Dave Thomas talks to Mark about Johnny’s love of his Bob Hope impression, dreaming as a kid of appearing on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and the line during his Carson appearance that caused Johnny to fall behind his desk in laughter.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: RSS
Simon Rakoff
December 19, 2014 at 11:16 am
Many years ago, I was married to an entertainment journalist. Bob Hope was doing a show in our city, Toronto and my then wife asked if I would like to attend a press conference he was giving knowing what a fan I was. At the scrum, Mr. Hope was clearly getting annoyed by the questions. I didn’t blame him. They came across as thinly veiled insults. “What keeps you going?” “Why are you still on the road?” He was gracious but I could see he was thinking, “Why not ask me why I’m not dead yet?” My ex also sensed the tension and whispered to me if I could think of a question. I whispered back, “Ask him if, while he’s in Toronto, he’s planning to call Dave Thomas to get some tips on how to do himself.” She repeated the question and Hope laughed (I beamed)and he said, “That’s marvelous. Dave is fantastic.” He then turned to his handler and said he really wanted to see Dave while he was in town. I thought it was so cool that Hope acknowledged the masterful impression Dave Thomas did of him. Quite a tribute.
Pete R
December 22, 2014 at 9:16 pm
This was mighty good. Much as I was a Dave Thomas fan already, I did not at all know about his Carson connection; the stories were really terrific. Thanks a million, Marc!
Michael Powers
May 29, 2017 at 4:58 pm
This episode was loaded with fascinating things I didn’t know. I’ll have to read his book soon: SCTV was to SNL as National Lampoon was to Mad Magazine. I remember being so devastated whenever something else was run in its time slot after waiting all week. The Woody Allen/Hope/Crosby sketch was absolutely Albert Brooks level and it’s no wonder he loves it. Mark, this is a wonderful podcast series you’re helming. Glad to finally know about it thanks to Gottfried’s show last week.
Mark Malkoff
March 11, 2018 at 8:13 pm
Thanks, Michael! Dave Thomas had wonderful stories!