American talk show host and comedian
POPULARITY
Categories
Mark Malkoff, comedian and author of Love, Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend (Penguin Random House, 2025), talks about his book on Johnny Carson, which focuses on the decade the late-night legend spent hosting the Tonight Show from New York; plus he discusses how Carson invited Jim Henson's Muppets on the show, including an episode hosted by Kermit the frog.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Adam Christing, a humorist, keynote speaker, and author, to talk about the power of laughter, connection, and storytelling. Adam has spent four decades performing more than 4,000 humor presentations for CEOs, Fortune 500 companies, major nonprofits, and high-stakes audiences around the world. He is a member of Hollywood's iconic Magic Castle, has worked with David Copperfield, authored The Laugh Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead, and is the CEO of Clean Comedians®, a business that uses humor to bring people together rather than driving them apart. Adam is more than just a gifted public speaker and performer. He is a student of human nature. In our conversation, he explains how comedy works psychologically, why humor diffuses conflict, how it disarms resistance, and how it allows leaders to deliver truth without putting people on the defensive. Adam also offers a brilliant blueprint for anyone who speaks publicly. Executives, trial lawyers, entrepreneurs, military leaders, and educators, can all benefit from Adam's crash course in how to grab an audience's attention and keep it. We break down how great presenters prepare, how to deal with nerves, why silence is so powerful, how to tailor your message to the room, and how storytelling can transform information into impact. Along the way, Adam tells stories about joining the Magic Castle as a teenager, bombing on stage, learning from masters like Johnny Carson and Winston Churchill, and discovering that audiences do not want perfection - they want presence. He also explains why the boundaries of "clean comedy" actually make comedy more creative, why leaders should practice humor like a skill, and why audiences always root for the person at the microphone. This episode is about leadership, persuasion, communication, and how to connect through humour. It is also full of laughs. I invite you to listen to the full conversation and learn how humor can help you become a better leader, speaker, and storyteller. And now I give you, Adam Christing.
THE BEST OF KILBORN. There's a new book out on the great Johnny Carson who many feel is the best late night host of all-time. Author Mark Malkoff joins Kilby to discuss many aspects of Carson's career as host of The Tonight Show including...the years in New York, the influence of wife Joanna, Johnny's drinking, the move to Burbank, Johnny's privacy, the bitter mean quote from Freddie de Cordova at the end of the show, the Joan Rivers debacle and...why Johnny was the best. Perhaps Kilby said it best: Johnny was smooth and sophisticated. A must listen for any late night historian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TVC 720.3: Mark Malkoff, host of the award-winning Carson Podcast and the author of Love Johnny Carson, talks to Ed about why Johnny Carson often had a "surprise guest" during the early years of hosting The Tonight Show; how Carson's writers often approached writing the monologue differently whenever a guest host hosted the show in Johnny's absence; Carson's secret philanthropy; and his legendary generosity toward up-and-coming comedians. Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find The Genius Behind the Legend is available wherever books are sold through Dutton Books.
TVC 721.2: Ed welcomes Mark Malkoff, host of the award-winning Carson Podcast and the author of Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find The Genius Behind the Legend, a deep dive into Johnny Carson's thirty-year reign as host of The Tonight Show that includes interviews with more than four hundred Tonight Show personnel, including staff members, production people, writers, friends, and such Tonight Show guests as Carol Burnett, Mel Brooks, Bob Saget, Larry King, Michael J. Fox, Paula Poundstone, Loni Anderson, and many, many others. Love Johnny Carson is available wherever books are sold through Dutton Books. Topics this segment include the prominent role that Carson's second wife, Joanne, played in helping Johnny become host of The Tonight Show in 1962; how powerful Joanne was behind the scenes of The Tonight Show, especially during the New York years; and how a surprise appearance by Red Skelton on Carson's Coffee Break, a five-minute show that Carson hosted for Los Angeles station KNXT in the early 1950s, changed the trajectory of Johnny's career
Las Vegas wasn't just a stop on Johnny Carson's itinerary — it was his second home. This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Mark Malkoff, co-author (with David Ritz) of "Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend," for a fascinating deep dive into Carson's unique and lasting bond with Las Vegas. Drawing from hundreds of interviews and years of research, Mark reveals previously un-known stories about Carson's life and career, including who persuaded Johnny to first perform in Las Vegas and why his debut at the Sahara was an instant sensation. Mark also explores how Carson's relaxed, playful stage persona in Las Vegas differed from the carefully calibrated host audiences saw nightly on The Tonight Show. The conversation uncovers Carson's legendary friendship with Don Rickles, his love of discovering and championing new talent on Vegas stages, and the curiosity that fueled his creative life. Mark also shares how he teamed up with famed biographer David Ritz to bring this definitive portrait of Carson to life — and offers new details about Johnny's earliest shows originating from New York. For fans of classic Vegas, television history, and the entertainers who helped shape the city's golden era, this episode offers a rare and intimate look at Johnny Carson away from the desk — and under the bright lights of Las Vegas. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)
Johnny Mac and Mike Chisholm discuss the top 10 late night hosts of all time, starting with recaps from the previous episode and details on hosts from number six through to number one. The discussion covers the contributions and impacts of Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O'Brien, Dick Cavett, Jack Parr, Johnny Carson, and David Letterman. They also explore related topics such as changes in media, the nature of podcasts, and the personal and cultural significance of these iconic figures in late night television.00:00 Recap of Previous Episode00:32 Discussing Jay Leno and the Split Episode00:57 6. Jon Stewart's Impact on Late Night03:22 Debating the Definition of a Podcast09:36 5.Jimmy Kimmel's Place in Late Night History16:03 4. Conan O'Brien's Resilience and Influence20:05 Conan O'Brien's Rise to Fame21:08 The Tonight Show and TBS Years21:26 Conan's Future with the Oscars22:03 Jimmy Kimmel's Retirement Speculation23:07 3. Top Talk Show Hosts: Dick Cavett and Jack Paar24:44 Honorable Mentions and Controversial Omissions26:25 2. Johnny Carson's Legacy30:22 1. David Letterman: The Greatest Broadcaster35:13 Howard Stern's Evolution39:12 Final Thoughts and Future EpisodesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com Thanks to our sponsors!Underdog Fantasy Promo Code DCNFor Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening. $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.
Mark Malkoff is a comedian, writer, and podcaster. As a teenager growing up in Hershey, PA, Mark would regularly make the drive into New York City, where he would attend tapings of Late Night with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He befriended SNL cast members, and developed close relationships with people like Robert Smigel. Mark is also a life-long fan of Johnny Carson, and as host of the The Carson Podcast conducted close to 400 interviews with luminaries such as Carl Reiner, Dick Cavett, and Carol Burnett. Mark's recent book, Love Johnny Carson was named a Vulture Best Comedy Book of 2025.Mark stopped by the studio to talk to Will about his new book, and what makes his Carson biography different from previous books about the late night legend. They also discuss the early days of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, the heartbreaking story of Johnny Carson's falling out with Joan Rivers, and Mark's new podcast Inside Late Night from Latenighter.com.Recorded at Jett Road Studios------------------------LIFE IN COMEDYInstagramJETT ROAD STUDIOSWebsiteInstagramYouTubeMARK MALKOFFLove Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the LegendInside Late Night
There was no one like Johnny Carson, host of the Tonight Show for 30 years during which he hosted around 4500 episodes with more than 25,000 guests. Author Mark Malkoff interviewed over 400 people (many of which can be heard at www.CarsonPodcast.com) and took a dozen years to write this book. It's a history of the show but […]
Laughter may be one of the most powerful tools we have for navigating stress, burnout, and the weight of modern life. In this conversation, I had the pleasure of sitting down once again with Sir James Gray Robinson to explore why humor, self-awareness, and gratitude matter far more than most of us realize. James and I talk about how easily we lose the ability to laugh at ourselves, how that loss feeds stress and burnout, and why taking life too seriously often does more harm than good. Along the way, we reflect on comedy, culture, trauma, and the simple truth that being able to laugh can shift perspective faster than almost anything else. James also shares what he has learned from years of coaching high-stress professionals, especially lawyers, about how laughter resets the nervous system and opens the door to better problem solving. We talk about gratitude as a powerful antidote to fear and anger, the role artificial intelligence can play as a daily tool for perspective, and how self-reflection helps us separate reality from the stories our minds create. We even explore James's work with an ancient royal order dedicated to service and philanthropy. I believe you will find this conversation thoughtful, grounding, and surprisingly uplifting, because at its core, it reminds us that joy, humor, and connection are not luxuries. They are essential to living an unstoppable life. Highlights: 00:59 – Learn why losing the ability to laugh at yourself creates stress and emotional rigidity.04:26 – Understand the difference between witty humor and humor that harms rather than heals.11:03 – Discover how laughter resets the nervous system and interrupts burnout patterns.15:35 – Learn why gratitude is one of the strongest tools for overcoming fear and anger.16:16 – Hear how artificial intelligence can be used as a daily tool to shift perspective and invite joy.35:19 – Understand how burnout often begins with internal stories that distort reality and fuel stress. About the Guest: Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq. is an award winning third-generation trial attorney who specialized in family law and civil litigation for 27 years in his native North Carolina. Burned out, Sir James quit in 2004 and has spent the next 20 years doing extensive research and innovative training to help others facing burnout and personal crises to heal. He has taught wellness, transformation, and mindfulness internationally to thousands of private clients, businesses, and associations. As a licensed attorney, he is focused on helping lawyers, professionals, entrepreneurs, employers, and parents facing stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, exhaustion, and burnout. Sir James is a highly respected speaker, writer, TV personality, mentor, consultant, mastermind, and spiritual leader/healer who is committed to healing the planet. He possesses over 30 certifications and degrees in law, healing, and coaching, as well as hundreds of hours of post-certification training in the fields of neuroscience, neurobiology, and neuroplasticity, epigenetics, mind-body-spirit medicine, and brain/heart integration. Having experienced multiple near-death experiences has given him a deeper connection with divinity and spiritual energy. Sir James regularly trains professionals, high-level executives, and businesspeople to hack their brains to turn stress into success. He is regularly invited to speak at ABA and state bar events about mental and emotional health. His work is frequently published in legal and personal growth magazines, including the ABA Journal, Attorneys-at-Work Magazine, and the Family Law Journal. Sir James has authored 13 books on personal growth and healing, including three targeting stressed professionals as well as over 100 articles published in national magazines. He has produced several training videos for attorneys, executives, entrepreneurs and high-level professionals. Sir James has generously endowed numerous projects around the world to help children, indigenous natives, orphans and the sick, including clean water projects in the Manu Rain Forest, Orphanages, Schools and Medical Clinics/Ambulances in India, Buddhist monks in Nepal, and schools in Kenya, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico. In addition to his extensive contributions, Sir James produced and starred in three documentaries that will be released in 2024, focusing on healing, mental and emotional health. The first, "Beyond Physical Matter," is available on several streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime. The trailer can be found at www.BeyondPhysicalMatter.com. The second, “Beyond the Mastermind Secret”, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2024. The trailer can be found at https://BeyondMastermindSecrets.com/. The third, “Beyond Physical Life” is scheduled for release at the end of 2024. The trailer can be found at https://beyondphysicallife.com/. He has formed an entertainment media production company known as Beyond Entertainment Global, LLC, and is currently producing feature length films and other media. In recognition of his outstanding work and philanthropy, Sir James was recently knighted by the Royal Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen. In addition, Sir James won the prestigious International Impact Book Award for his new book “Thriving in the Legal Arena: The Ultimate Lawyer's Guide for Transforming Stress into Success”. Several of his other books have won international book awards as well. Sir James was recently awarded the President's Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden for his outstanding service to his community, country and the world. He will be awarded the prestigious International Humanitarian Award known as Men with Hearts, in London, England in the fall of 2024, as well as Man of the Year and Couple of the year with his wife, Linda Giangreco. Sir James has a wide variety of work/life experiences, including restauranteur, cattle rancher, horse trainer, substance abuse counselor, treatment center director, energy healer, bodyguard, legal counselor for several international spiritual organizations, golfer and marathon runner. He graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in 1971, Davidson College in 1975 and Wake Forest University School of Law in 1978. Ways to connect with Sir James**:** FB - https://www.facebook.com/sirjamesgrayrobinson IG - https://www.instagram.com/sirjamesgrayrobinson/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@sirjamesgrayrobinson?_t=8hOuSCTDAw4&_r=1 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@JamesGrayRobinson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gray-robinson-/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Michael Hingson 01:17 Well, hi everyone, and welcome to another edition of unstoppable mindset. And we're doing something today we haven't done too often, but we've done it a few times. We are having a second conversation with James Gray Robinson, actually, sir, James Gray Robinson, and we're going to talk about that part of it today we did last time, but I'm going to start actually a little bit different way. You and I were just talking about humor. We were talking about Mel Brooks, because I, when you came into the to the room, I said, What in the wide, wide world of sports is it going on here, which is a very famous line from Blazing Saddles. And you pointed out that that movie probably couldn't be made today, and I agree. But why do you think that is Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 02:10 I think that we've become so disenchanted with ourselves that everything's offensive now, I think back when we and when I grew up in the 50s and 60s, people had so many really, you know, life threatening things to think about, like atomic war and, you know, it just seems like people have shifted their consciousness away from having a good time to simply having to be right all the time. And so we've lost the ability to laugh at ourselves. I mean, one of my favorite lines is, if you think Talk is cheap, you've never talked to a lawyer. And the thing is, is that I'm a lawyer, and I find that incredibly funny, yeah, because if you can't laugh at yourself, then you really are going to struggle in life, because a lot of times, things don't work out the way that we anticipated or wanted them to. And there's a couple of different ways that we can react to that or respond to that. There's a I found that people are losing the ability to take responsibility for themselves and that they blame everything on everybody else. We're raising a nation of victims, and victims are not going to laugh at anything. So what we, I think, what we have to do is we have to start teaching our children how to have a sense of humor. If something doesn't happen the just the way we want it to, then laugh at it. It doesn't have to, you know, unless it's pain, you know, if it's physically abusive or something, then you know. But the thing is, we're trying to helicopter parent everything, and we all get so upset when somebody says something off the cuff or maybe without fully thinking through what they're saying. So it's, it's just unfortunate that there are many, many things in life I think could be avoided with just a good chuckle and go ahead. Well, I was just going to say, you know, like if somebody said to me, you're. Eyes on wrong I'd laugh because it would what difference does it make? But what my tile looks like? Yeah, and I would just laugh, and I would laugh at me, and I would laugh at them, because somebody thought that there was something wrong with that, yeah. Michael Hingson 05:21 Well, what about people like Don Rickles? You know, who, who was always known for insulting everyone and being an obnoxious character. What do you think about him? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 05:36 I you know the thing is, is that he was offensive, but he wasn't, what's the word? I would say he he wasn't profane, because he never cursed at anybody. You know, I've watched a couple of roasts. You know, they call them roast, right? They get a bunch of people together, and they make fun of somebody. And back in the day, when Don Rickles and Johnny Carson, Milton, burl, rich, little even, what couple of committee is, I can't think of, but they were extremely witty, and they were perhaps offensive, but they weren't necessarily insulting to the point where you It's not Funny. And I think we've got and we've gone to the point where we now are seeing these roasts. And I thought I saw Tom Brady's roast. Actually paid to watch it, and it was the most profane, you know, unfunny, hurtful, hour and a half I think I've ever watched, and it just I didn't smile once. I just was wincing the whole way through, wondering why people think that sort of nonsense is funny. Michael Hingson 07:19 Well, I asked about Don Rickles, because I saw an interview with him on the Donahue show, when Phil Donahue had his TV show, one of the things. And after he said this, I thought about it, and of course, never really was able to see in person, but I believed him. Don rickel said, Look, I never pick on someone if I think they're going to be offended. He said, If I see somebody in the audience and start picking on them and it looks like they're taking offense or they're getting angry about it, I won't pick on them anymore. And he said I might even go talk with them later, but he said I won't pick on them anymore. And I thought about that, he said, I will never there are lines I won't cross, which is some of what you just said. But he really was absolutely adamant about the fact that he didn't really want to insult people. He wanted people to have fun, so he always looked for people in the audience who would laugh at what he had to say and how he and how he abused them and so on. He said those are the people that he really liked to to interact with because they weren't taking offense, which I thought was a very intuitive and interesting concept on his part. And if you really want to talk about a comedian who was never profane no matter what he did or happened to him, later, think about Bill Cosby, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 08:49 yeah, and or Red Skelton, or Red Skelton, yeah, that was and always, he would always end up with God Bless. And the thing that amazes me about today's comedy is how much violence. There's a subtle undercurrent of violence under all of their humor. And it's, you know, they're kind of like laughing at somebody who is hurt or is not as intelligent as the comedian thinks he is. Or, you know, they're making fun of stuff just to be hurtful. And it's not, you know, they've lost the connection between being taken taking fun, making fun of somebody and being hurtful. And I just amazed when I see a lot of comedians today. I mean, there's lots of very witty, very intelligent, grand guffaw producing comedy out. There. And it's, there's some, they're very, very talented comedians out there, but then there are the other people that want to drag you through the Michael Hingson 10:07 mud, yeah? And it's all shock. It's all shock, yeah, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 10:12 and intentionally offend you to, I guess it's some kind of power play, but it's simple. You know, people, I think that people actually are so traumatized that they they think it's funny when somebody traumatizes somebody else. Michael Hingson 10:34 Well, I Oh, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 10:35 go on. No, go right ahead. Michael Hingson 10:38 I I never got to see Don Rickles live, although I would have loved to, and I would love to have paid the money to sit in the front row, hopefully, hoping that he would pick on me so I could jump up and say, Yeah, I saw you once on TV. I took one look at you and haven't been able to see since. What do you think about that? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 11:02 Never that would be appropriate, yeah? I mean, because he'd love it, you're making fun, yeah, you're making fun of him, and you're making fun of yourself. And that's what I call self depreciating humor. He where the jokes, yeah, the joke really is about you. It's not about him, yeah, and it's in it, so it's people probably wouldn't take offense to that. But when people sit there, you know, start poking fun at how people look or what they their educational level, or their, you know, cultural background is I, I just don't get that. I mean, it's and I grieve that we're turning into bullies. Well, you know, and it's, it's unfortunate you Michael Hingson 11:52 you've dealt a lot, especially over the last 20 years, with burnout and things like that. Do you think that what's happening in in society based on what you're talking about, with the lack of humor, without self deprecating environments and all that. Do you think that's because it's stressful, contributing to burnout? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 12:14 Yes, I think, well, we again, we take ourselves way too seriously. The one thing that I've noticed, especially with my clients, is when I can get them to laugh, they start to take a different perspective of their life. But when they think everything that they're what I call they're stuck in Warrior mode. There's, you know, we have a, don't know if we talked about this last time, but we have a nervous system that goes one or two ways. It either goes to fight or flight, called the sympathetic nervous system, where you know you're reacting to everything in a negative way, because it's a matter of survival, or we go to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the fun part of our psyche, and we can enjoy ourselves, but everybody is so scared of something there that they the body cannot stand That level of stress for years. I mean, that's what burnout is, and it it tears your body apart until it actually turns off. And that's what happens when you burn out. We used to call it nervous breakdown, but, you know now it's burnout. But the point is, is you just wear yourself out because you don't have anything that will break the constant stream of stress, and one of the best ways that you can handle stress is to laugh. Laugh at yourself, laugh at something, a joke, laugh at whatever you find stressful, because it breaks that autonomic nervous system response. And if you can reset yourself every now and then that you know, one of the ways I teach people how to deal with stress is to research jokes. Go buy a good joke book, and you can go and find enough. You know, all you need is a couple of jokes to start the day, and you're going to be in a much better frame of mind going to work or dealing with whatever you have to deal with. If you've laughed at least once before you go to work, because that that engages your parasympathetic. I call it the guru. And you can deal with adversity. You can deal with problems. You can actually problem solve. You. And but when we're stressed out because we're afraid of what's going to happen, we're afraid of making mistakes, and we're afraid of what somebody's going to think of us, then we are just going to end up in a very bad place, mentally and emotionally and physically. So it's, you know, one of the things that you can do, as if you're having to deal with stress on a daily basis, is to just remember how to be grateful. I mean, I think that of all the emotions, gratitude is probably the most powerful one there is because it will overcome fear, it will overcome anger, it will overcome shame, it will overcome guilt, it will overcome envy, all the negative emotions cannot stand up to gratitude. And so if you can learn to be grateful, and especially grateful for the struggle, then you are going to be a happy camper, and you can probably learn to laugh, until you can be grateful though you're going to struggle. And that's we're not designed to do the struggling. We're designed to have fun. I mean, that's people always say, what are my purpose, you know? And why am I doing here? And I said, you only have two purposes in life. One is to breathe, and the other one is to laugh. Everything else is just a complication. So if you just remember that, if you can be grateful and laugh once in a while, you're going to be a lot better off than somebody that takes it too seriously, Michael Hingson 16:44 yeah, well, and you, you must see a lot of it, because I know you, you do a lot of coaching and working with especially lawyers, which is a very stressful situation, especially people who are truly dedicated to the Law and who look at it in the right way, there must be a lot of stress. How do you get them to relax? I like the idea of getting a joke book. I think that's that's cute, and I think that that makes a lot of sense. But in but in general, how do you get people to laugh and to do it as a habit. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 17:24 Well, I've been doing this for 20 years, so my answer 20 years ago is probably a little different than the answer I have now. Artificial Intelligence is my friend, because I can, I can do anything with artificial intelligence. And one of the best ways I, you know, I program my artificial intelligence to to respond, to react and to know who I am. I put, I put all of my books onto artificial intelligence. Every time I write an article, I put it in there. I'm always talking to it. I'm always saying, Well, this is the way I feel about this. This is the way I feel about that. This is what this is funny to me. This something happened to me today that is was really funny. And then I tell it what was funny. And I would program this thing. So the next, when I wake up in the morning, I can just ask it tell me something that'll make me laugh, and it always has something that will make me laugh. And so because it can, not only does it know what I fed into it, it knows everything that's on the internet, right? And so you can, you can get a, you know, something funny, something to start your day, make me glad to be alive, you know, tell me something that'll make me grateful. All those things. It'll, just in a millisecond, it'll be on your screen, yeah. And so it's, that's a tool we obviously didn't have even a year ago, but 20 years ago, it was a little bit more depth, a little bit more effort to find these things. But you could, you could do that. I mean, we did have the internet 20 years ago, and so we, we could go looking and go searching for funny stuff. But it's not as easy as is artificial intelligence, so you know. And if you I'll tell you one thing, it's been a real tool that has been very useful for me, because sometimes if I'm not sure what I should say, my old my old motto was, if you don't know what to say, shut up. But now I asked, I asked, and I'm not sure what, how I should respond to this. What do you suggest? And it'll come up with some. Give me five things that I could say. Michael Hingson 19:59 Does it do? Will tell you, does it ever tell you should just shut up? Just checking yes, yes. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 20:04 Okay, good, good for you. Don't say any. Don't say anything, you fool. But the point is, is that it's got, you know, every book that's ever been written about psychology in its database, so you can find things that would make you sound wise and profound. And I use it all the time to figure out what to say, or to how a better way to say something is Yeah, and that way I've managed to stay pretty much out of trouble by and, you know, it's like having a friend who you could ask, What should I say? And they would come back with a couple of answers that you know, then you can just decide yourself which one you should use, right? Michael Hingson 20:57 And you may, and you may, in addition, tweak it which which makes sense, because AI is, is a tool, and I, I am not sure that it is going to ever develop truly to the point where it, if you will, wakes up and and becomes its own true intelligence, Skynet Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 21:24 on all the Terminator series, Michael Hingson 21:27 or or in Robert heinleins, the Moon is a Harsh Mistress. The computer woke up. It helped as a still my favorite science fiction book, and it was, if you've never read it, it's a story about the the moon in 2076 which had been colonized and was being run by the lunar authority back on Earth, it had no clue about anything. And so in 2076 the moon revolted, and the computer and the computer helped. So on July 4, 2076 it was a great movie or a great book. I'd love to see it dramatized. If somebody would do it the right way, I think it'd make a great radio series. But haven't done it yet. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 22:14 Well, Robert Highland is a genius. No doubt about that, Stranger in a Strange Land was big in my developmental years, yeah, and Michael Hingson 22:26 that was the book that came out right after the Moon is a Harsh Mistress. I still think the moon and harsh mistress is even a better book than Stranger in a Strange Land. But Stranger in a Strange Land really did catch on and and rightfully so. It was, it was very clever. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 22:42 Well, most people, I mean, you know, clean humor is a good place to start, yeah, because I think that all of the profanity that comedians rely on to shock people. And, you know, there are two ways that we have the laugh response one is, is that it shocks you in the sense that it makes you afraid, because it seems like a attack on you. It's a defensive mechanism that we have. It's not even if it's not funny, we will laugh, because that's our body's way of dealing with something that's really traumatic. The other way is when we something strikes us as funny because it's witty or clever, and that is more of a that's a less stressful response. And can we, we can laugh, and it's a more of a genuine response than one where we're basically traumatized, right? And I think that, and with everything else, is who? Who do you hang around? Who is your tribe? Who do you? Somebody was somebody said, some psychologist said, you know, show me 10 of your friends and I'll tell you exactly what your problem is, because the people you hang around will mirror what's going on in your interior landscape. And if you've got friends who are problematic, that means that there's some things on your psyche that you need to take a look at. And you know that, and it's especially people who have been traumatized early in life. Their coping mechanisms and their judgment is not so good, right? So they have to take a step back and look at well, are these people helping me? Are they hurting me? Because if you notice, a lot of traumatized people will surround themselves with traumatized people, and all they do is whip themselves in the lather. Are every day, and they get so melodramatic, and they get so upset about everything that's going on in life, they can't find any sense of humor or any sense of joy, yeah, and it's until they let go of those, those trauma responses they're they're pretty much in a hat, in a self repeating habit that is not going to be healthy. Michael Hingson 25:29 And I think you're absolutely right. It is very much about joy. And we, we should. We should find ways to be joyful and feel joy, and, of course, laugh and not take life so seriously. Unfortunately, there's so much going on today with people who clearly have no sense of humor, or at least they never exhibit it, that it tends to really be a problem. And unfortunately, I think we're all learning some really bad habits, or many of us are learning some very bad habits because of that. And I don't know what's going to break that cycle, but the cycle is going to have to break at some point. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 26:14 It will, unfortunately, a lot of times it takes a revolution, yeah, in order to replace old, unhealthy thought patterns with better thought patterns. You know, I'm reminded of the old saying that when an idiot tries to teach another idiot, you end up with two idiots. So you you have to be careful about who you're taking advice from, right? And so if, especially you know my my advice to anybody that's struggling and suffering is turn off your phone and turn off your TV, and if you know how to read, go read a book, because when you can get into a period of calm, quiet reflection, you're going to be able to make More sense out of what's going on in your life, and especially if you're reading a book that will explain to you the best way to deal with challenges, right? But just or just read a funny book, you know, something you know I find sarcasm and cleverness, extremely funny. So I love books like Forrest Gump, who who take extreme examples and turns them into funny scenarios, and they did a good Michael Hingson 28:01 job making that into a movie too. I thought, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 28:05 I mean, I tell you, I forget who the director was, but they were brilliant because they were able to spin a story that was honest. But it wasn't offensive, and you could laugh because of all of forests characteristics and everything else, but it was presented in the way that it wasn't, you know? It wasn't being mean, right? And it wasn't, being unkind, and so it was just a story of a man who ended up being a success, and it was more through Providence than anything else. You know, I love the Marx Brothers, oh, sure, because they always had a way of making fun of each other and making fun of other people and making fun of themselves that was truly humorous. And it was more sight gags. It was more, you know, one liners, and it wasn't by being mean to anybody. It was as about being very aware of what was going on. Michael Hingson 29:25 I'm trying to remember which movie it was. I think it was duck soup. Somebody fell into the water and she yelled, throw me a lifesaver. And so somebody threw her a lifesaver. That is a candy. Yeah, it's just so clever. It was clever. But, you know, one of the things that I enjoy is old radio shows, radios from the shows from the 30s, 40s and 50s, and the humor, again, was respectful of. Hmm, and they could pick on people to a degree, but it was never in a in a mean way, but just the humor was always so clever, and so I would, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 30:14 I would listen George and Gracie Allen, George, Jack Benny, Michael Hingson 30:19 Phil Harris, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 30:21 and you was his name, Jackie Gleason, Michael Hingson 30:29 Amos and Andy. And of course, people today have decided Amos and Andy are offensive because they say it's all about blacks, and you're insulting black people. If anybody would go back and look in history, the reality is that Amos and Andy probably was one of the most well, it was one of the most popular shows on radio to the point where, if you were in a movie theater on Saturday afternoon watching a movie, they would stop it when Amos and Andy came on and play the show, and it didn't matter what the color of your skin was. In fact, I asked an Amos and Andy expert one time, when did they stop referring to themselves as black or dark? And the reason I asked that is because the first time I was exposed to Amos and Andy was actually the Amos and Andy TV shows, and I didn't know they were black, and I learned later that they were taken off the air when people started becoming offended because there were two black people. But I asked this, this lady about Amos and Andy, and when did they stop referring to themselves as black? And she said, Well, probably about the last time that she was aware of where there was a reference to it was 1937 so for many, many years, if you decided that their voices were black people, then, then you did, but they didn't talk about black or white or anything else. And and so it was. It was a very interesting show. And one guy usually was trying to con the other one and the other, well, king fish would con Andy, who usually fell for it. But gee, how many shows with white people do we see the same thing. You know? The reality is that it was a very funny show by any standard. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 32:26 Well, Sanford and sons, Sanford, same thing. I mean, that humor was, it was cutting you know, anytime you get on a cutting edge type of program, you know, it's inevitable that somebody's going to take offense. But I always laughed out loud. I watched that show, and it wasn't because they were demeaning anybody. It was just watching people trying to get by and using their wits. And a lot of times it was, it was comical because it wasn't very clever, but it was just they were doing the best they could to make a living. They were doing the best they could to live in their society. And I always admired that. I mean, they never, and they were able to, I guess, touch on the aspect of racial inequality without burning the house down. And it was like always admired them. You know, Sanford and sons, the Jeffersons, all of those shows, how about all the family? If you want to talk all in the family too well they they were just, you could switch one script with the other because it was more about human beings being human than it was about what the color of your skin was, yeah. So, you know, I would invite anybody who is offended by something to really ask yourself, what is it that offends you? Because there's always something in your consciousness that you find offensive. You would never be offended by anything if you unless you found something within yourself that's offensive, whether because and it's called the psychological term is called projection. You're projecting on what you're perceiving, and it's called bias. We all have conclusions. We all have prejudice. We all have judgments. Our brain is built that way to keep us alive, and so we're always interpreting data and perceptions to see if there's any threat out there, and if, when we start taking words as threatening, then we've got a problem. Yep, and. But because things like comedy and humor shouldn't offend anybody, but because you believe in something that makes that offensive, that's why you're offended. And so it's really as useful to people to really think about what is it that I believe that makes that offensive? Because most of the time you will find that whatever it is that you believe may not be true, and it's just something that some kind of conclusion you've drawn because of your experiences, or what you've been taught or what you've witnessed that's given you a wrong idea about something. So I invite anybody who is mad or angry that they look and see what is that belief that is making you angry? Michael Hingson 35:59 Yeah, it gets back to self analysis. It gets back to looking at yourself, which is something that most of us haven't really learned a lot about how to do. How. How did you pick up all these, these kind of nuggets of wisdom and so on. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 36:19 Well, when I burn, when I had my nervous breakdown back in 2004 I quit practicing law for a while because I couldn't bear the thought of going into my office and fighting another day of the battles that trial lawyers always fight. Now I won't say that transactional lawyers don't have battles, but Trial Lawyers end up probably picking a few fights on their own that, you know, they didn't really need to go there, but they do because, you know, Trial Lawyers have a, You know, a talent for arguing they have it's exciting to most of them, and they love to fight. And so when? But eventually, if you don't know how to manage it, it will, yes, the key wear you down. Yeah. So I got out of the law business for a while, and instead, I decided I wanted to go find out. Number one, why did I burn out? And number two, how to heal it. And so I went and studied with a number of energy healers who were very, very conscious people. They were very, very aware. You might even say they were enlightened, but it was they were always teaching me and always telling me about whatever I'm experiencing on the outside is just a reflection of what's on the inside. And so it's not so much about somebody being right or somebody being wrong. It's just the world is a mirror to whatever is going on inside between our ears. Yeah, and it's not because it's we're seeing something that's not there, or we're not seeing something that is there. It's just simply, how do we process that information that comes in through our sense organs and goes into our amygdala, then the hippocampus and then to the rest of our brain to try to figure out and but it's well documented that the brain will see whatever the brain wants to See, and a lot of times it's not what the eyes see, because there are lots of experiments you can take with graphics and other things that are illusory. Because, you know, you can see these graphs or prints that look like a spiral that's going around and is moving, but it's actually circles. But the way our brain puts things together, it makes it move. And another way is sounds. If you don't know what a sound is? Your brain is going to make up a story about that sound. And it could be either That's the sound of a frog, or it could be the sound of a somebody getting attacked. It could be the sound of whatever your brain it has to put a label on it, because that's the way the brain has been wired over our couple of hundreds of 1000s of years of evolution. That's how we manage to stay alive, because we make up a story about stuff, and if we're accurate, we live. If we're not accurate, we don't. Yeah, so the a lot of people are very good at making up stories in their head about what they're seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, whatever, because a lot of lot of smells will have psychological responses in our brain. So you know the smell of baby's milk or the smell of mown grass, or, you know smell of something rank, you always will have an instant story about what you just smell. And so when I would spend long periods of time thinking about these things, contemplating them, trying to figure out, well, what does that mean for me? I mean, how does that? How will it looking at this change my life? And basically, what I learned is is that the more objective you can be, the less you make up stories about stuff, the more successful you can be, and the more happy you'll be. Because, for example, there's a term called Mind reading, where people will be listening to somebody talking, and in the back of their mind, they're making up a story about what that person means, or they're making up a story about, well, where is this guy going with this? And it's, you know, it's, it's the opposite of listening, because when listening, you're focusing on the words you're hearing, yes, and then when it's your turn to talk, you can respond appropriately, but most people are thinking while they're hearing and it totally colors their experience, because if they think that this person doesn't like them, then they're going to interpret whatever is being said a certain way. If they think that person does like them, then they will interpret it a completely different way. So it's fascinating to me how people can get the wrong idea about things, because it just is a story that their mind made up to try to explain to them why they're experiencing what they're experiencing. Michael Hingson 42:25 That's why I like to really say that I've learned so much from dogs, because dogs don't do it that way. And as I tell people, dogs don't trust unconditionally. They love unconditionally, but they don't trust unconditionally, but dogs are open to trust, and they're looking for reasons to trust, and they also, by definition, tend to be more objective, and they react to how we react and how we behave and and I think there's so much to be learned by truly taking the time to observe a dog and how they interact with you and how you interact with them, and that's going to make a big difference in how they behave. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 43:11 Well, you could definitely see a difference in the dog's behavior if they've been traumatized. Michael Hingson 43:16 Oh, sure, that's a different story altogether. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 43:19 Yeah, I agree that dogs are extremely innocent. You know, they don't have an agenda. They just want to be loved, and they would, they want to love Michael Hingson 43:31 and they want to know the rules, and they then they're looking to us to tell them what we expect. And there are ways to communicate that too, yes. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 43:41 And you know you all have to is give as a great example of how we should treat each other. Is all you have to do is, you know, a dog will forgive you eventually. And if you're kind to a dog. A dog will just give his entire being to you. Yeah, and it because they don't have any Guile, they don't have any hidden agendas. They just want to be you know, they want to eat. They want to be warm. They want to have fun. They do want to have fun, and so if you treat them timely, you will have a friend for life. Michael Hingson 44:29 Yep, we adopted a dog. We cared for it for a while. It was a geriatric dog at Guide Dogs for the Blind who had apparently had never worked as a guide dog, and she had been mistreated and then sent back to Guide Dogs for the Blind. She was 12. The school was convinced she was totally deaf because she wouldn't react to anything. They dropped a Webster's Dictionary next to her, and she didn't react. But we took her and we started working with her, and. It took several months before she would even take a walk with Karen, and Karen in her, you know, in Karen's wheelchair, and this wonderful golden retriever walking next to her. But the more we worked with her, the more she came out of her shell. She wasn't deaf. I'm sure she was hard of hearing, but you could drop a dictionary and she'd react to it, and if you called her, she would come. But it is all about developing the relationship and showing that you care and they will react. And so she she lived with us for more than three years before she passed, but was a wonderful creature, and we were, we were blessed to have her. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 45:48 Well, go ahead. No, I was just going to comment that I've got three Pomeranians, and they run the place course. You know, it's there. It's amazing how a six pound dog can run your life, but Michael Hingson 46:03 you let them, but you still establish, but you still establish some rules and you know, but that's, that's, yeah, I have a cat who runs the place, but that's okay. Well, we have not talked about, and I do want to talk about it when I first started hearing from you, your emails were all signed, sir, James Gray Robinson, and I always was curious, and you eventually explained it to me. But why don't you tell us all about your title and and all of that? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 46:39 Well, since we last talked, I've had a promotion. Now I'm a baron, so it's Baron James Gray Robinson, Scottish, Baron of Cappadocia. But I belong to a royal order that's known as the Royal Order of Constantine, the great in st Helen, and it was established in 312, 312, 12. Ad, when Constantine, who was the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, conquered the Western Roman Empire, who it was brother who was the emperor of the Western Roman Empire, and they can then he consolidated the eastern and the western empires. And it was that way until 14 153 when they were defeated by the Solomon Turks. So for 1100 over 1100 years Well, let me back up. The most important battle in that war between the two brothers was the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, which was in Rome and Constantine awarded, rewarded 50 knights, 50 warriors, soldiers who fought on that campaign and carried the day against much superior forces. And he rewarded them by making them knights and giving them land in Turkey, in an area that's known as Cappadocia. And this, if you know anything about Turkey, there's an area which is honeycombed with caves that have been dug out over the millennia, and it's kind of like some body was doing some renovation work, and they broke through the floor, and they went into a cave system that would have been hand dug, and it goes down 17 layers, and it could house 30,000 people. But that was, that was Cappadocia and Constantine the Great charged these warriors with the with the duty to protect the Christian church, because that's because Constantine had converted to Christianity. His mother, Helen, was one of the driving forces in the early Christian church. She's the one that decided to build a cathedral on top of the the nativity, the manger, which is actually a grotto in Bethlehem, I've been there. I spent Christmas Eve there one year. And so the Christianity was just a fledgling religion, and he charged these nights and all successive nights, with the obligation to protect the Christians and to protect the churches. And so a lot of people credit the royal order with advancing the Christian religion. So it's been around since 312 and it's the oldest peerage and a peerage. Is a group of royalty that have knights. They have royalty like Dukes and nobles and that sort of thing. But if you look at other orders that we're aware of, the Knights of Balta didn't get established until about 1200 ad the Knights of the Templar nights, similar thing. They didn't get established till about 1000 years after we did. So it's a very, very ancient, very traditional order that focuses on helping abused women and traffic children. We have, you know, we have a lot of, you know, compassion for those people in the world, and so we are actively supporting those people all over the world. And then on the other side, we have the knights, and we have the women, equivalent of that are called dames, and then we have the nobles who are like barons and other ranks that go all the way up to a prince who is actually related To the King of Spain. So it's been a interesting history, but we can try, we can directly trace our lineage all the way back to 312 and what the you know, we have a couple of reasons for existing, one being the charitable, but also to honor people who have been successful and have accomplished a lot for other people and who care about their fellow man and women, so that we accept Anyone in eight different categories, everywhere from Arts to athletics to entrepreneurship to medicine to heroics. We have a number of veterans that were credible. Have incredible stories. We have a lot of A listers, movie stars, professional athletes, that sort of thing. Also philanthropy. I got in for philanthropy because I've given a lot of money over my life to help people all over the world, and that's one reason why I was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. But we're a group of people. We just today started a Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences because we want to help people all over the world learn things like finances and you arts and crafts and trades and so that people who are oppressed cultures that are in third world countries will be able to learn a good earn a good living, raise their status in life, and then learn how to go on and help other people. So that's very exciting. We've got a lot of things going on with the royal order that are we're growing very rapidly, where somebody said we're 1700 year old startup, but it's, you know, we've gone through some regime changes where people have died and there weren't any heirs, so they've had to go laterally to find somebody to take over. And that's where we are now. You know, interestingly enough, my sons will inherit my title, so it's a true royalty kind of thing, where it passes down by inheritance. But you know, we don't, you know we're, we're hundreds of people in our thing. It's like 300 people in our order right now. We'd like that to be 100,000 times that because we do good work and we foster principles of charity, silvery and honesty, so that we're trying to change the culture around us to where people don't take offense in everything that they're in a society that supports each other and that people can feel safe knowing that there's they have a brother or sister that will support them. Michael Hingson 54:57 Definitely fascinating. I was not familiar with it at all. All until you and I check, yes. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 55:03 Well, it's amazing that me. I guess you have to be somewhat of a history buff. Yeah, and there, and there are lots of service organizations like the Masons and the Shriners and every all the animal ones, the Moose Lodge, the beavers and all these people are doing, you know, charitable work. But not not. Many of them have a royal heritage that goes back to 312 right? So, and we do dress up like knights from time to time, and ladies, and we have swords and we have robes, and we have big parties, and we have gala events, and where we induct more people into our order, and it's all great fun, and it's, you know, and we raise money for charity. So it's a win, win situation. Cool, and it doesn't hurt having Baron on your resume. Michael Hingson 56:08 No, I am sure it doesn't well. I want to thank you for explaining that, and I want to thank you for being here again. This has been a lot of fun, and I'm glad that we had a chance to really talk about humor, which, which is more important, I think, than a lot of people realize. And again, if people want to reach out to you, how do they do that? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 56:31 My website is James Gray robinson.com Michael Hingson 56:36 There you go. Easy to spell, easy to get to. So I hope people will do that. And again, I hope that you all enjoyed today, and that you will let me know that you enjoyed it. Please feel free to email me at Michael h i at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, please give us a five star rating. Go off and read history and learn about the royal order. I think that's probably relevant and important to do as well. And again, if anyone knows anyone who ought to be a guest on the podcast, please let us know. Introduce us. Give us a rating of five stars wherever you're listening. And again, James, I just want to thank you for being here. Excuse me, sir. James. Barron, James, really appreciate you being here, and we'll have to do it again. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 57:24 Well, Michael, my hat's off to you. I think you're doing amazing work. I think you're helping a lot of people. You have a great podcast I've gone on your website or your YouTube, and it's a lot of fun. And I think you're doing a great service for people. Michael Hingson 57:45 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.
Episode Description: “When did you realize your parents were just making stuff up?” That's the hilarious, thought-provoking question that kicks off this episode of The JB and Sandy Show, setting the tone for a wild ride through nostalgia, pop culture, and the unpredictable world of parenting.
The conversation continues with Mark Malkoff and his book Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend. More banned guests, guest hosts, Pat McCormick, Carson and The Amazing Randi, Elvis, giant checks, and lots more.
In the debut episode of GGACP, comedian, author and talk show icon Dick Cavett drops by Gilbert's Manhattan apartment to sip Merlot and share personal memories of Groucho Marx, Johnny Carson and John Lennon, among others. Dick also talks about the time a guest dropped dead on his set (yes, it happened) AND favors Gilbert and Frank with some dead-on impersonations of his favorite obscure character actors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Author Mark Malkoff is on the show to talk his new book, Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend, and all things Johnny Carson. Penn & Teller’s history with the Tonight Show, Carson and atheism, Tiny Tim, banned guests, and lots more.
In connection with this week's “Fun For All Ages” encore episode about Johnny Carson's 100th birthday, GGACP revisits part one of this wide-ranging 2019 interview with comedian-historian and host of “The Carson Podcast,” Mark Malkoff.In this episode: Mel Brooks takes on Tony Bennett, Ed Ames performs a “bris,” the mystery of the Zsa Zsa Gabor story, and Johnny turns down “The King of Comedy”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join Lionel on The Other Side of Midnight for a masterclass in "organized carelessness" that bridges the gap between the gritty and the profound. This episode navigates a "cornucopia" of discourse, ranging from the blood-soaked history of Hell's Kitchen and $500,000 lobster heists to deep dives into the "software" of the human brain and seasonal melancholia. Whether he is debunking moon landing conspiracies, lamenting the death of cursive, or discussing a brawl involving Johnny Carson, Lionel explores the "vicissitudes of life" with unmatched wit and intellectual grit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this hour, Lionel investigates the bizarre half-million-dollar Costco lobster heist and laments the death of analog clocks, cursive, and check-writing. A guest shares a wild, firsthand account of a Malibu brawl that allegedly included late-night legend Johnny Carson, leading into a deep dive into the blood-soaked history of Hell's Kitchen and the notorious Westies. From the "oldies cruises" of the rich and famous to the secret stories of New York's most dangerous diners, this episode is an entertaining ride through the side of history they don't teach in schools. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Patrick explores the real-life decisions Catholics face, such as switching from the Latin Rite to the Byzantine Rite, and the complexities of hidden weddings, family pressures, and honesty, while seamlessly shifting to lighter banter about Johnny Carson and the subtle dangers of cultural influences like song lyrics. A candid exchange on free will in heaven caps off an hour brimming with hard truths, compassion, and unexpected moments. Seth (email) - Is there any benefit to changing your rite from the Latin to the Byzantine? (01:02) Lori - I loved how Johnnie Carson didn’t get involved in politics. You remind me of him. (05:41) Jesse - How can I decline gracefully to not be in a sibling’s wedding? (07:30) Mike – Is it okay to listen to Sympathy for the Devil? Will we have free will in Heaven? (18:38) Dave - I disagree with your comment on being married in a Church and having a ceremony outside of the Church. I am not sure you understand how complicated these situations are. (29:24) Terri - In Mexico, they have the Church ceremony first and civil ceremony after. (42:16) Richard - I'd like to raise a point from Dead Man Walking movie. The character in the movie repents. If he got life in prison he may not have ever repented. (49:05) Originally aired on 07/09/25
TALK TO ME, TEXT ITEver feel that strange drift between Christmas and New Year—the dead week where time slides and everything feels slightly out of focus? We start there, then shift fast: a surprise visit from my sister snaps the mood back into color, and we're off through a trio of stories that swing from absurd to devastating to delightfully nostalgic.First, a Florida lawsuit over a shattered toilet in an accessible stall raises serious questions about safety, maintenance, and how much crucial detail gets lost in clicky headlines. Was it the seat ring, the bowl, or a mounting failure? Without specifics, we're left guessing about risk and responsibility, especially for folks who rely on ADA‑compliant fixtures just to navigate a day without injury. That hunger for detail becomes a theme: if reporting skips facts, the public can't judge what actually happened.Then we step into heavier territory: a dental implant procedure that ended in a fatal brain injury tied to anesthesia complications. It's heartbreaking—made sharper by a smiling pre‑procedure selfie—and it prompts a sober talk about outpatient anesthesia, oxygenation, monitoring, and rapid response. The point isn't fear; it's informed consent. Ask who administers the drugs, what monitoring is in place, and how emergencies are handled. Routine care should be routine, but it still deserves rigorous safeguards and transparent answers.To close, we reach for showbiz history—a new Johnny Carson book revives the infamous Marlon Brando and Zsa Zsa Gabor clash, a live‑TV powder keg that reminds us why late night once felt dangerous in the best way. Less polish, more truth. It's a dose of cultural nostalgia that pairs with the present tense of this show's own timeline: only a few dozen episodes remain before we cap things at 1,000 and call it a beautiful run.We'd love to hear from you: how did your holiday go, what was your favorite moment, and are you doing anything for New Year's? If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—it helps others find us and join the exchange.Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREE Thanks for listening! Liberty Line each week on Sunday, look for topics on my X file @americanistblog and submit your 1-3 audio opinions to anamericanistblog@gmail.com and you'll be featured on the podcast. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREESupport the showTip Jar for coffee $ - Thanks Music by Alehandro Vodnik from Pixabay Blog - AnAmericanist.comX - @americanistblog
In this episode, Nick talks about Tyler Robinson's Lawyers, The Brown Shooting Debacle, A Teachers Pet, Shark Bate and Johnny Carson's Shit List! Take advantage of Ridge's Biggest Sale of the Year & GET UP TO 47% OFF by going to https://www.Ridge.com/NICKDIP Watch Nick on the FREE RUMBLE LIVE LINEUP at 6pm ET https://rumble.com/TheNickDiPaoloShow MERCH SALE! From now until December 24th get 20% off Everything in our store. So grab some mugs, winter hats, hoodies, long sleeve shirts, stickers etc. from our store! https://shop.nickdip.com/ HOLIDAY VIDEO FROM ME – Send someone a personal holiday greeting from me! Go to https://shoutout.us/nickdipaolo or www.cameo.com/nickdipaolo and order one in time for Christmas. SOCIALS/COMEDY- Follow me on Socials or Stream some of my Comedy - https://nickdipaolo.komi.io/
Today on The Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., Linda Mitchell welcomes Mark Malkoff — comedian, writer, filmmaker, podcaster, and the author of Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend. Mark has spent years exploring late-night television, comedy history, and what makes pop culture icons truly resonate with audiences. In this episode, Mark shares the fascinating story of why Johnny Carson became one of the most beloved figures in American television, how Carson's unique blend of humor and humanity shaped late night for decades, and what it means to follow your curiosity — even when it takes you down unexpected paths. We dive into the quirks of fandom, the power of persistence, and how looking deeply at the life of another person can illuminate universal truths about creativity, ambition, and connection. Whether you grew up watching The Tonight Show, are curious about what makes cultural icons endure, or simply want to laugh and think a little deeper, this conversation will surprise, delight, and inspire you. Interview Questions What first drew you to Johnny Carson's story — and why did you feel compelled to write a whole book about him? How did Carson's blend of vulnerability and humor make him different from other late-night hosts? What are some of the most surprising or personal stories about Carson that you uncovered? How has your work on The Carson Podcast influenced your understanding of comedy, fame, and legacy? What role does curiosity play in your creative process — both as a comedian and an author? How has comedy changed since Johnny Carson's Tonight Show era? What have your own personal projects taught you about persistence, failure, and humor? For people who feel stuck or unsure about pursuing their passions, what's one mindset shift you'd encourage? Mark explores how Carson's authenticity and entertainment-first approach made him one of the most influential figures in television for nearly three decades, shaping not just comedy but American culture. Mark's journey began as a fan — and became a lifelong exploration of what drives creativity, connection, and humor. His work shows how curiosity can deepen our understanding of others and ourselves. Carson's ability to laugh at life — including his own flaws — tells us something powerful about how comedy can bridge emotional distance and create shared experience. From obsessive fandom to meaningful storytelling, this episode explores how deep engagement with a subject can illuminate broader truths about purpose, legacy, and human striving. Where to Find Mark Malkoff and His Work Official Website – Mark Malkoff https://www.markmalkoff.com/ Mark Malkoff Instagram – Mark Malkoff https://www.instagram.com/markmalkoff/ Instagram X (Twitter) – Mark Malkoff https://x.com/mmalkoff X (formerly Twitter) YouTube Channel – Mark Malkoff https://www.youtube.com/user/markmalkoff YouTube The Carson Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-carson-podcast/id824049190 Apple Podcasts The Carson Podcast (Website) https://carsonpodcast.com/ Carson Podcast Facebook – Mark Malkoff https://www.facebook.com/mmalkoff/ Facebook
Got some gifting goodies for the gearhead in your day (a little late, we know...) - tap in while Hostus Maximus Justin Fort and The Walkin' Dude get together in BFE for a night in the garage and a list of ideas for your last minute shopping. Most of these are pretty easy, too, so you really CAN do it today. Everything from tools (themed upfitting, anyone?), training (welding, driving or wiring?), preparedness (ready for your next disappearing act?), lighting (but not blinding!), gifts made in the U.S.A. (easier than you think!), chemicals (is it empty?), period-correct movies (getting back to your roots...), surveillance (because The Woods!), injectors (because 4Runner...), a disco ball and a Z06. You can even help the Garage Hour out and find Justin and Dan what they want for Christmas. Dig in: trail electronics, Rain-X, ammo, flannel, Sea-Foam, vampire clips, heat shrink, razor wire, good tape, Maglites, Jaime's articulated loader versus 12' of snow in Mammoth, vintage snowplows, Chuck Norris, the X-Files and Fortean logic. Because we promised: Miller Lite, Charles Fort, a JF Summit #4 update, blinding Jaime (as witness in our first-ever upload-only Garage Hour), Rodney Dangerfield, Johnny Carson, the good Baldwins, Dr. Evil versus Space Chick, plus Dick Dale, Link Wray, Slayer, Pulp Fiction, Usual Suspects, and an Excellent Weirdo R.I.P. for Peter Greene.
Got some gifting goodies for the gearhead in your day (a little late, we know...) - tap in while Hostus Maximus Justin Fort and The Walkin' Dude get together in BFE for a night in the garage and a list of ideas for your last minute shopping. Most of these are pretty easy, too, so you really CAN do it today. Everything from tools (themed upfitting, anyone?), training (welding, driving or wiring?), preparedness (ready for your next disappearing act?), lighting (but not blinding!), gifts made in the U.S.A. (easier than you think!), chemicals (is it empty?), period-correct movies (getting back to your roots...), surveillance (because The Woods!), injectors (because 4Runner...), a disco ball and a Z06. You can even help the Garage Hour out and find Justin and Dan what they want for Christmas. Dig in: trail electronics, Rain-X, ammo, flannel, Sea-Foam, vampire clips, heat shrink, razor wire, good tape, Maglites, Jaime's articulated loader versus 12' of snow in Mammoth, vintage snowplows, Chuck Norris, the X-Files and Fortean logic. Because we promised: Miller Lite, Charles Fort, a JF Summit #4 update, blinding Jaime (as witness in our first-ever upload-only Garage Hour), Rodney Dangerfield, Johnny Carson, the good Baldwins, Dr. Evil versus Space Chick, plus Dick Dale, Link Wray, Slayer, Pulp Fiction, Usual Suspects, and an Excellent Weirdo R.I.P. for Peter Greene.
We found Johnny Carson's list of banned guests and it includes some noteworthy celebrities. We consider some guests that would be banned from the Adam and Jordana Show. We are celebrating Festivus and airing the grievances we have collected from the past year.
Boortz in studio! Christmas fun, VP JD Vance tells it like it is, UFO, espn and the porn star, Johnny Carson hit list, CFB playoffs, HCIS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Adam Christing, a humorist, keynote speaker, and author, to talk about the power of laughter, connection, and storytelling. Adam has spent four decades performing more than 4,000 humor presentations for CEOs, Fortune 500 companies, major nonprofits, and high-stakes audiences around the world. He is a member of Hollywood's iconic Magic Castle, has worked with David Copperfield, authored The Laugh Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead, and is the CEO of Clean Comedians®, a business that uses humor to bring people together rather than driving them apart. Adam is more than just a gifted public speaker and performer. He is a student of human nature. In our conversation, he explains how comedy works psychologically, why humor diffuses conflict, how it disarms resistance, and how it allows leaders to deliver truth without putting people on the defensive. Adam also offers a brilliant blueprint for anyone who speaks publicly. Executives, trial lawyers, entrepreneurs, military leaders, and educators, can all benefit from Adam's crash course in how to grab an audience's attention and keep it. We break down how great presenters prepare, how to deal with nerves, why silence is so powerful, how to tailor your message to the room, and how storytelling can transform information into impact. Along the way, Adam tells stories about joining the Magic Castle as a teenager, bombing on stage, learning from masters like Johnny Carson and Winston Churchill, and discovering that audiences do not want perfection - they want presence. He also explains why the boundaries of "clean comedy" actually make comedy more creative, why leaders should practice humor like a skill, and why audiences always root for the person at the microphone. This episode is about leadership, persuasion, communication, and how to connect through humour. It is also full of laughs. I invite you to listen to the full conversation and learn how humor can help you become a better leader, speaker, and storyteller. And now I give you, Adam Christing.
Kruser is joined by Bob Babbage for the last time this year to look at the big political stories of the weekend and takes a peek at Johnny Carson's list of guest banned from the Tonight Show in hour 3. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Johnny Carson died over the weekend. POLL: Who best fits this description: Someone who became more popular after death?
Guest Mark Malkoff, comedian and author "Love Johnny Carson", joins to discuss the legacy and life of Johnny Carson. Discussion of the evolution of late night talk shows, bringing comedy over divisiveness, and the future of the entertainment industry. Turning Point USA holds AmericaFest, and sets the stage for Midterm elections 2026. Congress adjourns for holidays, but not without voting on heated bill over banning trans surgeries for minors.
On this episode: Nate and Aaron are like Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon. Nate looks forward to these. Aaron updates on the app.This week, Nate and Aaron interview Josh Bales. Josh is a Chattanooga, TN native living in Orlando, FL. He is a husband, father, musician, priest, therapist and an ADHDer. There is music and other arts. There is discussion probing “how do you play”? Should you do what you love for work? Other topics include: cleaning up behind elephants at the circus, duty, empathy, responsibility, and learning and honoring your art.Links: Josh Bales Incarnation OviedoNEW Samson Community App (Apple store) NEW Samson Community App (Google Store) 2026 Samson Summit If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to piratemonkpodcast@gmail.com.The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House. Josh Bales Josh Bales Singer-Songwriter, Counselor, Anglican/Episcopal Priest The official website of Josh Bales: singer-songwriter and recording artist, mental health counselor, and Anglican/Episcopal Priest in Orlando, Florida. App Store Samson Community App - App Store Download Samson Community by Samson House on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like Samson Community. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/samson-community/id6749582016 play.google.com Samson Society - Apps on Google Play Brotherhood & recovery hub
On this episode: Nate and Aaron are like Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon. Nate looks forward to these. Aaron updates on the app.This week, Nate and Aaron interview Josh Bales. Josh is a Chattanooga, TN native living in Orlando, FL. He is a husband, father, musician, priest, therapist and an ADHDer. There is music and other arts. There is discussion probing “how do you play”? Should you do what you love for work? Other topics include: cleaning up behind elephants at the circus, duty, empathy, responsibility, and learning and honoring your art.Links: Josh Bales Incarnation OviedoNEW Samson Community App (Apple store) NEW Samson Community App (Google Store) 2026 Samson Summit If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to piratemonkpodcast@gmail.com.The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House. Josh Bales Josh Bales Singer-Songwriter, Counselor, Anglican/Episcopal Priest The official website of Josh Bales: singer-songwriter and recording artist, mental health counselor, and Anglican/Episcopal Priest in Orlando, Florida. App Store Samson Community App - App Store Download Samson Community by Samson House on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like Samson Community. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/samson-community/id6749582016 play.google.com Samson Society - Apps on Google Play Brotherhood & recovery hub
#1,102 - Mark Malkoff Returns Mark Malkoff returns to The Paul Leslie Hour. It's The Paul Leslie Hour, episode number 1,102. We're delighted to welcome back the hilarious and insightful Mark Malkoff, who's here to share stories from his new book, “Love Johnny Carson.” Join Mark and Paul for a lively conversation about the ultimate late-night legend, the enduring magic of The Tonight Show, and the many entertainment icons that made up Johnny Carson's world. Stay with us! The Paul Leslie Hour is a talk show dedicated to “Helping People Tell Their Stories.” Some of the most iconic people of all time drop in to chat. Frequent topics include Arts, Entertainment and Culture.
Mase & Sue review Oscar contender HAMNET plus the limited series DEATH BY LIGHTNING and the new doc BEING EDDIE MURPHY. Also, comedian Wendy Liebman shares stories from her stand-up career, talks about her father-in-law Robert Sherman who, with his brother, were composers of some of Disney's iconic musicals, and describes her experience doing the TONIGHT SHOW with Johnny Carson. Then, everybody reacts to Variety's list of the funniest movies of all time, and they offer up their picks.00:00 Jacob Emrani Message00:39 Movie Review: Hamnet08:01 Discussing Death by Lightning14:09 Eddie Murphy Documentary Review22:46
There's a new book out on the great Johnny Carson who many feel is the best late night host of all-time. Author Mark Malkoff joins Kilby to discuss many aspects of Carson's career as host of The Tonight Show including...the years in New York, the influence of wife Joanna, Johnny's drinking, the move to Burbank, Johnny's privacy, the bitter mean quote from Freddie de Cordova at the end of the show, the Joan Rivers debacle and...why Johnny was the best. Perhaps Kilby said it best: Johnny was smooth and sophisticated. A must listen for any late night historian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After Steven Allen discovered her singing in The Colony Steakhouse in Kansas City, Marilyn Maye would go on to appear on the “Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson 76 times and sell out Carnegie Hall. She will perform next at the “Holly Jolly Follyday” on December 21 at the Folly Theater.
We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about! Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend.Guest: Mark Malkoff - author/comedian who over 12 years interviewed 400 individuals about Johnny Carson and his Tonight Show What should we expect from the release of the Epstein files? & Why does it matter?Guest: Eric O’Neill - former FBI counterintelligence operative and national security attorney You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!: Life Lessons from the Movie A Christmas StoryGuest: Professor Quentin SchultzeHoliday movies offer mental health benefits, experts sayGuest: Dr. Patrick Porter – expert in brain health - author/speaker and the founder of BrainTapSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The latest episode of the Brand X Podcast is a rollicking, unfiltered round table that mixes sharp-witted humor, pop culture banter, and no-apologies storytelling. John, Deuce, Joe, and guest Duchess dive right in with a tongue-in-cheek debate about whether “Jingle Bells” is racist, riffing on recent controversies and the ever-rotating cycle of outrage culture. The gang quickly segues into reminiscence, sharing memories of classic comedians like Steve Landisberg, Buddy Hackett, and Jonathan Winters, and the golden age of late-night TV, from Johnny Carson to Ed McMahon.Thanksgiving traditions spark a round of stories about turkey preferences, divorced Thanksgivings, and the nostalgic power of lasagna at family tables. The group doesn't shy away from discussing cancel culture, DEI, and workplace politics, exploring how labels are weaponized and how the shifting sands of social power shape them.Popcorn-worthy tangents abound: there's talk of horror movies, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and the cult-classic Dawn of the Dead mall. Book recommendations like Fahrenheit 451 and Lord of the Flies are peppered throughout, alongside playful debates about audiobooks versus actual paperbacks, sparking laughs and confessions about reading habits.As the drinks flow, so do tales from the trenches of off-duty strippers, memorable customers, the saga of pricey coffee beans, and the eternal struggle of wires and tech setups. The hosts share hot takes on Hollywood, musical films, and the transformation of TV staples, from Game of Thrones to The Producers.Amidst ribbing and camaraderie, the episode captures the chemistry of longtime friends: roast sessions, ball-busting, and self-aware observations about aging, food, and reunion dynamics. As always, the crew wraps with plans for the next episode—and a promise of more raucous stories, inside jokes, and explicit, laugh-out-loud commentary.
Denise Nicholas joined me to discuss watching the Ed Sullivan Show; living on the same block as Hitsville, USA; not fitting in with her family; joining the Free Southern Theater and performing Waiting for Godot; Roscoe Orman; her part in the Civil Rights Movement; Negro Ensemble Company leads to It Takes a Thief with Robert Wagner; loving 2 1/2 Men; Room 222, the first "dramedy"; James L. Brooks; episodes were taken from the headlines; going on game shows with Karen Valentine; Hollywood Squares; injuring herself on Battle of the Network Stars; singing on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson in 1971; being the mystery guest on What's My Line; Match Game; Dinah Shore Show; having to prove herself to Sidney Poitier to cast her in Let's Do it Again; fighting to play Carroll O'Connor's girlfriend on In the Heat of the Night; asking for black writers; Redd Foxx; Baby, I'm Back; guesting on Diff'rent Strokes; her sisters gruesome murder; being in the pilot for Masquerade; guesting on Magnum, PI; getting an NAACP nomination for telefilm Mother's Day; joining the cast and writing staff of In the Heat of the Night; Ghost Dad; Richard Roundtree; her novel Freshwater Road; her second novel turning into her memoir deciding whether to work or not; 23 and me saying she is 64% European and 34% Nigerian; going to Nigeria and no one there believing she's Nigerian; Blacula; too much television shows
In this segment, Mark is joined by Mark Malkoff, the Host of the Carson Podcast. He joins to discuss his new book, "Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend."
In this episode of Dadville, we dig into the life and mind of a true comedy legend—the best-selling comedy recording artist of all time, Jeff Foxworthy. We talk about the grind behind his success, including the years of focused “10,000-hour” effort it took just to get on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, which he describes as “the Everest of comedy.”He opens up about wrestling with the blank page, the strange “sickness” that pushes comedians to turn even the worst moments—like a $138,000 copperhead snake bite—into material. We also kick around the big creative questions: Are comics born funny, or can you actually learn how to be great? Join us: http://dadville.substack.com Wanna advertise? Click here Thanks to our sponsors! Quince - Go to http://quince.com/dadville for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! NIV - Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting http://faithgateway.com/nivab and use the promo code DADVILLE Please donate today at MercyShips.org/podcast Visit OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use promo code FUN at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4pm: Video Guest – Mark Malkoff – Author, Podcast and Johnny Carson Super-Fan // Host of “The Carson Podcast” and Author of “Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan’s Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend” // Talking Sports with RY // Where the 10-3 Seahawks stand in NFC playoff picture // Zac Brown Band… of satanists?
Host McGraw Milhaven is joined by special guest Mark Malkoff, former host of The Carson Podcast and current host of Inside Late Night, for a deep dive into the legacy of Johnny Carson, his impact on American entertainment, and behind-the-scenes stories from late-night history. Later, Nina Gilden Seavey—Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker, podcaster, and author—joins the program to discuss her Slate article examining new revelations surrounding a man linked to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and why the case continues to stir controversy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week on The Rotten Horror Picture Show, Clay and Amanda turn their attention to one of the freshest cult sensations of the decade: Late Night With the Devil — the stylish, sinister, ‘70s-soaked horror throwback that asks, “What if Johnny Carson accidentally unleashed a demon on live television?” Directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes, the film recreates the world of late-night TV with uncanny detail, following a desperate talk-show host whose Halloween special goes catastrophically, supernaturally wrong. Clay and Amanda dive into its practical effects, its pitch-perfect retro aesthetic, its creeping dread, and its weaponization of the sleazy charm of vintage broadcast entertainment. It's a tour de force of atmosphere, performance, and good old-fashioned demonic chaos.Now, that's all very impressive — truly, I'm thrilled for everyone involved — but can someone please explain why I keep getting bumped for the devil? I've been backstage for three nights. Three. Nights. I've got stories prepped, I've got my best blazer steamed, I've got anecdotes about my childhood goldfish that kill in front of an audience. And yet, every time the stage manager pokes his head into my dressing room, it's the same thing:“Hey buddy, really sorry, but… the devil's here again.”Again!Look, I get it. He's a big draw. Lots of fire, lots of screaming, lots of the whole “endless abyss of torment” routine. Very flashy. Very ratings-friendly. But I'm starting to take it a little personally. I didn't realize my segment titled “Fun Facts About Squirrels” was so easily overshadowed by Beelzebub himself.So while Clay and Amanda explore the tension, terror, and uncanny authenticity of Late Night With the Devil, just know I'll be sitting here, crossing my legs politely, holding my mug of lukewarm coffee, waiting for my moment that will never come.But sure — fine — let the devil have the spotlight again. I hope he at least promotes the podcast.And don't forget to head over to patreon.com/thepenskyfile to follow Clay and Amanda down the muddy path of remakes and reboots too!"Thanks!
Thanksgiving sickness, a reckless truck, trashed tombstones and theater cramps are the topics of discussion between Shane and the Howler on this week's Mid-Week Howl. Please like, comment, and share this episode if you enjoyed the interview. From The Shadows Podcast is a program where we seriously discuss the supernatural, paranormal, cryptozoology, and ufology. Anything that cannot be rationally explained has a platform for discussion on the From The Shadows Podcast. Join us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/fromtheshadows Share your story with us through our Website https://www.fromtheshadowspodcast.comFollow us on:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@fromtheshadowspodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fromtheshadowspodcast Instagram - Shane Grove - https://www.instagram.com/shanegroveauthor Instagram - Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/fromtheshadowspodcast#Thanksgiving #SteveMartin #MartinShort #JohnnyCarson #Truck #Wreck #Funny
Ever wondered if it's too late to chase a new dream? Tune into this question with the legendary Fritz Coleman, former Los Angeles weatherman turned stand-up comedian and podcaster. How did a chance opportunity lead Fritz from forecasting weather to cracking jokes on stage? Join hosts Merry Elkins and Cathy Worthington as they explore Fritz's inspiring journey of reinvention.Fritz shares his serendipitous leap into broadcasting, the joy of stand-up comedy, and his latest show, Unassisted Living. He reveals how comedy unites us, especially in a divided world, and why staying active and optimistic is key to aging gracefully. Plus, hear about the comedic legends who shaped his career and his plans to spread laughter beyond California.It's never too late to pursue your passions and create a vibrant 'third act.' Ready to be inspired? Listen now!
Mark Thompson delivers a crash course in classic television as he teaches producer Richie Quintero who Johnny Carson. Guest Michael Monks joins the show to break down the latest LA County budget cuts and what they mean for local services. Plus, a Campbell’s Soup exec faces backlash after reportedly calling the brand “food for poor people,” and the memorial continues to grow for the brave Burbank K9 officer tragically killed in the line of duty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Comedian, author, filmmaker, and podcaster Mark Malkoff joins me to talk about his brand-new book Love, Johnny Carson — a deep, affectionate, and revealing look at the life and career of the man who defined late-night television for generations. We dig into:• Why Carson's impact still looms over every host working today• The behind-the-scenes stories that shaped his legendary run• What made Carson's style unique — and impossible to fully replicate• How Mark researched the book and why it became such a personal projectThen we shift to the present:• The current state of late-night TV and the changing media landscape• Which modern hosts carry the spirit of Carson — and which don't• Whether the late-night talk show format is evolving… or fading right before our eyes• How streaming, social media, and shifting audiences have changed the entire gameIf you care about comedy history, TV history, or simply love great storytelling, this conversation is loaded.
GGACP celebrates the birthday (November 19th) of 4-time guest and friend of the podcast, the legendary Dick Cavett, by presenting this ENCORE of a fascinating interview from 2019. In this episode, Dick shares delightful (and hilarious) anecdotes about Jack Benny, Stan Laurel, Truman Capote and Walter Winchell (among others) and looks back on memorable sit-downs with Orson Welles, John Lennon, George Harrison and Laurence Olivier. Also in this episode: Peter Lorre fails the audition, Lily Tomlin storms off the set, Bob Hope comes to Lincoln, Nebraska and Jack Paar sabotages “Fat Jack” Leonard. PLUS: Oskar Homolka! “Chuckles Bites the Dust”! The return of Richard Loo! Johnny Carson disses Jerry Lewis! And Dick introduces “An Evening with Groucho”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bill Maher pours a drink and settles in with Patton Oswalt for a sharp, hilarious tour through comedy, culture, and the weird world we call home. From dissecting Carly Simon's “You're So Vain” to breaking down Trump as the ultimate teenage troll, Patton digs into the line between being childlike and childish, how audiences have evolved (or devolved), and what really fuels creative greatness. They cover how technology accidentally wiped out the classic serial killer, swap stories about Conan O'Brien's cult-favorite Lookwell, revisit Johnny Carson's legendary mean streak and his unexpected love for comics, and debate everything from politics to pop culture—sometimes clashing, always laughing. To echo a certain tiny Parisian chef: not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. Subscribe to the Club Random YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/clubrandompodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Watch episodes ad-free – subscribe to Bill Maher's Substack: https://billmaher.substack.com Subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you listen: https://bit.ly/ClubRandom Support our Advertisers: Get $10 off your first month's subscription and free shipping at https://www.nutrafol.com and enter promo code RANDOM Get 30% off your first purchase and free shipping at https://www.wonderballsusa.com and use code RANDOM Take advantage of Ridge's Biggest Sale of the Year and GET UP TO 47% Off by going to https://www.Ridge.com/RANDOM #Ridgepod Buy Club Random Merch: https://clubrandom.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices ABOUT CLUB RANDOM Bill Maher rewrites the rules of podcasting the way he did in television in this series of one on one, hour long conversations with a wide variety of unexpected guests in the undisclosed location called Club Random. There's a whole big world out there that isn't about politics and Bill and his guests—from Bill Burr and Jerry Seinfeld to Jordan Peterson, Quentin Tarantino and Neil DeGrasse Tyson—talk about all of it. For advertising opportunities please email: PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com ABOUT BILL MAHER Bill Maher was the host of “Politically Incorrect” (Comedy Central, ABC) from 1993-2002, and for the last fourteen years on HBO's “Real Time,” Maher's combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 40 Emmy nominations. Maher won his first Emmy in 2014 as executive producer for the HBO series, “VICE.” In October of 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher's uproarious and unprecedented swipe at organized religion, “Religulous.” Maher has written five bestsellers: “True Story,” “Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect's Greatest Hits,” “When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden,” “New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer,” and most recently, “The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody But Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass.” FOLLOW CLUB RANDOM https://www.clubrandom.com https://www.facebook.com/Club-Random-101776489118185 https://twitter.com/clubrandom_ https://www.instagram.com/clubrandompodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@clubrandompodcast FOLLOW BILL MAHER https://www.billmaher.com https://twitter.com/billmaher https://www.instagram.com/billmaher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices