Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend

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Mark Malkoff David Ritz

Love Johnny Carson

One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend

Mark Malkoff, David Ritz

$75

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Dutton Caliber
21 October 2025

Television

A wildly entertaining book by one of the world's most obsessed and informed fans of TV icon Johnny Carson, setting the record straight on Carson's legacy and shining light on the personality behind the legendary comedian and talk show host

A wildly entertaining book by one of the world's most obsessed and informed fans of TV icon Johnny Carson, setting the record straight on Carson's legacy and shining light on the personality behind the legendary comedian and talk show host

Over the course of his thirty-year career hosting The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson appeared on some 4,500 broadcasts, interviewed over 25,000 guests, and solidified himself as a warm, witty, comforting presence to US audiences during turbulent times.

Carson aficionado Mark Malkoff has amassed more Carson stories from original sources than anyone in entertainment history, speaking to over four hundred individuals, and now, in Love Johnny Carson, he sets the record straight in this comprehensive portrait of Carson's life, career, legacy, and character. Read about the debuts of stand-up comics like David Letterman and Ellen DeGeneres, the never-before-detailed reasons why Johnny stopped talking to Joan Rivers, why he banned guests like William Shatner and Orson Welles, the true origins of Carnac the Magnificent (it wasn't stolen from Steve Allen), the part Johnny played in getting Nixon elected president, the beloved comedian who the Carson writers dreaded guest-hosting, and many other behind-the-scenes stories of the funniest and most beloved Carson moments of all time.

In the end, Malkoff's book serves not only as a biography but also as a love letter; a love letter to show business, to personalities, and to the singular show-business legend of Johnny Carson.

By: Mark Malkoff, David Ritz
Imprint: Dutton Caliber
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 228mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 30mm
Weight: 674g
ISBN: 9780593472552
ISBN 10: 0593472551
Pages: 474
Publication Date: 21 October 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Mark Malkoff is a comedian, writer, and podcast host. He has been featured on Today, Good Morning America, CNN, NPR's Weekend Edition, and for eight years hosted the popular podcast The Carson Podcast. His website can be found at www.markmalkoff.com. David Ritz is a renowned writer and author who has worked with everyone from Ray Charles to Willie Nelson to Aretha Franklin. He's written and cowritten sixty-five books, fifteen of which have been bestsellers, and is also a grammy award-nominated song writer.

Reviews for Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend

“Think you've heard every story about the great Johnny Carson? Think again. Mark Malkoff has many more to tell. In his entertaining tribute to the legendary Carson, Mark Malkoff brings the star, and the man, back to vivid life.” –Bill Carter, bestselling author of The War for Late Night ""Johnny Carson was a beloved cultural icon, and the stories told in this book help illustrate the man behind the legend. Love Johnny Carson is truly a labor of love, and a welcome historical document about a pivotal figure in television history. I think Johnny would be proud."" –Jennifer Tilly, actress and frequent Carson guest “Highly, highly recommended. I assumed that after all my years with Johnny Carson, I knew pretty much everything you could know about him. Was I wrong! Love Johnny Carson will entertain, surprise, and sometimes startle you."" –Dick Cavett, author of Talk Show, host, and actor