Jack Benny and Johnny Carson

[JudyR]

TCM is going to have some bits coming up in March with Johnny Carson and some of our faves, especially our favorite blue eye guy, Jack Benny.
Check out when it will be!
Oh, I might miss the chat this Sunday. Looks like I'll be pulling double shifts Super Bowl Sunday. (BOOOOO!)

[speedy]

On the subject of Jack and Johnny, I recently read the Henry Bushkin biography of Carson, and was rather shocked by the following from page 28:

Suddenly Sonny got down to business. After stressing the confidentiality of our get-together, he offered what he obviously considered a telling observation: "Jack Benny was the unappiest man I have ever known. And Benny is Carson's idol." Of course I knew who Jack Benny was but knew nothing of his private life, so I kept my mouth shut and summoned all the sangfroid I could muster.

Sonny continued with astonishing bluntness. "Johnny is the second unhappiest person I've ever known."

Sonny is Sonny Werblin, who was Carson's manager before Bushkin took over that role.

Needless to say I was floored by this comment. Jack always seemed so happy and was universally described as one of the nicest people in show business. Of course we'll never know if Werblin's assessment had any basis in fact since none of us knew his private life. Henry Bushkin has been reviled by some for his tell all biography of Carson. Many see it as a gossipy betrayal of trust. Despite that, why would he include the quote about Jack? It wouldn't help him sell his book I wouldn't think. Am I naive for being surprised?

[Mister Kitzel]

In all of the Joan Benny interviews I have heard she has never given the impression her father could be described as unhappy with his life.