January 27, 2005

Street Talk by Carol Rosen

What are your favorite memories of Johnny Carson? How do you feel other late-night hosts
Jay Leno and David Letterman compare to Carson?
(Asked at Old Almaden Shopping Center at McAbee and Almaden Expressway)


“It’s been so long since I’ve seen him, but I guess it has to be Carnac the Magnificent, that’s what I usually remember. I like Leno a lot, but I don’t think either of them can compare [to Carson]. Johnny Carson had a really sharp wit.”

Tobin Gilman, 47
Almaden
Marketing director

“He did the magician thing that was so funny. I remember watching him with my parents when I was a kid. He was so funny. Jay Leno and David Letterman don’t compare to Johnny Carson. They try really hard to, but they just don’t. He [Carson] was like the father of late night comedy.”

Ashley Phelps, 15
Almaden
Pioneer High student

“The monologue is my favorite memory. He made politics funny and kept you updated on the news. He also had a quick wit. I personally have never cared for Jay Leno, David Letterman has better humor. The problem is that no one would ever be better than Carson, Letterman is good and he’s cynical, but not as good or better [than Carson].”

Diane Windisch, 46
Cambrian
Manicurist at Image

“Oh there’s so many funny things to remember. I guess I’d have to say the animals. The animal segments have to be my favorite memories of him, especially the one with the monkey on his head. He had such funny facial expressions. And don’t forget Carnac the Magnificent. Jay Leno and David Letterman don’t even compare with Johnny Carson. I don’t watch Letterman at all, his humor is not my cup of tea. I watch Leno on occasion. They just don’t have what Johnny had. Johnny had something special to laugh at every night. I’ve met Leno on a couple of occasions and he’s a nice man. But the events just aren’t as funny on his show. But then again, humor is very, very different today.”

Linda LaFond, ageless
Rose Garden
Owner of Let’s Face It

“There’s just so many funny memories. I always got a kick out of Ed Ames’ appearance, the one where he threw the hatchet at the man’s outline and hit it at a very funny spot. All of his shows were so enjoyable. Jay Leno and David Letterman are good, but I don’t think they have the charisma that Johnny Carson did.”

Geri Friend, 70
Almaden
Retired

“I didn’t really watch him so I don’t have any favorite memories. I think Jay Leno and David Letterman are very funny, and I enjoy watching them.”

Sandy Anderson, 46
Almaden
Homemaker

“I never even watched him. My parents never watched him. They went to bed at 9, and we all had to follow suit. Sometimes I watch Jay Leno. He’s really funny. Sometimes the disc jockey on 106.5 puts clips of him on the radio and I just crack up laughing.”

Zita Faria, 30
San Martin
Massage therapist