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TeleTales #72…Speaking Of Johnny Carson And Studio 1
Here’s a nice color shot of the set with an RCA TK44 in the shot, probably a tour group stopping in. Notice the star on the floor…Johnny’s monologue marker. I don’t think this is the ’72 set, so this pix may be from around ’76. Please remember to visit this page to make sure you see everything…just click on the blue text at the top of this post. -Bobby Ellerbee
The camera was actually in that position during the monologue. It was camera #1 and picked up shots of Doc Severinsen. During the commercial camera #1 moved into position between Johnny’s desk and the audience and then became Johnny’s closeup camera.
Great memories of his show thanks
This photo is from the early 1980s.
What a fantastic website you’ve created,Bobby!
We were there for promo shoots in “76. The warm-up was funny as Ed McMahon started with “Guess what? He’s here. Two nights in a row.”
Miss Johnny Carson
I was there with a buddy in ’81. We sat down front left side and Ed McMahon did his “Here’s… Johnny!” bit right next to us. Can see his mic on a stand down there. The set looks how I remember it for that year but not totally sure. Thought it interesting that Fred DeCordova sat in front of that monitor with several cocktails. The show had Tony Bennett singing three songs throughout and yapping about his paintings. David Brenner came out toward the end of the show. We missed Bo Derek by one day – I was too late to get tickets. Had to be at the ticket office at the crack of dawn and then get in line around noon for the 5pm-ish taping. Saw Leno at the same stage eight years ago and noticed the setup of the stage was turned ninety degrees to the right to create a larger set and wider audience seating. It was all fascinating. 🙂
The best darn night time show I have ever seen!
Bobby, Thanks for the wonderful memories. I spent 3 years of my NBC career as the TD on the Tonight Show in the mid 70’s..
it’s definitely early 80s, the late 70s had the “water” background and different furniture. This set debuted when the show went to an hour, if I remember correctly.
was there ’81…
Thanks, I love stuff like this.
6 pages about Johnny here, plus a page about Ed McMahon. http://rwkates2001.wix.com/late-night-tv#!johnny-carson/ccjb
That has to be from September 1980 onward from the look of the desk.
This looks like a tour group. The 44A would never be in that position before show start in my opinion.
Any idea when this was taken? I’ve been power-watching the “From the Vault” shows from the ’70s.
I agree Jodie, similar to seeing HD for the first time comes close.
Hey ohooooo!
The NBC camera is fantastic!
One of the best shows ever! I’d love to see more images of Studio 1 in Burbank if someone has them.
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