George Noory welcomed retired tech executive Howard Smith for a discussion about his friendship with the late-night TV host Johnny Carson. Smith described his relationship with Carson as an unexpectedly close and enduring friendship that began when Carson moved into a Malibu home just a few doors down from his own. They first connected at a dinner party, where Smith's casual offer to play tennis led to daily matches and deep conversations. Smith admitted he had not been an avid viewer of The Tonight Show due to his early work schedule as a software executive, and he found Carson to be surprisingly approachable and authentic. Their friendship quickly grew, and Smith was deeply touched to be one of just a few guests at Carson's intimate 60th birthday dinner—an experience that revealed how meaningful their bond had become in a short period.
Smith emphasized how Carson's humility and aversion to the Hollywood spotlight distinguished him from the persona seen on television. Their friendship revolved not around showbiz glamor but around shared routines, mutual trust, and unfiltered life talks. Carson, shy and reserved by nature, felt comfortable confiding in Smith, especially because Smith was not part of the entertainment industry. According to Smith, their post-tennis talks became central to their friendship, and when Carson's health declined, he proposed they continue meeting on weekends simply to talk—something they did faithfully for years. Smith depicted Carson as deeply curious and intellectually engaged, studying Russian and Swahili and delving into science topics after his retirement, never seeming to miss the stage.
One particularly moving moment occurred just 16 days before Carson's death, when the two shared an unusually emotional and laughter-filled dinner. Smith believed Carson knew he was nearing the end of his life and was giving them one last "performance." He recalled Carson's warmth that night—hugging him and saying "I love you"—which was uncharacteristic of the usually reserved host. Reflecting on their decades-long friendship, Smith made it clear that his motivation for writing a book was to portray Carson as the kind, down-to-earth person he knew, pushing back against negative portrayals written after Carson's death. To Smith, Johnny Carson was not just a legendary entertainer, but a loyal, humble, and intellectually curious friend.
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Open Lines followed in the latter half of the program. Paul from Buffalo shared a story about attending a live taping of The Tonight Show with his brother in 1989, where Johnny Carson playfully reacted to Paul's loud outburst by joking, "Give that man a Valium." He described the studio as small but amphitheater-like and praised Carson's quick wit. Paul also reminisced about Buffalo's infamous Blizzard of '77, recounting snowdrifts so deep they buried cars and even allowed zoo animals to escape. He humorously recalled skipping school, getting kicked out of Catholic school, and dealing with his mother's scolding—all as part of a colorful tale blending his admiration for Johnny Carson with vivid memories of his youth.
John in Ohio discussed his belief that the CIA was responsible for President Kennedy's assassination, citing Jim Garrison's investigation and Mark Lane's support of it. He criticized Johnny Carson's interview with Garrison as a deliberate ambush meant to discredit him and suppress dissenting views about the Cold War and the CIA. John referenced CIA Operation Mockingbird and Operation Northwoods as examples of the government manipulating the media and planning false flag operations to justify military action, arguing that Kennedy's opposition to such policies made him a target for elimination.
Aaron from Tempe, Arizona, gave an enthusiastic explanation of the physics behind hockey, specifically how modern sticks use stored kinetic energy to power high-speed shots like Zdeno Chára's 108.8 mph slap shot. He described how the stick flexes when striking the ice behind the puck, releasing energy on contact. Aaron also expressed gratitude for avoiding serious injuries in the sport and highlighted the upcoming centennial celebrations for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Rangers, encouraging fans to explore planned events in their cities.
The final half hour featured a replay from 8/18/2011 of author Brad Steiger discussing the strange mystery of alien visitation.
News segment guests: Heidi Hollis / Kevin Randle