The Most FUNNY Animals On The Tonight Show HT

 

They say if you look an animal right in the face and talk to them, you they say then they know YOU’RE NOT SCARED. ANIMAL SEGMENTS ON THE TONIGHT SHOW CREATED some of the funniest moments on Johnny Carson. And raised in our nursery. These are the most funny animals on Johnny Carson. Howard, the talking bird. Hello.

Howard. Hello, did you hear that? He did. He said hello.  Nice way to START A CONVERSATION.  [cheering]  HOWARD, DO A CAT. DO A CAT. DO A CAT, HOWARD. ALL RIGHT, A CAT. OKAY. MY NAME is My name is Howard. Howard cracked up the audience with his signature “hahaha” landing like a tiny well-timed punchline.

 The bush dog, Johnny sang to. This is a bush dog  A bush dog? She was sent to us from the West Berlin Zoo and uh they received her from South America. You want to hold her? Sure. She likes you to hold her on her back of rubber belly. Well, so do I.  [applause]  Joan Embery puts the bush dog in Johnny’s arms and he breaks into a hilarious song, treating the exotic animal like a scene partner.

 Sherpa, the baby mountain lion. Is this a mountain lion?  It’s a mountain lion, puma, cougar, or catamount. All the That’s all the same family or all the same animal. You can call it a puma, you can call it a mountain lion. They gave me this remote control device and they’ll  mechanical rabbit If they’ll set it out there now if I move this Sherpa.

Sherpa. This This one’s a killer. Johnny uses a remote control to entice Sherpa to attack a stuffed animal, giving the segment a playful, slightly dangerous edge. Oliver, the baby gorilla. This is  not a chimpanzee. No. Remember when we had the film of our baby gorilla? Little Jim from the wild animal park? Well, this is the real thing.

 [laughter]  This is the baby gorilla. This is baby gorilla Jim. What’s that? Look at that kisser. We’re going to have to come in with a close-up.  [laughter]  He’s looking at you.  He’s looking at me. Yes. We can set him up here where he Hi, Jim. How are you? Jim’s 4 months old. How are you, Jim? He was the biggest gorilla ever born in captivity.

I know, it’s a drag, isn’t it, Jim? He weighed 6 lb when he was born.  Yeah.  [laughter]  Jim  [laughter]  Johnny was completely charmed by Oliver, treating the baby gorilla almost like another guest, while the whole room started reacting to him as the star. Who bore the koala? That is a koala bear. Right.

 They are koalas and they’re called bears, but actually they’re not a true bear, they’re a marsupial or a pouch-bearing mammal.  Right. Isn’t that one of the most interesting faces you’ve ever seen in your life?  They have beautiful faces.  Yeah. Can you Can I Look at that. They have extremely sharp claws and they look very cuddly, but I do want to say that when they get nervous or upset or they they want to go for a tree and we’ll put him in a tree in a minute and show you.

 These very sharp claws are used to to grasp that limb and they can be dangerous if they are not used to being handled. When you look at a close-up, you expect it to talk. Yeah, they’re going to say something to you. The koala climbs a tree on The Tonight Show set, turning the polished studio into fake wilderness. The tarantula Johnny carefully held.

 You know This is a tarantula. Why are you doing that? To show you that they’re not really as harmful as most people think. Come on. There we go. These are not insects. You know, spiders have eight legs.  [laughter] [cheering] [applause] [cheering]  Johnny very mindfully holds the spider while his entire body language becomes part of the act, showing he knows exactly how wrong this could go.

 The Burmese python that got cozy with Johnny. This is uh right.  [applause]  It’s a heavy snake. What does it weigh, about 50, 60 lb? She weighs about Yeah, SHE WEIGHS IF ONLY IN REAL LIFE. What a fantasy.  [laughter]  You’re better off at that end.  I think yes. Joan Embery’s python gets cozy with Johnny, creating a visual that’s already funny before the snake even starts [music] moving.

 Including a two-headed snake that sounds too bizarre to be real. The two European ferrets. This is the latest one of the latest rages in the pet world. And you can see how appealing-looking they are, but there are a couple of points we want to make. Your one is this  Oh, I know what these are. Ferrets. Right.

 This is a European ferret and they have been domesticated in Europe where they used for hunting.  Okay, then.  I’m giving you the best one of This one is not so inclined to bite, which is the  [laughter]  But it has a good set of teeth. Let me show you their teeth. Joan brings out two European ferrets to demonstrate their rodent-hunting abilities, but the animals have zero interest in following any script.

 The ferrets move so fast, Johnny can barely track where they are while cameras struggle to keep up. The cheetahs that were not fans of Johnny. I was wondering why somebody Why on earth would somebody We We have to  have to get them out. No, really.  [laughter]  No, NOT IF THEY’RE THEY’RE COMFORTABLE. DON’T YOU UH OKAY. THEY’RE SPEAKING TO YOU RIGHT NOW.

[laughter] JUST RELAX. They They purr. Relax. They say if you look an animal right in the face and talk to them, you you say then they know YOU’RE NOT SCARED.  [cheering and applause]  THE OFFICIAL CARSON POST IDENTIFIES THIS as “Joan Embery’s cheetahs are not fans of Johnny”, which perfectly describes the segment’s comedy engine.

 The big cats show visible disinterest in Carson, treating him like he’s scenery rather than host. The flying squirrel. This is called the African spring hare. These can suddenly jump about that high in the air, so watch out if he tries to do it.  Now, is this Is this Is this a baby one? No, they Well, this is pretty well full grown. Yeah.

 And uh but they’re fascinating. They’re like a little kangaroo. Is he all right? No, he’s all right. No, he’s all right. Okay.  Okay. I don’t think he’ll do anything here. What What do you mean don’t think he’ll It’s really fascinating to see the adaptation.  hands.  Yeah, he uses his front feet like hands. Get a little closer there, Bobby.

 Can’t That’s it. The hind feet. Now, isn’t that an incredible animal? These uh He’s holding it like a He holds it with his front feet, but they live in holes in the ground, Johnny, in Africa. And [laughter] Jim Fowler brings a flying squirrel on the May 11th, 1977 show and the entire audience spends the segment in anticipation.

 [music] The squirrel sits calmly for long moments, making everyone think nothing dramatic will happen. The white-fisted gibbon. Here’s your chair.  [cheering] [cheering]  Jim Fowler’s 1977 appearance includes a white-fisted gibbon that creates the weird mirror effect primates always brought to late-night television.

 The possum. What do I see? Maybe I can All right, they’re dumb.  [laughter]  I don’t want to make the the possum think that I’m trying to hurt it, but  No, I don’t do that. Here we go, Johnny. Yeah, oh, yes. Oh, look at those. Very sharp curved curved teeth.  Exactly. And they eat garbage. Is that about it?  That’s right and meat.

 [laughter]  Um is it Where Where does that term come, playing possum? Does that have to do with this animal?  That’s this animal. What they do is if they’re attacked by a dog or some animal Well, let’s say a human being. Right.  They’ll roll over and play dead and it gives them an opportunity if the dog walks away  Get out of my coffee.

 Get out of my coffee. Get out of my  [applause]  Jim Fowler’s January 31st, 1980 episode includes two opossums alongside a vulture and tigers, creating the oddest lineup imaginable. The possums look perpetually startled by the studio lights and audience noise. Their scraggly appearance contrasts hilariously with the polished, glamorous Tonight Show aesthetic everyone expects.

Johnny treats them with exaggerated respect as if they’re distinguished guests, deserving formal courtesy. Fowler explains opossum survival strategies while the animals demonstrate playing dead on cue. Carson jokes about the possums having better survival instincts than most Hollywood celebrities he knows. The vulture.

 You better take that glove because if you don’t mind. Just put that on your left arm, all right? On my left arm. Now, Johnny, if you’ll come over here He’s eating raw meat. While he’s in the mood for feeding, I want you to call him to the fist.  [laughter]  OH. YOU HOLD THAT. COME OVER. COME OVER HERE. ALL RIGHT.

FOLLOW HIM to uh There you go. How you like that, huh? Oh, now bring him over here, Johnny.  [cheering]  This Tonight Show appearance included a vulture meaning Johnny must play gracious host to a bird culturally associated with death and doom. The vulture perches near Johnny looking like it’s evaluating his remaining lifespan with professional interest.

 It’s bald head and hunched posture create an inherently ominous visual presence on the cheerful set. Johnny makes jokes about the vulture circling his career waiting for failure.  [applause] [applause] [applause]  Fowler explains the bird’s important ecological role while Johnny pretends to take personal offense at the description.

 The vulture’s dead-eyed stare makes every moment feel vaguely threatening despite doing nothing aggressive. Carson asks if the vulture has ever mistaken a living person for potential food. The bird’s complete absence of cuteness or traditional appeal becomes the running gag. Johnny treats the vulture like a harsh critic who showed up specifically to pan his show.

 The animal shifts position occasionally making Carson flinch despite being across the desk. Fowler’s attempt to rehabilitate the vulture’s public image amuse audiences because it’s clearly futile. The bird demonstrates zero interest in public relations or making friends. It’s presence on a cheerful talk show creates delicious tonal dissonance everyone can feel.

 Carson’s joke about the vulture patiently waiting for Ed McMahon absolutely kills. The alligator. Is the tail dangerous? Look at this. If you will hold I don’t think he’s going to go very far, but if you’ll hold this right there in your hand right there. And he’ll be all right. And I’ll be right back in JUST A SECOND.  [cheering]  JIM.

 JIM FOWLER’S APPEARANCE FEATURING AN alligator alongside bear cubs emphasizes the reptile’s appetite and inherent menace throughout. The alligator’s size makes the Tonight Show desk suddenly seem inadequate as protective furniture. Johnny maintains maximum possible distance while pretending to be completely relaxed and comfortable.

 Fowler handles the alligator with casual expertise that makes Carson look even more nervous by comparison. The alligator’s jaws snap shut occasionally sending visible alarm through Johnny’s entire body. Carson asks extremely detailed questions about alligator bite force seemingly for his own immediate safety. The animal’s prehistoric appearance makes it seem fundamentally out of place in a modern television studio.

 Johnny jokes about adding specific alligator insurance to his NBC contract immediately. Fowler explains alligator behavior calmly while the reptile eyes Johnny with what appears to be predatory interest. The audience loves watching Carson’s famous composure crack under reptilian pressure. The alligator’s complete stillness feels more threatening than movement would because it suggests coiled potential.

 Johnny treats the entire segment like a hostage situation he’s handling through careful diplomacy. The reptile’s total indifference to show business creates perfect comedy through apathy. Carson’s visible relief when the alligator finally leaves is palpable and generates huge laughs. His genuine weariness mixed with professional hosting obligation created authentic comedy tension impossible to fake.

 The baby orangutan that hugged Johnny.  [laughter]  Very strong. Very strong for their age, aren’t they? Yes.  [laughter]  They like to pull hair. Aw, look at that. And they’re about 5 months old. All right. And They weighed about 3 and 1/2 lbs when they were born. This Tonight Show clip captures one of the sweetest animal moments that works because it’s unexpectedly tender.

 The baby orangutan reaches for Johnny with remarkably human-like hands that are impossible to ignore. Carson’s face shows genuine delight mixed with uncertainty about proper baby orangutan etiquette. The orangutan clings to him like a child seeking parental comfort creating an adorable visual. Johnny’s attempt to continue professional hosting while holding a baby ape is hilariously awkward.

 The animal’s reddish fur gets in his face during the prolonged embrace. Carson makes jokes about taking the orangutan home and raising it as his own. The orangutan seems completely content in Johnny’s arms actively refusing to let go when handlers approach. The handler tries to retrieve the animal while Johnny pretends reluctance to give it up.

 The audience melts watching the unexpected tenderness between host and primate. The orangutan’s expressive eyes and facial reactions are remarkably human creating eerie familiarity. Johnny discusses the orangutan’s future with genuine interest that feels unscripted. The animal plays with Johnny’s tie and jacket buttons creating adorable chaos.

 Carson’s paternal instincts visibly kick in as the hug continues. The segment shows a vulnerable side of Carson rarely seen in other animal segments. The hug lasts significantly longer than anyone expected making it sweeter and funnier. Johnny jokes about the orangutan being his favorite guest in 30 years and the moment humanizes Carson in ways scripted comedy never could achieve.

 The baby orangutan’s trust and affection feel completely authentic and unrehearsed. The segment became one of the most rewatched Carson animal moments in history. Animal appearances on The Tonight Show demonstrated that unpredictable guests with fur, feathers, or scales created better television than most celebrities ever could making Carson’s visible terror, genuine delight, and quick wit combine into comedy gold that still holds up decades later.