Hello there, fellow late-night TV fan! What a time to be alive, don’t you think? Let’s go back in time to a great Johnny Carson moment: Robin Williams’ wonderfully funny debut performance on The Tonight Show in 1981. Grab some food and a comfortable seat, and let’s get started.
The year is 1981, and Ronald Reagan has just taken office as the 40th President of the United States. You walk into the grocery store and buy a gallon of milk for $1.69. In the same year, the average price of a new home was roughly $78,200, while a brand-new car cost around $8,300. Meanwhile, movie tickets were $2.78, and your mortgage payment was most likely around $244.
On the radio, you’d hear Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes” and Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical.” Dallas, MAS*H, and Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show were among the most popular TV shows. Remember the classic film Raiders of the Lost Ark? It kept us all on the edge of our seats!
Imagine yourself relaxing in front of the television, anticipating another episode of Johnny Carson. You remember those nights, don’t you? That wonderful sense of anticipation as you pondered who the next visitor may be. You’d be in for a big treat on this particular night because the first-time visitor was none other than the amazing Robin Williams, who was just beginning his fourth season as Mork in Mork & Mindy.
Imagine the tense tension Williams must have felt as he stepped onto that hallowed stage. And boy, did he ever give! He had the audience – and Johnny himself – in stitches from the time he walked out, in his distinct flair. From making fun of his own dyslexia to riffing on institutional life and mimicking a salmon, Williams had everyone in stitches.
Remember how we all knew we were witnessing the birth of a comedy legend? Even back then, it was clear that Robin Williams was one of a kind. His first appearance on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show was a moment that would live on in television history.
So, why not relive that unforgettable night right here on MadlyOdd? Because it’s a chance to remember the good old days, and who doesn’t love a hearty laugh? Give the video a watch, and remember to like and share it with friends who could use a blast from the past too!