Backstage at the Tonight Show: From Johnny Carson to Jay Leno

By Don Sweeney

Book Overview

Don Sweeney was with the Tonight Show for nearly twenty years, and was one of the few staff members asked to remain when Jay Leno took over in 1992. With an eye for the eccentric, amusing, or downright bizarre, Sweeney's brief portraits offer a glimpse at celebrity from the other side of the curtain.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158979303X
• ISBN13: 9781589793033
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A recommended pick for not only The Tonight Show viewers past and present, but for any who enjoy cel

Author Don Sweeney was with The Tonight Show for nearly twenty years until Jay Leno took over in 1992, so he's in the perfect position to provide the celebrity vignettes and anecdotes which follow its peak years in BACKSTAGE AT THE TONGITH SHOW FROM JOHNNY CARSON TO JAY LENO. More than two dozen celebrities are profiled here form Bill Cosby and Frank Sinatra to Letterman and Stevie Wonder, with descriptions bringing the show experience to life. A recommended pick for not only The Tonight Show viewers past and present, but for any who enjoy celebrity exposes. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

Johnny, Ed and Doc and Don

This book holds my interest. I cannot put it down because I loved the TONIGHT SHOW. Don Sweeney comes across as one of us. He is a fan, just as I was. So I put myself in his shoes and love reading about what I would have seen as a Tonight Show member. If you loved Johnny, Ed or Doc or the band, you will enjoy this book!!!! My 83 year old aunt refuses to give the book back to me. She also cannot put it down. What a great tribute to a great TV show. Thank you Don Sweeney for sharing your story. You gave your readers a special gift.

Amazingly Real account of backstage goings on there

Great Great backstage quips, quotes and extended anecdotes about Mr. Sweeney and his 20 years of bumping into all the major show business people that graced the tonight show to visit with Johnny and Ed. Tremendous insight for those curious about what some of the stars are "really" like and how ordinary yet extraordinary they actually were. From Ray Charles, to Tony Bennett, to Don Rickles, to Joey Bishop and many many more. Not a "tell-all" book at all it's just a real working mans account of what it takes to put on such a high profile show with the pressure of keeping the level of excellence Johnny expected. Don builds a wonderful story of how his early childhood dream of being involved in show business and network TV from his start on the Howdy Doody show at 5 to drumming with Ray Charles and Ed Shaughnessy as an adult. His daily chronology of rubbing elbows day after day with stars you all know and love as he went about his tasks gives us all hope of meeting the idols in our lives who gave us inspiration and touched our lives with their talents!!! Can't wait for more great stories in the sequel!!!!

Don Sweeney's recollections of the Tonight Show

Don Sweeney gives the reader a behind-the-scene, candid. personal view of the awesome challenge of making the Johnny Carson Tonight Show the best late night entertainment in television for nearly two decades. I could not put the book down. If you're into show biz history you have to read this book! Tony Christlieb

Backstage at the Tonight Show ---Review

For anyone who was a fan of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson , or a casual viewer, or for anyone who just likes reading about the action behind the TV talk shows scene , this book will be a delight. If you ever wondered, as many of us have, what it was like to sit in the much talked about "greenroom" night after night and meet and converse with the many well known personalities who appeared on the show, this book will make you feel as though you were there.. The writing style is easy and flowing. The interesting antidotes revealing some interesting unknown facts about many of the personalities who appeared on the show, makes the book a quick entertaining read right through to the last page. Once you start reading it you will not want to put it down. I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it.