Orson Welles was a popular guest on NBC’s The Tonight Show, but earned a spot on Johnny Carson’s fabled ban list following a botched magic routine, according to a new book.
In the book Love Johnny Carson, former producer Peter Lassally, who worked with Carson for more than two decades, confirmed the existence of Carson’s notorious banned list – a roster of stars who were no longer welcome on The Tonight Show.
In addition to Welles, those who offended Carson included Star Trek actor William Shatner (for talking too long and mentioning rival network ABC), Saturday Night Live‘s Dana Carvey (unflattering impression of Carson as unhip) and astronomer Carl Sagan (correcting Carson about Halley’s comet).
Love Johnny Carson author Mark Malkoff writes that Welles was one of Carson’s idols for many reasons, leading to him becoming a Tonight Show regular in the late 1970s.
However, things changed when Welles informed Carson that he would be doing a mentalist routine while guest-hosting the late night talk show for the fifth time, according to Malkoff. Carson, a fan of stage magic, was skeptical, and watched as Welles’ trick failed. Later, Carson learned Welles had employed two men to sit in the audience as accomplices. The two messed up, leading to the routine’s failure.
“He wasn’t irate because the trick flopped; he was furious that Orson was dishonest,” Malkoff wrote. “A magician using audience plants was inexcusable. The towering figure of world cinema and part-time magician never again appeared as a guest with Carson hosting.”
Carson paid tribute to Welles during the American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award presentation in February 1975. Carson recalled attending a Mercury Wonder Show performance starring Welles in 1943.
Welles was a frequent Tonight Show guest between 1976 and 1978.
His final appearance as a guest host was on May 15, 1978. Three weeks later, Welles made his last known appearance on The Tonight Show as a guest when Burt Reynolds served as the host on June 6, 1978.
(Special thanks to Michael Hinerman for his research assistance.)
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