Drew Carey Kills It In His First Appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson - 11/08/1991

For those of you watching this in 2020 or beyond and don't understand what happened at the end there, it was a HUGE deal for Johnny to call you over to the couch after a stand-up set. Literally it made people's careers (Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, et al...) and they would LAUNCH after an appearance on Carson. It was a pivotal point in Drew's career here, which is why he's so freaked out about it. Think of the 3 biggest stars in the world right now, and then combine them...that's how powerful Johnny Carson was in Hollywood during his reign.

"You're as funny as hell." That's pure gold coming out of Johnny Carson's mouth there. Drew Carey has always been such a quick wit. Funny and clever at the same time. Just a natural. No awkward segues between jokes. Everything just flows.

I had the chance to meet Drew when we were in the Marine Corps together. he always practiced on the platoon on weekends. More than once, we stayed in on weekends because he kept us laughing during duty assignments over the day.

“It’s not worth looking like this for that one joke.” LOL

It's heartwarming how happy Drew seemed that the audience was enjoying his set.

I remember him talking about this on a Carson special. He was tearing up remembering that night when he got called over. Because everyone knew that if Carson called you over to be interviewed, it was essentially "welcome to Hollywood kid, you just made it!"

Damn he was so nervous! You can tell he he eased as he felt the crowd behind him, and took total reigns once he knew he was killing it. Then got nervous again once he was at the couch. Dude Is a legend!

I loved how Drew told the joke, looked up and saw the crowd actually laugh, and then proceed to laugh in the best, contagious sounding, wholesome laugh, ever

His appearance is like he's going back to work at NASA in the '60s after this routine.

Love how humble he was, and how thrilled he was when Johnny called him over. Johnny calling you over was a golden ticket.

I saw this the night it aired and he became an instant star. I bought tickets the next day for that evenings show in Schaumburg Illinois where he absolutely slayed a packed house.

This appearance meant everything to Drew. He talks about it still. Johnny, Ed and Doc were all there that night, Drew "killed 'em" and Drew got to go sit down and speak to Johnny. You got to do that when you did well.

Drew Carey took one shot on The Tonight Show and turned it into a 9 figure career. You can't do much better than that.

...Drew Carey has never looked a day above or below forty.

I was in the audience in The Price is Right about 12 years ago and was really surprised at how funny Drew was. During the commercial breaks he'd improv, cracking jokes at the contestants and he really is funny as hell. I liked him on his show and Who's Line but didn't know he was THAT quick and funny.

I saw a recent interview with Drew Carey in which he said that after this Tonight Show performance his phone blew up with calls offering gigs. He was a star overnight. This kind of folksy, nonpolitical humor will always be a favorite.

Carson: "You're funny as hell." Carey: "Thank you. You, too." Great ad lib!

"I don't think looking like this is worth that one joke." -- ha ha ha ha

It's December 2021, and I'm watching Drew Carey host The Price is Right with professionalism and humor. Johnny Carson would be proud.

Wow! The audience was generous and genuinely entertained by this new young comedian. I can't get over their enthusiasm. I always loved Drew Carey but this is the first time I've seen him do a stand-up routine. He nailed it!