Remembering Johnny Carson

Re Johnny Carson obituary, Jan. 24: He listened, he admired, he sat in awe watching the parade of guests that he welcomed to his late-night show every night. He made them feel welcomed and comfortable as though they were guests in his own home. Carson was a gentleman and didn’t find it necessary to ridicule, embarrass or tear down anyone. He was the master at his craft, and it really was entertainment of the highest quality. Thanks for the laughs.

Frances Terrell Lippman

Los Angeles

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Carson was the consummate interviewer. Anyone striving to interview other human beings for a living in any profession would do well to emulate him.

Carson’s natural intimacy, warmth and sincere interest in and affection for his guests -- and his ability to mock himself -- were legendary. He found inspiration for the cause and heart of humor in my paternal grandfather, W.C. Fields.

Carson was always gracious, interested, humble and clearly delighted in the being of others. He learned with the times, and dropped some of the sexist routines and puns in later decades. What a simple and profound presence he communicated. He will be missed, but not his timeless lessons to be learned for humane public discourse.

Harriet A. Fields

Washington

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Carson once said, “My epitaph should read, ‘I’ll be right back.’ ” That would have been great. Although, going out a winner was what mattered most to this natural comic genius, whose greatest gift was honesty.

He made his life’s work showing guests, human and animal, the way they were. What could be funnier than that? Nobody was better at presenting this truth than Johnny Carson.

Bob Ginn

Arcadia

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Throughout history, man has had storytellers, magicians, musicians, jugglers, singers, dancers, actors -- folks who entertained. Carson was, if not all of these things, someone who was in the unique and extraordinary position of bringing them to us. He said he enjoyed every minute of it -- so did we all.

Bernice Fong

Sherman Oaks

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To me, Carson will best be remembered not with lengthy tributes and memorials -- although he is certainly deserving, given his talent and influence -- but in the shorthand way we the viewing public referred to him: “So what’d you do last night?” “Watched Johnny.” “What do you want to do Friday night?” “Let’s stay in and see who’s on Johnny?” “Did you see Johnny?” Yes. We did.

Phyllis Johnson

Santa Monica