Backstage at the Tonight Show: From Johnny Carson to Jay Leno 
asked by mullers on November 20, 2006 5:27 AM
This book is a collection of celebrity vignettes and anecdotes from the peak years of the Tonight Show, and includes behind-the-scenes looks at more than two dozen celebrities, including Joan Rivers, Bill Cosby, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Tony Randall, Don Rickles, Stevie Wonder, Martin Short, Liza Minnelli, Ed McMahon, and Johnny Carson himself. With an eye for the eccentric, amusing, or downright bizarre, Sweeney's brief portraits offer a glimpse at celebrity from the other side of the curtain.
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Author Don Sweeney was with The Tonight Show for nearly twenty years until Jay Leno took over in 1992, so he's in the perfect position to provide the celebrity vignettes and anecdotes which follow its peak years in BACKSTAGE AT THE TONGITH SHOW FROM JOHNNY CARSON TO JAY LENO. More than two dozen celebrities are profiled here form Bill Cosby and Frank Sinatra to Letterman and Stevie Wonder, with descriptions bringing the show experience to life. A recommended pick for not only The Tonight Show viewers past and present, but for any who enjoy celebrity exposes.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
reviewed by pits on November 24, 2006 6:39 PM
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This book holds my interest. I cannot put it down because I loved the TONIGHT SHOW.
Don Sweeney comes across as one of us. He is a fan, just as I was. So I put myself in his shoes and love reading about what I would have seen as a Tonight Show member. If you loved Johnny, Ed or Doc or the band, you will enjoy this book!!!! My 83 year old aunt refuses to give the book back to me. She also cannot put it down. What a great tribute to a great TV show. Thank you Don Sweeney for sharing your story. You gave your readers a special gift.
Don Sweeney comes across as one of us. He is a fan, just as I was. So I put myself in his shoes and love reading about what I would have seen as a Tonight Show member. If you loved Johnny, Ed or Doc or the band, you will enjoy this book!!!! My 83 year old aunt refuses to give the book back to me. She also cannot put it down. What a great tribute to a great TV show. Thank you Don Sweeney for sharing your story. You gave your readers a special gift.
reviewed by localhost on November 24, 2006 9:51 PM
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Great Great backstage quips, quotes and extended anecdotes about Mr. Sweeney and his 20 years of bumping into all the major show business people that graced the tonight show to visit with Johnny and Ed. Tremendous insight for those curious about what some of the stars are "really" like and how ordinary yet extraordinary they actually were. From Ray Charles, to Tony Bennett, to Don Rickles, to Joey Bishop and many many more. Not a "tell-all" book at all it's just a real working mans account of what it takes to put on such a high profile show with the pressure of keeping the level of excellence Johnny expected. Don builds a wonderful story of how his early childhood dream of being involved in show business and network TV from his start on the Howdy Doody show at 5 to drumming with Ray Charles and Ed Shaughnessy as an adult. His daily chronology of rubbing elbows day after day with stars you all know and love as he went about his tasks gives us all hope of meeting the idols in our lives who gave us inspiration and touched our lives with their talents!!! Can't wait for more great stories in the sequel!!!!
reviewed by versed on November 26, 2006 2:45 AM
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This book is the biography of Don Sweeney. who is Don Sweeney? Exactly. Not that exciting. Tonight show tidbits surprisingly boring from an insider's viewpoint. Obviously, the author holds back the "good stuff", so why bother?
reviewed by skywalker on November 28, 2006 2:50 PM