The Carson Podcast

Carol Leifer joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearance, auditioning for The Tonight Show 22 times, and writing for shows including Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders…

Danny Robinson joins Mark to discuss his parents, Bud and Cece Robinson, opening up for Johnny Carson on tour, the duo appearing on The Tonight…

Michael Stern talks to Mark about his teenage backstage adventures at the Tonight Show and NBC Burbank, his friendship with Lucille Ball, and being Johnny’s…

Former NBC President and TV legend, Herbert Schlosser, joins Mark to discuss negotiating Johnny’s first Tonight Show contract, personally welcoming Johnny when the show moved…

Charles Grodin returns! Actor Charles Grodin joins Mark for a second time to discuss his 27 Johnny appearances, filming Midnight Run, and his acclaimed work…

Ritch Shydner discusses his Johnny appearances, how a disastrous Merv set unexpectedly led to being booked on Carson, and opening up for The Ramones.

Brett Butler joins Mark to discuss her Johnny appearances, performing George Carlin routines as a child, and her friendship with Bill Hicks.

Wayne Cotter joins Mark to discuss his three Johnny appearances, going to Studio 6B as a kid to see Jerry Lewis guest host the Tonight…

Joan Embery discusses bringing nearly 500 animals on the Tonight Show, an elephant picking up Johnny into the air with her trunk, and Johnny spending…

Paul Williams joins Mark to discuss his numerous Johnny appearances, performing in Planet of the Apes makeup, and his friendship with Freddie Prinze.

Brian Haley discusses how his Carson debut changed his life, director John Hughes hiring him from his Tonight Show set, and owning Frank Sinatra’s booth…

Fred Willard joins Mark to discuss The Ace Trucking Company’s 50 plus Johnny Carson appearances, using Joe Garagiola as inspiration for his character in Best…

Don Novello, best known for Father Guido Sarducci, discusses his Carson appearances, writing for Saturday Night Live, and The Lazlo Letters.

Bobby Kelton discusses his 21 Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson appearances, Larry David and him being chased by museum security, and meeting a housewife in…

Mike Reiss joins Mark to discuss writing for Carson, Johnny’s guest appearance on The Simpsons, and writing for Gary Shandling.

Brooke Shields joins Mark to discuss her Carson appearances, deciding to surprise Johnny by doing the Carnac fall, and her friendship with the late Gary…

Elizabeth Ashley discusses her sixteen Johnny appearances, her friendship with Joan Rivers, and her amazing career including being directed by Mike Nichols in his Broadway…

Legendary manger, George Shapiro, joins Mark to discuss Jerry Seinfeld’s Johnny appearances, the brilliance and crazy antics Andy Kaufman, and Carson and Seinfeld deciding to…

Bob Nelson joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, Red Skelton wanting to meet him after seeing him perform on the Tonight Show, and being…

Frank Abagnale joins Mark to discuss the unexpected way he got booked on Carson, Steven Spielberg crediting Johnny for “Catch Me If You Can”, and…

Jennifer Tilly joins Mark to discuss her Carson appearances, Sam Simon advising her to stop appearing with Johnny, and inadvertently hurting Randy Travis’ feelings.  …

Adam Shawn, son of Dick Shawn, talks to Mark about his father’s numerous Carson appearances, the acclaimed one-person show The Second Greatest Entertainer in The…

Former Tonight Show staffer, Barbara Meltzer, joins Mark to discuss being assistant to Fred deCordova, Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki’s wedding, and working with Jack…

Comedian Steve Mittleman joins Mark to discuss his Johnny appearances, writing for Gabe Kaplan, and working with Woody Allen in Radio Days.

Rick Ludwin, former NBC VP of late night and specials, joins Mark to discuss working with Johnny, trying to get Johnny back on TV after…