For thirty years Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show ruled late night television. Plenty tried to compete against him. Some were very good, but nobody past or present seemed to be in the same league.
Even before The Tonight Show, he was on daytime television with a show called Who Do You Trust. It was a zany quiz show that could go in any direction at a moment’s notice. It was the unpredictability that made it interesting.
It was Carson’s ability to handle almost any situation that made him famous.
I remember a story he told that has helped me in life.
He talked about how people would come up to him and show him their babies. As far as he was concerned, all babies are ugly. He didn’t want to tell the parents that they had an ugly child, but he didn’t want to lie either. What should he say?
He came up with the brilliant strategy. When presented with an infant, he would merely say, “My, that’s some baby.” He said that the parents would always perceive this to be a compliment, when all he meant was exactly what he said.
As a teacher, I have used this principle effectively. It comes particularly special in art class. Kids come and show you their artwork. I don’t want to discourage a budding Picasso, but black, brown and blue smudged on a piece of paper doesn’t excite me. Now, I just say, “That’s some piece of art.” The kids usually walk away beaming.
A few of you have left comments on my blog, and I appreciate them,. but don’t you dare write something like, “That is some blog you have, Johnny V.” If you do, I’m on to you.
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