Reading the Steve Martin autobio book "Born Standing Up" right now and had to see this performance based on his story about it. He said this particular performance was the one that really put him over. He'd been on the show plenty of times previous and had plenty of gigs doing comedy leading up to this, but people actually started recognizing him after this performance. He described the camera cutting over to Johnny laughing as being a big part of what made this moment work in his favor. And of course having the lovable Sammy Davis come over for the hug was an amazing endorsement as well.
Steve Martin might have put himself on "the map" with his 1974 performance on the Tonight Show. Or, maybe he was already on the map. I just think that his sincerity, enthusiasm, and energy help his reputation as a growing star in stand-up. The humor was really good material and his presentation spoke volumes.
@@nickbrew3071 Well it was painted perfectly because he most probably saw this RUclips video while writing the book lol ... It's not like 50 years ago anymore where you had to recollect past events from memory
I memorized the entire Let's Get Small album and I would perform parts of it for other people just to see what kind of reaction I would get. People would tell me, man you should be on tv. You're pretty good. They had no idea I was doing Steve Martin.
I really do think that Steve Martin was the best stand-up comedian ever. That might sound a bit much taking into consideration Eddie Murphy (his facial expressions), Jerry Seinfelds writing ability and maybe a few others. Yes. My vote goes to Steve Martin. His movies are classy too. Father of the Bride I & II and Parenthood for example. Don't forget the movie "The Jerk". Classic. (And all of those lines that he said at the gas station. Like, "he hates these cans".)
I am late but agreed! I know lots of other comedians get love too, but if I had to look for timelessness - it takes well, time-Steve is a legend and perfect. I’ve said this on like 5 things now lol
It's been so long since I read the book that I forgot that part! And I never looked up this video before, so thank you for making that connection. OMG and hearing "Frank Sinatra [gibberish] personal friend of mine" and not realizing until he walks into frame to hug Martin that Sammy Davis Jr. was RIGHT THERE… dude. What a moment! I gotta go back and read that book again…
Yeah the book brought me here. The cutout to Johnny laughing hysterically made him think he finally made it. Especially after being downgraded prior to that to only appear with guest hosts
This is actually only the last half of this iconic performance - the first 5 minutes ( Banjo Ramblin', My Real Name, Hot Dog Jokes, Questions and Answers, etc ) has been cut.
I was 17 in 1974. I remember when Steve Martin hit it big. His thing was the white suit, tie, and clean shaven face. That might not seem unusual today, but this was at the end of the hippie era where comedians had long hair, beards, jeans, and did political humor. Martin's style was antithetical to that, and it caught on with a new post-hippie generation who was tired of war, riots, Watergate ... etc. They wanted to just laugh and enjoy life for a change.
You're right, Steve took on his iconic look in the post-hippie 70s intentionally...what's interesting about that is that he was very much into the whole hippie free love culture of the 60s before he became super famous. He had the long hair, the beard, the lifestyle, everything.
@@brucesmith1544 he specifically mentions the charles manson murders and drug overdoses as a reason that he shaved his hippie beard and changed his style, which was full blown hippie before then. However you're right, he did say in his biography that the white suit started as a way for the bigger audiences to see him
Actually, that wasn't always the case: At first, it took Johnny a long time to allow Steve on the show, because he thought his act wasn't sophisticated enough (for the lack of a better word).
@@VEGANSAM no it's even worse, he specifically asked Steve Martin off of the show after his antics like smashing an egg on his head and he was relegated to only appearing with guest hosts until the producers told Johnny, Steve had been a smash, this is his first show back.
I think Sammy was acknowledging how Steve was literally making fun of him and his Vegas pack lol, the irony that he’s was also a guest and it was in Steve’s routine, when he looks over at Sammy 💜
Steve looking over at Johnny over the pay: a masterpiece. And the audience loved it too! Watch Kennedy Center's tribute to Steve @ The Mark Twain Award. A great collection to honor the wit and humor of the man.
@@Joe26003 Yes, he was looking at Sammy... At the beginning of the video, we it wasn't apparent that Sammy was in the room at all, so I thought he was looking at Johnny, but clearly, he was making a reference to Sammy making lots of money in LV. What a shock to see Sammy break into the screen from the left at that end!
Going back and forth as to whether it was intended for Johnny or Sammy. It was obviously a joke, so I suspect it was aimed at Johnny, whereas if it were intended for Sammy, I don't think it would have been a joke.
Oh my goodness! I have known Steve Martin only from some comedies (I'm not American, obviously). And suddenly this! Whole different universe for me! :o)) I love it!
His stand up makes you respect him so much more than some of his movies.. I feel like in the three amigos he was pretty much just doing some of his old bits
I always tell people that - his ability to play multiple instruments, solid actor, good impressionist, of course - great dancer and singer. People who say MJ are flat out wrong.
I don't agree with you but I loved Sammy Davis he was one of the rat-pack and everyone loved him he was a gamical genius 2 and the thing is it wasn't that he tried he was just funny in his nature I believe he was a very loving caring human being Steve Martin was just a wild and crazy guy okay it was a little before that and I remember when Steve first started out I wasn't too sure that he could handle being in front of a camera but he proved me wrong I think his best performances were in movies and I think Sammy Davis's best performances were on the stage that's it for now
this is like comedic deconstruction as it is happening. This must have been kind of shocking back in the day when he did this. It's like he is doing comedy while wondering out loud if comedy is even funny or worth doing. I just can't help but think this is genius.
It wasn't shocking, just very funny. We loved Carlin, Klein, Pryor, etc. Firesign Theatre, Monty Python and the Committee were what we really liked and before that Lenny Bruce. and the Goons.
Martin was so 'on' for the 5 odd minutes the lighting crew turned the overhead lights off over Johnny's desk because he was overwhelmed with Martin's off the wall humor that he got out of his chair, I've never seen that..Robert at 67.
My parents had a few Steve Martin albums from back in the day and I remember during the early part of this bit he included, "Wow, look at the tits!" .....Guess he had to clean it up for cable though lol
Think of all the crap Sammy had to deal with. He couldn't even go in the front door of half the places he performed in. I can't stand Frank Sinatra but he wouldn't put up with the bigotry those places showed. Basically he said, "Treat the guy with respect or forget about having me as a performer" or something along those lines. At least that is what I have read, several places.
Stephen Glenn Martin, más conocido como Steve Martin (Waco, Texas, 14 de agosto de 1945), es un actor, comediante, escritor, productor, músico y cantante estadounidense.
Totally, it may be a touch cliche now, but, what people don't realize, it's Steve who started the cliche - he's a genius, and Johnny sat ringside next to the best, he damn well knew of what he spoke.
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1974. "I was really hot! The audience seemed to love me. Sammy Davis Jr gave me a hug! Johnny seemed sluggish."
Bahahaha!!!!!
A classic; Ed was hilarious.
@@lewisdewhurst1217 Johnny was laughing his ass off!
ah, the diary entry bit!
He is amazing on stage!!!!! Makes me happy to be a Martin! And a performer!
Reading the Steve Martin autobio book "Born Standing Up" right now and had to see this performance based on his story about it. He said this particular performance was the one that really put him over. He'd been on the show plenty of times previous and had plenty of gigs doing comedy leading up to this, but people actually started recognizing him after this performance. He described the camera cutting over to Johnny laughing as being a big part of what made this moment work in his favor. And of course having the lovable Sammy Davis come over for the hug was an amazing endorsement as well.
I’m reading it right now too and the performance is painted perfectly in the book, down to Johnny laughing in the back ground and Sammy hugging him
Steve Martin might have put himself on "the map" with his 1974 performance on the Tonight Show.
Or, maybe he was already on the map. I just think that his sincerity, enthusiasm, and energy help his reputation as a growing star in stand-up. The humor was really good material and his presentation spoke volumes.
@@nickbrew3071 Well it was painted perfectly because he most probably saw this RUclips video while writing the book lol ... It's not like 50 years ago anymore where you had to recollect past events from memory
Steve Martin is my all time favorite comedian because he could do it all and was great in movies, too!!
That was so funny, it looked like he was doing Sammy there!
For another guest as huge as Sammy Davis Jr. to actually walk over and hug him had to make Martin feel golden. That was a beautiful gesture.
He said in the Steve Martin documentary that he didn't know what to do. Hug back? They didn't hug at home when he was growing up.
It’s 2022 and we have an actor today with the same name and he looks just like this guy.
This guy doesn't age. He still looks good. This was 49 years ago.
We loved Steve Martin; he was the perfect comedian for the times...along with many others. He still is.
The 'Disco Crowd' loved him...and where are they today? "Now take my 'platform shoes'...please!"
Loved when he said "and some of the acts get paid a LOT of money", and then pauses to glare at Johnny.
Johnny's suit is still recovering from that LSD trip.
That suit IS his LSD trip.
I am comforted by the fact that that jacket may exist somewhere on this Earth.
The Johnny Carson Collection
The 70s were really wild baby
Poor Johnny😳 it was probably his mothers first quilting project🤣❤️
This act and the fact Steve is a world class Banjo picker just shows his genius!
Sammy Davis Junior and Steve Martin on the same show together?
Good gosh, I had no idea that I grew up in the golden years of entertainment!
Mr. Sammy Davis Jr.
Another class act that to this day is very sorely missed.
I've seen them all, all the great standup comics and they're all great. But this man was the greatest he changed comedy and impacted my life.
Steve Jorfi exact same thought
@Jazzkeyboardist1 I see what you did there.
I memorized the entire Let's Get Small album and I would perform parts of it for other people just to see what kind of reaction I would get. People would tell me, man you should be on tv. You're pretty good. They had no idea I was doing Steve Martin.
I really do think that Steve Martin was the best stand-up comedian ever. That might sound a bit much taking into consideration Eddie Murphy (his facial expressions), Jerry Seinfelds writing ability and maybe a few others.
Yes. My vote goes to Steve Martin.
His movies are classy too. Father of the Bride I & II and Parenthood for example. Don't forget the movie "The Jerk". Classic. (And all of those lines that he said at the gas station. Like, "he hates these cans".)
I am late but agreed! I know lots of other comedians get love too, but if I had to look for timelessness - it takes well, time-Steve is a legend and perfect. I’ve said this on like 5 things now lol
This is the big moment that Steve Martin talks about in his book where he new he made it.
Just finished reading the book and finding this video now is awesome!!
@@luccaslouzao8667 let's get SMALL.....................car seats, etc.............
Knew
It's been so long since I read the book that I forgot that part! And I never looked up this video before, so thank you for making that connection. OMG and hearing "Frank Sinatra [gibberish] personal friend of mine" and not realizing until he walks into frame to hug Martin that Sammy Davis Jr. was RIGHT THERE… dude. What a moment! I gotta go back and read that book again…
Yeah the book brought me here. The cutout to Johnny laughing hysterically made him think he finally made it. Especially after being downgraded prior to that to only appear with guest hosts
Steve Martin was a comedian who made fun of being a comedian.
Was???
EXACTLY!!! U get him!
Yes! I think this is why comedians love him so much.
This is actually only the last half of this iconic performance - the first 5 minutes ( Banjo Ramblin', My Real Name, Hot Dog Jokes, Questions and Answers, etc ) has been cut.
thank you! thought it seemed weird when Johnny said "five or six minutes"
I was 17 in 1974. I remember when Steve Martin hit it big. His thing was the white suit, tie, and clean shaven face. That might not seem unusual today, but this was at the end of the hippie era where comedians had long hair, beards, jeans, and did political humor. Martin's style was antithetical to that, and it caught on with a new post-hippie generation who was tired of war, riots, Watergate ... etc. They wanted to just laugh and enjoy life for a change.
We are do for another change - let’s move to post “Millennial cringe SJW comedians” and just tell some funny jokes.
We're the same age. Remember when Steve Martin did an act where he had a half beard and was half shaven?
I always thought his stand up was just plain stupid. I didn't mind his acting though.
You're right, Steve took on his iconic look in the post-hippie 70s intentionally...what's interesting about that is that he was very much into the whole hippie free love culture of the 60s before he became super famous. He had the long hair, the beard, the lifestyle, everything.
@@brucesmith1544 he specifically mentions the charles manson murders and drug overdoses as a reason that he shaved his hippie beard and changed his style, which was full blown hippie before then.
However you're right, he did say in his biography that the white suit started as a way for the bigger audiences to see him
One of the funniest funny men of all time, he would have been great in any era. Steve Martin.
How he’s managed to be 70 for 50 years is beyond me
Yes!!!!
I know! He's been old since I was a kid.
I was just thinking the same thing! Just watched the movie The Jerk! Which was 1979 dude was 33 and had a full grey head of hair.
Johnny knew Steve had the gift. And was going places. Future Legend.
Actually, that wasn't always the case: At first, it took Johnny a long time to allow Steve on the show, because he thought his act wasn't sophisticated enough (for the lack of a better word).
@@VEGANSAM no it's even worse, he specifically asked Steve Martin off of the show after his antics like smashing an egg on his head and he was relegated to only appearing with guest hosts until the producers told Johnny, Steve had been a smash, this is his first show back.
Sammy was probably thinking, "That's exactly how it feels being onstage in Vegas!"
the cut to johnny immediately laughing at the camera they have on him in the dark 😂😂 what a moment!
Very rare
I thought it was because his suit was too distracting. I assume there is a story there, and not just "That's what we wore in 1974".
The first album I bought when I was 14 years old wasn't the Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones or Billy Joel. It was Steve Martin's Wild & Crazy Guy.
Best Fishes
Steve Martin
I was in the audience for that show!👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿💙
Steve Martin is a comical genius.
I saw him at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, NJ back in the 70’s and saw him do stuff like this… I’ve been a fan ever since! ❤
Awesome --- SDJ comes and gives you a hug!
well excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse meeeeeeeee!
Daniel S ...that’s what I said...
Then, Sammy Davis Jr. Hugged him!
I think Sammy was acknowledging how Steve was literally making fun of him and his Vegas pack lol, the irony that he’s was also a guest and it was in Steve’s routine, when he looks over at Sammy 💜
Steve looking over at Johnny over the pay: a masterpiece. And the audience loved it too! Watch Kennedy Center's tribute to Steve @ The Mark Twain Award. A great collection to honor the wit and humor of the man.
Steve's comments was about overpaid Vegas acts, I think he was looking at Sammy Davis Jr!!!
@@Joe26003 Yes, he was looking at Sammy... At the beginning of the video, we it wasn't apparent that Sammy was in the room at all, so I thought he was looking at Johnny, but clearly, he was making a reference to Sammy making lots of money in LV.
What a shock to see Sammy break into the screen from the left at that end!
I disagree …. Steve was looking at Johnny, supposedly because he wasn’t getting paid enough.
Going back and forth as to whether it was intended for Johnny or Sammy. It was obviously a joke, so I suspect it was aimed at Johnny, whereas if it were intended for Sammy, I don't think it would have been a joke.
just saw a clip of Steve Martin on Carson in 1989 and he looked the same then as now...that was 34 yrs ago
“Sammy Davis, Jr., a personal friend of mine…” 😜
Steve’s facial expressions and the way he gesticulates are hilarious! Only Steve!!!
What an honor to have Sammy run out to Steve like that. I can hear him say "your good man, really good".
Oh my goodness! I have known Steve Martin only from some comedies (I'm not American, obviously). And suddenly this! Whole different universe for me! :o)) I love it!
His stand up makes you respect him so much more than some of his movies.. I feel like in the three amigos he was pretty much just doing some of his old bits
This was before I was born. A+. Wish I could’ve seen Steve in his hay day of stand up.
Sammy Davis - probably the most talented overall entertainer ever! RIP!
I always tell people that - his ability to play multiple instruments, solid actor, good impressionist, of course - great dancer and singer. People who say MJ are flat out wrong.
I don't agree with you but I loved Sammy Davis he was one of the rat-pack and everyone loved him he was a gamical genius 2 and the thing is it wasn't that he tried he was just funny in his nature I believe he was a very loving caring human being Steve Martin was just a wild and crazy guy okay it was a little before that and I remember when Steve first started out I wasn't too sure that he could handle being in front of a camera but he proved me wrong I think his best performances were in movies and I think Sammy Davis's best performances were on the stage that's it for now
He's not dead... Lol
@@billwilliams4877 Sammy died in May 1990.
Wow! His hair one time wasn't gray!
But he looks old no matter what age he was in.
It's actually already starting to gray. Compare to his 1968 appearances on the Smothers Brothers and Dating Game.
He was definitely greying here lol
I'm nearly 45, and all this time I thought Steve Martin was born with white hair.
Grecian formula? Lol
Imagine making Carson laugh that hard
That is when Steve knew he made it big!
Loved Steve Martin for as long as I can remember. Tuna-fish sandwich under each arm..... ❤
What a great comedian and actor Steve Martin was/is. Has to be included with the greats.
this material made it onto "Let's Get Small" in a slightly different form, loved seeing this, miss my youth
I had Let's Get Small on 8-track tape.
Yeah, doubt they'd let him say "Wow, look at the tits!", on national television lol. Great album
@@Stevo935 There must be 57 tits up there
I love how back in the day the boom mic operator was always apparently plastered.
gilesgoatboy it wasn’t a Carson tonight show without it
"I can't get a little cooperation from the backstage crew? Well exCUUUUUUUUUUSE MEEEEEEE!"
this is like comedic deconstruction as it is happening. This must have been kind of shocking back in the day when he did this. It's like he is doing comedy while wondering out loud if comedy is even funny or worth doing. I just can't help but think this is genius.
It wasn't shocking, just very funny. We loved Carlin, Klein, Pryor, etc. Firesign Theatre, Monty Python and the Committee were what we really liked and before that Lenny Bruce. and the Goons.
He looked like a fairy tale prince back then. 😍
his KNOTTS BERRY FARN LOOK
Nelson Robert Willis the latter
Johnny was quite dapper himself
And he still does 😂
Geez 1974 I was 2 I'm 52 now
who else, besides maybe robin williams could fit that much into 2:57?
Don Rickles, who could fit twice as much, who was God of comedy.
.a WILD and CRAZZZZZZZZZZZZY GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sammy reaching for the pack of smokes at the end lol. I guess TV used to be good
I saw that too haha guy is so chill
That was back in the day when smoking was still good for you!
Yeah...noted! that did him in and Frank paid to buried him...
@@kcmurphy7367 STILL IS sometimes
This is what " killing it" really means!
Just watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles again! Love me some SMartin!
This is the longest hair I've ever seen him have? I've been a fan my entire life thanks to my Uncle introducing me to King Tut at age 3
I love king Tut. A great song and the dance was great.
I had it on 45 vinyl.
He did it live on SNL with a full band, dancers and Egyptian props snd costumes. It was amazing.
Look at all those earth tones
I was little kid at the tale end of his comedy career but i did see reruns of snl and his movies are hilarious !!!
Martin's high point gag here.."I gotta be me"..LOL!!..Sammy's signature song. Robert at 67.
Steve Martin's 'act' was mocking/making fun of stand-ups and their fake personalities. And he did it masterfully
Martin was so 'on' for the 5 odd minutes the lighting crew turned the overhead lights off over Johnny's desk because he was overwhelmed with Martin's off the wall humor that he got out of his chair, I've never seen that..Robert at 67.
He was the king of comedy back in those days.
That dance though. Lol!
Legendary
STEVE MARTIN IS SUCH A FUNNY GUY. GREAT ACTOR
Born Standing Up brought me here 😊
AntonyC83 me too
Same!
AntonyC83 "It was like being hugged for the first time"
AntonyC83 A great book
"...I'm a personal friend of mine."
1:36 Johnny is howling!
My parents had a few Steve Martin albums from back in the day and I remember during the early part of this bit he included, "Wow, look at the tits!"
.....Guess he had to clean it up for cable though lol
His Twitter tribute to Betty White after meeting her in 1974 is priceless.
Best part at the end is Sammy reaching over to get his pack of smokes to light up.
As if he was desperate for a cig.
And those damn things KILLED HIM.
See this is a REAL TALK SHOW.. with a REAL HOST...and a REAL COMEDIAN...today shows SUCK
I miss Johnny Carson.
No. I think it's Mr. Johnny Carson
I'm almost tempted to say, Johnny's jacket stole Steve's thunder in the end.
Liked him back in his wild and crazy days. Now, not so much. Haven't even seen him smile in the past 32 years.
Seems weird that this was 50 years ago
My oh my...a person's life can be changed in the course of 5 and a half minutes. This was five minutes like that.
A TRUE COMIC GENIUS
Where??
Sammy was sooo smooth in the day. Class act! Oh, yeah, Steve was funny too
Think of all the crap Sammy had to deal with. He couldn't even go in the front door of half the places he performed in. I can't stand Frank Sinatra but he wouldn't put up with the bigotry those places showed. Basically he said, "Treat the guy with respect or forget about having me as a performer" or something along those lines. At least that is what I have read, several places.
Damn Johnny. That's one hell of a jacket.
steve was on carson over 60 times!
It still holds up....
Stephen Glenn Martin, más conocido como Steve Martin (Waco, Texas, 14 de agosto de 1945), es un actor, comediante, escritor, productor, músico y cantante estadounidense.
Couldn't stand him then Can't stand him now.
?
Steve is a personal friend of mine
1:06 Disclaimers at the end of commercials be like
I wonder if I can find Johnny's jacket at a thrift store nowadays lol (but I'm serious)
I grew up watching Johnny Carson but I didn't recall he wore clown suits....😳
Well..early to mid 70's they were certainly interesting..Robert at 67.
Johnny in one of his mid 70's bazarre multi colored carnival jackets..only thing missing is platform shoes..Robert at 67.
He takes the creepy out of the banjo!!! Yay...its nice to hear.
I've never seen this bit before. It's really funny.
That’s great that Sammy was there also to take that in.
Genius
Totally, it may be a touch cliche now, but, what people don't realize, it's Steve who started the cliche - he's a genius, and Johnny sat ringside next to the best, he damn well knew of what he spoke.
Class Acts. A bygone era…
Nice jacket Johnny!
"Sluggish" ;)
Their clothes!!! The sets!!! Ooogly 1970's!!! 😆😂😄
Always liked Steve. Don't know why. I just do.
THE BEST!!!!
Hilarious. Thanks
Quite a jacket Mr. Carson is wearing!
Johnny & the Amazing Technicolor Dream (Sports) Coat!
And Sammy, too!!!💜
Hilarious.....also catch his stand up comedy for dogs routine....
Can you believe he’s only 28 here?
Fuck, I'm 31 and i still assume.he is older than me in everything I see. Sun rise , sun set I guess lol
And totally gray by 35.
Closest thing to Robin William's in his early days
Steve Martin molded Robin Williams like a cold forge.
Legend ❤