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I Did NOT Know This About Johnny Carson | Mark Malkoff #470 | The Way I Heard It

2026-02-12 Entertainment
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Mike Rowe
Mike Rowe
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Description

If there were an Olympic event for "Competitive Fan-girling," Mark Malkoff would be standing on the podium, wearing a 1970s necktie and weeping as the Tonight Show theme played. Because nobody loves Johnny Carson like Mark does. And I mean nobody. His book is called Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend is the result of an eight-year deep dive that involved tracking down over 400 people who actually touched Carson’s desk—or at least shared an elevator with him. In the book, Malkoff tackles the burning questions that have kept him up at night for decades: The Grudge Match: Why did Johnny stop talking to Joan Rivers? (Spoiler: It involves more than just a missed birthday card). The Banned List: Why were icons like William Shatner and Orson Welles effectively ghosted by the King of Late Night? The Carnac Conspiracy: Setting the record straight on the true—and slightly less mystical—origins of the Great Snarky One. It’s less of a standard biography and more of a 464-page love letter from a man who clearly has enough Carson trivia to power a small city. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just someone who wonders why your parents still do the "golf swing" gesture, Malkoff's journey is a hilarious reminder that some obsessions actually pay off in hardcover. Happily, I enjoyed my interview with him as much as I enjoyed reading his book - which I heartily recommend. Check out Mark’s book “Love Johnny Carson”: https://amzn.to/4kBAL5e A Special Thanks To: Folds of Honor—this terrific foundation has awarded over $340 million in scholarships to sons, daughters, and spouses of those who paid the ultimate price. The money is real and it’s waiting. Apply for a scholarship now at: https://bit.ly/FoldsofHonorScholarships #podcast #latenight #johnnycarson If you like me, and even if you don't, subscribe to my channels and follow me. Much obliged. https://www.youtube.com/@therealmikerowe https://www.youtube.com/@therealmikeroweshorts https://www.youtube.com/@PYSKshow http://instagram.com/mikerowe http://facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe https://twitter.com/mikeroweworks 00:00 Johnny Carson's impact 11:57 The importance of curiosity 18:41 Carson took risks 23:41 Ed Ames’ tomahawk toss 29:50 The truth about Mark’s book 35:41 Carson's control 41:35 Carson's generosity 46:34 What really happened with Joan Rivers 51:37 What is the goal with late night? 57:00 Carson's friendships 01:02:50 How Carson brought comfort 01:08:10 The hardest gig in showbiz 01:14:43 Carson was a daredevil ️ 01:21:23 The smartest thing Ed McMahon did 01:26:28 Carson and the Mafia 01:31:18 Love Johnny Carson

Top Comments (10)

@kellykonoske91 2026-02-13

Nothing exists anymore that is remotely as good as Carson.

257 9 replies
@JuleeRufener 2026-02-13

My father work swing shift, and he watched Johnny every night, I would wake up as a kid hearing my dad laughing at Carson and felt so much comfort, knowing he was home and listening to Johnny Carson. So thanking for the memories.

213 3 replies
@artistforfreedom 2026-02-13

I miss Johnny Carson. I miss Sunday Morning without politics and the guy who traveled around to show us real people. I miss a movie without an agenda. I miss not knowing if it was going to snow 2 feet.

164 8 replies
@OTuit 2026-02-13

One of my favorite Carson shows was when John Davidson cancelled last minute. I think it had happened more than once. Carson and his team opened the phone book and called five 'John Davidson's' to come on the show to talk about themselves and their experiences about being confused for the actor. I always liked the common people interviews.

102 2 replies
@paws4me22 2026-02-12

Johnny was the best! So respectful of his guests and audience. I loved when he had kids on and when Jim Fowler would bring animals on. Johnny was so willing to interact with them.

70
@bjsautomotive2442 2026-02-18

Carson is still to this day the KING!

53
@stacias.3830 2026-02-14

The thing I loved most about Johnny Carson was he never made a guest look bad to make himself look better. Not all of the current bunch of late-night guys can make that claim.

29
@a.s.clifton544 2026-02-13

The greatest Carson line was in response to people who questioned why he continued when he had more money than he could ever spend. His answer was, “They don’t applaud when you walk into the bank.”

24
@davewilliams639 2026-02-17

I was lucky enough to attend the Johnny Carson Show once ....Dana Carvey was one of the guests(I think it was his first appearance). A once in a lifetime experience!

16
@moparnut2058 2026-03-05

I work in Norfolk Nebraska, My late grandma went to high school with him, Jonny has donated soooooo much to the town, its truly amazing! He is/was a remarkable guy!

10

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