# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/141 "2014-05-01T04:53:18Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > I have to say I’m flabbergasted by some of the guesses… _really?_ So far the only one that I wouldn’t stake my life and the lives of everyone I love being wrong is Richman. I think his daughter would know, but still it’s the only one that even makes me hesitate and think…could be. > > But all the others are just… _really_? So that was my reaction to Sid Caesar… I’ve seen him plenty of times, and this doesn’t remind me of him at all. And yet, having looked at a lot of images just now, I think if it weren’t for the hair it wouldn’t be a terrible match. His hair is also parted on the left like Caesar’s. Expanding on that further, this guy has the prominent nose and chin and the slight jowls. If I use my fingers to block off the hair, again, it’s not a terrible match. ---
**Author:** ![randompattern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@randompattern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randompattern)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/142 "2014-05-01T04:58:05Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > So that was my reaction to Sid Caesar… I’ve seen him plenty of times, and this doesn’t remind me of him at all. And yet, having looked at a lot of images just now, I think if it weren’t for the hair it wouldn’t be a terrible match. His hair is also parted on the left like Caesar’s. > > Expanding on that further, this guy has the prominent nose and chin and the slight jowls. If I use my fingers to block off the hair, again, it’s not a terrible match. I just saw an old Johnny Carson roast and Dick Cavett was making me wonder. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/143 "2014-05-01T05:01:39Z")
> [@randompattern](#): > > I just saw an old Johnny Carson roast and Dick Cavett was making me wonder. That would pretty much have to be the shortest hair that Dick Cavett ever had. ---
**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 1, 2014, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/144 "2014-05-01T05:21:00Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > 'Tain’t Ted Bessell. Mystery Man has a mouth that recedes behind the plane of his eyebrows and chin; Bessell’s mouth does not recede nearly that much. Also he has fuller lips. Bessell doesn’t have a dimple in his chin, Mystery Man does. Bessell’s hairline is not receding the way that Mystery Man’s is. Bessell’s nose goes out straight above the lip, Mystery Man’s nose appears to angle down a little. I could go on. 'Tain’t Bessell. > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Speaking as someone who watched “That Girl” every day in syndication, and nursed a crush on Marlo Thomas as well as an irrational hatred of Ted Bessell, I can say with 100% certainty that you are correct. Absolutely agree it is NOT Ted Bessell. I watched him in every _That Girl_ episode when they came out. And in his regular role in _Gomer Pyle: USMC_. I know what Ted Bessel looks like, and this ain’t him. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/145 "2014-05-01T05:55:12Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > I have to say I’m flabbergasted by some of the guesses… _really?_ So far the only one that I wouldn’t stake my life and the lives of everyone I love being wrong is Richman. I think his daughter would know, but still it’s the only one that even makes me hesitate and think…could be. > > But all the others are just… _really_? So since you’re here, how about answering **choie’s** question about where you found the photo to begin with? ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/146 "2014-05-01T06:21:03Z")
A friend on FB posted it without explaining where she got it. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/147 "2014-05-01T06:48:47Z")
Okay then, do you think you could ask her where she got it? ---
**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 1, 2014, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/148 "2014-05-01T06:55:10Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Okay then, do you think you could ask her where she got it? Suggestion: Right click on the photo and then select “Search Google for this image.” ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/149 "2014-05-01T06:59:05Z")
> [@nevadaexile](#): > > Robert Young is seated next to the man. > > He was in _ **Marcus Welby M.D.** _ with actor James Brolin (also in the picture) who towered over him on the series, at 6’4”. WHile biographies claim that Young was 6’ tall, it’s more likely that he was, at best, 5’10” or 5’11”. > > Clearly the man seated next to Young is slightly smaller than him, both in width as well as height. You can tell that by looking at the two. > > QED Again, you are guessing based on seated photographs, on two different chairs, of two different men, who may have legs of different lengths. You have no idea what height the man on the right is. If you’re correct, it’s by chance. ---
**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 1, 2014, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/150 "2014-05-01T07:02:10Z")
BTW, the caption includes Ted Bessel, but that doesn’t mean a thing. How would the writer have known who it was? At best, he bears a faint resemblance to Bessel. But it ain’t he. Anyway, if it were, wouldn’t he be seated next to Marlo Thomas? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/151 "2014-05-01T07:07:57Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > BTW, the caption includes Ted Bessel, but that doesn’t mean a thing. How would the writer have known who it was? > > At best, he bears a faint resemblance to Bessel. But it ain’t he. Anyway, if it were, wouldn’t he be seated next to Marlo Thomas? :dubious: I’m not sure it’s Bessell by any means. He would have been as slim as any picture of him I’ve ever seen. That said, it does resemble this pic here: [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/That\_Girl\_scene\_1969.JPG](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/That_Girl_scene_1969.JPG) I was just commenting on nevadaexile’s confidence. ---
**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 1, 2014, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/152 "2014-05-01T07:11:17Z")
I’m starting to think Police Line-Ups and facial composite sketches are completely useless if your guesses are anything to go by. David Frost??? Really??? I am convinced it’s [Sid Caesar](http://afflictor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sidcaesar45.jpg), it seems really obvious to me. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/153 "2014-05-01T07:25:09Z")
I have a different question: What is that thing on Marlo’s left arm? ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/154 "2014-05-01T07:27:48Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Suggestion: Right click on the photo and then select “Search Google for this image.” Thanks, I’ll give it a shot but I suspect the source of the photo as Stoid’s friend got it isn’t on Google as I’ve already searched for photos by the names of Carson and the stars. I just tried right clicking the photo in another tab and got nowhere. I’m on a Mac though and all I get is either a a link to launch Google or the web address of the photo in the OP, which I’ll post below in case anything in it means anything to someone. [https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10257806\_10203391221998919\_3316284087444893607\_n.jpg](https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10257806_10203391221998919_3316284087444893607_n.jpg) What I’m hoping **Stoid** can find out is the site or article where her friend found the photo. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/155 "2014-05-01T07:32:08Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I’m starting to think Police Line-Ups and facial composite sketches are completely useless if your guesses are anything to go by. David Frost??? Really??? > > I am convinced it’s [Sid Caesar](http://afflictor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sidcaesar45.jpg), it seems really obvious to me. Nah, Sid Caesar always acted like a hyper goofball. I’ve never seen him sit in the poised, elegant and dignified way the man in the photo does. I don’t really see much of a resemblance either. ---
**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 1, 2014, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/156 "2014-05-01T07:35:45Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Thanks, I’ll give it a shot but I suspect the source of the photo as Stoid’s friend got it isn’t on Google as I’ve already searched for photos by the names of Carson and the stars. > > I just tried right clicking the photo in another tab and got nowhere. I’m on a Mac though and all I get is either a a link to launch Google or the web address of the photo in the OP, which I’ll post below in case anything in it means anything to someone. > > [https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10257806\_10203391221998919\_3316284087444893607\_n.jpg](https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10257806_10203391221998919_3316284087444893607_n.jpg) > > What I’m hoping **Stoid** can find out is the site or article where her friend found the photo. So far as I can tell, this is the only place it’s on the Internet: [http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/classic-television-revisited/images/21373838/title/marlo-thomas](http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/classic-television-revisited/images/21373838/title/marlo-thomas) Click on it to magnify. ---
**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 1, 2014, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/157 "2014-05-01T07:43:00Z")
I [colour corrected](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/38786500/tonightshow.jpg) the image a bit. Not that it helps much. ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/158 "2014-05-01T07:45:14Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Suggestion: Right click on the photo and then select “Search Google for this image.” I took it to Google Image Search. It came up with like 4 - 5 copies of the same image with different 2 - person captions under it. One of them included Bessell but did not seem to mean anything. We are never going to get closure on this, are we ? On preview - yeah, they were from that fanpop site. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/159 "2014-05-01T07:58:28Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > So far as I can tell, this is the only place it’s on the Internet: > > [http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/classic-television-revisited/images/21373838/title/marlo-thomas](http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/classic-television-revisited/images/21373838/title/marlo-thomas) > > Click on it to magnify. Hmm…seeing it magnified like that, I’m beginning to gravitate toward [Rod Taylor](http://www.rodtaylorsite.com/gallery/mug_masquerade2.jpg), caught at an unusual angle or morphing between expressions. ---
**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 1, 2014, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/160 "2014-05-01T08:04:55Z")
Marlo Thomas is [on Twitter](https://twitter.com/MarloThomas). Has anyone asked her? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321.md?page=9)