Johnny carson biography zehmer

Editor’s Note: Andrew Buss served as Bill Zehme&#;s chief editorial assistant/right-hand man from March until his death in March With Zehme&#;s final (and most personally treasured) book Carson The Magnificent hitting bookshelves Tuesday November 5, we asked Andrew to share what Carson—and late-night in general—meant to the late writer, and how he approached his long-gestating book in his final years.

One would be hard-pressed to find someone who felt more drawn to the world of late-night television than the author and journalist Bill Zehme.

He revered the format in every way and had  a profound admiration and respect for those who were able to do it—particularly those who did it well. Like so many others of his generation, that all started in his youth with one man: Johnny Carson. 

Yes, of course, late-night TV existed pre-Carson, by way of Steve Allen and Jack Paar.

Both men sat behind the desk at NBC’s Tonight show while Carson was busy making a name for himself