Steve often stays late at school for games or meetings. Many times, I stay in my room and work, and, yes, I must admit, get on the computer. I don’t seem to have time at home to surf around and look at different things that interest me. Not too long ago, he had a meeting and I finished all my work early and started to look up different things that interested me.
A few days ago, we were talking about Steve Martin and the night he appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and said he had to leave early (because most of the really important stars did), but he came back in tears and said he really didn’t have to leave but wanted to look important. I looked that episode up and watched it. I laughed until I cried.
I remember that in my youth we watched the “Tonight Show” every single night that it was on. What I really remember was the time that I lived with my maternal grandmother, Mamaw, while I was in college. We did not go to bed until the “Tonight Show” was over. She would call him Johnny as if they were best friends or acquaintances. If he said something she considered a little risqué or out of line, she would say, “Now, Johnny!”
I remember the iconic pastel rows of colored curtains that served as his background during his opening monologue and the golf swing when his monologue was complete and he turned things over to the band.
I always loved Stump the Band, Carnac the Magnificent and the animals from the San Francisco Zoo. The plethora of guests he had cannot even be recalled. The stars whose careers careened from their appearance on the show are innumerable. After a comedian performed before the audience, if he or she was invited to join Johnny on the couch, you knew that comedian was “in.” Jerry Seinfeld, Roseanne Barr and Drew Carey are just to name a few who owe their careers to their “Tonight Show” beginnings.
The final show was broadcast on May 22, 1992, after 26 years of the “Tonight Show.” It was the 4,531st show and was watched by more than 50 million viewers. I was one of them. The entire week was full of stars who had appeared over the years. On the last night that he had guests, Robin Williams appeared, as well as Bette Midler, who sang several songs, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
The final night, he appeared on a stool all alone in front of those famous curtains and gave a retrospective of his shows and also gave a heartfelt goodbye to all of his fans.
Here are a few facts you may not know about Johnny Carson:
nHe started out as a magician and was known as “The Great Carsoni.”
nHe was also a ventriloquist, and his dummy was named Eddie.
nWhile in the Navy, he was an amateur boxer whose record was 10 -0.
nThe guest he most wanted to have was Cary Grant, but he never appeared on the show.
nHe co-wrote the familiar “Tonight Show” theme song with Paul Anka. Anka wrote the music, while Carson wrote the lyrics. The lyrics were never heard, but he still collected 50 percent of the residual payments every time it was played. The title is “Johnny’s Theme.”
nHe was an expert drummer.
nHe only appeared in one movie in 1964 titled “Looking for Love” and starring Connie Francis. He was offered movie roles in “Cookie” and “Blazing Saddles” but declined.
nHe was also considered for the role of Rob Petrie on the Dick Van Dyke Show.
nIn 1966, he helped to popularize the game Twister by playing the game on the air with Eva Gabor. The games began to fly off the shelves.
nIn his monologue one evening, he made a joke that the United States was beginning to run out of toilet paper. Everyone believed him, and people began buying up toilet paper in every store in America. He had to tell people the next night that it was a joke. That is how much power he had with the American people.
Sometimes, Steve and I laugh and say we have all these channels on our television and nothing really to watch. Well, that wasn’t the case many years ago when we all waited to hear “Heeere’s Johnny.”
I hope you will give this week’s recipes a try. Thanks for reading.
ARTICHOKE SALSA
2 (10-ounce) cans Ro-Tel tomatoes, drained
2 (4-ounce) jars sliced mushrooms, drained and chopped
1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (4-ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
½ cup red wine vinegar
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon garlic salt
Dash of hot sauce
Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill several hours or overnight before serving with tortilla chips.
FIRE CRACKERS
½ cup canola oil
1 (1-ounce) package ranch dressing mix
3-5 teaspoons pepper flakes
1 (14-ounce) box Cheez-Its
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together oil, dressing mix and pepper flakes. Spread crackers on a large rimmed baking sheet. Pour oil mixture over and mix. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Cool and store in resealable bags.
CHEESE SPREAD
1 (4-ounce) jar diced pimientos, drained
1 tablespoon grated onion
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon celery seed
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
Set aside 2 tablespoons of pimientos for topping. Combine all other ingredients, omitting pecans. Transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle top with pecans and reserved pimiento. Serve with crackers.
• Contact Lee Ann Flemming at lafkitchen@hughes.net.
