The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 17 Episode 27

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 17 Episode 27 Steve Martin, Paul Williams

  • November 21, 1978

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson season 17 episode 27 features two entertaining guests, Steve Martin and Paul Williams, who light up the stage with their humor and songs. Johnny Carson, the beloved host of the show, starts the episode with his classic monologue, cracking jokes about current events and poking fun at his staff. The audience laughs along, ready for a night filled with entertainment.

First up is Steve Martin, the multi-talented comedian, actor, writer, and musician, who sits down for an interview with Carson. Martin is known for his offbeat humor, and tonight is no different. He shares stories about his time as a stand-up comedian, including a memorable performance on The Gong Show, and his experience hosting Saturday Night Live, which he calls a "pressure cooker." Martin also talks about his love for playing the banjo and his upcoming album, which features collaborations with famous musicians like Dolly Parton.

Carson and Martin then engage in a comedic skit, with Martin playing the role of a magician who can't seem to get his magic tricks right. The audience roars with laughter as Martin hilariously bungles every trick, from making a rabbit appear out of a hat to sawing a woman in half.

Next, Paul Williams, the award-winning songwriter and composer, takes center stage. Williams, who has written hit songs for artists like Barbra Streisand and The Carpenters, talks about his creative process and the inspiration behind his music. He also shares heartfelt stories about his friendship with icons like Frank Sinatra and John Lennon.

Williams then performs two of his most popular songs, "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainbow Connection," accompanied by Carson on the piano. The audience is captivated by Williams' soulful voice and emotive lyrics, and they give him a standing ovation.

Carson and Williams continue their conversation, talking about Williams' acting roles in films like Phantom of the Paradise and his work on the soundtrack for the hit movie A Star is Born. Williams showcases his versatility as he hilariously sings a parody of "Evergreen," one of the songs he wrote for A Star is Born, with lyrics that poke fun at the film industry.

Martin and Williams then join forces for a musical performance, with Martin on the banjo and Williams on the piano. The duo performs a lively rendition of "Just An Old Fashioned Love Song," one of Williams' classic hits, that has the audience tapping their feet and swaying along.

The episode wraps up with Carson thanking his guests and bidding farewell to the audience. As always, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson delivers a night of unforgettable entertainment, with Martin and Williams proving to be a dynamic duo that leaves the studio buzzing with laughter and applause.

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Description
  • First Aired
    November 21, 1978
  • Language
    English