Sunday Standup Comedy Showcase: Early Garry Shandling on the Johnny Carson Show

Some of the best standup comedy was on TV shows and comedy specials in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Today we continue our Sunday Standup series, sharing some of the early classic routines by iconic comedians on Sunday editions of Jewish Humor Central.  

Garry Shandling was an American comedian, actor, writer, producer and director who was born November 29, 1949 in Chicago, to a Jewish family. He grew up in Tucson, Arizona, one of three sons of Muriel Estelle (née Singer), a pet store proprietor, and Irving Shandling, a print shop owner.

His persona was an anxiety-ridden, grimacing, guarded, confused man on the verge of losing control. After a couple of years on the road, a talent scout from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson booked him to appear as a guest in 1981. Shandling substituted for Carson on a regular basis until 1987, when he left to focus on his cable show leaving Jay Leno as permanent guest host and Carson's eventual successor.  

Here is the video of Shandling's first performance on the Johnny Carson Show in 1981.

Enjoy!