Author Mark Malkoff (Love Johnny Carson): "Johnny Was a Comfort"

In this episode, Dennis is joined by author Mark Malkoff to talk about his book Love Johnny Carson about the iconic Tonight Show host and what made him an American institution. Mark talks about how he first became obsessed with Carson as a kid, conducting 400 interviews for his book, celebrities whose careers were made by Carson like Bette Midler, David Letterman and The Potato Chip Lady and what Carson was like off-camera. He also talks about Carson's career before the Tonight Show, his problems with drinking, his progressive attitudes around race and homosexuality and why Dana Carvey's SNL impression of him really got under his skin and contributed to his decision to retirn. Other topics include: a blow-by-blow breakdown of Johnny's rift with Joan Rivers, the power of asking, the emotions that came up during his 400-plus interviews, Johnny's tennis temper and what Johnny Carson meant to America.