The Untold Stories of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show Ban List
The Legendary Host's Unspoken Rules
Johnny Carson, the iconic host of The Tonight Show, maintained a secret list of celebrities he banned from his show. Though not written down, many knew about it. Here are some notable names who made the list:
- Jay Leno
- Ellen DeGeneres
- William Shatner
- Carl Sagan
- Dana Carvey
- Orson Welles
- Jerry Lewis
- Steve Allen
The Incidents
Jay Leno
Jay Leno was a hit when he first appeared on the show in 1977. But after his fifth appearance, Carson didn't invite him back. Carson didn't like Leno's jokes. Leno later became the host of The Tonight Show and had a long run.
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres made history as the first female comedian to sit on Carson's couch. But she upset Carson during her third appearance in 1987. She made a joke he didn't like, and he banned her from the show. She didn't return until 1989, when Jay Leno was guest hosting.
William Shatner
William Shatner broke three Tonight Show rules during his 1983 appearance. He spoke for four minutes without letting Carson interject. He turned his back on Carson to talk to Buddy Hackett. And he mentioned the network his show was on, which was against the rules. Carson didn't invite him back until he had a guest host.
Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan was a popular guest on the show and even became friends with Carson. But in 1986, Sagan corrected Carson twice during a discussion about Halley's Comet. Carson didn't like being corrected and banned Sagan from the show.
Dana Carvey
Dana Carvey was banned from the show in 1990 for a Saturday Night Live sketch that parodied Carson. The sketch made Carson seem old and out of touch. Carson didn't like the sketch and banned Carvey from the show.
Orson Welles
Orson Welles was one of Carson's idols and a regular guest on the show. But in 1978, Welles told Carson he would be doing a mentalist routine while guest-hosting the show. The routine failed, and Carson found out that Welles had hired two men to sit in the audience to help him. Carson didn't like that Welles was dishonest and banned him from the show.
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis had been a guest or guest host on the show over 80 times. But in 1975, he had a disagreement with a crew member and was banned from the show. Carson didn't like that Lewis was rude to the crew member and banned him from the show.
Steve Allen
Steve Allen was the original host of The Tonight Show and appeared on the show many times. But in 1982, he mocked a previous injury suffered by Carson and was rude to crew members. Carson didn't like that Allen was rude to the crew members and banned him from the show.
Carson's Unwritten Rules
Carson didn't like it when guests were rude to his crew members or disrespected him. He had a list of celebrities he banned from the show, and he didn't invite them back until he had a guest host.
