Click here to visit the new home of AOLTV!

Hot on HuffPost TV:

See More Stories
EDITION: U.S.
CA Canada US United States UK United Kingdom
Powered by i.TV
May 21, 2013
TV's Best Video Clips - Updated Daily

David Letterman Receives the Johnny Carson Award on 'The Comedy Awards' (VIDEO)

by Jason Hughes, posted Apr 11th 2011 2:04AM

Bill Murray & David Letterman, 'The Comedy Awards'In a moment that must have been poignant for him, David Letterman became the first recipient of the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence at 'The Comedy Awards' (Sun., 9PM ET on Comedy Central). That he would take home an award named for his idol, and get to do it in front of the very curtain Johnny Carson used on 'The Tonight Show' made it even more special.

But Bill Murray, who presented the award, wouldn't hand over the statue. "Yeah, that's fine. Screw around with it and bust it," he told Murray.

"Everybody knew that if you were in comedy ... the goal was to be on the Johnny Carson show," Letterman said. "I was lucky enough, I actually got to host 'The Tonight Show.' I didn't host it as long as I had hoped."

"Honest to god, I owe the man everything," Letterman admitted. "I just don't think that we'll see the likes of him again."

The award was based on the comedian who "has made an extraordinary contribution to the art of comedy, whose impact and innovations have changed the comedy landscape and inspired future generations of entertainers."

Certainly Letterman added a sense of hip, cool and quirky to late night that had not been there before. And with his defection to CBS, he opened up the late-night landscape to more than just NBC. Without that move, we might not have all this competition today.

Do you think Letterman was a deserving recipient?

Did you know Letterman began his career as a weatherman? Watch A&E Biography on David Letterman here:

Link Squad

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

500 Comments

Filter by:
shrinkdad01

Are you kidding me - come on - I come to this website thinking I'm going to see video of David Letterman receiving the Johnny Carson Award, and you don't even have it. WTF?? How about having the video that you advertise at the top of your page actually be the first video that is available when you click 'Play.'

December 14 2012 at 7:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
peacebwithu1

What wonderful news. At least something in late night is fair and good. David deserved that award for his work as a comedian (the award was not about anything else, like his love life) and Johnny adored him like a son. When Jay got the JC "gig", Carson was not happy. When Carson was dying, he gave David some of his own jokes to share on the air. They had many caring moments thoughout the years once Dave got over the shock of what happened. The fact that Leno got that show was a result of Leno doing PR with the network execs while Dave thought he earned his place and it was kind of a given between Johnny and him. Letterman is also a sensitive soul underneath his comic personality and I imagine it was very touching to him, just makes me smile. Johnny would be giving an ovation from his grave (rest in peace, JC, who was one of a kind). Leno is a snake who doesn't care who he hurts. Missing a sensitivity chip, as JA would say.
Congrats to Dave!!!!

April 17 2011 at 4:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
joyful6666

David Letterman should not have gotten the award. This is just my opinion but his show bores me. I have not liked him since he ran around on his wife.

April 14 2011 at 11:46 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
T

Nobody will ever be Johhny Carson, that's just a given & seeing the curtains again was great. Also, Dave was like Johhny's son (this is documented & can be Googled, read, or seen on YouTube) to Johnny. However, Dave would never think that, because to him, Johhny Carson was everything that nobody else could be; his respect & love for him is undeniable. Congratulations David Letterman, you deserve this award.

April 14 2011 at 10:34 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
jasonfine76

All you republicans can eat a **** sandwich.

April 13 2011 at 9:36 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
dc walker

Johnny Carson turned over in his grave.

April 13 2011 at 1:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
iiimarlin

im not a big fan of his but i would watch him before i watch that lieing sob leno. he was going to retire and pass the tradition to conan like its been done since steve allen but no, he couldnt man up and do the right thing.

April 12 2011 at 3:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joe Booth

HE DOES NOT DESERVE THIS AWARD NOT EVEN CLOST TO JOHNY CARSON!

April 12 2011 at 3:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
toothis

Carson would never make a rape joke about a minor, like Letterman did.

April 12 2011 at 12:51 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
rp5599

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FILTHY MOUTH MAN GOT AN AWARD OF ANYKIND!!!

April 12 2011 at 10:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

Follow Us

From Our Partners