Howard Smith, author of My Friend Johnny
Original Airdates: Oct. 3-6, 2025
TVC 708.6: Ed welcomes Howard Smith, a retired tech mogul who not only found himself living four doors down the street from Johnny Carson in 1985, but became tennis buddies and, later, best friends with the legendary King of Late Night for the next twenty years. Howard shares many stories of the Johnny Carson he knew—a funny, kind, generous, modest, shy, yet deeply complex man that he knew simply as John—in My Friend Johnny: The Last 20 Years of a Beautiful Life with Johnny Carson and Friends, which you can find right now at MyFriendJohnny.com. Calendar year 2025 marks not only the twentieth anniversary of Carson’s passing, but also Johnny’s centennial birthday.
Howard Smith, author of My Friend Johnny
Johnny Carson and the 5 Traits of a Beautiful Life
Original Airdates: Oct. 3-6, 2025
TVC 708.7: Howard Smith talks to Ed about the five characteristics that Johnny Carson, Sidney Poitier, Clint Eastwood, Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, and many other successful people from business, sports, politics, and entertainment have all embodied throughout their life and career.
Howard’s new book, My Friend Johnny: The Last 20 Years of a Beautiful Life with Johnny Carson and Friends, is now available at MyFriendJohnny.com
Howard Smith, Fran Tarkenton, and Gerald Ford
Original Airdates: Oct. 10-13, 2025
TVC 709.3: Part 2 of the conversation that began last week with Howard Smith, author of My Friend Johnny, a memoir of Howard’s twenty-year friendship with Johnny Carson, which began in 1985 when Howard found himself living four doors down the street from Carson in Malibu, and which continued until the end of Carson’s life. Topics this segment include a look at some of the other celebrities from business, sports, politics, and entertainment that Howard came to know during his career as a tech mogul, including NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton and President Gerald Ford. My Friend Johnny is available at MyFriendJohnny.com. Calendar year 2025 marks not only the twentieth anniversary of Carson’s passing, but the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The Last Supper of Johnny Carson
Original Airdates: Oct. 10-13, 2025
TVC 709.4: Howard Smith shares a poignant memory of the last time he and his wife had dinner with Johnny Carson, just before a few days before Carson’s death in January 2005. Also in this segment: Howard shares a few memories of actor Lloyd Haynes. Howard first met Haynes a few years before Haynes became a star on Room 222 (ABC, 1969-1974), and their friendship continued until Haynes’ death in December 1986. Howard’s new book, My Friend Johnny, is now available at MyFriendJohnny.com.
