The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 7 Episode 40 Jerry Lewis, James Garner
- February 25, 1969
Jerry Lewis and James Garner are the special guests on this episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The show opens with a monologue from Johnny Carson where he cracks jokes about recent news and celebrity gossip. He then introduces Jerry Lewis, who is making his 17th appearance on the show.
Jerry Lewis is a world-famous comedian, actor, and filmmaker who rose to fame in the 1950s as one half of the comedy duo Martin and Lewis alongside Dean Martin. In this episode, he and Johnny Carson talk about his recent trip to Australia where he performed a series of charity shows. Lewis also discusses his latest film, The Day the Clown Cried, which has not yet been released. The film, which Lewis wrote, directed, and starred in, has become infamous over the years for its controversial subject matter and Lewis's decision to lock away the footage.
Next up is James Garner, who is making his first appearance on the show. Garner is best known for his roles in popular TV shows like Maverick and The Rockford Files, as well as films like The Great Escape and Murphy's Romance. In this episode, he talks to Johnny Carson about his latest film, Support Your Local Sheriff!, which is a western comedy. Garner also discusses his experience working with Steve McQueen on The Great Escape, and shares some funny stories from the set.
Throughout the show, there are also several comedy sketches and bits. In one, a group of audience members are asked to come up on stage and play a game where they have to identify songs that are played backwards. In another, Johnny Carson and Jerry Lewis perform a humorous bit where they pretend to be two old friends catching up.
The musical guests on this episode are a group called The Lettermen, who are known for their close harmony singing and their covers of popular songs. They perform two songs during the show, including their hit single "When I Fall in Love."
As always, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a fun and entertaining mix of comedy, music, and celebrity interviews. This episode is no exception, with two legendary guests and plenty of humor to go around. Whether you're a fan of Jerry Lewis, James Garner, or just great entertainment in general, this episode is definitely worth a watch.