Heeeere's to Johnny

"For three days after death, hair and fingernails continue to grow but phone calls taper off."- Johnny Carson

Johnny Carson, King of Late Night, Dies

Johnny Carson, who defined American comedy for 30 years as the king of late-night television and quintessential host of NBC's Tonight Show, died today at age 79.

NBC confirmed the death on its Website. His nephew, Jeff Sotzing, told the Associated Press, "Mr. Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning. He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable. There will be no memorial service."

Sotzing did not disclose any further details, including time of death, where Carson died or the exact cause of death.

The late-night fixture had been beset by health problems since his reitrement more than a decade ago. Carson underwent a quadruple-heart bypass in March 1999. Some reports said the comic had suffered a heart attack, necessitating the emergency surgery.

In September 2002, he confirmed he was battling emphysema.

The reserved quipmeister, who mentored a generation of future comedy stars including David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld and Roseanne, was rarely seen in public after bequeathing The Tonight Show's legendary Burbank soundstage to Jay Leno in 1992.

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I've said it before and I'll say it again, late night TV was never the same again once Johnny left. Growing up, I loved watching The Tonight Show. It was one of the few shows that you could always count on for a laugh. I especially loved the episodes where Joan Embery or Jim Fowler would bring animals on to show Johnny. The looks on Johnny's face were priceless! Once Johnny stepped down, I never watched the show again. It just wasn't the same. Johnny, you'll be missed. :(