# 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:** 47
**Author:** ![Vashbul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Vashbul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vashbul)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/921 "2014-05-14T22:54:26Z")
> [@cococ173](#): > > Re: the 2nd mm that Vashbul posted, the set is the same as our 1st mm picture–I’m thinking it was 1971, I have forgotten when the desk and rug got replaced, but the picture might be captioned in a Photoplay microfilm that Vashbul already has. 😉 _Had_, you mean. It’s gone back into the storage vault at Harvard. But if nobody can say for sure certain who it is, and can narrow down the search criteria (look, they’re wearing tuxes again) I might be persuaded to look, but I need to get an imaginary boat this time. I never meant for this to turn into another thing, but turn it has and I feel just awful. ---
**Author:** ![randompattern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@randompattern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randompattern)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/922 "2014-05-14T23:06:15Z")
I’ll chip in for an imaginary boat! ---
**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 14, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/923 "2014-05-14T23:40:35Z")
Maybe we should start a new thread for MM2. This thread is an entity unto itself. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/924 "2014-05-14T23:45:03Z")
I don’t have time to read the whole thread right now, but it looks a little bit like **Al Traina.** ---
**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 14, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/925 "2014-05-14T23:46:18Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > I don’t have time to read the whole thread right now, but it looks a little bit like **Al Traina.** Where were you two weeks ago?!? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/926 "2014-05-14T23:49:09Z")
> [@randompattern](#): > > Yes Ricardo was mentioned with the others. > What amazes me is that you actually knew the man IRL, thought he looked like Ricardo, and didn’t recognize him. > That tells me that without the actual issue Vashbul found, we never would have figured this out. Ever! 😃 It tells me that I missed a chance to be a Doper legend. LEGEND I tells ya. :smack:.:smack:.:smack:.:smack:.:smack:.:smack:.:smack:.:smack:.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/927 "2014-05-15T00:00:01Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > Where were you two weeks ago?!? 😉 Oh I was cleaning out my old collection of _Photoplay_ magazines. I figure they’re really not of any use to anyone anymore. Whadimiss? (what a really awesome thread) ---
**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 15, 2014, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/928 "2014-05-15T00:28:39Z")
Just when you thought the thread couldn’t get any cooler: > [@Bumbershoot](#): > > Believe it or not, I just got a reply a few minutes ago! Here is what he said: > > > [@](#): > > > > THANK YOU, [BUMBERSHOOT] FOR THE EXPLANATION AND FOTOS. FINALLY! > > BEST WISHES, > > PETER MARK RICHMAN ---
**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 15, 2014, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/929 "2014-05-15T00:54:42Z")
I can’t tell you how relieved I was to get that email. I felt bad after the first one arrived (I was convinced it was him and I was going to solve the mystery). ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/930 "2014-05-15T01:06:39Z")
Didn’t someone say up thread that MM#2 was [Mac Davis](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6hpSr35lx5w/UeYn5avvB-I/AAAAAAAADSA/SJarjR6HiGs/s1600/mac+davis.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/931 "2014-05-15T01:56:12Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Didn’t someone say up thread that MM#2 was [Mac Davis](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6hpSr35lx5w/UeYn5avvB-I/AAAAAAAADSA/SJarjR6HiGs/s1600/mac+davis.jpg)? I don’t think this was a serious answer, but in any case it’s not him. Assuming by the look of the set the time frame is roughly 1970-1971, Mac Davis was virtually unknown as an artist at that time. He had written “In the Ghetto” and “Don’t Cry Daddy” for Elvis a couple of years previous, but had little success as an artist until a couple of years later. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/932 "2014-05-15T02:05:30Z")
MM#2 looks awfully familiar, but I can’t for the life of me think of his name. ---
**Author:** ![randompattern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@randompattern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randompattern)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/933 "2014-05-15T02:06:53Z")
I did say Mac Davis and I was serious…first name that came to mind when I saw the pic. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/934 "2014-05-15T02:12:08Z")
No, it’s not Mac Davis. Don’t let the hair fool you, lots of guys wore it that way back then. This guy was wimpier than Davis. I recognize him, just can’t think of his name. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/935 "2014-05-15T02:22:17Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > MM#2 looks awfully familiar, but I can’t for the life of me think of his name. I think **rucciface** had it. [CD cover with profile shot of Itzhak Perlman.](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb8qEck-jVg/UeGRueNhD7I/AAAAAAABm8I/lxIpH490X8M/s1600/perlman+contraportada.PNG) Now he’s older in that picture, but [this one](http://claude.torres1.perso.sfr.fr/Bloch/Disques/Sony742460.jpg) shows the shaggy hair and big sideburns he had earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/936 "2014-05-15T02:26:48Z")
Maybe. But I’m thinking someone else. ---
**Author:** ![cococ173](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ab097/32.png) [@cococ173](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cococ173)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/937 "2014-05-15T19:53:33Z")
The Tonight Show desk did not change until sometime in 1975. Is it possible MM2 is Albert Brooks? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/938 "2014-05-15T20:07:33Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > I don’t have time to read the whole thread right now, but it looks a little bit like **Al Traina.** Were this a Stooges flick, we’d now witness that rarity: the other two clobbering Moe. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/939 "2014-05-15T20:18:01Z")
> [@cococ173](#): > > The Tonight Show desk did not change until sometime in 1975. > Is it possible MM2 is Albert Brooks? Pretty good guess, I’d say. Compare [http://www.albertbrooks.com/site/wp-content/gallery/taxi-driver/3457720520\_ba5eea9b42.jpg](http://www.albertbrooks.com/site/wp-content/gallery/taxi-driver/3457720520_ba5eea9b42.jpg) Wikipedia says Brooks was doing stand-up as early as 1969-1970, and was a guest on _The Tonight Show_ more than once. The questions that remain are Why is MM #2 all dressed up (dig those ruffled sleeves!)? What are he and Johnny looking at? What the hell is Al doing there? (Personally, I’ve seen enough of him for a while!) ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/940 "2014-05-15T20:27:48Z")
> [@cococ173](#): > > Is it possible MM2 is Albert Brooks? He was my first thought, but I’m still leaning towards Itzhak Perlman. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321.md?page=46) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321.md?page=48)