Premier late-night TV talk show host for three decades whose longevity was matched only by his enormous popularity and his salary. A former amateur magician, radio comedy writer, radio and TV announcer and host of several quiz shows ("Earn Your Vacation", "Who Do You Trust?") in the early days of TV which followed WWII, Carson catapulted into national consciousness when he replaced Jack Paar as the host of "The Tonight Show" in 1962. The celebrity talk show format did not originate with Carson, but his unique blend of quick wit, his patented slow takes, his topical and mildly "blue" humor, and
