The BEST episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Every episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson!

Late-night talk show hosted by Johnny Carson, including guest interviews and musical performances.

Last Updated: 8/21/2022Network: NBCStatus: Ended
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#1 - Shirley MacLaine, k.d. lang

Season 27 - Episode 125 - Aired 6/9/1989

Directors: Bobby Quinn
Richard Pryor, Rain Pryor, Jake Johannsen
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1 votes

#2 - Richard Pryor, Rain Pryor, Jake Johannsen

Season 27 - Episode 108 - Aired 5/11/1989

Actor/comedian Richard Pryor; actress Rain Pryor. Standup comic Jake Johannsen.

Directors: Bobby Quinn
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1 votes

#3 - Robin Williams, Phyllis Newman

Season 22 - Episode 55 - Aired 4/3/1984

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1 votes

#4 - Robin Williams

Season 21 - Episode 125 - Aired 6/16/1983

Watch Now:Amazon
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1 votes

#5 - Robin Williams, Jean Marsh

Season 19 - Episode 178 - Aired 10/14/1981

With Actor Robin Williams, and Actress Jean Marsh. Blackouts: Takeoff of 'Patton' and Takeoff of a 'Chess Match'.

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1 votes

#6 - Dennis Weaver, McLean Stevenson, Erich von Daniken

Season 11 - Episode 262 - Aired 10/4/1973

Ricardo Montalban, Laura Bergt, Uri Geller
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1 votes

#7 - Ricardo Montalban, Laura Bergt, Uri Geller

Season 11 - Episode 216 - Aired 8/1/1973

Desk- "Commercially Oriented Greeting Cards" Laura Bergt introduces World Eskimo-Indian Olympics champions Lester Bodfish, Reggie Joule, Roger Kunayak and Fred Titus who demonstrate their talents. Actor Ricardo Montalban discusses bullfighting. Illusionist Uri Geller demonstrates psychokinesis.

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#8 - Jack Benny, Rich Little, Dylan Jenson, Dick Barlow and Roger Pida

Season 11 - Episode 77 - Aired 1/17/1973

Los Angeles detectives Dick Barlow and Roger Pida chat with Johnny about going undercover in drag; Jack Benny plugs the upcoming "Jack Benny's First Farewell Special" and shows an out-take; Child prodigy Dylan Jenson plays the violin and impressionist Rich Little imitates Benny and Carson.

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2 votes

#9 - Burt Reynolds, Dick Shawn

Season 25 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/5/1986

Actor Burt Reynolds; comedian Dick Shawn.

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1 votes

#10 - Robin Williams, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett

Season 26 - Episode 45 - Aired 12/18/1987

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1 votes

#11 - Mabel Hines Buck, Paul Reiser, Jason Bateman

Season 27 - Episode 44 - Aired 1/6/1989

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1 votes

#12 - Michael J. Fox, Larry Miller, Harry Lorayne

Season 27 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/3/1988

Actor Michael J. Fox; Larry Miller; magician Harry Lorayne.

Lily Tomlin, Walter Slezak, Jerry Van Dyke, Sam Blotner
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#13 - Lily Tomlin, Walter Slezak, Jerry Van Dyke, Sam Blotner

Season 13 - Episode 99 - Aired 2/20/1975

The famous sage, seer, soothsayer, all omniscient, all knowing, all seeing Carnac the Magnificent makes an appearance; Comedienne/actress Lily Tomlin chats about her childhood; Austrian-born character actor Walter Slezak tells some great stories; Comedian/actor Jerry Van Dyke does standup and chats with Johnny; and the Tonight Show's correspondent from Costa Rica, Sam Blotner is back.

Michael Keaton, Martin Short, Teri Garr
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#14 - Michael Keaton, Martin Short, Teri Garr

Season 30 - Episode 115 - Aired 5/14/1992

Actor Michael Keaton; actor Martin Short; actress Teri Garr. Copper Clappers/Jack Webb Sketch (from 1968)

Directors: Bobby Quinn
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1 votes

#15 - Jay Leno (guest host), Shirley MacLaine, Kirk Cameron

Season 30 - Episode 33 - Aired 11/29/1991

Directors: Ellen Brown
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1 votes

#16 - Jay Leno (guest host), Lily Tomlin, Neil Patrick Harris

Season 30 - Episode 12 - Aired 10/18/1991

Directors: Ellen Brown
Robin Williams, Jonathan Winters, Park Overall
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2 votes

#17 - Robin Williams, Jonathan Winters, Park Overall

Season 29 - Episode 176 - Aired 9/19/1991

Actor Robin Williams; comic Jonathan Winters; actress Park Overall.

Joan Embery, Art Donovan, Ron Silver
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1 votes

#18 - Joan Embery, Art Donovan, Ron Silver

Season 28 - Episode 52 - Aired 1/18/1990

Actor Ron Silver; Art Donovan; animal expert Joan Embery.

Directors: Bobby Quinn
Tim Conway, Jodie Foster, Maureen Murphy
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1 votes

#19 - Tim Conway, Jodie Foster, Maureen Murphy

Season 21 - Episode 76 - Aired 3/4/1983

With Comedian Tim Conway, Actress Jodie Foster, and Actress Maureen Murphy

Directors: Bobby Quinn
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1 votes

#20 - Jack Lemmon, Steven Wright

Season 28 - Episode 15 - Aired 11/1/1989

Extension Courses. Guests: Actor Jack Lemmon; comic Steven Wright.

Directors: Bobby Quinn
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31 votes

#21 - Shelley Winters, David Susskind

Season 7 - Episode 239 - Aired 12/2/1969

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1 votes

#22 - Don Johnson, David Brenner, Dale Robertson

Season 25 - Episode 167 - Aired 9/25/1987

Comic David Brenner; actor Don Johnson; actor Dale Robertson.

Dom DeLuise, Jerry Seinfeld, Betty White
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1 votes

#23 - Dom DeLuise, Jerry Seinfeld, Betty White

Season 20 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/12/1981

Sketch- "Video Untouchables"

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Chevy Chase, Thalassa Cruso, John Suter
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#24 - Chevy Chase, Thalassa Cruso, John Suter

Season 26 - Episode 84 - Aired 5/26/1988

Starring Chevy Chase and Thalassa Cruso

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12 votes

#25 - Tony Bennett, Mel Brooks, Joan Crawford, Rudy Vallee

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/1/1962

Guests for tonight: Joan Crawford, Mel Brooks, Tony Bennett and Rudy Vallee. Johnny is introduced by Groucho Marx.