Word: mcmahon
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...some writers translate this to mean 'Carson is hostile to people.' " If he is not precisely hostile, he at least shares a celebrity's distrust of strangers-and distrust sometimes seeps over into contempt. Johnny and Joanne are people who do not need people. "Johnny," says McMahon, putting it mildly, "is not overly outgoing or affectionate. He doesn't give friendship easily or need it. He packs a tight suitcase." One lady author, who was a guest on the show, puts it more bluntly: "He is a cold fish...
...person who is required to play strictly second banana is Ed McMahon, 44, who serves as straight man and prompter as well as announcer. For example, when Carson got caught in a dangling conversation and extricated himself with a cliché, "The grass is always greener," McMahon chimed in: "Could I write that down...
Certain other contributions are considered "stepping out of line," says McMahon. "Johnny was doing a thing once about how mosquitoes only go after the really passionate people. Without thinking, I slapped my arm. It was instinctive. But it killed his punch line." For restraining himself, McMahon is well reimbursed. Just as Announcer Hugh Downs rose from the brow of Jack Paar to become a TV "personality" (Today, Concentration), McMahon is now a "star." He is host of his own daily daytime show, Snap Judgment, handles NBC's Monitor mike on Saturday afternoons, and plays "spokesman" for Budweiser beer...
...problem with TV Director Dick Carson, who is Johnny's 37-year-old brother, nor with Announcer McMahon, who is one of Johnny's closest friends, despite gossip to the contrary. On the other hand, Carson did fire Tonight Producer Art Stark, who was also a close friend and associate for eleven years. Explains McMahon: "Art was more fixed in his idea of the show. Johnny has a freer idea-more explosive." Staffers say that Carson insisted on format changes-chiefly bits that would allow him to get out of his chair for more skits and business with...
...Johnny gets angry at ineffectual, inefficient people who don't do their job properly," says McMahon. "It bugs him when people don't pull their oar." Sometimes it bugs him on the air. Not long ago, when some stagehands were chattering while Carson was on, the star turned and snapped coldly: "Are you fellows through...