The first collection of episodes from “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” will start streaming April 1 on Shout! Factory TV.
The streaming service will bundle episodes into such groups “The Best of Carnac the Magnificent,” “The Best of George Carlin” and “Animal Antics With Joan Embery and Jim Fowler.”
Episodes will be available for streaming on demand across across Shout! Factory TV platforms, on ShoutFactoryTV.com and through Shout! Factory TV’s Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV and Android apps.
“The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” ran for 30 years, with more than 5,000 episodes, and is credited by critics with creating the blueprint for every television host today. Carson was known for his Carmac the Magnificent sketches and interviews with guests from all walks of life — from politicians to popular authors, film and television stars.
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Carson’s show was also the first to regularly feature up-and-coming stand-up comedians, and getting a shot on the show was considered an amazing opportunity. Ellen DeGeneres, Louie Anderson, David Letterman and Drew Carey are among the many comedians who cite their “Tonight Show” appearances as crucial to their careers.
Shout! Factory TV has worked with the Carson Entertainment Group to curate standout episodes which will be grouped thematically.
Upcoming sets include “Comic Legends of the ’60s,” featuring Carl Reiner, Bob Newhart and Mel Brooks; “Hollywood Icons of the ’70s,” featuring Burt Reynolds, Goldie Hawn and Michael Caine; and others still to be announced.