A FEW MINUTES WITH ED McMAHON… EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
by Gary Mitchell
I was in attendance at a luncheon with Ed McMahon at the NY Friars Club.
This private interview was unplanned and totally extemporaneous. As usual, Class Shows!
Gary Mitchell: I can’t thank-you enough for agreeing to answer a few questions. You mean so much to so many people. When I was in 7th grade, I began spending considerable time at NBC studios. Our friend and neighbor was a lighting technician for The Tonight Show. I cut school, watched many rehearsals and would regularly pass you outside studio 6B. You always smiled and said hello. I thought that was classy.
Ed McMahon: Thank-you very much and it’s a pleasure to see you again. What would you like to know?
Mitchell: What do you enjoy watching on TV these days?
McMahon: I don’t watch much TV but try and catch Conan O’Brien if I can, I think he’s very funny and he has a unique quality about him – he makes me laugh. He’s also an excellent listener. I do watch Larry King and other news programs when I have time.
Mitchell: Mr. McMahon, where do you see the future of television heading to regarding
the launch opportunities for upcoming artists that keep diminishing since you and Mr. Carson signed off the air ?
McMahon: Yes, it’s unfortunate that opportunities for cultivating talented people are disappearing. One magical night with Johnny could make many talented and unknown people important, the next day. If Johnny beckoned them to the guest chair after scoring with the audience, their career was instantly ignited. Today, exposure and launching of variety entertainment is not as easy. Star Search has also launched many talented performers and many stars of today. By the way, that was an excellent question..
Mitchell: Congratulations on your book, Here’s Johnny - I happen to have a copy that I purchased a month ago at the bookstore. What a great read! It’s like actually re-living that entire era.
McMahon: Thank-you. I’d be happy to sign my book for you.
Mitchell: (jokingly) Actually it’s my book now; I paid $20.00 for it.
McMahon: You’re funny – What would you like me to write?
Mitchell: Honestly? You’d write whatever I ask?
McMahon: Sure, whatever you’d like.
Mitchell: That’s very generous of you. Please write, “pay to the order of … 1 million dollars”! But seriously - inscribe whatever you’d like.
Mitchell: Mr. McMahon, are you working on a new TV program or any other new projects?
McMahon: Yes, I’m about to begin writing another book.
Mitchell: I think what I enjoyed most about reading Heere’s Johnny, aside from the amazing stories, was the fact that you wrote it just as you speak -which made it far more enjoyable. I could hear your voice as well as Mr. Carson’s voice, as I was reading. Your own perspective on the entire phenomenon was great.
McMahon: Thank-you, I’m glad to hear you say that. That was no accident and I give all the credit to my co-writer for doing a great job.
Mitchell: Last question sir – Do you own a computer?
McMahon: No, I know nothing about them nor do I wish to.
Mitchell: I guess you won’t be visiting our web site then.
McMahon: What’s a web site? (he chuckles) Thanks Gary, this was enjoyable.
Mitchell: Thank you for your time sir and for 30 years of the best television I ever watched. I’ve never missed a TV show more than The Tonight Show and Johnny Carson.
McMahon: Me either!
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