# Challenge! Who is the man sitting with all the stars on Johnny Carson? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 30, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321 "2014-04-30T00:42:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/281 "2014-05-02T08:50:35Z")
> [@choie](#): > > BTW, how sure are you that this is a show devoted to the Emmys? Can’t be sure, but the guess is based on this link: > **[22nd Primetime Emmy Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22nd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards)** > > The 22nd Emmy Awards, later known as the 22nd Primetime Emmy Awards, were handed out on June 7, 1970. The ceremony was hosted by David Frost and Danny Thomas. Winners are listed in bold and series' networks are in parentheses. > The top shows of the night were My World and Welcome to It, and Marcus Welby, M.D.. Marcus Welby, M.D., and Room 222 each won three major awards. My World and Welcome to It won Outstanding Comedy Series, but was cancelled after its first season. It is currently the most ... ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/282 "2014-05-02T08:53:13Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > The only way that it would be used earlier is if they built the set as the Burbank temporary location for Hollywood-centred episodes, then when the show moved from New York to LA they subsequently used the same set, desk, carpet, couch, chairs, everything, permanently. Which would be entirely logical. I’ve looked at that picture umpteen times now, and even with all the other guys he bears a faint resemblance to, I keep coming back to Richman and _just possibly_ Sid Caesar. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/283 "2014-05-02T08:55:31Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > But what has also been established is the set they’re on did not start to be used for the show until 1972, but then continued to be used up until 1976. > > The only way that it would be used earlier is if they built the set as the Burbank temporary location for Hollywood-centred episodes, then when the show moved from New York to LA they subsequently used the same set, desk, carpet, couch, chairs, everything, permanently. Here are some pictures that use the same set from 1970: [Nov 12, 1970](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aired-pictured-actor-comedian-don-rickles-actress-comedian-news-photo/138368012) –\> Notice that the picture has the green fuzz crawling up the leg of the couch [Nov 13, 1970](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aired-11-13-70-pictured-musician-eydie-gorme-actress-carol-news-photo/138445808) –\> Green fuzz is there [Feb 11, 1971](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aired-2-11-71-pictured-unknown-guitarist-and-musician-mama-news-photo/138392165) –\> Green fuzz [May 1, 1972](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/air-date-pictured-ed-mcmahon-first-lady-of-california-nancy-news-photo/141225121) –\> Green fuzz is gone. Ed is wearing a tux. [Apr 30, 1975](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/air-date-pictured-co-host-ed-mcmahon-with-host-johnny-news-photo/138420351) –\< New set The green fuzz on the leg of the couch is gone by May 1, 1972, so the Mystery Picture must have been taken before that. ---
**Author:** ![randompattern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@randompattern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randompattern)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/284 "2014-05-02T09:00:50Z")
I enlarged it yesterday, I didn’t do anything else to it [http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/pablo628/media/MysteryMan2\_zps76756383.jpg.html](http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/pablo628/media/MysteryMan2_zps76756383.jpg.html) ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/285 "2014-05-02T09:02:19Z")
Also notice that the trees outside the leftmost window are gone in the 1972 picture. The trees are in the Mystery Picture. I’m sticking to my theory that this picture came from a 1970 or 1971 Photoplay magazine. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/286 "2014-05-02T09:44:51Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Here are some pictures that use the same set from 1970: > [Nov 12, 1970](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aired-pictured-actor-comedian-don-rickles-actress-comedian-news-photo/138368012) –\> Notice that the picture has the green fuzz crawling up the leg of the couch > [Nov 13, 1970](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aired-11-13-70-pictured-musician-eydie-gorme-actress-carol-news-photo/138445808) –\> Green fuzz is there > [Feb 11, 1971](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aired-2-11-71-pictured-unknown-guitarist-and-musician-mama-news-photo/138392165) –\> Green fuzz > [May 1, 1972](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/air-date-pictured-ed-mcmahon-first-lady-of-california-nancy-news-photo/141225121) –\> Green fuzz is gone. Ed is wearing a tux. > [Apr 30, 1975](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/air-date-pictured-co-host-ed-mcmahon-with-host-johnny-news-photo/138420351) –\< New set > > The green fuzz on the leg of the couch is gone by May 1, 1972, so the Mystery Picture must have been taken before that. That is some compelling evidence right there. I have to accept that. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/287 "2014-05-02T10:35:18Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > That is some compelling evidence right there. I have to accept that. Maybe we should now move on to finding Jimmy Hoffa? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/288 "2014-05-02T10:37:24Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Maybe we should now move on to finding Jimmy Hoffa? :dubious: It’s a shame a TV series about solving mysteries via the Internet would be too visually uninteresting. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/289 "2014-05-02T11:24:53Z")
Well, it’s not Peter Mark Richman. As I mentioned in post # 171, I contacted Mr. Richman through his website. Here is his reply, in its entirety: > [@](#): > > DEAR [BUMBERSHOOT]…THE FOTO IS NOT ME. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. LET IT REST. > PETER MARK RICHMAN So I guess that narrows it down just a little! Oh, and I wrote back, thanking him for his reply and apologizing for bothering him. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/290 "2014-05-02T11:43:44Z")
^^Richman’s feeling a little touchy about it, wouldn’t ya say? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/291 "2014-05-02T11:53:33Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > ^^Richman’s feeling a little touchy about it, wouldn’t ya say? 😛 Maybe just a bit! It probably does get annoying though, hearing the same question for years- especially if it’s worded like “Who is this guy in the midst of all these famous TV stars?” ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/292 "2014-05-02T12:34:05Z")
Maybe if you’d rephrased the question a bit – “We all thought you were the most likely star of the day to be in the company of all those other great performers, so …” ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/293 "2014-05-02T13:04:30Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Maybe if you’d rephrased the question a bit – “We all thought you were the most likely star of the day to be in the company of all those other great performers, so …” Oh, that’s not how I phrased my question! I simply asked if it was possible to confirm if the man was indeed Peter Mark Richman. I was polite and respectful. But I think it could appear to him, if he’s heard the question many times, that people are asking “Could that be Peter Mark Richman sitting with a bunch of famous Hollywood stars?” ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/294 "2014-05-02T13:14:47Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > Oh, that’s not how I phrased my question! I simply asked if it was possible to confirm if the man was indeed Peter Mark Richman. I was polite and respectful. > > But I think it could appear to him, if he’s heard the question many times, that people are asking “Could that be Peter Mark Richman sitting with a bunch of famous Hollywood stars?” That’s why you have to start with some ass kissing and shameless flattery. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/295 "2014-05-02T13:31:46Z")
Richman saying that this mystery has been going on for years makes me think we are all late to the party. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/296 "2014-05-02T13:37:15Z")
Robert Young’s IMDB shows one appearance on the Carson show. Corbet Monica was also among the guests that night, but the rest of that group wasn’t listed. The other guests were a group of astronauts. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/297 "2014-05-02T13:41:24Z")
If it’s been going on for years, you’d expect it to have more of an internet presence. StG ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/298 "2014-05-02T13:49:30Z")
The picture has been altered. The mystery man is the photographer taking a selfie. His extended arm holding the camera has been air-brushed out of the picture. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/299 "2014-05-02T13:54:10Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Here are some pictures that use the same set from 1970: > [Nov 12, 1970](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aired-pictured-actor-comedian-don-rickles-actress-comedian-news-photo/138368012) –\> Notice that the picture has the green fuzz crawling up the leg of the couch > [Nov 13, 1970](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aired-11-13-70-pictured-musician-eydie-gorme-actress-carol-news-photo/138445808) –\> Green fuzz is there > [Feb 11, 1971](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aired-2-11-71-pictured-unknown-guitarist-and-musician-mama-news-photo/138392165) –\> Green fuzz > [May 1, 1972](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/air-date-pictured-ed-mcmahon-first-lady-of-california-nancy-news-photo/141225121) –\> Green fuzz is gone. Ed is wearing a tux. > [Apr 30, 1975](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/air-date-pictured-co-host-ed-mcmahon-with-host-johnny-news-photo/138420351) –\< New set > > The green fuzz on the leg of the couch is gone by May 1, 1972, so the Mystery Picture must have been taken before that. I have no episodes between '65 & '71. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/300 "2014-05-02T13:54:40Z")
I don’t know if you will solve the mystery, or not, but I know one of my favorite episodes of Carson came when George Goebel, a sort of unknown comedian at the time, was on with a couple of famous guys, and they were all sitting on the benches. By the time he got done with his one-liner responses to what was being said, everyone but him were rolling around in their seats, laughing their asses off. Remember? [http://rubytooth.com/link/56711](http://rubytooth.com/link/56711) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321.md?page=16)