Carson on TCM

The first edition of “Carson on TCM” aired last night. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, interviews conducted by Johnny Carson from the Tonight Show will be shown on Monday nights from 8 until 9 Eastern time. What a treat in this heat.

Last night Johnny’s (few called him John but one who did was his mother) interviews with Doris Day, Charlton Heston, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Tony Curtis aired.

Surely they were “chopped” a bit but it was great to look back.

The TCM promo, narrated by the wonderful Robert Osborne, stated the audience would be privy to some type of interviews that would not happen today.

One such instance aired last night, 27 odd years after its first time on television.

Chevy Chase was on the Tonight Show to promote his movie “The Three Amigos.” Film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert came on after Chase’s solo chat with Carson, and while complimentary to other Chase films, were not enamored with “The Three Amigos.”

It was Ebert, who said he could not recommend “The Three Amigos” and it was fascinating but not “instigated” television tension.

In light of all that has happened and always does happen there is perspective regarding comments and criticism. Both Siskel and Ebert are deceased and “The Three Amigos” was not “Gone With The Wind.”

I look forward to looking back next week when Turner Classic Movies will present the second “Carson on TCM” at the same time on Monday night.

Click this link for a brief video