by Jake Betz

Created on: July 28, 2009

Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett are unequalled as late-night hosts. No one has ever come close, and probably no one ever will.

Carson, the king of late night, hosted "The Tonight Show" on NBC for 30 years until his retirement in 1992. Dick Cavett's late night-career on ABC lasted only five years, but his show brought viewers the most informative and often the most thoughtful and provocative interviews in television history.

Both Carson and Cavett were born in Nebraska, and in his younger days, Cavett actually worked as a writer for "The Tonight Show." Although their interview styles, and often the subject matter, were vastly different, Carson and Cavett made it worth viewers' while to stay up past their bedtime.

With Carson at the helm, assisted by his affable sidekick Ed McMahon, "The Tonight Show" was always funny and entertaining. Carson's opening monologues are classic; in fact, when it comes to stand-up comedy, there has never been anyone better. The show's skits were hilarious.

Most importantly, Carson was a generous host in his presentation of guests. Comedians and musical guests gained in public stature as a result of the appearances. Celebrities, even those associated with controversy, always came off looking just a little more sympathetic, because Carson's interviews allowed us to gain a deeper appreciation of them as human beings.

Carson was, of course, the master of the double entendre. He was equally funny in the art of understated humor as he was with classic "pie in your face" antics. He never lost his edge, and was just as funny and topical in the 1990s and he was in the 1960s.

Cavett's late-night misfortune was that his show ran opposite to Carson's, so naturally he never gained the large audiences Carson enjoyed. But in those days, long before 24/7 cable news, Cavett truly illuminated the issues of the day in a show that wasn't afraid to tackle controversial topics, including sex, the Vietnam War and drugs.

Issues were discussed with great depth and understanding. Unlike today's cable interviewers who can't bear to hear anyone other than themselves speak, Dick Cavett asked thoughtful and compelling questions and then stepped back to allow the subject to answer. Because most of his guests respected Cavett's intelligence and professionalism, they often opened up to him as they never had before. No shrinking violet himself, Cavett, himself a master of wit and purveyor of classic put-downs, was able to provide effective retorts to smart-alecks.

There has never been a better television interviewer, whether in prime time, daytime or late night, than Dick Cavett. In terms of intelligence, subject knowledge, humor and interviewing skills, Cavett set a standard that is almost never reached.

Johnny Carson has had successors and certainly many imitators, but no one has been able to claim his mantle.

The secret of their success: Great talent, of course, but there's more. Viewers knew that with Carson and Cavett, what they saw was what they got. They were genuine. People saw and appreciated the real Carson and the real Cavett.

Learn more about this author, Jake Betz.
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