The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 9 Episode 111

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 9 Episode 111 Rodney Dangerfield

  • March 24, 1971

In tonight's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, the legendary comedian Rodney Dangerfield takes center stage. The episode, which aired on June 3, 1971, features Dangerfield in his trademark self-deprecating style, cracking jokes about his lack of respect and his unsuccessful attempts at romance.

The show opens with Carson and Dangerfield bantering back and forth, Carson playing the straight man to Dangerfield's barrage of one-liners and punchlines. Dangerfield sets the tone early on when he quips, "I wasn't born, I was quarantined!"

Throughout the episode, Dangerfield delivers a series of rapid-fire jokes that keep the audience laughing. He pokes fun at his appearance ("I was always ugly. I had warts when I was born. But they cleared up"), his career ("I played a thief in a movie. They gave me three names to choose from - Grumpy, Sneaky, or Cheap"), and his love life ("I was so unattractive when I was a baby, my first bath was in Preparation H!").

Between Dangerfield's segments, Carson interviews other guests, including actor James Earl Jones and Oscar-winning composer Burt Bacharach. But it's Dangerfield who steals the show, with his self-deprecating humor and off-the-cuff one-liners.

As the episode nears its end, Dangerfield delivers a classic bit about how he's so unlucky that he went to see a doctor about his love life, and the doctor told him he had a broken heart - "and it wasn't even mine!" Of course, the punchline gets a big laugh from the crowd.

The episode ends with Dangerfield and Carson sharing a few final jokes, as Carson thanks him for coming on the show. It's a classic episode of The Tonight Show, featuring two icons of comedy at the height of their powers.

Overall, the ninth season of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was a cultural touchstone, featuring some of the era's biggest celebrities and most memorable moments in television history. And this episode, featuring Rodney Dangerfield at his finest, is a prime example of why the show was so beloved by audiences for so many years. Whether you're a fan of classic comedy or just looking for a good laugh, this episode is a must-see.

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Description
  • First Aired
    March 24, 1971
  • Language
    English