It was quite a while ago, but somehow we scored tickets and were in about the fourth row (as opposed to Dave's show were we were in the second to the last row and had to crane our necks around monitors to see. That show had Scarlett Johansson and John Mellencamp / John Cougar / John Cougar Mellencamp. That guy has gone by a lot of different names.)
But I digressed. Johnny was awesome. Dream come true to see that. And I got to see Ed. Tommy was filling in for Doc that night. I don't remember all of the details. I remember Johnny's monologue was great and that he made fun of Ed, which was always hilarious. His guests were Peabo Bryson and "comedian" David Steinberg. I never thought of him as funny and that night was no exception. Peabo was never a huge star, but he had a few hits. I think he did the closing credits song for Beauty and the Beast. Anyway, it was one of those Disney ones. He was classy - a great voice and in a tux. Class all the way.
Usually there is some kind of skit done. I don't remember one then. My all-time favorite character was Aunt Blabby. Ed would interview Johnny who was dressed as an old woman. It was the funniest thing ever. I would by a dvd that had all of the Aunt Blabbys, if such a thing was available.
I don't really watch those talk show anymore, even though there are a million of them. But I don't need to as I have Johnny I can watch. I never have really seen him, but Steve Allen seems to be underrated. He started that whole genre (not certain what that word means). He was the original Tonight Show host. He is like the George Washington of talk shows. Everyone, even Johnny, basically copied Allen's format - Come on stage, do a monologue, have an Ed McMahon - type sidekick, a desk for the host, and a couch for the guests. All of that originated with him.
But for hilarity, and double-takes, and quick wittedness, no one beats Johnny.
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