The Tonight Show Jokes and Sketches Collection
Finding aid created by Writers Guild Foundation Archive staff using RecordEXPRESS
Writers Guild Foundation Archive
2021
7000 West Third Street
Los Angeles, California 90048
(323) 782-4680
hswett@wgfoundation.org
https://www.wgfoundation.org/archive/
Title: The Tonight Show Jokes and Sketches Collection
Dates: 1958-1990
Collection Number: WGF-MS-111
Creator/Collector:
Carson, Johnny, 1925-2005.
Extent: 2.5 linear feet (two boxes)
Repository:
Writers Guild Foundation Archive
Los Angeles, California 90048
Abstract: The Tonight Show Jokes and Sketches Collection consists of material written for the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Monologue
jokes and sketches were written by various writers and span 1958-1990 [bulk 1963-1966, 1980s].
Language of Material: English
Open for research. Available by appointment only.
The responsibility to secure copyright and publication permission rests with the researcher.
The Tonight Show Jokes and Sketches Collection. Writers Guild Foundation Archive
Donated by Jeff Sotzing 8/21/2019.
Biography/Administrative History
This collection was donated from the personal papers of Johnny Carson's estate.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Tonight Show Jokes and Sketches Collection consists of material written for the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Monologue
jokes and sketches were written by various writers and span 1958-1990 [bulk 1963-1966, 1980s]. In the course of creating a
show, writers submitted typed jokes for review and some were selected for the taping of the show. Writers represented include
Larry Klein & Hal Goodman, Ed. Weinberger, Pat McCormick, Michael Barrie & Jim Mulholland, Raymond Siller, Kevin Mulholland
and Bob Keane. Many pages are undated, by unknown contributors. Scattered throughout the collection are a few notes and markings
from Carson about what jokes will be told during the broadcast and in what order. Some recurring sketches and characters appear
in the collection, such as Carnac the Magnificent, Floyd Turbo and Tea Time Movie with Art Fern. A few pages of jokes and
sketches originated from May 1958 when Carson guest hosted the Tonight Show for Jack Paar. Finally, the collection contains
a few “submission packets” from writers hoping to get hired on the show.
Television scripts.
Tonight show (Television program)
Television comedy writers