The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 17 Episode 33 Buck Henry
- November 29, 1978
Buck Henry, an American actor, writer, and director, is the guest on season 17 episode 33 of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The episode begins with Johnny Carson's monologue, where he makes jokes about current events and pop culture. He talks about the ongoing feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, the latest political developments, and the upcoming presidential election.
After the monologue, Johnny welcomes Buck Henry to the show. Buck Henry has written and directed several movies, including The Graduate, Catch-22, and To Die For. He is also the co-creator of the TV show Get Smart. Johnny asks Buck about his career and how he got started in show business. They talk about Buck's early days in comedy and his collaboration with Mel Brooks.
Buck discusses his latest project, a screenplay he wrote for the movie The Owl and the Pussycat. He talks about the challenges of adapting Edward Lear's poem into a movie and how he worked with the director to bring his vision to life. Johnny shows a clip from the movie, which stars Barbra Streisand and George Segal.
The conversation then turns to Buck's experience as a host on Saturday Night Live. Buck hosted the show in 1976 and was the first person to say the infamous words "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" He talks about how he got the job and what the experience was like. Johnny shows some clips from the episode, including a sketch where Buck plays the president of the United States.
Johnny and Buck also chat about their mutual love of golf. Buck talks about the time he played with Bob Hope and how nervous he was. Johnny shares some of his own golf stories, including the time he played with President Nixon.
The second half of the show features musical guest Gladys Knight and the Pips. They perform their hit song "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me." Johnny and Buck come back on stage after the performance and continue their conversation. They talk about their favorite movies and what they think makes a good movie. Buck mentions that he is currently working on a new screenplay and hopes to direct it himself.
The episode ends with Johnny thanking Buck for coming on the show and wishing him luck with his future projects. Buck thanks Johnny and tells him how much he's enjoyed being on the show. They shake hands and say goodbye as the credits roll.
Overall, season 17 episode 33 of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson featuring Buck Henry is a fun and engaging episode. Johnny and Buck have great chemistry, and their conversation covers a wide range of topics, from show business to golf. The addition of Gladys Knight and the Pips provides some musical entertainment and rounds out the episode nicely.