Steven Thompson calls my attention to this brief video in which David Brenner shares his memories of that first Tonight Show shot…
And I should mention that some of my knowledge of Mr. Brenner is because I'm good friends with his ace publicist, Jeff Abraham. Jeff confirms to me that the Tonight Show from January 8, 1971 was definitely his first time doing stand-up on television and writes…
It was either one day shy of his 18th or 19th month of being a stand-up…which is pretty damn amazing when you realize most comedians don't make their Tonight Show debut until after they've been doing stand-up for about five years.
Utterly amazing. Jeff also informs me that the day after, Brenner had $20,000 worth of job offers in hand, including a slot opening for Sonny & Cher at the Sahara in Las Vegas. Buddy Hackett, who had points in the Sahara, saw Brenner on Johnny's show and urged the hiring.
Of course, the big triumph for a new comic who appeared with Johnny was to be invited over to the guest chair after his stand-up. The rule changed from time to time over the years but it was usually as follows: Do not expect panel (i.e., sitting with Johnny) until your fourth time on the show. After you finish your set, take your bow and glance over at the producer. That would usually be Fred DeCordova. He will signal you as to whether Johnny has signalled him that you are to receive the rare honor of panel before your fourth appearance. If you don't get that signal, finish your bow and get off the stage.
You had to do exceptionally well on your first Tonight Show appearance to get panel and only a few comics did. Jeff thinks that Johnny wanted to bless Brenner with that honor but that David just plain left the stage too rapidly.