Johnny Carson: American Masters

Monday, May 14 at 9:00 p.m.

Johnny Carson was a fixture of national life, a piece of the cultural furniture, a part of the zeitgeist. In exploring the career, complexities and contradictions of the biggest star television has ever produced, "American Masters" had the estate’s first-ever cooperation and permission — unrestricted entrée into his personal archives and perhaps Carson’s greatest legacy, all episodes of “The Tonight Show” from 1970-1992.

Clues about his life, stories about his childhood and early days in the business can be found there — as well as in the expansive family albums and memorabilia.

Original interviews with friends, colleagues, his wives and the many performers who appeared, or began, on “The Tonight Show” offer additional texture and context: Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, Jerry Seinfeld, Conan O’Brien, Steve Martin, Ray Romano, Drew Carey, Joan Rivers, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles, Garry Shandling, Angie Dickinson, Doc Severinsen, Arsenio Hall, Dick Cavett and many more.