"The Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien paid tribute to Ed McMahon, who passed away yesterday after a series of health problems at age 86.
Ed McMahon - McMahon was praised by Joan Rivers, Don Rickles and Doc Severinson on CNN's Larry King last night, with Rivers noting that McMahon was a pro who knew how to play the second banana game with Johnny Carson, and was a gentleman. © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
McMahon was praised by Joan Rivers, Don Rickles and Doc Severinson on CNN's Larry King last night, with Rivers noting that McMahon was a pro who knew how to play the second banana game with Johnny Carson, and was a gentleman.
McMahon came up from radio and crossed paths with Carson later in his career. His partnership with Carson on the late-night show is a cornerstone of American TV history.
"It is impossible, I think, for anyone to imagine 'The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson' without Ed McMahon," O'Brien said Tuesday during the NBC show. "Ed's laugh was really the soundtrack to that show. For 30 years Ed played his part perfectly, he played it with effortless joy," said O'Brien, who took over the show from Jay Leno this month.
McMahon was part of "the most iconic two-shot in broadcasting history. There will never be anything like that again," O'Brien said.
Tuesday's show paid tribute to McMahon with highlights of his years with Carson.
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