For October 2019, SiriusXM Channel 105 becomes “The Johnny Carson Channel”

Starting Oct. 1, 2019, and lasting only for that month, SiriusXM is launching The Johnny Carson Channel on SiriusXM Channel 105, featuring the top, handpicked episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Back in Carson’s day, a spot on his show could make or break a stand-up comedian.

And Carson helped debut many famous funny folk, among them Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Ellen DeGeneres, David Letterman, and Jay Leno, to name a few. “Johnny Carson changed the game and set the standard for late night talk shows. It’s so good to hear these amazing shows again!” DeGeneres said of the new SiriusXM Carson channel.

SiriusXM’s Carson channel will feature notable classic moments, including the first Tonight Show stand-up appearances of Seinfeld (1981), Leno (1977), and DeGeneres (1986), in addition to the debut of Eddie Murphy (1982). There will also be hilarious moments from Richard Pryor and Rodney Dangerfield’s 1974 stand-up appearances, as well as interviews with Lucille Ball, Muhammad Ali, Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Billy Crystal, and Oprah Winfrey, in her first Tonight Show interview back in 1986. Listeners will hear the episodes from the classic theme song to the opening monologue to the guests, with the exception of musical performances.

Additionally, SiriusXM has produced and collected interviews with over 50 of the most respected comedians in the world reflecting on their favorite Carson moments, and their stories will be aired among the episodes. The talent will include: Leno, Bob Newhart, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Howie Mandel, Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Kevin Nealon, Rita Rudner, Joel McHale, Bob Saget, and more.

“Johnny Carson was a national treasure who still holds a tremendous fan base,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “SiriusXM listeners can now rediscover their favorite Carson moments, many of them for the first time in decades, and I’m also thrilled to help introduce his comedy to a whole new audience of young comedy fans.”

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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