Known as the entertainer who redefined late-night television and American culture, Johnny Carson takes center stage in "Carson the Magnificent." In 2002, Bill Zehme landed a coveted assignment — the only interview Carson granted since retiring from "The Tonight Show" a decade earlier. It was through the intimate insights into Carson's career and personal life that Zehme embarked on a journey to write the biography "Carson the Magnificent," but when Zehme died, his mentee Mike Thomas decided to
finish the job.
Now Thomas paints a picture of Carson beyond the broad strokes of his TV career, adding color to his personal life and how he affected the comedy community in general. Thomas is a Chicago-based author and journalist whose work blends reporting with
a passion for comedy and culture. A longtime staff writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, Thomas has interviewed some of the most iconic figures in comedy, including Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Phyllis Diller, and Jon Stewart, many with ties to the legendary
Second City.
He will be joined by Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center in nearby Jamestown, New York, the nation's official cultural institution dedicated to comedy, where she has led the creation of a groundbreaking, technology-driven museum inspired by Lucille Ball's vision for Jamestown.
Recognized as one of Blooloop's Top 50 Museum Influencers, an "Innovator Who Changed Comedy" by The Interrobang, and the 2024 "Outstanding Tourism Executive of the Year," Gunderson has guided the center to national acclaim, including recognition by USA Today, Time, and People magazines. Gunderson also directs the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, preserving and celebrating the legacies of these iconic entertainers.
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