Photos: Johnny Carson anniversary
Johnny Carson signed off of "The Tonight Show" for the last time May 22, 1992, 22 years ago today. Take a look back at some of his "Tonight Show" moments.
Johnny Carson anniversary
Entertainer Bette Midler caresses talk show host Johnny Carson during his next-to-last taping of the "Tonight Show" in Burbank, Ca., Thursday, May 21, 1992. Carson will retire tomorrow after 30 years of late-night television. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Johnny Carson anniversary
In this May 21, 1992 file photo, talk show host Johnny Carson listens to entertainer Bette Midler sing him a farewell love song during the second-to-last taping of "The Tonight Show" in Burbank, Calif. With his debut as host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" 50 years ago this October, until he retired from the show on May 22, 1992, he was seen by more people on more occasions than anyone else in American history. "Johnny Carson: King of Late Night," a two-hour "American Masters" portrait premiers Monday at 9 p.m. EDT on PBS. (AP Photo/Douglas Pizac, file)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Talk show host Johnny Carson, left, sits in a rocking chair presented to him by guest Robin Williams during the second-to-last taping of the "Tonight Show" at NBC Studios in Burbank, Calif., Thursday, May 21, 1992. Carson is retiring after 30 years as the king of late night. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Actress Elizabeth Taylor and Tonight Show host Johnny Carson share a laugh during Taylor?s first-ever appearance on the show at night on Monday, Feb. 21, 1992 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager Tommy Lasorda was a surprise guest, Thursday, Oct. 13, 1988 in Burbank, California on ‘The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson,’ Carson’s sidekick. Ed McMahon surprised the studio audience by announcing ‘Heeeerrrree’s Tommy instead of Heeeerrrree’s Johnny,’ to open the show. Carson congratulated Lasorda and the L.A. Dodgers, who face the Oakland A’s in game one of the World Series on Saturday at L.A.’s Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Chicago Bears football coach Mike Ditka gestures as talk show host Johnny Carson listens during taping of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” in Burbank, Calif., Jan. 20, 1987. Ditka said he would re-evaluate his situation with the Bears at the end of next season. (AP Photo/Mark Avery)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, left, admires a pair of sunglasses worn by talk show host Johnny Carson during taping of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Wednesday night, Dec. 17, 1986, Burbank, Calif. McMahon was in California to have surgery, and gave Carson the sunglasses. McMahon was wearing a brace on his right shoulder to keep his shoulder immobile. (AP Photo/Mark Avery)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Actress Bette Davis is shown on the "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" in 1986 in Burbank, Calif. (AP Photo)
Johnny Carson anniversary
British pop singer Boy George, left, gestures as talk show host Johnny Carson looks on during taping of the NBC Tonight Show in Burbank, California on Friday, Oct. 19, 1984. (AP Photo/Steve Bykes)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Actress Debbie Reynolds on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson being filmed in Burbank, California on May 9, 1973. (AP Photo/Anastasi Giuseppe)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Talk show host Johnny Carson, behind his desk, Doc Severinsen, left, leader of "The Tonight Show Band", and announcer Ed McMahon, center, share some moments together during the final taping of the "Tonight Show" in Burbank, Ca., Friday, May 22, 1992. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Talk show host Johnny Carson says farewell after 30 years of late night television during the final taping of the "Tonight Show" before friends and family in Burbank, Ca., Friday, May 22, 1992. In the background, right, is leader of "The Tonight Show Band" Doc Severinsen and his orchestra. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Talk show host Johnny Carson, right, is showm with the show's announcer Ed McMahon during the final taping of the "Tonight Show" in Burbank, Ca., Friday, May 22, 1992. Carson is retiring after 30 years of hosting the late-night show. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Talk show host David Letterman, left, gestures while talking with Johnny Carson during a taping of the "Tonight Show" at the NBC studio in Burbank, Calif., Aug 30, 1991. Letterman's presence on the "Tonight Show" was his first appearance since Carson announced his retirement next year. Letterman and Jay Leno, who is Carson's regular guest host and was named as his replacement, were in contention for the job. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Richard Pryor holds a chicken while speaking with Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show" at the NBC studio in Burbank, Calif., Oct. 9, 1986. (AP Photo/Tweed)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Singer Paul McCartney gestures as he chats with Johnny Carson during the taping of the "Tonight Show," at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Calif., Oct. 24, 1984. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Johnny Carson, host of the "Tonight Show," sits in his front office under a wall covered with framed magazine covers bearing his picture in Los Angeles, Ca., Sept. 29, 1983. Carson will celebrate his 21st anniversary on the late-night talk show. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Comedian Steve Martin left, festooned with mock jewelry and other ornaments, entertains Tonight show host Johnny Carson during a taping of the show at NBC studios in Burbank Calif., July 19, 1980. Martin, a surprise guest on the show, playfully answered the question, "Has success spoiled Steve Martin?" by showing up in chains, rings and earrings, and throwing fistfulls of "money" at Carson, who was making his first Tonight Show appearance since he underwent surgery on his leg last week. ( AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Lillian Carter, left, U.S. President Jimmy Carter's mother, puts her hands to her face as she laughs during an interview with talk show host Johnny Carson on the "Tonight Show" in Burbank, Ca., June 21, 1979. (AP Photo/Wally Fong)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Talk show host Johnny Carson donates blood during the taping of his late-night show the "Tonight Show," in New York, Jan. 5, 1971. Carson is donating blood to emphasize the shortage in New York City. Assisting him is nurse Doris Haskins. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac
Johnny Carson anniversary
Quarterback Len Dawson, left, and Coach Hank Stramm, center, listen as comedian Johnny Carson makes a point during taping of the NBC-TV ?Tonight Show? Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1970 in New York. The star quarterback and coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, victors in the 1970 Super Bowl game were guests of the show. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Entertainer Johnny Carson reacts after writing a check on the back of model Judy Brown while taping his NBC-TV show the "Tonight Show" in New York City, Aug. 24, 1967. Carson is testing the premise that a check, if otherwise, good can be cashed regardless of the material upon which it is written. The check will be presented for payment at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 28 at the Franklin National Bank in United Nations Plaza. (AP Photo)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Johnny Carson, star of NBC-TV's "Tonight" show, watches world heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali hamming it up for a photographer in New York, Feb. 10, 1967. (AP Photo)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Johnny Carson works on his monologue to open the "Tonight Show" in his office at the NBC-TV studios in New York City, March 22, 1963. (AP Photo)
Johnny Carson anniversary
A misty eyed Johnny Carson, the king of late night, applauds his friends and family in the audience May 22, 1992 at the close of the Tonight Show after 30 years on the air. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
Johnny Carson anniversary
Talk show host Johnny Carson wipes his eye after watching a series of clips from earlier shows during the last taping of the "Tonight Show" in Burbank, Ca., Friday, May 22, 1992. Carson is retiring after 30 years of late-night television. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)