The Ultimate Carson Collection

Heeeeeere's Johnny! From 1962-1992, Johnny Carson, the king of late night TV, hosted The Tonight Show: 30 years; 4,000 stars; 25,000 guests. The Ultimate Carson Collection is an exceptionally entertaining greatest bits triple-disc collection (that clocks in much closer to five hours, rather than the seven hours claimed on the jacket--apparently they're counting the multi-angle footage here) comprising six programs--"The Best of the 60s & 70s," "The Best of the 70s & 80s," "The Best of the 80s & 90s," the hometown reunion special "Johnny Goes Home," and the final two shows (May 21 & 22, 1992). Highlights include: Ed Ames throwing an ax into the groin area of a human outline on the wall in such a way that the upside-down ax appears to be an erect penis (looking at the smooth ax handle end, Carson quips, "I didn't even know you were Jewish"), the numerous animal adventures with Joan Embery and Jim Fowler (which invariably led to the featured critter interacting with wonderful straight man Carson--and many no-doubt-unscripted moments, such as when a monkey punched him in the face), the randy bon mots (looking at Dolly Parton's blouse: "I would give about a year's pay to peek under there"; hi-yo!), the psychic readings by Carnac the Magnificent (holds envelope to forehead and announces "Piggly wiggly"; opens envelope and reads "describe Kermit's wedding night"), Steve Martin's "The Great Flydini" act, Jimmy Stewart's moving poetic tribute to his late dog, and more. The staging ground for a number of upcoming comics, the set also includes early bits by Gary Shandling, George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, and a couple of guys who would one day loom large on the late night landscape: David Letterman and Jay Leno. The last two nights are bittersweet magic, as Robin Williams cracks wise ("I finally figured out how to do George Bush [Sr.]; you take John Wayne, and you tighten up his ass [voice getting higher]"), Bette Midler serenades Carson with "One For My Baby (And One More For the Road)," and Johnny says goodbye to longstanding friends and co-stars Ed McMahon and Doc Severinsen. DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes look at The Tonight Show, a montage of Carson's "Johnny Danger" clips, "The Johnny Carson Story" featurette, and a text "History of the Show." Boasting solid image and sound, this retrospective look back at a TV institution is highly recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)