Why Couldn't It Be Jay? - 
by madeyoulaugh
A report I dread to make.
Comedy Legend and seemed to be nice guy, Johnny Carson died last night at his home. He was surrounded by his family. Initial reports indicate he had been battling emphysema for quite some time. Though I speculate long term exposure to Jay Leno weakened his condition and the final blow was 2 unrelenting weeks of Craig Ferguson.
He changed the landscape of late night comedy and for 30 years, he ruled it.
Johnny Carson was often times the cause of a true TVGasm.
He will be missed.
Comments
It was such a comfort to have Johnny on every night when I was growing up. As I got a little older, I started to complain that his style of humor was stale, and was glad Jay Leno eventually replaced him. I soon realized that Leno's writers are just terribly mean-spirited and bitter. (Hey Jay, tell us again about how fat a nation we are!) I really do miss Johnny's class and comedic dignity.
Dammit...why don't we get to vote on these things? Perhaps we could trade Jay and Carson Daly for Johnny.
Posted by: flush it all away | January 23, 2005 4:03 PM(#1 of 7)
"battling"
"emphysema"
Posted by: Nigel Pond | January 23, 2005 4:44 PM(#2 of 7)
I was so sad to hear the news today. I always enjoyed Carson. When Leno took over I stopped watching the Tonight Show, he's just not funny. Even when he tells a funny joke he always feels the need to beat his jokes to death - never just lets them be. Johnny was funny without even trying.
Posted by: TinkerbellAPixie | January 23, 2005 7:45 PM(#3 of 7)
Great Headline, and so true. Johnny was total class. I had a breif elevator encounter with him in Marina Del Rey in 98' and it was the coolest and only celeb encounter I ever bring up to people (this, after meeting most of Hollywood where I worked). He had the grace to bow out and stay out, unlike 98% who retire 40 times before they actually do.
Posted by: Michael | January 23, 2005 9:47 PM(#4 of 7)
Since I was born in 1985, Jay Leno is the only person I have ever watched host 'The Tonight Show' so I don't dislike him like others of you do but I have seen clips of Johnny Carson as the host and I can understand why all of you are so fond of him.
I didn't grow up watching him but I was saddened when I heard about his death yesterday. I thought he was healthy so I didn't think he was going to die any time soon. In fact, I was watching some show on TV a few days ago and they said that he wrote jokes for Letterman. He left 'The Tonight Show' on a high note with people wanting more so I think it is only fitting that he dies with his fans wanting more as well. He definitely won't be forgotten any time soon.
Posted by: Lisa | January 24, 2005 10:03 AM(#5 of 7)
I think the headline for this is awful....yes it is sad that Carson is gone, but saying that someone else should be dead instead is crass and rude. Why not say goodbye to him respectfully instead using his death as a way to share your opinion about someone else. I'm disappointed in you guys
Posted by: Jessi | January 24, 2005 10:33 AM(#6 of 7)
Oh Jessi. It just wouldn't be TVGasm any other way.
Posted by: flush it all away | January 24, 2005 10:39 AM(#7 of 7)