Johnny Carson’s nephew reveals what late host would think of ‘Tonight Show’ now — and why he refused to take a helicopter to work
NY Post
Johnny Carson was America’s ultimate late-night host.
The comedian’s most beloved gig was hosting “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” for 30 seasons from 1962 until his retirement in 1992.
His nephew, Jeff Sotzing, worked alongside his uncle, starting off as a receptionist in 1977, before becoming a producer on the show by ’92.
“I think he’d be flattered,” the television producer exclusively told The Post of how the late star would think of the current “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
“It has so many elements that the ‘Tonight Show’ that I worked on did not have because of the technology. It is this analog, so you can’t roll tape into the show. … It’s this very fast-paced [show]. I think he’d be fine with it. I think he’d be proud of it, actually. It’s a good franchise.”
Sotzing also touched on the biggest challenge he and Carson faced while producing the show.
