Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Ed McMahon, 1923-2009

Yet another pop culture icon is gone. Even though Ed McMahon was closely associated with a variety of TV ventures (commercials for "Cash For Gold" and American Family Publishers, host of Star Search, TV Bloopers & Practical Jokes, etc.), he will forever be known as the ultimate sidekick for his 30 years as the announcer of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Even if you weren't old enough to stay up and catch The Tonight Show, you more than likely know Ed's iconic introduction of The King of Late Night... "Heeeeeeeeere's Johnny!"

Below is Ed's 1997 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in which he discusses his upcoming role on The WB network sitcom The Tom Show. We also get a brief glimpse of Ed singing the blues!

4 comments:

The Mistress of the Dark said...

So sad :(

Candy Minx said...

Very nice post, Malcolm. Thanks.

He was so iconic with his opening "here's Johnny" that it is riffed on in the movie "The Shining" remember?

pjazzypar said...

The most well known second banana, that is who I remember Ed McMahon being. The straight man that Carson continuously zinged. I recall one night on the Tonight Show, a spectator asked Johnny what would he do if he and Ed were on a sinking boat and there was only one life jacket. Carson looked around slyly and retorted "If that were to happen, you'd be getting you Publishers Clearance Sweepstakes letter post marked from hell". (LOL)RIP Mr. McMahon.

Malcolm said...

Mistress of the D: Yes, it was.

Candy: Thank you! You know I'm hip to the "Shining" line. :-)

Pjazzy: That Carson line about the sinking boat was a good one.

 
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