Let us flashback to the time, not only to when Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show but to when The Tonight Show started in most time zones at 11:30 PM (not 11:35) and ending at 1-in-the morning. Johnny's last 90-minute program was September 12, 1980 and this one is from December 20, 1979. At the time, it seemed like the shortening — which Johnny demanded as a condition of his new contract — was a bad idea…but he was right and those who thought he wasn't were wrong. An hour soon became the standard length of a talk show.
The guests on this one are, in order of appearance: Bruce Dern, David Letterman and opera star Judith Blegen. When was the last time you saw a talk show make time for an opera star? After her song, Ms. Blegen sits and talks with Johnny…and when these days do you see a talk show give panel time to a musical guest in the latter part of the show?
The guests are preceded by Johnny's monologue and by a couple of segments in which Johnny and Ed McMahon play with new Christmas gift items. Again, talk shows don't do that anymore. Most don't have sidekicks who participate in bits. Most don't do segments that depend to a great extent on the ad-libbing skills of the host. Johnny had pre-written lines for spots like this but he still had to think a lot on his feet.
You may not want to watch all of this but you may enjoy watching some of it…