The King of Late Night and His Legendary Stage

For three decades, Johnny Carson ruled late-night television as the host of The Tonight Show. From 1962 to 1992, he transformed the program into a cultural institution and became one of the most iconic figures in American entertainment. Millions tuned in every night not only for the celebrity interviews and comedy sketches but also for the wild unpredictability that Carson brought to the stage.

Unlike today’s polished late-night shows, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson often spiraled into chaos, hilarity, and shocking moments that left audiences gasping and laughing in equal measure. Here are 16 of the wildest and most unforgettable moments that cemented Johnny Carson as the undisputed king of late-night television.

1. Ed Ames Throws the Tomahawk

In one of the most famous mishaps in television history, actor Ed Ames appeared on The Tonight Show in 1965 to demonstrate his tomahawk-throwing skills. He aimed at a wooden target shaped like a cowboy and accidentally lodged the tomahawk directly into the figure’s crotch. The audience roared with laughter, and Carson quipped, “I didn’t even know you were Jewish.” The clip became one of the most replayed moments in television history.

2. The Great Carnac Prediction Gone Wrong

Carson’s recurring character Carnac the Magnificent involved him donning a turban and “psychically” answering questions before opening envelopes. On one occasion, the punchline fell flat, and the audience groaned. Carson broke character, looked around, and deadpanned, “Well, this show has been great fun… for me.” His ability to turn failure into comedy made the bit even more iconic.

3. Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Cat Question

Perhaps the most infamous celebrity moment was Zsa Zsa Gabor’s appearance, where she allegedly asked Carson, “Would you like to pet my pussy?” while holding her cat. Carson reportedly replied, “Sure, if you’ll move that damn cat.” While some debate whether it actually aired or became an urban legend, the story cemented itself in Carson folklore.

4. The Toilet Paper Panic of 1973

During a monologue, Carson joked about a toilet paper shortage. Americans took him seriously, rushing to stores to hoard toilet paper. Within days, shelves were empty nationwide. Carson later apologized, but the “toilet paper scare” proved just how powerful his influence was on the public.

5. Dean Martin Shows Up Drunk

Carson and Dean Martin were close friends, and Martin was known for his onstage persona of being perpetually tipsy. During one appearance, Martin arrived visibly drunk, slurring his words and stumbling. Instead of cutting the segment short, Carson played along, creating a chaotic and hilarious moment that audiences never forgot.

6. Don Rickles Breaks the Set

Comedian Don Rickles was one of Carson’s favorite guests, known for his insult comedy. In one episode, Rickles accidentally broke Carson’s cigarette box. Later, Carson stormed onto the set of Rickles’s show C.P.O. Sharkey, interrupting filming to demand his property back. The unscripted confrontation became one of late-night TV’s most replayed highlights.

7. The Time Carson Invited a Gorilla

Carson had a love for bringing animals onto the show, but sometimes things got out of hand. When a gorilla was brought on stage, it became agitated and nearly toppled the set. Carson tried to calm the situation with his trademark wit, telling the audience, “At least it’s not Ed Ames with a tomahawk.”

8. Bob Hope Forgets His Lines

Bob Hope, another television legend, often relied on cue cards. During one visit, he completely lost his place and struggled to recover. Carson, ever the professional, gently roasted him on live television, turning what could have been awkward into one of the funniest segments of the season.

9. Robin Williams Unleashes Chaos

Robin Williams was a tornado of energy, and his appearances on Carson’s show were legendary. In one visit, Williams improvised for nearly ten minutes straight, climbing on furniture and sending Carson into uncontrollable laughter. Carson admitted later that he rarely gave up control of the stage, but with Williams, he simply let the madness unfold.

10. Dolly Parton and Johnny’s Famous Compliment

In a 1977 appearance, Dolly Parton sat down with Carson wearing a low-cut dress. With a twinkle in his eye, Carson quipped, “I’d give a year of my life to peek under there.” The audience howled, and Parton responded with her trademark humor. The moment has been replayed countless times as an example of Carson’s cheeky charm.

11. The Legendary Bette Midler Farewell

When Carson announced his retirement in 1992, Bette Midler was one of his final guests. She serenaded him with “One for My Baby,” bringing both Carson and the audience to tears. It was a rare emotional moment on a show built on laughter and remains one of the most poignant goodbyes in television history.

12. The Streaker Incident

In the 1970s, streaking became a bizarre cultural fad. During one episode, a naked man ran across the stage mid-interview. Carson barely missed a beat, saying, “You’ll get a big hand in a minute,” sending the audience into hysterics. The streaker was quickly removed, but the moment lived on in Tonight Show lore.

13. Carson’s Clash With Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers was Carson’s permanent guest host and close friend until she accepted her own late-night show on Fox. When she appeared on The Tonight Show afterward, Carson confronted her on-air about the betrayal. Their falling out was never repaired, making the moment both shocking and heartbreaking.

14. George Gobel and the “Brown Shoes” Line

Comedian George Gobel once followed Bob Hope and Dean Martin on stage, remarking, “Did you ever feel like the world was a tuxedo, and you were a pair of brown shoes?” The line brought down the house and even left Carson doubled over in laughter. It became one of the sharpest one-liners in Tonight Show history.

15. Tiny Tim’s Wedding

Perhaps the most surreal Tonight Show moment ever was the live, on-air wedding of ukulele-playing oddball Tiny Tim. Millions tuned in as he married Miss Vicki on Carson’s stage in 1969. The spectacle was bizarre, hilarious, and unforgettable, drawing some of the highest ratings in the show’s history.

16. Carson’s Final Goodbye

After 30 years, Johnny Carson said his final farewell on May 22, 1992. Unlike today’s heavily produced goodbyes, Carson kept it simple, heartfelt, and poignant. He thanked his audience, his crew, and the countless guests who made the show possible. For millions of fans, it was the end of an era — and one of television’s most emotional moments.

Why These Moments Still Resonate

What made Johnny Carson unique was his ability to navigate chaos with wit, grace, and impeccable timing. Whether faced with drunken celebrities, wild animals, or awkward silence, he always found the perfect line to save the moment. These 16 unforgettable moments prove that The Tonight Show wasn’t just entertainment — it was live theater, unpredictable and electric.

Carson’s influence on modern late-night television is undeniable. Every host who followed him, from Jay Leno to Jimmy Fallon, owes a debt to the man who set the standard. But no matter how the format evolves, fans continue to revisit Carson’s wildest moments, laughing and gasping as if they happened yesterday.

Conclusion: The King of Late Night Forever

Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show wasn’t perfect, and that was exactly the point. It was real, raw, and full of surprises. From flying tomahawks to tearful farewells, from awkward celebrity slip-ups to cultural phenomena, Carson gave America not just comedy but history.

These 16 wild and unbelievable moments remind us why Johnny Carson will always be remembered as the king of late night. His stage was unpredictable, his humor timeless, and his legacy eternal.