Johnny Carson in the 1970’s (Historical Context)

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Johnny Carson is one of the most renowned performance artists of recent time, being one of the

most recognized icons in the United States through his night talk show, The Tonight Show with Johnny

Carson. His fame was already present in the late 1960’s, but his peak of influence was during the early

to mid 1970’s. This period of time was host to a lot of turmoil and change in the culture and views of the

United States, which is reflected in Carson’s comedy. To understand the Carson’s comedy, one must

reflect on the United States at this period of time.

One of the most important events of the 70’s is the end of the Vietnam War. Carson was an

opponent to the United States’ participation in the war, but didn’t vocally share his stance due to the

want of not upsetting any part of his viewer demographic.

The sociopolitical atmosphere of the United States reflected the current generation of

counterculture forces that sprung up out of the ideas and grounds left by the 1960’s hippie era.

Unfortunately, a lot of the “love” counterculture was forgotten and soon escalated into violence.

Antiwar

protests were appearing, especially among college aged individuals and led to conflicts

between government forces and students, such as the infamous Kent State Shootings, where four

student protesters were killed and another nine were shot by National Guard troops. Antiestablishment

forces like the Weather Underground took to bombing of many places, including governmental offices

and colleges.

The 1970’s were also host to various political upheavals. Richard Nixon because president,

reflecting a very republican attitude in the voting demographic, contrasting from the countercultural

movements very much alive in the period of time. N...

... middle of paper ...

...e 1960s." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Mar. 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. .

"Johnny Carson." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2014. .

"Johnny Carson." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Oct. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2014. .

Leamer, Laurence. King of the night: the life of Johnny Carson. New York: William Morrow and Co., 1989. Print.

"The Tonight Show." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Feb. 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. .

Tynan, Kenneth. "Fifteen Years of the Salto Mortale." The New Yorker 20 Feb. 1978: n. pag. The New Yorker - Archive. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

"United States: America's nightcap; Johnny Carson." The Economist 374.8411 (2005): 43-32. ProQuest. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

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