Duration: 0:59

Views: 2827

By: fuzzymemories

Description: In commemoration of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, here are the opening moments of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson where the 1981 Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana was the main theme. Includes:

Excerpt of promo slide for upcoming outdoor "Shakespeare in the Park" presentation of "The Taming of the Shrew" at the Geneva Summer Theatre Festival, Thursday-Sunday through August 2nd (voiceover by Ed Grennan)

Opening of The Tonight Show, with guests Johnny Mathis and Robert Klein (voiceover by Ed McMahon)

Johnny comes out and does the usual greetings to Ed and bandleader Tommy Newsom. Then he makes references to the royal wedding through the course of his opening monologue (one example: "Too bad they had to spoil it and get married"), weaving in plugs for TV Guide; Tom Brokaw, Jane Pauley and the Today show; British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; and Benny Hill.

Other topics in Johnny's monologue include his pointers for off-the-wall tourist attractions in Southern California, and promising an appearance by House Speaker Tip O'Neill singing "The Party's Over."

Commercial: Kellogg's Special K - "Try the Special K Pinch"

Commercial: Glidden Paints - "Big Savings During Our Biggest Sale Ever"

Commercial: Jerold's Bridal Salon - Ultimate Bridal Sale (Sale ends Saturday, August 1st)

Commercial: American National Bank - "The Bank for Business"

"More to Come" bumper with drawing of Hollywood sign

Johnny at his desk, returning to the show and discussing the royal wedding with Ed. He explains Prince Charles' titles and the protocols for now-Princess Diana, leading in to royal wedding-themed ad tie-ins and the media coverage of the wedding, and reading some gag items about what was not covered there (from The Tonight Show's "special correspondent," "Sir Eaton Crumpet") (tape cuts out in middle of his reading :-( )

This aired on local Chicago TV on Wednesday, July 29th 1981 during the 10:30 to 10:45pm timeframe.