5 Things You Never Knew About Johnny Carson’s Last Episode of ‘The Tonight Show’

On May 22, 1992, America bid goodnight for a final time to the man who made a must-do out of staying up late. Johnny Carson, the “King of Late Night,” wrapped up his time as host of NBC’s The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson after a 33-year run that set the standard, and the format, for late-night TV. Carson announced his departure a full year before he offered his final farewell, and to his dismay — though he refused to show it publicly — a battle ensued over who would take over as The Tonight Show host. Carson was a big fan of David Letterman, who helmed Late Night with David Letterman, which aired after The Tonight Show. Letterman also shared Carson’s professionalism and game, but not fawning, approach to conversation with his guests. NBC wanted Jay Leno, who was a regular Tonight Show cohost.  

The drama played out in the press, and Leno and Letterman’s friendship disintegrated, resulting in the controversial 1994 book The Late Shift by longtime television journalist Bill Carter. HBO later adapted the book into a scripted TV movie. But Carson pointedly stayed out of the fray, avoiding sentimentality and choosing to focus his final year spotlighting favorite guests and highlights from his three-plus decades behind the Tonight Show desk. “Thirty years is enough,” he reportedly told his crew. “It’s time to get out while you’re still working on top of your game, while you’re still working well.”