Joan Rivers is one of the more successful female comics of our age, some would argue the most successful. She truly rose to prominence on The Tonight Show, eventually being granted the title of "permanent guest host" in 1983 as Johnny Carson was given more time off. Rivers was often called Carson's daughter, since Johnny had mentored her in the business, they were that close.
However, in 1986, Joan Rivers was given her own talk show on the then-fledgling FOX network-Directly competing with Carson. According to Rivers, when she attempted to call Carson and tell him this, he hung up on her twice and they never spoke again.
Now, what if Joan never decides to leave The Tonight Show, and following Johnny Carson's retirement in 1992, is named his successor, instead of Jay Leno. How does this affect late night TV, Leno's future career, the Tonight Show VS. The Late Show rivalry, and Rivers' own career?
However, in 1986, Joan Rivers was given her own talk show on the then-fledgling FOX network-Directly competing with Carson. According to Rivers, when she attempted to call Carson and tell him this, he hung up on her twice and they never spoke again.
Now, what if Joan never decides to leave The Tonight Show, and following Johnny Carson's retirement in 1992, is named his successor, instead of Jay Leno. How does this affect late night TV, Leno's future career, the Tonight Show VS. The Late Show rivalry, and Rivers' own career?