Every few years, Johnny Carson used to sit for a major interview of some sort. Back in '78, he let writer Kenneth Tynan tag along with him for a while and the result was a long profile in The New Yorker, which Tynan later reprinted in his book, Show People. The New Yorker folks have put it up on their website, presumably for a limited time. So if you're interested in Carson, go read it or at least download it.
In 1979, he let 60 Minutes and Mike Wallace interview and profile him…though I believe he actually okayed the interview, allowed a day or two of filming, then changed his mind and cancelled, then changed again and cooperated. A version of it has rerun several times on the TV Land show that recycles old 60 Minutes TV-related profiles, but they're going back to that footage again tomorrow night on 60 Minutes Wednesday.
One thing that may interest some is Carson's manipulation of that line I quoted in my first post about his passing. In the Tynan profile, you'll read this…
Press grilling is routine stuff, except for:
Q: What would you like your epitaph to be?
CARSON [after pause for thought]: I'll be right back.
Laughter and applause for this line, the traditional cliché with which talk-show hosts segue into commercial break. Subsequent research reveals that Carson has used it before in answer to same question. Fact increases my respect for his acting ability. That pause for thought would have fooled Lee Strasberg.
I believe the footage of him being asked that question at that event is in the 60 Minutes profile. It's a good example of the gift that most great talk show hosts and comedians have…that of making scripted or planned material seem spontaneous.