Without a shadow of a doubt Johnny Carson, the legendary host of "The Tonight Show", was one of the funniest men EVER. It is very fitting then that Elepharts has learned "The Comedy Awards" today unveiled their most prestigious award -- the 'Johnny Carson Award For Comedic Excellence'. This new award will be presented to an individual whose groundbreaking body of work has made an extraordinary contribution to the art of comedy, whose impact and innovations have changed the comedy landscape and inspired future generations of entertainers.
"Johnny Carson is one of the biggest legends not only in comedy, but all of entertainment," said Casey Patterson, executive producer and executive vice president event production, MTV Networks Entertainment Group. "Having this award as part of our show sets the precedent of the premiere film, television and comedic talent that 'The Comedy Awards' will honor each year and is fitting with Johnny's legacy and love of the comedy community."
Johnny Carson, whose career earned him the title the "King of Late Night," was the host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" for nearly thirty years. After serving in the Navy during World War II, Carson got his start in entertainment at a local news station in his home state of Nebraska. He then moved to Los Angeles and worked as an announcer at KNXT-TV where he quickly got his own show, "Carson's Cellar," a comedic take on the day's news. Carson was then hired as a comedy writer by Red Skelton and filled in for him on live television when Skelton was injured in rehearsals. He moved on to "The Johnny Carson Show" on CBS, hosted the ABC quiz show "Who Do You Trust?" with Ed McMahon and became the host of "The Tonight Show" in 1962. Carson became a beloved comedic icon and a welcome guest in the homes of Americans across the country.
The "Johnny Carson Award For Comedic Excellence" will be presented during "The Comedy Awards" telecast on April 10. The first recipient of this prestigious award will be named in the coming weeks.
