The PBS series, tonight at 9 in New York. I was an occasional fan of Carson. Here's a review from this AM's NY Daily News -
‘American Masters’ shows why Johnny Carson, flaws and all, was such a hard act to follow
Jones interviews more than a dozen of the biggest names in comedy, from David Letterman to Jerry Seinfeld, and their stories never waver: Johnny Carson was the best.
He created the mold for the late-night talk show host, a person who could put the day to bed. If something good had happened, he tucked you in with a smile. If something bad had happened, he put it into perspective by laughing at it and diluting its power.
Jones clearly admires Carson, and the long stretches on “The Tonight Show,” punctuated with dozens of memorable clips, flow like a documentary on Monet painting or Willie Mays playing baseball. Every move feels both effortless and right.
There’s enough here to explain how Johnny Carson took the rascal card and the innocent card and parlayed them, at least on TV, into a full house.
I've set my DVR ...
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