The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 9 Episode 91 Elliott Gould, Kreskin
- February 24, 1971
Elliott Gould, one of the biggest stars of the early 1970s, takes a seat on The Tonight Show couch for season 9, episode 91. Gould has just come off the success of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice and MASH, which solidified his status as a leading man in Hollywood. However, he's not alone on the show. Kreskin, a famed mentalist, also joins Carson for the episode.
As always, Carson starts the show with a monologue that includes topical jokes and political commentary. This is Carson's bread and butter, and he always gets a few zingers in that get the audience laughing. After a few opening jokes, Carson welcomes Gould to the show. The two have a warm rapport, as Gould has been on the show before, and Carson is always a gracious host.
Gould talks to Carson about his recent success and how it's affected his life. He speaks candidly about his struggle to balance his newfound fame with his personal life. Gould also talks about how he got into acting and some of the challenges he faced early in his career. Carson is fascinated by Gould's stories and asks him to elaborate on some of the more interesting ones.
Next up, Kreskin takes the stage. Kreskin is a mentalist who gained fame in the 1970s and 80s for his live performances. He's also made several appearances on television, including The Tonight Show. Kreskin shows off some of his skills for Carson and the audience, including a card trick that leaves everyone scratching their heads. Kreskin and Carson banter a bit, and Carson expresses his skepticism while Kreskin tries to convince him that his mind-reading abilities are real.
After Kreskin's performance, Gould rejoins Carson on the couch. They talk about Gould's upcoming projects, including a new film he's working on. Gould also talks about his experience working with some of the giants of Hollywood, including Robert Altman and Ingmar Bergman. Carson asks Gould about his approach to acting and how he prepares for a role.
Finally, they wrap up the show with a musical performance. This episode features the band Chicago, who perform a few of their hits for the studio audience.
Overall, season 9, episode 91 of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a classic episode of the beloved talk show. Gould and Kreskin are both engaging guests who provide an interesting glimpse into their worlds. Carson is, as always, a charming and witty host who keeps the show moving along. And, of course, the musical performance at the end is the cherry on top of a great episode.