Johnny Carson’s bound final draft typescript for the 24th Annual Emmy Awards held at the Hollywood Palladium on Sunday, May 14, 1972, 9.25 x 11.5, approximately 125 pages. As the show’s lone host, Carson was given control of how the content of the show would be handled, and has thus made copious annotations and emendations throughout the script in blue felt tip, adding underlines and strikethroughs, while also expanding on ideas to his opening monologue, numerous presenter introductions, and before and after various commercial spots. Additionally, on pages six and forty-three, Carson has twice incorporated his surname. During the opening monologue, Carson has omitted the entire original follow-up joke to an opening disclaimer, adding in its stead: “What kind of firm could it be anyway—they only get one job a year—the results have been held in secrecy by Price Waterhouse—secrecy, my eye— I saw Waterhouse in a bar last night with Jack Anderson—.” Prior to the presentation of the award for “Directing & Writing—Comedy,” Carson again changes another lead-in quip, “Mike Douglas is as indigenous to Philadelphia as Cream cheese—and about as funny—with Mike is the working girls’ friend—ladies & gentlemen—Joan Rivers & Mike Douglas—.” Another notable instance concerning Carson’s vision of the ceremony involves Joey Bishop’s dual presentation of awards for “Supporting Actors and Actresses in Comedy and Drama,” which concludes with a pair of roller derby girls fighting on-stage, a gag to which Carson has emphatically added, “No.” Several pages bear ink and pencil notations in another hand. In fine condition.
Carson either hosted or co-hosted a total of five Primetime Emmy Award ceremonies during his prolific career, including a streak of four straight when he emceed the annual events between the years 1971 through 1974. Although Carson was in fact nominated at this very event—Outstanding Variety Series-Talk—he ultimately lost out to The Dick Cavett Show; Carson would win five Emmy Awards during his show’s unprecedented thirty-season run. Rife with unique insight and behind-the-scenes content related to both the event and the host himself, this is a fantastic piece of entertainment history deriving from the quintessential television host’s most iconic period. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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