When I was a young working professional I often stayed up late to see this show, at a minimum the monolog. Johnny Carson had a charm that none before or after him had or have.
You see Carson knew that he wasn't really special and he didn't act like he was special. He kicked around on various TV shows with moderate success but getting this long-running gig was his "holy grail" and he stuck with it.
What made Carson so effective was his interviewing technique. He would ask a question or introduce a topic and mostly sit back and let the guests talk. He rarely interrupted, he rarely tried to make a joke while they were talking, in other words he was a gracious host and it was very effective.
All those who have come after in similar shows pale in comparison.
You see Carson knew that he wasn't really special and he didn't act like he was special. He kicked around on various TV shows with moderate success but getting this long-running gig was his "holy grail" and he stuck with it.
What made Carson so effective was his interviewing technique. He would ask a question or introduce a topic and mostly sit back and let the guests talk. He rarely interrupted, he rarely tried to make a joke while they were talking, in other words he was a gracious host and it was very effective.
All those who have come after in similar shows pale in comparison.