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Johnny Carson... warts and all

by Allison Waldman, posted Nov 3rd 2008 10:25AM
The great CarnackIf you believe in such things, Johnny Carson is likely spinning in his grave right now. The great star of The Tonight Show is about to be revealed, the good, the bad and especially the ugly and unsavory, in a memoir.

Johnny Carson's attorney Henry Bushkin is writing a book about the star, spilling all the secrets that he kept confidential while Johnny was alive, and it's all legal. Bushkin is looking for one more way to cash in on his client, one he soaked plenty when Johnny was alive.

Carson is a beloved TV icon, maybe the most beloved after Lucille Ball, but nobody believes that the affable, funny man who came into our bedrooms every night was a sweetheart. He was known to hold a grudge, to be snippy and cranky on occasion, and to have a temper.

According to Bushkin, Carson was a sad, miserable man who was never happy even with all his great success. He sheds light on Johnny's nasty divorces, talking about how Johnny was unfaithful and mean. Bushkin even suggests that all of Johnny's cruelty was because he had had a "toxic sort of mother."

This all sounds very juicy, but very, very sad. Kind of like that Albert Goldman biography of Elvis Presley that came out after his death that was filled with images of the King that were far from flattering.

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PB

Lucy is still number one in my book.

She never got drunk and slapped Desi and the kids around.

November 03 2008 at 6:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rocketboy_X

Dear Henry Bushkin,

And your book means What to me?

Oh yes, nothing.

Good day sir.

November 03 2008 at 12:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jim

"According to Bushkin, Carson was a sad, miserable man who was never happy even with all his great success."

Sounds like David Letterman!

November 03 2008 at 12:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David

On the one hand, I hate how celebs like Carson are deified as if they're above scrutiny and criticism simply because of their "greatness." On the other hand, as an attorney, I'm a little offended by the idea of selling books about secrets one learns from his client in complete confidence.

November 03 2008 at 12:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Peanut

I'd put Johnny ahead of Lucy on the belovedness scale.

November 03 2008 at 12:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joyce N.

Bushkin ought to be ashamed of himself. A vulture out to make more millions than he probably got off Johnny when he was still with us. Who cares what his private life was like? Johnny Carson brought tears of laughter many times to these eyes with his and his guests humorous chatter. I still miss him because he was the best. Watch out, Bushkin, karma can be a bitch!

November 03 2008 at 11:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cincinnati Mike

Bushkin sounds like a scumbag, but what do you mean by "looking for one more way to cash in on his client, one he soaked plenty when Johnny was alive." ?

November 03 2008 at 10:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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