This Iowa grandmother gave up Johnny’s monologue for Lent. When her grandson found out, he wrote in to the show describing her intention. But he did it without her knowledge. After she found out about her grandson’s letter, and the show started calling, it took some doing before she agreed to come on the show.
I wanted to share this interview on this special date: The 30th Anniversary of the final Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. I believe Johnny was touched by her visit as the interview went along; knowing her age was close to his parents’ age, and they both shared the same midwestern roots. In addition, both of his parents had passed away a few years before.
All in all, everything culminated into what must have been a very meaningful evening for him. Airdate: 4/5/89. COMPLETE SEGMENT