*Pure class. There will NEVER be another late night host that can hold a candle to Carson.*

NO KIDDING!!!?? The legendary Mr. De Cordova comes on camera with Johnny? I can hardly believe it! I love the way he comes on the stage from the wrong direction. What a character, and he himself rather comes across like Jack Benny. A very expressive voice and distinctive mannerisms. I'm keepin this one.

As someone who has just gotten into Carson a few weeks ago and has spent some time catching up and getting to know some of the legendary guests, it is a blessing to have even more stuff come out after almost 4 decades!

My Fred De Cordova story: He was a producer on the tonight show when Leno took over. Leno was annoying as an interviewer, would be busy thinking about what he was going to say next instead of listening to the guests. Patrick Stewart was on and said, there are 3 great chairs to sit in, The Oval Office, which he said he got a chance to sit in, the Captains chair on the Enterprise, which he obviously sat in and the tonight show chair/desk. It went right over Leno's head and he kept talking. I was furious how he stepped right on a chance to Let Stewart sit in the chair. The next day I called NBC and asked to speak to Freddie, expecting to get a secretary or an assistant. He answered he own phone, with that very distinct voice "Hello". I was speechless for a few seconds and then continued to tell him what happened the night before, he listened and we chatted back and for for a few minutes about how I was a fan of Benny, Burns & Allen, etc.... I have a huge autographed picture collection and asked if he could send me one. He laughed and said it's been YEARS since he's needed a head shot. But I persisted and said if you EVER get a chance and could send me one, I'd be grateful and he's be in good company in my collection, that I wasn't looking to sell it, it was only for me. About a month later his autographed pic arrived at my house with a note saying, I did a photoshoot so I could send this to you personally. How cool is that....they don't make people like this anymore.

Fred was a LEGEND.

I looked him up and he lived another 13 years = 90 years old. Passed in 2001, a month before his 91st birthday

I love this interaction with the executive producer!

One of my favorite exchanges between the two is when Johnny is bombing during his monologue (around 1987), and goes up to Fred standing offstage to ask this question: Carson: "Isn't it supposed to be that I do the jokes and get the big laughs?" De Cordova: "Why don't you try it for a while?" Oof! 😅

Interesting that Fred was born the same years as my dad, 1910, so at the time of this show, he was 78 years old! This is a great clip, thank you!

Wonderful exchange. The best late night talk show host of all time with his best executive producer in conversation. Perfection! Too bad Johnny never had him on after the incident after Johnny’s son’s untimely death. I will pray for America. Please pray for me. God Bless you.

Look at the quality he had around him. Legends

Back in the seventies I knew this nice guy for about 11 minutes.😊$ Kind of shy & soft spoken. Generous.

During this interview De Cordova had been in show business for 55 years. That book could have been a lot bigger.

Johnny interviewed Fred (for the job) in 1970 with Henry Bushkin looking on. They both liked him immediately.

This is the executive producer who featured in the movie King of Comedy. The Scorsese film was based on the Carson show.

In the airport waiting for my flight to London! Nice to see while I wait!

I LOVED this! Wish there were more, but thanks so much for the post!

My vehicle's windshield has less glass than Fred's glasses.

Freddie sounds like Jack Benny

I remember visiting LA in the ‘80s and having dinner at Spago. Seated at the table next to me was Fred de Cordova and super agent to the stars, Swifty Lazar. You know I had to eavesdrop just a bit when they started taking about a party they had attended with Liz Taylor.

*May 1988* look how happy they look *June 1991* nevermind

When Carson was talking about his son's death, toward the end of the show, Fred gave him a hurry up sign, Carson got hot and banned Fred from being there, and also Carson hated Hope as a guest.

All legends up there! RIP 🎉❤

It's funny because, I'm 74 years old and just last week, i was bitten by a spider and for the first time in 25 years, i went to the doctors to get anti biotics to help cure those bites that infected my leg. I've smoked since I was 13, but i did stop drinking almost 24 years ago. I'm healthy, and never exercise, and people say I only look like I'm in my 40s-50s. My secret is, do what you like, and, "Dont Worry About It!"

It would have been great to see Rickles on with Freddie.. Don picked on Freddie non stop

"The equivalent of being dance director at Forest Lawn!" 😂

I "HOPE" you will immediately upload Mr. Hope's segment for this particular broadcast, please.

Good lord, how many writer's strikes have there been?

Great interview

I remember seeing this when it aired and wondered why fred wasn't a guest more often.

Great show!

"it's very important to never go to see a doctor, because it's their business to find something wrong with you."

Thank you

Freddy!!! 😁

I'd like to know about his afternoons with Ms. Garland, Ms. Crawford, Ms. Wyman, etc.

So was the Rip Torn character in Larry Sanders based on Fred?

That had to be a first in the industry

The pinnacle of talk show television ended when Johnny Carson retired. Television has been on a downward trajectory since the late 1970s.

THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN JOHNNY AND FRED DID NOT END WELL

I wonder if Jack Devine aka “Jackie D” ever appeared on The Tonight Show.

Fred has been around for a long time and knew everyone, why get married when you can have sex with some of the most beautiful woman in h-wood and drink a lot and smoke a lot too? The partying never stopped until he was in his '50's when he got married but I still think that didn't really stop him much.

Gold

After Carson’s son was killed in Automobile accident, Carson was showing his son Ricks photos he took before he died, Fred Decorva told Johnny Carson to hurry up because of a commercial break, Johnny Carson NEVER spoke to Decordva AGAIN, had him come into a different entrance of the NBC Burbank studio, Carson wanted him GONE but NBC said no, It was 3 Years later Carson Retired.

They apparently had a falling out in 1991. After Carson's son Ricky was killed in an automobile accident; a month later, Carson paid tribute to his son at the end of a show. De Cordova was concerned that the show was going long and gave Carson the "wrap it up" sign😮. Carson was so infuriated that he no longer allowed de Cordova on the studio floor. Curious if there is any existing footage from that airing?

let 70's used to be considered old

Lets get a monologue with titles

Didn’t Johnny and Fred have a falling out?

To think this was during a writer's strike.

They mentioned a writers strike. This shows Carson new what is he was doing... He didn't need writers. Sure monologue was sorely missed but the show must go on. Unlike today losers that do it on their own.

😉

Wonder what kind of money he made as boss of tonite show?

Fred was dead on correct when it comes to doctors.

Interviewing his Jew Overlord... gotta love it!

Johnny was a sick person.

Thank you