The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 19 Episode 50 David Letterman (guest host), Pete Barbutti

David Letterman steps in as guest host for Johnny Carson in this episode of The Tonight Show, bringing his unique brand of humor to the late-night talk show. Joining him as the musical guest is Pete Barbutti, a veteran jazz musician known for his skill on the trumpet.

As the show begins, Letterman jokes about the pressure of sitting in Carson's chair, quipping that he's "never been so nervous in his life." He then introduces Barbutti, who takes the stage to perform a lively rendition of "When You're Smiling."

Letterman and Barbutti chat for a while, discussing the ins and outs of the jazz scene and trading stories about their experiences in the business. Barbutti shares some amusing anecdotes about performing with legendary musicians like Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie, while Letterman cracks wise about his lack of musical talent.

Next up, Letterman welcomes his first guest of the night, comedian Jay Leno. The two comedians trade witty banter and anecdotes about their experiences in show business, with Leno sharing some behind-the-scenes stories from his long tenure as the host of The Tonight Show.

Later on, Letterman is joined by actress Marilu Henner, who talks about her latest project and shares some stories about her experiences in Hollywood. The conversation ranges from Henner's love of cooking to her work with various charities, and the actress proves to be a charming and engaging guest.

Finally, Letterman welcomes his last guest of the night, actor-comedian Jim Varney. Varney is perhaps best known for his role as the lovable hillbilly character Ernest P. Worrell, and he regales Letterman with tales of his experiences playing the iconic character in a series of movies and TV commercials.

Throughout the show, Letterman's trademark wit and humor are on full display, ensuring that the audience never gets bored and keeping the conversation flowing smoothly from one segment to the next. And with such talented guests as Leno, Henner, and Varney, there's never a dull moment on this episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.