The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 8 Episode 71 Flip Wilson (guest host), Louis Nye

On the eighth season of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, episode 71 featured a guest host, Flip Wilson, and comedian Louis Nye. Wilson, a renowned comedian, actor, and writer, was known for his variety show The Flip Wilson Show, which aired from 1970 to 1974. Nye, a frequent guest on The Steve Allen Show, was also a regular on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

The episode began with Wilson introducing himself as the guest host for the night, stating that he was filling in for Johnny Carson, who was on vacation. He then proceeded to joke about how he was not a household name like Carson but promised to bring some comedic relief to the show. Wilson also made note of the fact that he was the first African-American guest host on The Tonight Show.

Wilson started the show by talking about his experiences in the entertainment industry, including his time as a writer for The Red Skelton Show. He also discussed his own variety show and the challenges he faced as a black performer in the 1970s.

The first guest of the night was comedian Louis Nye, who was known for his impersonations and comedy sketches. Nye started by cracking jokes about Wilson's guest host status and mocked his famous line, "The devil made me do it," from The Flip Wilson Show. The two comics exchanged some playful banter before Nye launched into a sketch where he impersonated a character named Gordon Hathaway.

As Hathaway, Nye quipped about the absurdity of television commercials and used his distinct voice to poke fun at everything from coffee to cigarettes. The sketch was well-received by the audience, who laughed throughout.

After the sketch, Wilson and Nye continued to joke around, with Wilson imitating Nye's voice and Nye pretending to be dumbfounded by Wilson's impression. The two had a great rapport with each other, and their chemistry was evident on stage.

The next segment of the show featured a performance by singer Earl Wilson. Wilson sang "I Can't See Myself Leaving You," a soulful ballad that showcased his impressive vocals. The audience seemed to enjoy the performance, applauding and cheering at the end.

Wilson returned to the stage after the commercial break and talked with the audience. He asked them if they were enjoying the show and joked around with a few audience members. Wilson then introduced the next guest, actor Richard Benjamin.

Benjamin, who was promoting his latest film, The Last of Sheila, joked around with Wilson and talked about his experiences in Hollywood. He discussed working with legendary filmmakers such as Woody Allen and Stanley Kubrick and shared some anecdotes from his time on set.

The episode closed with Wilson thanking the audience and bidding them farewell. He then introduced Louis Nye, who did a final comedy sketch that had the entire studio audience in stitches.

Overall, the eighth season of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episode 71 was a fun-filled night of comedy and entertainment. Flip Wilson proved to be an exceptional guest host, and his chemistry with Louis Nye was a highlight of the show. The episode also featured the talents of Earl Wilson and Richard Benjamin, making it a well-rounded and enjoyable watch.