Word Balloon Comics Podcast Mark Malkoff on Johnny Carson, & the Future of Late Night TV
Nov 22, 2025
01:36:03
Comedian, author, filmmaker, and podcaster Mark Malkoff joins me to talk about his brand-new book Love, Johnny Carson — a deep, affectionate, and revealing look at the life and career of the man who defined late-night television for generations. We dig into:
• Why Carson’s impact still looms over every host working today
• The behind-the-scenes stories that shaped his legendary run
• What made Carson’s style unique — and impossible to fully replicate
• How Mark researched the book and why it became such a personal project
Then we shift to the present:
• The current state of late-night TV and the changing media landscape
• Which modern hosts carry the spirit of Carson — and which don’t
• Whether the late-night talk show format is evolving… or fading right before our eyes
• How streaming, social media, and shifting audiences have changed the entire game
If you care about comedy history, TV history, or simply love great storytelling, this conversation is loaded.
• Why Carson’s impact still looms over every host working today
• The behind-the-scenes stories that shaped his legendary run
• What made Carson’s style unique — and impossible to fully replicate
• How Mark researched the book and why it became such a personal project
Then we shift to the present:
• The current state of late-night TV and the changing media landscape
• Which modern hosts carry the spirit of Carson — and which don’t
• Whether the late-night talk show format is evolving… or fading right before our eyes
• How streaming, social media, and shifting audiences have changed the entire game
If you care about comedy history, TV history, or simply love great storytelling, this conversation is loaded.