Johnny Carson, dead of emphysema at age 79.
And so goes yet another anchor to my youth. How many nights did I stay up only to hear his cutting monologs and prayed for ‘Carnac the Magnificent’ to make an appearance? A fellow blogger over at the Trenchcoat Chronicles made reference to laughing so hard at one the ‘Carnac the Magnificent’s lines that he hurt himself. I copy his comment here:
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He was doing his Carnac bit and the answer was “Sis Boom Bah�?. The question was “What sound does a sheep make when it explodes?�? I don’t think I ever laughed that hard in my entire life.
I remember that one, too! Oh Gods! How I have missed dear Johnny Carson since his retirement. And now he is gone from us, like so many great ones before. He now resides with the likes of George Burns, Bob Hope, & Jackie Gleason.
Seems we never really learn to appreciate the best until they leave this mortal plane. While the un-rivalled fade into oblivion, the less talented – but scummier – go on in the American scene forever. `Tis a pity.
John William Carson was born on Oct. 23, 1925 in Corning, Iowa, but was raised in Nebraska, where he attended the University of Nebraska. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. (I never knew he was a Navy Vet…)
Our Commander-in-Chief, President George W. Bush, had the following to say:
Laura and I are saddened by the death of Johnny Carson. His wit and insight made Americans laugh and think and had a profound influence on American life and entertainment. He was a patriot who served in the United States Navy during World War II and always remembered his roots in the heartland of America.
What I wouldn’t give to hear, just one last time, Ed McMahon say “Heeeeeeerre’s Johnny!”
Omar out.
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