Johnny Carson's 'Freaking Genius' Guest Who Walked Away Forever Andrea ReiherOctober 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM 0 Gerald Smith/NBCU Photo Bank A new book about The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson reveals how one young performer's daring choice turned her into an overnight sensation — and why she ne...
- - Johnny Carson's 'Freaking Genius' Guest Who Walked Away Forever
Andrea ReiherOctober 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
0
Gerald Smith/NBCU Photo Bank
A new book about The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson reveals how one young performer's daring choice turned her into an overnight sensation — and why she never returned to Carson's couch again.
In Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend (out Oct. 21 from Penguin Random House), author Mark Malkoff — a self-described Johnny Carson superfan who interviewed more than 400 people who worked with or appeared on the show — sets out to "shine light on the personality behind the legendary comedian and talk show host." Over three decades and 4,500 broadcasts, Carson interviewed more than 25,000 guests, becoming a comforting late-night presence for millions of Americans.
Malkoff's book is both biography and love letter, revealing never-before-heard backstage stories about everyone from David Letterman and Ellen DeGeneres to Joan Rivers and William Shatner — and even the true origin of Carson's iconic Carnac the Magnificent bit. But one of the most striking stories centers on Barbra Streisand, whose early appearances on The Tonight Show helped launch her career — and marked her final interaction with Carson.
RELATED: TV Icon Johnny Carson Turns 100: Robin Williams, Burt Reynolds & More in Birthday Marathon
A Nerve-Racking Beginning
Streisand's first appearance came on Oct. 4, 1962, just three days after she signed her first recording contract with Columbia Records. "She was just a pain," recalled talent coordinator Shelly Shultz in the book. "She was an insecure kid… just kind of a nervous wreck."
She sang "Right as the Rain" and chatted with Carson about leaving Brooklyn for Manhattan, joking that the subways were "a traumatic experience." The young singer's unease was clear — but her talent was undeniable.
The Bold Choice That Changed Everything
When Streisand returned a month later, she decided to completely reimagine a familiar tune. Instead of performing the upbeat campaign anthem "Happy Days Are Here Again" in its typical jubilant style, she slowed it down to a haunting ballad.
Carson's team wasn't convinced. Talent coordinator Sy Kasoff admitted he was skeptical until the audience's reaction said it all. The book recalls: "Kasoff asked Streisand's manager, Marty Erlichman, who had come up with the idea of the super-slow rendition. 'She did,' said Erlichman. 'She's a freaking genius.'"
RELATED: Barbra Streisand Sends Blunt Message to Jane Fonda
The Remark That Ended It All
Streisand went on to appear on The Tonight Show four more times in 1963 as her fame skyrocketed. On her final visit, Carson teasingly remarked, "I suppose pretty soon, when you get to be a really big star, we'll never see you again."
"I'll never come here again," Streisand shot back. Carson laughed and replied, "She probably means it."
He was right — she never returned during his entire 30-year run as host. Streisand's first appearance after that night was in 1993, a year after Carson retired and Jay Leno took over hosting duties. She has also joined Jimmy Fallon three times on Tonight — in 2014, 2016 and 2021.
RELATED: Jay Leno Defends Jimmy Kimmel: 'The Truth Winds Up Getting Canceled'
As Malkoff notes, moments like Streisand's early performances captured The Tonight Show's unique power to create legends in real time. Love Johnny Carson offers fans a treasure trove of similar revelations — why Carson stopped speaking to Joan Rivers, which beloved comedian writers dreaded as a guest host, and even the little-known political moments that shaped his public image.
In the end, Malkoff's book serves as both a definitive biography and a heartfelt tribute to the man who defined American late-night television.
Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legendby Mark Malkoff is out now.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: EVENING MAG
Full Article on Source: EVENING MAG
#LALifestyle #USCelebrities
