It's likely that younger Americans won’t recognize the cornball jokes and gags that were delivered nightly by the iconic late-night TV comic from Nebraska, including the bumblingly prescient turban-wearing psychic Carnac the Magnificent, goofy skits and his boisterous welcome, “Heeere’s Johnny,” delivered by the hammy sidekick. But the City of Fullerton Museum, of all places, presents some lovely objet d’comedy art of John William Carson, host for three decades of The Tonight Show, including costumes, stage props, video, cue cards and more. Johnny’s affable Midwestern facilitation of the collective national conversation, Kennedy through Clinton, with entertainers, comics, authors (Gore Vidal!) and cultural figures both pushed the envelope and sealed it. His generous Fullertonian nephew is responsible for sharing this reliquary celebrating one of democracy’s favorite court jesters. “I did not know that!”.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: June 16. Continues through Aug. 16, 2015
