Citizen Carson

In a final note, Christon reminds us that “no reportage that claims to probe the Carson persona has failed to mention what a cold, aloof, defensive, insular and even heartless man he is when disengaged from the camera.”

My experience with Johnny Carson, however brief, while he was disengaged from the camera was quite the opposite.

Last season I was honored to have been asked to sing the national anthem at the Volvo tennis tournament at UCLA. After I had sung, I was making my way from center court to the stands when I heard someone shout, “Good job! Very good job!”

I looked up to see that it was Carson leaning over the fence, extending his arms and applauding as I walked by. Does that sound to you like a cold, aloof, defensive, insular, heartless man?

ROBIN REID

Beverly Hills