It Will Never Happen Again

You more than likely heard about the death of Ed McMahon early today. He was 86, and in the end, he died rather unceremoniously. Sad really. His death now follows the death a few years ago of his long time friend and partner Johnny Carson. Now that incredible duo is silent. Ed had many health and financial troubles near the end, and that is not the end anyone wants.

I'm not going to remember that part. I'm going to remember the the good, if not great times that Ed gave us over many years. When Ed was teamed up with Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show for over 30 years, it was truly golden. And I think I can safely say the magic, chemistry, and fun that the Tonight Show gave us with those two at the controls will never be duplicated in TV history. Ed and Johnny were a team even before the Tonight Show that they took over in 1962. They go back to the popular game show circuit of the late 1950's and 1960's. After Jack Paar Left the Tonight Show, it was turned over to Johnny and Ed. Virtual unknowns.

I don't think anyone had any idea at that time just how successful they would be. For some reason we didn't seem to mind the two of them on TV every single late night for 30 years. We invited them into our lives, and our bedrooms before we went to sleep at night. We loved to see Johnny make fun of Ed, and watch Ed take it with a smile. It was always good natured, and not vicious at all. And of course, we all loved Ed's coveted and much imitated, "HEEEEEERRRREESSSS JOHNNY!"

There was just such a good feeling on the Tonight Show in those days. Through it all, it was evident that Ed and Johnny loved working together, and for those few hours every day, there was no place else they would rather be. That is not any reflection on Jay Leno or the new host, Conan O'Brien. Things change. Even they would be the first to tell you, the magic that was Johnny and Ed, is what they strive for and never achieve. Even Letterman I think tips his hat to the legend of the 30 year run of the Johnny and Ed Tonight Show.

Ed, of course did many other shows after and during his Tonight Show run. Star Search, Bloopers with Dick Clark, and countless commercials and Publishers Clearinghouse spots. And that kept him out there. But for me and hopefully you, I choose to remember Ed as one half of TV history. As Johnny's foil, and more importantly friend...... for a half century.

What Ed and Johnny did was TV magic. And it will never happen that way again.