And heeeeeeeere's JOHNNY...!!!!

"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people to become interested in you." - Dale Carnegie

In my humble opinion, no one on television better demonstrated the power of that classic quote than the legendary host of The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson. He was the undisputed king of late night talk television, holding court for 30 years at NBC's "beautiful downtown Burbank" studios in southern California. His shows lasted anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes, leaving his audience and insomniacs across the nation (it was a late night show after all) in stitches with his many famous comedy routines interspersed throughout the program, along with performances by special guests, followed by short interviews afterward. At the time of Carson's passing in 2005, he was revered by many in the entertainment business as one of the true giants in the history of television.

You may be wondering how it could be possible that a man from humble beginnings in the midwestern United States could be transformed into such a popular figure in the medium of the small screen, despite the fact that he was considered a very private man according to some, extremely shy by others. The answer isn't really all that difficult to determine. If you ever get a chance, watch some of Johnny's performances on DVD, or even YouTube if you have the chance, and you'll see what I mean. Let me explain.

On many of his shows you'll see something he does that is very simple. Besides his monologue at the beginning of the show, besides his comedy routines where he is the center of attention while interacting with other members of the show's cast, there is something else he does that endeared him to so many people. You see, Johnny was not the first host the Tonight Show ever had, but he is by far the most memorable, so much so that many who have stepped into the host's chair after his departure in 1992 still point to him as one of their greatest influences, from Jay Leno to Jimmy Fallon, and everyone in between.

Johnny had what was called a "conversational" approach to his interviews with guests. He'd ask them a question and sit bit, allowing his guest to do the majority of the talking. He would listen intently to whatever they would say, responding every so often, inviting them to lead the dialogue. Long story short, he got his guests to talk about themselves, and the more he let them know he was interested, the more they would talk, allowing them, and himself, and by extension the audience, to become more engaged in what was being said. He would draw people out of their shells, allow them to "let their hair down," so to speak, and in so doing, gave them a chance to show the people in the audience (and those watching on television) that his guests were human, they were likable, and they were people with whom anybody watching could relate as easily as if they were talking at the backyard fence or the kitchen table over a cup of coffee.

It was his ease at mastering the art of conversation, getting people to open up about themselves that made Johnny Carson such a standout personality, so much so that it was considered an honor to be invited to perform on the Tonight Show stage, and the highest honor indeed to be invited to sit in the guest's chair when your act was finished, whether you sang, played an instrument, or did a comedy monologue of your own. Anybody who was anybody in the world of entertainment wanted to be seen on The Tonight Show with Carson; it was a major feather in your cap to accomplish such a feat. The biggest names in the world of entertainment and other fields (sports, politics, theater, etc.) were drawn to Johnny Carson like moths to a flame.

And it is Johnny Carson's mastery of conversation skills that can help you in every area of your life, whether in personal relationships or in business.  The key is to make people realize that you have a genuine interest in the things that are important to them, rather than convincing them to take an interest in you. People want to know, more than anything else, that you care about them. It is said that the sweetest sound anyone can hear is the sound of their name on your lips.

It's not a difficult skill to learn, once you realize something I learned growing up, which I was able to successfully pass on to my children:

God gives us two ears and ONE mouth for a reason...think about it...

That's all for now, folks. Until we meet again, remember...

Keep it simple...  See ya!