This episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was full of humor and spontaneity, thanks to the hilarious trio of Don Rickles, Glen Campbell, and Dom DeLuise. From the moment Rickles walked onto the stage, his signature high-energy personality set the tone for the evening. Seated beside country music legend Glen Campbell, Rickles wasted no time engaging in playful banter with both Johnny Carson and Glen.
As Don and Johnny exchanged their usual sharp remarks, Rickles turned to Glen, exclaiming with mock astonishment, “He is quite the country boy!” Rickles then launched into a humorous tirade, suggesting that while Glen appeared sweet and polite on stage, backstage he was apparently kicking up his heels and whistling at people. The audience roared with laughter at the juxtaposition.
When the topic turned to their personal lives, Rickles and Campbell talked about their happy marriages. Johnny, ever the expert in turning a casual conversation into comedy, quipped, “Well, if you’re as successful at marriage as you are at television shows, you’ve got a lot coming up, don’t you?” Rickles, quick with a comeback, retorted with a laugh, “Call it jamming it to the big guy!”
The friendly ribbing continued as Glen remarked that Don might have been miscast in his career and could be funnier in other roles. The audience enjoyed the teasing until Rickles broke the moment with his iconic delivery, shouting, “Shut up!” He followed this up with a jab at himself, saying, “I’m sitting here like I’m in a glass booth, and you’re two Israelis voting on me!” Johnny, trying to keep the mood light, chimed in, and Rickles replied humorously, “Please do not vote for me! I’m doing fine.”
The laughter was unstoppable, especially when Rickles asked Glen where he grew up. Glen’s answer, “Delight, Arkansas,” left Rickles momentarily puzzled. Then, with impeccable comedic timing, Rickles quipped, “Oh, I know it! My uncle used to pick up manure down there!” The unexpected punchline brought the house down.
When Dom DeLuise joined the stage, the energy shifted into overdrive. Known for his quick wit and lively presence, Dom immediately began cracking jokes. Johnny asked him about his upcoming TV show, and Dom’s response was both self-deprecating and hilarious. “I wouldn’t take the risk because I already took one with Don Rickles,” he said. Glen chimed in, adding, “You’ll always take a chance when you come out with him, that I will tell you.” Rickles, never one to let a joke pass, countered, “What’s wrong with you tonight? I’ve never seen you like this before. Drink your milk and retire.”
Dom then went on to describe his TV show, claiming with a straight face that it was about bathrooms and how people use them. The absurdity of the statement, combined with the comedic chemistry among the trio, made it impossible for anyone to stop laughing.
With Rickles’ sharp wit, Campbell’s country charm, and DeLuise’s infectious humor, this episode of The Tonight Show was nothing short of a comedic masterpiece. Their playful dynamic, combined with Johnny Carson’s knack for keeping the energy flowing, created a night of pure entertainment that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of late-night television in its golden era.