Ep 31. Muhammad Ali, Kreskin, Rodney Dangerfield

In the tenth season of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, episode 31 features three legendary guests: Muhammad Ali, Kreskin, and Rodney Dangerfield. This episode, which originally aired on October 13th, 1971, showcases Carson's ability to seamlessly blend comedy and serious discussions with his guests.

The episode begins with Carson's monologue, where he jokes about current events and pop culture. He then introduces his first guest, Muhammad Ali, who at the time was the reigning heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Carson and Ali discuss Ali's upcoming fight with Jerry Quarry, as well as his previous fights against Sonny Liston and Joe Frazier. The two also touch on Ali's role in politics and his conversion to Islam. Ali's natural charisma and humor shine through in this segment, making it an entertaining and insightful discussion.

Next up is Kreskin, a famed mentalist and performer. Kreskin wows Carson and the audience with his mind-reading skills, correctly guessing a random word that Carson had secretly chosen earlier in the day. He also performs a few other tricks, including predicting the outcome of a coin flip and reading Carson's thoughts. Throughout the interview, Carson and Kreskin share a playful banter that showcases their chemistry as performers.

The episode concludes with a segment featuring comedian Rodney Dangerfield. Dangerfield, who was known for his self-deprecating humor and catchphrase "I don't get no respect," delivers a hilarious stand-up routine that has the audience laughing hysterically. He then sits down with Carson to discuss his career in comedy and his experience performing at gay clubs. Dangerfield's dry wit and quick delivery make this segment a standout.

Overall, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson season 10 episode 31 is an entertaining and insightful episode that features three iconic guests. Carson's ability to seamlessly switch between serious discussions and lighthearted banter with his guests is on full display here. Whether you're a fan of Ali's boxing career, Kreskin's mind-reading abilities, or Dangerfield's comedy, there is something in this episode for everyone.