‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’ had some favorite guests through the years. One guest who always entertained Johnny and the audience was Jonathan Winters. The comedian, author, actor, and artist was a delight on the show each and every time.
Johnny welcomes him to the stage by mentioning NBC, which starts a discussion about the new logo. Apparently, the design of the logo infringed upon the Nebraska Educational Television logo.
Jonathan then asks, “Were they paid off? I mean, I don’t know how; I just wonder, you know. You read little quips here and there. This is still negotiating.” They both agreed that they had liked the bird before. Jonathan said, “The peacock was very attractive.”
They talk about Jonathan’s special upcoming performance, where he plays 20 characters in one show. To promote it, they decide to play a game of impressions of political characters with Jonathan.
Jonathan does an impression of Senator ‘Brainerd Bumpfirt.’ Carson asks what he thinks about the economy. Jonathan responds in a light country accent, “Many people are concerned about this, and rightfully so. Is a dollar worth anything anymore, and I think what we’ve got to do is that just one of my many platforms. I don’t know how many are gonna work, but as long as you can get two out of 80, what the heck.”
Jonathan says you need to get the interest of the people. He makes an analogy about when you go to the bank and cash a check for 152 dollars, saying, “It would behoove them to give you 172 dollars, and this is gonna stimulate money.”
The crowd laughs at the political humor and how uncertain Jonathan sounds as he speaks. It is evident that Johnny gets a kick out of Jonathan and enjoys having him on the show.
