A buddy told me about the long and outrageous series of Burt appearing on Johnny. My parents didn’t watch Carson when I was growing up, and honestly I don’t know the Reynolds filmography (such as it is) that well either.  No matter. These clips are pretty astounding: Off the wall, nearly obscene, and just beautiful top to bottom. If late night TV were like this today, I’d buy a set.

My jaw dropped open several times watching this 1974 clip.

In 1978, they begin with a long palaver about a party at Burt’s house where Ed McMahon was invited and Johnny wasn’t. There’s a boffo finish.

Later that same year, Steve Martin filled in for Carson and got Burt to go for broke.