The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 21 Episode 96 Joan Rivers (guest host), George Peppard, Susan Saint James

Joan Rivers takes over guest hosting duties for Johnny Carson on this episode of The Tonight Show. As a well-known comedian herself, Rivers sets the tone for the night with her quick wit and irreverent humor. She opens the show with a monologue that covers a range of topics, including current events and the fickleness of the entertainment industry.

One of the guests tonight is actor George Peppard, who is known for his roles in movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's and TV shows like The A-Team. Rivers asks him about his career and the challenges he has faced as an actor. Peppard talks about working with iconic director Blake Edwards and how he prepared for his role in Breakfast at Tiffany's. He also discusses the difficulties of working on a TV series and the long hours involved.

The other guest on tonight's show is actress Susan Saint James, who has starred in TV shows such as McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie. Rivers and Saint James discuss the entertainment industry from a female perspective and the challenges that women face in Hollywood. They also talk about Saint James' personal life and her family.

Throughout the show, Rivers shows off her comedic talent with sketches and jokes that keep the audience laughing. She pulls out all the stops with an outrageous fashion show in which she models some of the most ridiculous and over-the-top outfits imaginable.

The musical guest for the evening is country singer Larry Gatlin, who performs his hit song "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)." Rivers jokes around with Gatlin before and after the performance, showing off her ability to connect with musical guests as well as actors and actresses.

One of the highlights of the show is a segment called "Can We Talk?", in which Rivers and Saint James discuss various topics related to the entertainment industry. They discuss the recent controversy surrounding the film Tootsie and the character played by Dustin Hoffman, as well as the role of women in comedy and the rise of cable television.

The episode ends with a segment in which Rivers takes over as announcer, introducing Johnny Carson and welcoming him back to the show. Carson thanks Rivers for filling in for him and congratulates her on a job well done.

Overall, this episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a classic example of the show's format in the 1980s. With an all-star lineup of guests, plenty of laughs, and Rivers' undeniable talent as a host and comedian, it's no wonder that the show remained a staple of late-night TV for so many years.