If there were an Olympic event for “Competitive Fan-Girling,” @mmalkoff would be standing on the podium with his gold medal, wearing a 1970s necktie and weeping as the Tonight Show theme filled the stadium. Because nobody loves Johnny Carson like Mark Malkoff. And I mean nobody.
His book is called Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan’s Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend. It’s the result of an eight-year deep dive that involved 400 extensive interviews with the most memorable Tonight Show guests. The result is a very funny, non-traditional, but very insightful look at the most extraordinary career in show business. In the book, Mark tackles the burning questions that have kept him up at night for decades:
The Grudge Match: Why did Johnny stop talking to Joan Rivers? (Spoiler: It involves more than just a missed birthday card).
The Banned List: Why were icons like William Shatner and Orson Welles effectively ghosted by the King of Late Night?
The Carnac Conspiracy: Setting the record straight on the true—and slightly less mystical—origins of the Great Snarky One.
And many, many more.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just someone who wonders why your parents still swing at imaginary golf balls with an invisible club, Malkoff’s journey is a hilarious reminder that some obsessions actually pay off in hardcover. I enjoyed my interview with him as much as I enjoyed reading his book – both of which I heartily recommend. Our entire conversation is here. https://bit.ly/TWIHI470MarkMalkoff His book is here. https://amzn.to/4kBAL5e