 1975 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 35
|
15 Sept.-31 Oct. 1975 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 36
|
3 Nov.-19 Dec. 1975 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 37
|
22 Dec. 1975-6 Aug. 1976 |
|
(10 folders) |
|
| BOX 38
|
9 Aug.-1 Oct. 1976 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 39
|
4 Oct.-19 Nov. 1976 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 40
|
22 Nov.-31 Dec. 1976 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 41
|
3 Jan.-11 Feb. 1977 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 42
|
14 Feb.-25 Mar. 1977 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 43
|
28 Mar.-6 May 1977 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 44
|
9 May-17 June 1977 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 45
|
20 June-29 July 1977 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 46
|
1 Aug.-16 Sept. 1977 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 47
|
19 Sept.-4 Nov. 1977 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 48
|
7 Nov.-16 Dec. 1977 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 49
|
19 Dec. 1977-27 Jan. 1978 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 50
|
30 Jan.-10 Mar. 1978 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 51
|
13 Mar.-28 Apr. 1978 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 52
|
1 May-9 June 1978 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 53
|
12 June-21 July 1978 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 54
|
24 July-8 Sept. 1978 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 55
|
11 Sept.-27 Oct. 1978 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 56
|
30 Oct.-8 Dec. 1978 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 57
|
11 Dec. 1978-26 Jan. 1979 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 58
|
29 Jan.-16 Mar. 1979 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 59
|
19 Mar.-27 Apr. 1979 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 60
|
30 Apr.-8 June 1979 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 61
|
11 June-27 July 1979 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 62
|
30 July-21 Sept. 1979 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 63
|
24 Sept.-2 Nov. 1979 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 64
|
5 Nov.-14 Dec. 1979 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 65
|
17 Dec. 1979-1 Feb. 1980 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 66
|
4 Feb.-21 Mar. 1980 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 67
|
24 Mar.-2 May 1980 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 68
|
5 May-6 June 1980 |
|
(5 folders) |
|
| BOX 69
|
9 June-28 Aug. 1980 |
|
(9 folders) |
|
| BOX 70
|
1 Sept.-17 Oct. 1980 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 71
|
27 Oct.-19 Dec. 1980 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 72
|
30 Dec. 1980-27 Feb. 1981 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 73
|
2 Mar.-29 May 1981 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 74
|
1 June-7 Aug. 1981 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 75
|
11 Aug.-2 Oct. 1981 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 76
|
6 Oct.-4 Dec. 1981 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 77
|
8 Dec. 1981-19 Feb. 1982 |
|
(9 folders) |
|
| BOX 78
|
23 Feb.-30 Apr. 1982 |
|
(9 folders) |
|
| BOX 79
|
4 May-25 June 1982 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 80
|
5 July-3 Sept. 1982 |
|
(9 folders) |
|
| BOX 81
|
7 Sept.-5 Nov. 1982 |
|
(9 folders) |
|
| BOX 82
|
8 Nov. 1982-7 Jan. 1983 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 83
|
11 Jan.-18 Mar. 1983 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 84
|
22 Mar.-20 May 1983 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 85
|
24 May-5 Aug. 1983 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 86
|
9 Aug.-7 Oct. 1983 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 87
|
11 Oct.-9 Dec. 1983 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 88
|
13 Dec. 1983-24 Feb. 1984 |
|
(9 folders) |
|
| BOX 89
|
28 Feb.-4 May 1984 |
|
(9 folders) |
|
| BOX 90
|
8 May-29 June 1984 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 91
|
10 July-14 Sept. 1984 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 92
|
18 Sept.-9 Nov. 1984 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 93
|
13 Nov. 1984-11 Jan. 1985 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 94
|
15 Jan.-1 Mar. 1985 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 95
|
19 Mar.-17 May 1985 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 96
|
21 May-12 July 1985 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 97
|
23 July-13 Sept. 1985 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 98
|
17 Sept.-8 Nov. 1985 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 99
|
12 Nov. 1985-3 Jan. 1986 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 100
|
7 Jan.-21 Feb. 1986 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 101
|
25 Feb.-18 Apr. 1986 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 102
|
22 Apr.-6 June 1986 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 103
|
10 June-29 Aug. 1986 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 104
|
2 Sept.-24 Oct. 1986 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 105
|
27 Oct.-31 Dec. 1986 |
|
(9 folders) |
|
| BOX 106
|
6 Jan.-20 Feb. 1987 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 107
|
24 Feb.-1 May 1987 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 108
|
5 May-24 July 1987 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 109
|
28 July-18 Sept. 1987 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 110
|
21 Sept.-6 Nov. 1987 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 111
|
10 Nov.-31 Dec. 1987 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 112
|
4 Jan.-26 Feb. 1988 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 113
|
7 Mar.-24 June 1988 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 114
|
27 June-2 Sept. 1988 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 115
|
5 Sept.-18 Nov. 1988 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 116
|
21 Nov. 1988-13 Jan. 1989 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 117
|
16 Jan.-3 Mar. 1989 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 118
|
6 Mar.-21 Apr. 1989 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 119
|
1 May-16 June 1989 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 120
|
19 June-11 Aug. 1989 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 121
|
14 Aug.-6 Oct. 1989 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 122
|
10 Oct.-8 Dec. 1989 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 123
|
12 Dec. 1989-2 Feb. 1990 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 124
|
6 Feb.-23 Mar. 1990 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 125
|
26 Mar.-4 May 1990 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 126
|
8 May-22 June 1990 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 127
|
2 July-10 Aug. 1990 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 128
|
14 Aug.-5 Oct. 1990 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 129
|
9 Oct.-7 Dec. 1990 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 130
|
11 Dec. 1990-7 June 1991 |
|
(9 folders) |
|
| BOX 131
|
11 June-26 July 1991 |
|
(6 folders) |
|
| BOX 132
|
30 July-3 Oct. 1991 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 133
|
8 Oct.-29 Nov. 1991 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 134
|
3 Dec. 1991-31 Jan. 1992 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
| BOX 135
|
4 Feb.-27 Mar. 1992 |
|
(8 folders) |
|
| BOX 136
|
31 Mar.-21 May 1992 |
|
(7 folders) |
|
The
Library of Congress >> Especially
for Researchers >> Research
Centers
Top
of Page