The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 15 Episode 85 Roy Clark (guest host), Elke Sommer, Norm Crosby

In season 15 episode 85 of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, legendary country music artist Roy Clark takes over as guest host. Clad in a traditional cowboy hat and bolo tie, Clark brings his down-home charm to the show, offering up plenty of playful banter and entertaining anecdotes over the course of the hour.

Clark's first guest is Elke Sommer, a stunning German actress and one of the biggest sex symbols of the era. In addition to her work in film and television, Sommer is also a talented singer, and she treats the audience to a soulful rendition of the classic ballad "Misty." Clark and Sommer exchange witty quips throughout their conversation, with Clark joking that he had to wear two pairs of glasses to make sure he didn't accidentally kiss her during the performance.

Next up is comedian Norm Crosby, who has the audience in stitches with his trademark wordplay and malapropisms. His act is a perfect complement to Clark's good-natured folksiness, and the two share a hilarious exchange about their differing opinions on the merits of urban versus rural living.

Throughout the episode, Clark also performs a number of his hit songs, including "Come Live With Me" and "Yesterday When I Was Young." He shows off his impressive musical chops with some fast-fingered guitar playing and demonstrates his versatility with a rendition of "Malaguena." The show also includes a segment where Clark takes some good-natured ribbing from the program's usual host, Johnny Carson, who appears via video conference to wish his friend and colleague well.

Overall, season 15 episode 85 of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a charming and lighthearted hour of entertainment that showcases the talents of some of the era's biggest performers. Though Johnny Carson is notably absent from the proceedings, Roy Clark proves more than capable of holding his own as guest host, bringing his own unique personality and musical abilities to the show. For fans of classic variety television, this episode is a must-see.