And for Carson’s Supporting Cast, a Void

They write his jokes and answer his mail. They book his guests and flip his cue cards.

On Friday, like the rest of America, the “The Tonight Show” crew will watch Johnny for one last time. The hour will pass, then their lives will change forever.

“It will leave a distinct void,” said executive producer Fred de Cordova. “It’s hard to believe it’s coming to an end.”

De Cordova is among the close-knit Carson entourage leaving Burbank with its leader. Like a change of administrations in Washington, all but six of the 48 full-time “Tonight Show” employees are being forced to give way to a new team that Jay Leno is bringing in with him.

De Cordova plans to begin developing new projects. Sidekick Ed McMahon will start his 10th season of “Star Search”--which will expand to six nights a week come fall--and plans to host a television special about celebrities who own boats. Musical director Doc Severinsen will tour with the band. Others will dive into long-overdue retirement or long-neglected alternative careers. Some don’t know what they’ll be doing.

Everyone goes with sadness.

“My family grew up while I was here,” said Severinsen, who joined the show with Carson in 1962 and took charge of the band in 1967. “We’ve lost people in the band and on the show. It’s difficult to say goodby.”

But for most, a sense of loss is mitigated by a spirit of renewal. There is life after “The Tonight Show.”

“I turn 50 a week after the show is finished,” said Jim McCawley, a producer who specializes in booking comedians. “That’s a real milestone, a good time to start something else. So, when I’m ready to retire, I’ll feel like I went through all the stages.”

Following are the sentiments and plans of seven longtime Carson associates who are moving on (McMahon declined to be interviewed):

Doc Severinsen

Severinsen, 64, will not slow down. For years, he has maintained a manic schedule, flying from “Tonight” to concert appearances across the country. “My machinery is geared to full speed ahead,” he said.

That means keeping his position as principal pops conductor of the Phoenix Symphony and a similar role with the Buffalo Philharmonic. He also plans a national tour in July with the “Tonight” orchestra, and has two concertos in preparation. Studying jazz is another priority.

But Doc will pursue non-musical interests too. “My interests lie in Eastern-type philosophies like meditation,” he said. “I want to find out about myself and what will bring me peace and joy.”

Apparently, learning Italian is on that list.

“My response to anything Italian is very strong,” he said. “No doubt, in a former life, that’s where I was from. I’d like to go around the countryside in Italy and never be at a loss for words.”

He’s certainly never been at a loss for wardrobes. Over the years, Severinsen’s been known for his trousers as much as his trumpet, modeling one outrageous outfit after another. What will America do now for fashion tips?

“I guess they’ll have to check with Mr. Blackwell,” said Severinsen, referring to the clothing expert who compiles a “worst-dressed list” each year.

In these final days, Doc often reflects on what he’ll leave behind.

“I’ll miss being in front of that band every night,” he said, “and I’ll miss the way people feel they know you. You walk into a truck stop at 2 a.m. and people talk to you like you’re an old friend.”

Fred de Cordova

The end makes sense to Fred de Cordova. He is 81.

“The head man says it’s time and he’s been right about everything else,” said de Cordova, who came aboard in 1970. “Like Johnny, it’s time for me to slow down. I’m considerably older than everyone else. I’ll sleep later and play more golf.”

But retirement isn’t on his agenda, either. He had contemplated traveling around the world until the incoming Leno staff asked if he would act as a consultant. He’ll be only a phone call away. De Cordova expects that commitment to last six months.

He also plans other projects, in both television and the movies, where he worked for many years as a director (his best-known film is 1951’s “Bedtime for Bonzo,” starring Ronald Reagan and a chimp). But nothing, he notes with regret, can match the last 22 years.

“The days won’t be filled with as much interest,” said de Cordova, who earlier had produced “The Jack Benny Show” and “Burns and Allen.” “I’ve never not had a job. If Johnny did the show for 11 more years, I’d be here for 11 more years. This is the first time I will have to face that the glory days are over.”

De Cordova worked constantly, even at parties. “I’d see someone I couldn’t reach on the phone and say we were anxious to have him on the show,” he explained. “It was a merry-go-round of activity, and it will be strange to have that gone.”

Above all else, de Cordova will miss the routine.

“I’ll miss what people say is the boring part--when you finish one show and go right into planning the next day’s show,” he said. “For a long time, when it’s 5:30, I’m sure I’ll think of being here.”

* Mike Barrie and Jim Mulholland, monologue writers

Barrie, 46, and Mulholland, 42, look forward to their emancipation from the daily responsibility of condensing complicated news bulletins into witty one-liners. It’s called burnout.

“After a while, you sort of remember the same jokes instead of creating new ones,” said Mulholland, who joined the writing staff in 1970. “It’s amazing how you get cluttered with jokes.”

Before the show moved from New York to Burbank in 1972, compiling jokes was easier.

“Commuting in New York, I had three jokes by the time I got to the office,” Mulholland said. “Here, I’m on the freeway and at work in a few minutes.”

On the other hand, the duo know they will lose their national forum to shape public opinion.

“I know that when the first big funny thing will break, five jokes will pop in my head,” bemoaned Mulholland, “and we’ll only be able to tell each other, but that won’t count.”

There are other casualties, like the automatic prestige they acquire at social gatherings. Strangers bombard them with the same questions: What is Johnny like? What is Ed like? What time do you hand in the jokes?

Plus they’ll need new opening lines.

“At a party, I could tell girls, ‘I write for Johnny Carson,’ ” Mulholland said. “Now what?”

They’ll have to impress the opposite sex with tales of their film-writing credits. They co-authored 1991’s “Oscar,” starring Sylvester Stallone, and are currently adapting a French film into a screenplay.

“It’s the first time we’ll be able to act like real writers,” said Barrie, who joined “Tonight” in 1968.

* Jim McCawley, co-producer

McCawley is ready for school to let out.

“I feel like a kid approaching summer vacation,” he said. “I’ve always believed the next thing would come along.”

This time, McCawley wants to open a comedy club in the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui. He’s got great contacts with some of America’s most well-established comics. Now all he needs is $1.4 million.

“For years, I’ve thought of having a club after ‘The Tonight Show,’ ” said McCawley, who joined the show in 1977. “Last summer, we were in Lahaina and there was nothing to do at night. I thought this was the place.”

McCawley, however, isn’t ready to abandon television. He said he has already made a deal with Universal to produce one of his ideas for a new series. He’s wakes up routinely at 4 a.m., and heads straight to the typewriter.

“In the last year, once the finality of the Carson show registered,” he said, “my brain seemed to go into another gear.”

* Mike Huber, correspondent for Johnny Carson

Huber answers Carson’s mail. He’s been doing it for nine years, which means a lot of stationery.

And a lot of goofballs. Huber said Carson receives about 400 letters a week. Many are filled with praise, and many are not.

“It’ll be a relief to get away,” said Huber, 36. “One man sends Johnny his toenail clippings. Another writes ‘Dear Dad,’ and sends $5 every month for rent. Some letters come from Satan or God. One guy wrote, ‘Dear John, you talked to me through the television set. Stop or I’ll sue you.’ After a while, you wonder if there’s anyone sane out there.”

Or if there’s any work out there. The job has insulated Huber from the brutal Hollywood marketplace. Unlike the high-level personnel on the show, Huber hasn’t accumulated the contacts and credentials to guarantee automatic advancement in the industry.

“When I called someone and said I was Mike Huber from ‘The Tonight Show,’ it was a lot easier,” he said. “Now I won’t get through. I’ll be another out-of-work actor working at Denny’s.”

Huber, who has performed in skits on “Tonight,” hopes to land a career as a morning radio show host. He has been rejected in Cleveland already. Another tape was sent to Phoenix.

“I’m definitely getting scared,” said Huber, who is single. “I need $800 of dental work and my car insurance comes up in June. The recession never struck me till now. Now I know what these people feel like.”

* Kevin Quinn, stage manager

Quinn, 37, faces similar uncertainty. Fifteen years of dependable service on one of television’s marquee shows is a nice thing to put on the resume, but it doesn’t offer a free ticket in the job market.

Quinn wants to direct. Who doesn’t?

“Yes, I’m worried,” said Quinn, whose father, Bobby, has directed “The Tonight Show” for the last 25 years. “Who wouldn’t be after 15 years in one place?”

Quinn thought he had a job with Leno’s staff. But two months ago, he said, they changed their mind. “I was shocked,” he said. “I guess it was because I was from the old regime.”

While searching for work, Quinn plans to become an entrepreneur. His wife recently started a new business, Evan’s World, which makes T-shirts featuring original cartoon characters. The shirts are currently selling in an Agoura store. Quinn will help with promotion.

“Everyone has to have a sideline business in this town,” he said.