Ed McMahon (1923–2009)

Ed McMahon was a Marine Col. who flew combat missions in WWII & Korea. Carson was a Navy officer. Together they formed one of the strongest teams in television history. This book is rightly criticized for its stale jokes but McMahon was there with Carson the whole way into TV late night as it was perfected into the current art-form used by everyone. Bob Hope invented the monologue but Carson perfected it into the first stage before personal interviewing and stage comedy/music performance. An show more interesting book once you get past McMahan's need to be funny on almost every page. I'm happy a Marine wrote a book. We need more of that to go on. This book is almost too reverential to Carson but that is understandable. Carson began his retirement as an entertainment giant having gone from Nebraska to NYC and then finally to LA where he made fun of people from Burbank, CA for a living. Besides Billy Crystal and Bob Hope, probably the most easy to watch host of the Academy Awards. Too much guy humor, but if you're a Carson fan, this book is still worthwhile to read. show less

Technically not a beach read, but I got through it in about the time it would have taken to watch a couple Tonight Show episodes. It does carry Ed McMahon's voice, even if I didn't stop midway through for a cold Budweiser.

Here’s Johnny written by Ed McMahon is a testament to the long history the two men shared. I found the book to be fun to read, informative and especially heartfelt. I miss both Johnny and Ed and will always remember the Tonight Show as television at its very best!

I adored Johnny Carson and looked forward to this book with much anticipation. I was very disappointed. There isn't much of a story. McMahon skips around, relating one-liners but tells virtually nothing about Carson that wasn't already publically known.

Ed McMahon should stick with being a pitchman and a second banana and leave writing to people who actually have talent.