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Richard Pryor and Chevy Chase's Epic Joke Exchange on 'The Tonight Show'

A man in a suit sits between two others on a talk show set, smiling.

'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' had the best interviews on late-night TV. Sometimes the guests would get into it, trading jokes with each other while on Johnny's couch. That's precisely what happened when Richard Pryor and Chevy Chase were on the show together.

A man in a suit and striped shirt smiles widely, appearing joyful, against a blurred background.

Johnny asks Richard if he's married, and Richard jumps out of his seat and says, "Huh?! Don't say that to me!" Richard said he got married in California, and it was wonderful (sarcastically). When his ex-wife entered the court to get divorced, he cried because she looked like a 12-year-old. "I knew I was going to a penitentiary or something."

Richard says the judge said, "Oh boy! We're gonna have fun with you." Johnny asks how long it took him to get on TV, and Richard responds, "Well, I had money until last week."

A man in a suit and tie is sitting on a couch, gesturing with his hands while talking.

Richard says his agent made it easy for him to find jobs, and he gradually worked his way up from there. They then talk about his hometown, and Richard says he loves it in Peoria, Illinois.

Richard says he's visiting on Friday to see his son's talent show and spend Mother's Day with his grandma. Johnny asks if his son is talented, and Richard says, 'He has no talent whatsoever."

A man in a suit holds a small object while another, in a striped shirt, gestures with a microphone.

Johnny asks what he does in the show, and Richard starts to say he yodels, but Chevy Chase interrupts with one word, and Richard doesn't hear, so he asks him what he said, and Chevy laughs it off and says he said nothing.

Richard starts to fake threaten him, and Chevy makes his joke again, saying, "He's a hooker." Richard says, 'I was gonna ask, why didn't you tell Johnny he was gonna take over your show?" Everyone laughs at the funny exchange.

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