SNL and Johnny Carson
In the 1970s, the charismatic Johnny Carson, a decorated World War II veteran, reigned supreme as an American icon. His conversational style on his award-winning TV show was a magnet, drawing millions of viewers into their television sets. With effortless charm and wit, Carson transformed late-night television into a captivating spectacle, making every night a star-studded affair.
In the golden era of television, from 1965 to 1975, NBC would delight weekend viewers with reruns of Carson’s most memorable interviews. However, the star requested these shows be aired during weekdays, granting him some well-deserved downtime. This sparked a creative challenge for Dick Ebersol, who was then inspired to concoct an innovative program to fill the void on Saturday nights.