Here's Johnny!

by Ed McMahon

Ed McMahon was Johnny Carson's sidekick for almost 40 years and his friend for over 50. Here he shares his memories of the man, the shows, the humor and the truth behind the legend. Here's Johnny is like sitting with Ed and Johnny over lunch.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, Tv

217 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2005

About the author

Colonel (retired) Edward "Ed" Peter Leo McMahon, Jr. was an American comedian, game show host, announcer, and television personality most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's announcer on Who Do You Trust? from 1957 to 1962 and on the Tonight Show, from 1962 to 1992, and as the host of the talent show Star Search, from 1983 to 1995. He later also became well-known as the presenter of American Family Publishing sweepstakes (not to be confused with Publishers Clearing House) who arrives unannounced at the homes of winners. He subsequently made a series of Neighborhood Watch Public Service Announcements reprising that role in parody.

He also cohosted the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, and has performed in numerous television commercials, most notably for Budweiser.

In the 1970s and 1980s, he anchored the team of NBC personalities conducting the network's coverage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Reviews

[Evan · Rating 2 out of 5]

20 cents at Half Price Books. Nuff said.
Well, what the heck, started reading this because I'm in the mood for light and puff. Too many novels lately of women going crazy from frustration, killing people or being killed were wearing me down a bit.

This chronicles the history of a famous and beloved TV show, but also McMahon's perceptions of Carson - not particularly deep and nearly all glowing. Ed sets out in every way he can to dispel the notion that Johnny Carson was a complete prick, and yet the more he praises him the more I think Carson was a prick. Methinks he doth protest too much.

It's a love letter to a dead man; Ed isn't about to kiss and tell here, but we do get some flavor of Carson on and off set, though all of his bad moments are either excused or ignored. But, this was a fascinating era of showbiz, and there's much behind-the-scenes flavor, even if McMahon's prose is less than stellar. This is a breeze to read.

As I read about the early days of the show, it reminds me of that nagging consternation I have about NBC erasing all the videotapes of Carson's "The Tonight Show" prior to the early 1970s, because "they were taking up space" or some such. All that electric showbiz history lost. That burns me.

UPDATE: Page 150.
OK OK, Ed is wearing me down a little. I don't mean the book isn't interesting, but I mean he's making me understand Carson a bit and winning me over to his point of view a little. I have more sympathy for Johnny.

Lots of great comedic moments I'd forgotten about are related here, and one in particular that reminds us how advanced a comic thinker Carson was, even in a mere bit of slapstick -- the famed moment when Burt Reynolds pulled open Carson's pants and shot a spray of canned Cool Whip down his crotch:

"...Johnny grabbed the can and I expected him to put a similar topping on Burt's undershorts. Instead, however, Johnny again proved himself a master of the unexpected by squirting more whipped cream into his own shorts and then smiling in contentment. Every other comedian would have squirted Reynolds; but Johnny again proved his originality..."

For those who lived during the time of this show and enjoyed it, this book provides a nice nostalgia buzz.

[AndrewP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a Brit, I'm not as familiar with Johnny Carson as most Americans, but I have fond memories of the shows I did see. This book is a combination of a behind the scenes look at The Tonight Show and the genuine friendship between Johnny and Ed McMahon. It's not that often that people who work together well on camera are actually friends in real life. The two guys on Mythbusters come to mind as examples, apparently they have never even been out for a meal together. Ed and Johnny had the kind of friendship that made their on screen relationship just a part of their normal lives.

There are are a lot of amusing anecdotes in this book. It's also interesting that a great deal of Tonight Show in those days was unplanned. Apparently, the 5-10 mins of talk between Johnny and Ed following Johnny's monologue was never ever discussed, they just winged every night it for 30 years.
A short book but well worth it if your a fan of the golden age of Late Night TV.

[mama/patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Was it stimulating? No. Was it a biography of Johnny Carson? No. Was it hold your side funny – as Johnny and Ed were together? No. Was it a great trip through memory lane for someone who enjoyed watching the Tonight Show before falling asleep? Yes, very much so.

I think if one is old enough to remember the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon and enjoyed the interaction between these two legendary men, this book would be a good way to pass the time. Ed tells of some of the little secrets and call backs they used to either crack the other up or to calm the other down.

There was some reparation in the stories and some place I wished Ed had told a little more of a particular story. All in all though this is a sweet book of sweet memories from a man who loved his boss and a dear friend a great deal and misses him a lot.

[Gary Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If these troubling times have you feeling a bit nostalgic, Ed McMahon’s Here’s Johnny!: My Memories of Johnny Carson, The Tonight Show, and 46 Years of Friendship might be a good book for you. It’s hard to believe Johnny Carson signed off almost 28 years ago, and he passed away in 2005. Ed McMahon himself died in 2009, but this collection of McMahon’s memories brings back The Tonight Show’s glory days, or I should say, nights.

My first recollection of an image from a color television broadcast was Johnny coming through that brightly-colored vertically-striped curtain after being introduced by Ed McMahon with a hearty “Heeeere’s Johnny!” Carson’s humor was based on wit, wordplay, and timing, a completely different formula than what is deployed by the current crop of late-night talk show hosts.
I greatly enjoyed Ed McMahon’s stories about the early days of his work with Johnny Carson and the unique chemistry behind their friendship and partnership. Here's Johnny! also features plenty of remembrances of stars from times gone by: Elizabeth Taylor, Groucho Marx, John Wayne, and many more, along with behind-the-scenes insights into Carson’s various characters, including Aunt Blabby, Art Fern, Ronald Reagan, and Floyd R. Turbo. McMahon also explains how he perceived his role on The Tonight Show, always the “second banana” and straight man who knew how to help the boss and the show.

If reading this review makes you miss Johnny, Ed, and The Tonight Show, give this breezy book a try. It just might have you calling out, Hi-Yooo!

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud fun! Many of the memories Ed shares are also on the videos of Johnny’s favorite moments from the show. There is some behind-the-scenes info, but not as much as I had hoped for. Still, it was fun!

[Lisa Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable!!

Really enjoyed Ed taking me down such a lovely memory lane. A nice, quiet, entertaining read. Those were the days!

[Kristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Before reviewing the book I have to say that I was a huge fan of the Tonight Show. I laughed out loud when Ed Ames threw the tomahawk and hit a vulnerable spot. I cried when Jimmy Stewart read a poem he had written: "I’ll Never Forget a Dog Named Beau". I also wept when Bette Midler, the last guest sang "One More for My Baby (And One More for the Road)." I have no idea how many shows I watched, but it seems as though it were thousands. No late night show has ever been the same for me..... That said, I was interested in "Here's Johnny" by Ed McMahon. This 217 page book is really less than 100 pages of content. I did not expect a "tell all" expose', but by the same token I did not expect a paean to Saint Carson. According to this book, Johnny was the perfect comedian, host, friend, and human being. Of course, it would seem petty in the extreme to bite the hand that fed him for more than 30 years. Much of the book deals with bar after bar after bar. I wanted to hear more about the guests. I did not have to read 50 failed Carnac, Aunt Blabby, or other character gags. Of the 100 pages of content, much is repetitious and boring. I was very disappointed. If you want a sugar coated, low substance version of Johnny Carson, you can find it here. I would recommend selecting a different book. Kristi & Abby Tabby

[Paperback Papa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recently read a book about Johnny Carson that was written by his lawyer. I enjoyed it a lot. So when I saw this one by Ed McMahon, I thought it might also be interesting. It wasn't.

The book by Carson's lawyer was balanced, showing the best and worst of the greatest talk show host of all time. It offered what felt like a pretty realistic portrait of the man. This book is 100% schmaltzy hero worship. Not one negative word is said about Johnny. I totally get Ed's affection for Johnny and his desire to make him look good. It just doesn't make for a very interesting book.

I will say this, however...the book does contain a lot of jokes and one-liners, including a list of thirty of the best jokes from Carson's Carnac routines. I did chuckle at some of them...and remembered some of them.

We should all have someone in the world who thinks as much of us (and speaks as well of us) as Ed did of Johnny. But they probably shouldn't write a book.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book several years ago, probably when it first came out, but I was never in the mood to read Ed McMahon's reminiscences about Johnny Carson. Then it showed up on Audible.com as an audio book, read by McMahon, and it was on sale. I bought it and listened to it during car rides. For someone who has made his whole life in radio and television, McMahon is a TERRIBLE reader. However, the audio book has more fun stuff like music, and McMahon's unmistakable "Heeeeeer's Johnny," which you can only imagine in the book. There is lots of fun stuff in it, but I just wish McMahon were talented enough to make it SOUND fun instead of stilted. However, his love for his friend Johnny is unmistakable and you do get a bit more intimate portrait of this very private man.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ed McMahon was a good and loving friend to Johnny Carson, and it was good to read a little more depth to the Johnny we all loved and watched for years. The book spent a little too much time recounting exact routines they shared on air, but it did provide good insight to how/why Johnny was so personable and easy going with guests but private off-camera. It was a good reminder of how many singers & comedians got a start or big boost for being on Johnny's Tonight Show. And McMahon was right - we don't have any show anywhere near that caliber today.

[J.b. Likeric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy reading book. Not anything that I really didn`t know. Ed loved Johnny like no other friend. Therefor, he said nothing bad about him. Ed talked about the show and the humorous bits that they did together. If you want to hear praise about the comic genius Johnny was, this is the book for you. If you want some controversy and dirt to read, you are not going to find it here. A simple, pleasant book. Nothing more.

[Mikey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ed really mailed this one in. I thought I'd get to hear great "behind-the-scenes" stories about Johnny, but Ed basically described bits from the show. Watching a DVD of the show would provide the same amount of insight. He also tends to repeat himself a lot. Even though it's a quick read, it's not really worth the time.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't read many memoirs but loving the subject and the storyteller made me buy this one. Ed, you needed an editor big time. (hence only 1 star) But there are great stories, jokes and inside the studio and after-hours tales that kept me reading it without regrets-except that both of these brilliant comedians are no longer with us.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read, wonderfully heartwarming. My first years of insomnia were eased by The Tonight Show. Though I was too young to understand all the jokes, there wasn’t an episode I didn’t enjoy. This book is a lovely tribute to a standup guy.

[Barnard Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used to watch religiously with my parents growing up. Fun to look behind the curtain in his straight man's memoir.

[Connie Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

here's ed......

More of an adoration of a friend. Ed gave his best version of a description of a bestie! Not as juicy as i would have liked.....quick read.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is meringue: sweet, light and not much there. I wondered if Ed was sitting there transcribing jokes as he watched old tapes of the show, in intervals of slobbering all over his old buddy.
Don't get me wrong, I grew up watching Carson (yes I know I should have been in bed at that time, at age 8 or 9), and even as a kid I recognised his class. He could flay someone with sarcasm just by the look on his face and the tone of his voice. He'd turn sideways to the camera and slide that hand in his jacket pocket and you knew someone was going to get it right where it hurt--without vulgarity or milking the laughs. Later Jay Leno tended to use celebrity guests as involuntary straight men; he would ask a question and then talk over them, scoring weak points with bad jokes and repeating "What's that about, I mean what's that about?" until it was no longer funny at all. Nobody ever did it like Carson.
The book is great if what you want is a recap of some of the best and worst "bits." I was surprised to read of "The Oldest Man in the World", a sketch that sounds very similar to Mel Brooks' "The 2000 Year Old Man" created in the 1950s. One wonders what Brooks thought of Carson's version; McMahon certainly keeps any reaction to himself. We don't learn much about Carson the man except that he was very, very competitive and a perfectionist...and that McMahon obviously adored him. An okay read for the end of the day, but repetitive after a few chapters. There were so many things that I wanted to hear more about that were dismissed with one sentence, in favor of repeating other things he'd already talked about two or three times.

[Max Tachis · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an odd little book.

Disjointed and unfocused, it's hard to understand what the point of it all was. If it was a resuscitation of Johnny's legacy, it need hardly be done. If it's a resuscitation of Ed McMahon's, it hardly worked. It's one part memoir and three parts joke book, and for someone who says that nobody could deliver jokes as well as Johnny, McMahon spends a lot of time transcribing them and allowing them all to fall flat on the page, I suppose proving his own point.

This is the third book about Johnny Carson I've read and I continue to be baffled by other people's relationship to him, almost more than I am by the man himself. Lawyer Henry Bushkin wrote a book about his time with Johnny, 'Tonight Show' producer Fred de Cordova wrote a book about his time with Johnny, trusty sidekick Ed McMahon wrote a book about his time with Johnny, and all of them describe a completely different man who still, somehow, defined them all. It's said that Johnny launched countless careers, but it's surprising to see how many people's identities are affixed to his, and how every one shapes the man so very differently. Laurence Leamer paints an independent picture, being the one author not connected to Johnny, and describes a man that none of the previous three apparently ever met.

At the end of this book I know almost nothing new about Ed McMahon, only a list of facts about Johnny Carson, but (perhaps) hardly any truth.

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a particularly well-written book nor one filled with lots of facts about Carson, I gave it a higher rating simply because it's a loving remembrance by the master's biggest fan and closest friend - Ed McMahon. For those hungry for the golden years of the Tonight Show, spend a day reading this book. It will take you back to a time when the brilliant host, one of Hollywood's greatest and humblest power players, ruled the air waves. Carson has been off of the air for close to 30 years now, but this nostalgic look at his art, his influence, and his wit was so refreshing that it made me want to hit Youtube and search for old episodes.

If you're looking for a lot of details about Carson's life, there are probably better biographies. One does gleam, however, that Carson was a caring and private man who made great lifelong friends and knew how to enjoy himself. McMahon mostly focuses on what went on in the studio, either during the show or behind the scenes. Filled with a lot of snappy dialogue between the two of them, there are definitely many laugh out loud moments throughout this quick read.

[Nancy Neville · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because I've been watching the old Johnny Carson shows on TV. Really enjoying them. This is not a tell all, spilling dirt about Johnny, the Tonight Show staff, or its guests. It's a memory of a time and place. It was a time when entertainment was divided between adult and child. The Tonight Show was TV for adults. And entertainment that some closed minded people would see as politically incorrect today. But it was funny and entertaining. This book celebrates the relationship between Johnny and Ed. The image of Ed as a brown nose is put to rest here. He respected Johnny's genius. I've noticed watching the show after reading this book the many times Ed stands up for himself on the show. I see two friends sparring and playing off each other. Of course we don't hear Johnny's side, but per Ed, we see a long, deep friendship. And from what I've read about Johnny, he didn't have many. And I applaud Ed for not dishing dirt on someone who couldn't fight back. It's a fast easy read, that leaves you feeling good after you finish.

[Brian Bahnsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truest of Friends - Heartwarming

While I've ready books on Johnny Carson before this one, Ed McMahon tells stories that illustrate the greatest thing a person could hope for and true friendship that was for the ages. I, like many others my age, spent many nights glued to the TV watching Carnac, many skits, and the rise of so many yet to be known stars. The way these pages were written made clear the love and unbreakable bond these two men had for one another, and I sincerely appreciated the way that Mr. McMahon shared with the readers a side of Johnny Carson we may have otherwise never known; the side that showed his deep compassion for others and his commitment to being a person who left a truly understated legacy. It's hard to believe that someone of such fame and fortune truly had an ego that forever remained in check. That, however, is one of the things that made Johnny Carson truly great... you had to come to that conclusion on your own because he'd be the last to say so!

[Mike Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting and entertaining books. Though, I had this vague feeling of "I wonder what the other guy would say." As in, if Johnny Carson would agree with some of the things his good body Ed published in this book.

ETA: I've been watching a lot of Johnny Carson lately (the show). It's fun to watch episodes from the 1970s to 1992 (the earlier shows appear not to get played and/or were lost). Reading this book, and watching the show helped each other. As in: I enjoyed this book more because I've been actively watching Johnny Carson reruns since Covid started, and reading this book helps me enjoy and appreciate more of the Johnny Carson shows I catch (I've seen three or five shows since starting/ending this book).

Oh, and this isn't a biography, but I need a shelf other than nonfiction and reviewed (and read, but that's default). I don't really want to create a shelf . . .hmms, I suppose I could create a Memoirs shelf.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat disappointing. I loved watching Carson and and he gave me many good laughs, and McMahon was part of it too. Besides being a bit too idolizing (partly understandable) of his boss, the book feels almost like an attempt to make himself a greater part of the team. Understandable too. But the biggest problem is, despite all the crazy and wonderful jokes, skits, and guests McMahon could have included, he seemed to pick ones that felt stale and flat in the retelling. And certainly he also seemed to bring up items that, to me, made Johnny look more misogynistic and old fashioned. Sure, it reflected the time period. And I suppose you had to be there, or at least watching, because so much of Carson's appeal was his facial expressions and delivery. And I got tired of McMahon repeating his catchphrase. I think I'd rather go back and re-watch some old episodes.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's Johnny!:My Memories of Johnny Carson is a quick read not in-depth but very touching tribute by the Late Ed McMahon on the Late Johnny Carson.I liked it personally,there are some pictures color and black and white in my softcover.But the stories are very funny,It's not the end all book on Carson but it's a good starter and should not be dismissed for bias or lack thereof because it's Ed.I grew up not necessarily with Carson but knowing of him,I actually knew more of Ed through Star Search as A kid in the 80s and through his Publisher's Sweepstakes ads.When I saw the book I purchased it and gave it a shot and I am glad I did.There is nothing really revealing but Overall good account.

[R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ed McMahon worshipped Johnny Carson and this book proves it. He practically fawned over the guy as if he (McMahon) would never have existed as a human being if not for Johnny. This book is a compilation of stream-of-consciousness snippets of Johnny and me did this and Johnny and me did that. Didn't really learn that much about Johnny Carson, but Ed McMahon's lack of self-confidence was surely evident in this book. I loved watching Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, so I was a fan of Carson, but I found this book to be both tedious and over the top in the hero-worshipping department.

[William O. Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an insightful look into the comic genius of Johnny Carson by his long-timed sidekick. If you are a certain age you grew up with Carson each night he was hosting the Tonight Show (That is, if he wasn't being filled in by a guest host-- which became pretty common the latter years of the show's run) and enjoying his antics with Ed, his skits and his guest interviews. The book gives a delightful look at Johnny's demeanor on and off camera and what late night television was like before the blandness of today's late night talking heads--each one lacking any resemblance of talent.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit overly-enthusiastic memoir of Ed McMahon's memories of his days with Carson. It is definitely glossed over, and McMahon appears to worship Carson, but there are some nice vignettes and anecdotes. I read this is small snatches on my iPhone over a period of several months, and it was a good way to pass those small bits of time.

Reading it straight through, I think McMahon's hero-worship of Carson would have been more annoying.

[Jenny Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

You will literally read about book about a grown man who desperately misses his best friend. It promises to tell us what we don’t know about Johnny, and their friendship, but most of it was a re-telling of Ed’s favorite moments in their Tonight Show run. That was my only bummer of the read.

However, I still appreciated the nostalgia and even chuckled a few times. In the end, I have a better understanding of where the heck Rd McMahon came from! Haha.

[Larry Wagner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing!

I was hoping that after working together for 40 years, there would be more substance, discussing behind the scenes situations, and what it was like when not on the air. The book is principally a rehash of old jokes, skits, and an overview the relationship between Ed and Johnny; which is described is nearly perfect with no negative comments whatsoever. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll be happy, otherwise I would pass on recommending this book.

[Billy Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty quick read all things considered, he writes very well and it feels like you're listening to a friend talk or a funny uncle. It suffers because it doesn't really go in depth on Johnny like some might think it would, explain the depth. Its more isolated anecdotes to aspouse the positive attributes of his friend. Which is what I would do if I wrote a book about my friend. Though sometimes it feels like he's a bit high on his and Johnny's supply. Fun and quick but lacks depth.