Exit Interview: Ed McMahon

EM: Very rarely. We were just in tune with each other. One night he was doing some material that wasn’t working. I very bravely picked up his cigarette lighter and set fire to the script. He picked up the wastebasket, and just as he drops it in, Doc Severinsen plays “Taps.” Six writers in a room for a week couldn’t come up with that bit.

EI: Did you ever find any spare change in the couch?

EM: I never did. [laughs with that unmistakable “whoaha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”] But I never looked, so there might have been some. [coughs; sounds at first like another laugh, but no, just a cough]

EI: Can you walk down the street without people yelling “Hi-yo!”

EM: No, I can’t. I went to Disneyland and the makeup department made me a beard, a cap and dark glasses. I said something at the turnstile, and that was the end. If people hear my voice, they recognize it, which is very flattering. I’m a good celebrity. I take every picture, I sign every autograph. I like being a celebrity.

EI: You’re also known for other gigs, like Publishers Clearing House. Ever get a less-than-warm welcome from a winner? Attacked by hounds? Staring down the barrel of a shotgun?

EM: Sometimes they almost fainted. But that was great. They’re always skeptical, but as soon as they saw me, they figured it was good. People trust me.

EI: Are there any ungrateful bastards who owe their careers to Star Search that we can put to shame?

EM: No, they are most appreciative. I’ve seen Beyoncé, Usher, Ray Romano, Drew Carey. No matter how big you become in this business, you always remember your beginnings.

EI: Does the term “sidekick” bother you?

EM: Oh no. It’s a tough role. You have to be in when needed and out of the way when not needed. I loved it. The idea of the sidekick goes back to Greek drama. I’m surprised they don’t have that on some of the talk shows nowadays. They try to do it with the bandleader, but it never works.

EI: What do you think of the current state of late-night? It’s gone from Carnac to dog puppets talking about poop. Both of which I enjoy, by the way.

EM: Johnny had a gentle quality. Johnny would do jokes about everything that was going on in the country, but it wouldn’t be so sharp or edgy. I like Jimmy Kimmel. He doesn’t take himself too seriously. But I bounce around. Whoever invented the clicker, I’m very happy with.

EI: In the annals of great sidekicks — Tonto, Robin, Stevie Van Zandt — do you rank at the top of the list?

EM: Well, I wouldn’t do that myself. I’d hope the audience would.