The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 12 Episode 196 Don Meredith

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson season 12 episode 196 welcomes guest Don Meredith, a former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and co-host of Monday Night Football. The show opens with Carson delivering his monologue, which includes jokes about current events and pop culture. He then introduces Meredith, who takes a seat on the couch to discuss his career and recent endeavors.

Meredith talks about his transition from football to broadcasting, and how he initially struggled with the public perception of him as a "good ol' boy" from Texas. He also shares stories from his time on Monday Night Football and working alongside Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford.

Carson and Meredith discuss the current state of the NFL, including the impact of free agency and the controversial use of instant replay. They also touch on the role of sports in American culture and the impact of athletes as role models.

In addition to his football career, Meredith shares his experiences as an actor, including his role in the film "The Odd Couple" and his work on Broadway. Carson and Meredith share a few laughs as they watch a clip of a musical number from one of Meredith's performances.

As the show nears its end, Carson invites musician Charlie Pride to perform. Pride sings a few songs, including his hit "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'." Meredith joins Pride on stage to play guitar and sing along.

The episode closes with Carson thanking Meredith and Pride for their appearances and bidding the audience farewell. The show ends with the familiar sound of the NBC chimes.

Overall, this episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a lighthearted and entertaining conversation between two iconic figures of American culture. Fans of football, broadcasting, and entertainment are sure to enjoy Meredith's stories and Carson's humor.