"I bid you a heartfelt good night"

I have truly missed America's late night king of comedy since he left television. His charm and charisma have yet to be matched by those that followed. When it comes to Johnny, they broke the mold. His 30 years on late night television set the precedent. Some of my personal favorites are the "Carnac the Magnificent and “Art Fern’s Tea Time Movie”, but most of all I loved his monologues.

I could go on and on about his show but those that watched him know what I mean and those that were were to young to stay up late you'll understand if and when they decide to put his shows on dvd. But I'd like to highlight other parts of this man's career.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 8, 1943, as an apprentice seaman enrolled in the V-5 program, which trained Navy and Marine pilots.
He hoped to train as a pilot, but was sent instead to Columbia University for midshipman training. He performed magic for classmates on the side and kept many of his fellow mates rolling on the floor.

He won a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 1992, with the first President George H. W. Bush saying, "With decency and style he's made America laugh and think."

Now I'll steal a quote from Michael Ventre, of MSNBC

"The day that television died was May 22, 1992. The day it was buried was today".

So true.

I bid you a heartfelt goodbye, Johnny.