THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON: THE VAULT SERIES

Johnny Carson defined late-night television.  For over 30 years, America watched together, laughed together, and sang together on the couch with the Original King of Late Night.  Now, this fall, home audiences will be able to enjoy the very best of late night, any night, with THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON: THE VAULT SERIES.  The singular collections, new to retail and available in multiple configurations, feature Johnny and the inimitable Tonight Show crew in full episodes fresh from Carson's vaults - including commercials! 

Available on October 4, THE VAULT SERIES gives viewers the opportunity to relive the incomparable magic of a night with Johnny, Ed and Doc.  These collections feature some of the best and most requested episodes from over 30 years and 4,000 shows -- including material not seen by the public since the original broadcasts!  Among the many highlights are the 10th and 11th anniversary shows and Johnny's birthday episodes, a week of shows from March 1976, visits from Carnac the Magnificent and the Mighty Carson Art Players, and Johnny singing Rhinestone Cowboy astride a donkey.  Carson is also at his best bantering with famous friends including Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Richard Pryor, Muhammad Ali, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Sean Connery, John Denver, Peter Fonda, Charlton Heston, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Paul McCartney, Burt Reynolds, Don Rickles, Orson Welles, and many others.  Hours of highly-entertaining bonus features are also included on the multi-disc sets, and feature bonus monologues, in-depth interviews, and additional clips with Lucille Ball, James Brown, Rodney Dangerfield, David Letterman, Joan Embery and her wild animals, the beloved Aunt Blabby, and a Hollywood stuntwoman demonstration. 

THE VAULT SERIES retail DVD configurations includes a single disc release (2 shows; $14.95srp), a 3-disc collector's set (6 shows + nearly an hour of bonus features; $39.95srp), a 6-disc collector's set (12 shows + two hours of exclusive extras; $59.95srp) and a 12-disc deluxe edition collector's  set (24 shows + over 4 hours of exclusive extras; $99.95srp).  Additionally, prior to the general release of THE VAULT SERIES, on September 13, Costco will debut an exclusive 6-disc set featuring 12 complete shows and over 2 hours of bonus features. 

For over 30 incredible years, Carson paved the way for a late night TV revolution that will never be equaled.  And THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON: THE VAULT SERIES will give Carson fans, TV historians and late night aficionados alike the chance to once again watch an amazing talent and true American icon at the height of his powers.

My Thoughts

One of my earliest memories is of my grandparents watching Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. I used to sneak downstairs and watch from the stairway when I was supposed to be sleeping. When I saw they were releasing the show on DVD, I knew I had to grab one because it brings back so many memories. 

This DVD includes 12 of the shows from 1972-1974, which was actually before I was born, so I don't think I've seen these particular episodes before. One of the guests is Vincent Price, who is one my favorite classic actors.  Some of the other guests include David Brenner, Stockard Channing, Rodney Dangefield, Richard Pryor, and many more. So many of these stars have passed away, and it was wonderful seeing them again on the small screen. 

Another fun aspect of this DVD set is that it includes the commercials that originally aired with the show. While today I tend to fast-forward through commercials,  seeing these commercials from the 70s was a lot of fun and a real throwback. 

If you're looking for a blast from the past, this DVD set is the perfect choice. I watched it with my mom, and it was like taking a step back in time. Any fan of Johnny Carson is going to want this set in their collection. The Time Life TONIGHT SHOW sets are available nationally at outlets such as Costco, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart and For Your Entertainment.