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Mark Malkoff on Johnny Carson, Robert Smigel, and Inside Late Night episode artwork

Jan 15, 2026 38 min

Mark Malkoff on Johnny Carson, Robert Smigel, and Inside Late Night

from Life In Comedy

Mark Malkoff is a comedian, writer, and podcaster. As a teenager growing up in Hershey, PA, Mark would regularly make the drive into New York City, where he would attend tapings of Late Night with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He befriended SNL cast members, and developed close relationships with people like Robert Smigel. Mark is also a life-long fan of Johnny Carson, and as host of the The Carson Podcast conducted close to 400 interviews with luminaries such as Carl Reiner, Dick Cavett, and Carol Burnett. Mark's recent book, Love Johnny Carson was named a Vulture Best Comedy Book of 2025. Mark stopped by the studio to talk to Will about his new book, and what makes his Carson biography different from previous books about the late night legend. They also discuss the early days of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, the heartbreaking story of Johnny Carson's falling out with Joan Rivers, and Mark's new podcast Inside Late Night from Latenighter.com. Recorded at Jett Road Studios ------------------------ LIFE IN COMEDY Instagram JETT ROAD STUDIOS Website Instagram YouTube MARK MALKOFF Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend Inside Late Night

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Mark Malkoff on Johnny Carson, Robert Smigel, and Inside Late Night

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