Additional Coverage:
- TV Icon Johnny Carson Turns 100: Robin Williams, Burt Reynolds & More in Birthday Marathon (parade.com)
Get ready for a blast from the past! Antenna TV is throwing a six-night birthday bash for the King of Late Night, Johnny Carson, to commemorate what would have been his 100th birthday on October 23rd.
Tune in to Johnny Carson’s 100th Birthday Party from October 20th to 25th at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m.
PT for a curated collection of Carson’s most memorable moments. The celebration will feature classic episodes, unforgettable sketches, and appearances from a galaxy of stars.
Adding to the fun, longtime Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen will share personal reflections and stories about his time with the legendary host. Severinsen, whose on-screen chemistry with Carson was undeniable, described him as “a master creator…class personified.”
Carson, who hosted The Tonight Show for an impressive 30-year run (1962-1992), set the standard for late-night television. His monologues, iconic characters like Carnac the Magnificent, and interviews with Hollywood legends like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Burt Reynolds made the show appointment viewing. For comedians like Robin Williams, Richard Lewis, and Don Rickles, an appearance on Carson’s couch was a career-defining moment.
Here’s the lineup for the birthday celebration:
- Monday, October 20: Burt Reynolds and Richard Lewis (Original Airdate: 2/11/1982)
- Tuesday, October 21: Michael Landon, Carol Wayne, Bob Hope, Don Rickles, and Freddie Prinze (Original Airdate: 5/21/1974)
- Wednesday, October 22: Jackie Gleason and Jim Stafford (Original Airdate: 10/18/1985)
- Thursday, October 23: Buddy Hackett, Burt Reynolds, Don Rickles, Dean Martin, and Carol Wayne (Original Airdate: 10/2/1973)
- Friday, October 24: Robin Williams and Jean Marsh (Original Airdate: 10/14/1981)
- Saturday, October 25: Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra, Olivia Newton-John, and David Janssen (Original Airdate: 11/12/1976)
Even though Carson signed off for the last time over 30 years ago, his impact on late-night television remains. Today’s hosts, from Jimmy Fallon to Stephen Colbert, all owe a debt to the man who made a desk, a couch, and a good laugh a nightly ritual. Antenna TV is keeping Carson’s legacy alive for a new generation, and this birthday marathon promises to be a fitting tribute to a true television icon.