Ep 71. Rich Little (guest host), Vincent Price, Sandy Duncan, Jack Klugman

This episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson features Rich Little as guest host, taking over the reins from Johnny for the evening. Little, a renowned impressionist, kicks off the show with a series of spot-on impressions of celebrities such as Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and John Wayne. He also chats with Carson about the challenges and joys of impersonating famous people, particularly in the current political climate.

Next up is legendary horror actor Vincent Price, who discusses his long and varied career in Hollywood. He shares stories from his experiences on classic films like House of Wax and The Tingler, and talks about his love of cooking and his cookbook, A Treasury of Great Recipes. Little joins in on the conversation, doing his best impression of Price and making the actor laugh with his antics.

The third guest of the night is Sandy Duncan, known for her work on Broadway and TV shows like The Hogan Family. She talks with Little about her early days in show business and her current projects, including an upcoming TV movie. Little, of course, impersonates Duncan several times throughout their lively conversation.

Rounding out the guest list is actor Jack Klugman, who talks about his iconic roles on The Odd Couple and Quincy, M.E. He also discusses his work on broadway and the challenges of playing real-life characters like Joe Paterno. Little shares some of his own impressions of Klugman's characters, and the two bond over their mutual admiration for each other's work.

Throughout the episode, Little keeps the audience entertained with a variety of impersonations and comedic bits. He even does a spot-on impression of Johnny Carson himself, eliciting a huge round of applause from the crowd. As always, the show features some hilarious and memorable comedy segments, including a game of "Stump the Band" and a hilarious skit featuring Little as the overly affectionate host of a morning talk show.

Overall, this episode of The Tonight Show is a must-watch for fans of classic TV, impression comedy, and Hollywood history. Rich Little proves to be the perfect guest host, bringing his signature wit and charm to the proceedings and keeping the audience laughing throughout the night. Meanwhile, the guests offer fascinating insights into their careers and personal lives, making for a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable episode.