Johnny Carson's Ban List: The Untold Stories of Excluded Guests on 'The Tonight Show
Paul Reubens, known for his portrayal of Pee-Wee Herman, expressed his disappointment at never being invited to appear on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. The reason for his exclusion was that Reubens only appeared on shows as his character Pee-Wee, which Carson did not allow as it could confuse the audience. Carson had a strict rule against guests who appeared "in character," which also applied to comedians like Gilbert Gottfried and Bobcat Goldthwait.
Carson's rule was in place from the beginning of his show, with exceptions made only for guests who were clearly "putting on" a character, such as Super Dave Osborne and Father Guido Sarducci. Carson's skepticism about guests being genuine extended to singer Tiny Tim, whom he initially doubted but later realized was authentic. Despite never appearing on Carson's show, Reubens did make an appearance when Joan Rivers guest-hosted the show, as she had a younger and more receptive audience to Pee-Wee's humor.
The "Tonight Show" ban list included several big celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, Jay Leno, and William Shatner. Leno, in particular, faced a ban after his fifth appearance on the show in 1978 when Carson decided not to invite him back due to the lack of audience response. Despite efforts by talent scout Jim McCawley to advocate for Leno, Carson's dislike for Leno's jokes led to a permanent ban. Leno eventually returned to the show and went on to host "The Tonight Show" for a significant period.
In conclusion, Paul Reubens' absence from "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson was due to Carson's strict rule against guests appearing "in character." The ban list for the show included notable celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Jay Leno, with Leno eventually returning to host the show for an extended period. Carson's discerning taste and preferences played a significant role in shaping the guest lineup for "The Tonight Show."