List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes (1978)
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| List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes | |
|---|---|
| No. of episodes | 265 |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Season chronology | |
The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1978:
1978[edit]
January[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3842 | January 2, 1978 | Kenny Rogers (guest host), Norm Crosby, Dub Taylor | Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge | |
| 3843 | January 3, 1978 | Charles Nelson Reilly, Buck Henry | Pete Fountain | |
| Desk- "New Year's Resolutions" | ||||
| 3844 | January 4, 1978 | John Davidson, Orson Bean | N/A | |
| Aunt Blabby | ||||
| 3845 | January 5, 1978 | David Brenner, Antonio Salemme | Itzhak Perlman, Joe Williams | |
| 3846 | January 6, 1978 | Madlyn Rhue, Alan King, David Horowitz | Helen Reddy | |
| 3847 | January 9, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), Hal Linden, Carol Lawrence, Kelly Monteith | N/A | |
| 3848 | January 10, 1978 | John Byner, Suzanne Somers, Bo Svenson | N/A | |
| Desk- "Personalized License Plates for Celebrities" | ||||
| 3849 | January 11, 1978 | Tony Randall, Marsha Mason, Dr. Paul Ehrlich | Donna Theodore | |
| Carnac the Magnificent | ||||
| 3850 | January 12, 1978 | Susan Sarandon, Red Buttons, Anne Hoffman | Anthony Newley | |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Against Endangered Species Protection" | ||||
| 3851 | January 13, 1978 | Buddy Hackett, Peter O'Toole, William Demarest, Victor Buono | N/A | |
| Desk- "Phobias" | ||||
| 3852 | January 16, 1978 | Helen Reddy (guest host), George Gobel, Dr. Joyce Brothers | Robert Goulet | |
| 3853 | January 17, 1978 | Jim Fowler, George Peppard, David Steinberg | Linda Hopkins | |
| Stump the Band | ||||
| 3854 | January 18, 1978 | Peter Strauss, Robert Klein, Caren Kaye | William Walker | |
| 3855 | January 19, 1978 | William Devane, Paul Williams, Shecky Greene, Cyra McFadden | N/A | |
| Sketch- "Weatherman" (It rains on set as part of comedy gag.) | ||||
| 3856 | January 20, 1978 | Diahann Carroll, Charlie Callas, Don "Red" Barry | Judith Blegen | |
| Johnny shows film clip of attempted 50 men link up on the air by sky divers, after clip Johnny brings out photographer Carl Banish for bow. | ||||
| 3857 | January 23, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host), Jack Palance | Lou Rawls | |
| 3858 | January 24, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host), Bob Uecker | Neil Sedaka | |
| 3859 | January 25, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host), Cleveland Amory, Beverly Sanders | N/A | |
| 3860 | January 26, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host) | Charo | |
| 3861 | January 27, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host), Arnold Schwarzenegger | Liberace | |
| 3862 | January 30, 1978 | Bob Newhart (guest host), Dr. Lendon Smith | N/A | |
| 3863 | January 31, 1978 | Henry Winkler, Rodney Dangerfield, Gretchen Corbett | Los Indios Tabajaras | |
| Desk- "Diet Books" | ||||
February[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3864 | February 1, 1978 | Gabriel Kaplan, Cloris Leachman, Marcel Marceau | N/A | |
| Carnac the Magnificent, Johnny & Ed lead the audience in a spontaneous rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner". | ||||
| 3865 | February 2, 1978 | Carl Reiner, Jack Klugman, Jan Todd | Kasey Cisyk | |
| Desk- Johnny does a self-defense skit & explains the etymology of "dressed to the nines" & other British phrases. | ||||
| 3866 | February 3, 1978 | Joan Rivers, David Susskind, Merie Earle | Vic Damone | |
| Sketch- "Russian Satellite" | ||||
| 3867 | February 6, 1978 | Bill Cosby (guest host), Kreskin | Loretta Lynn | |
| 3868 | February 7, 1978 | Garson Kanin, Ed Lieberthal | Britt Ekland, Mel Tillis | |
| 3869 | February 8, 1978 | Jay Leno, Charles Nelson Reilly, Norman Fell | Tony Bennett | |
| Desk-Johnny demonstrates the snow and smoke machine on the Tonight Show backdrop set. | ||||
| 3870 | February 9, 1978 | Jill Ireland, Pete Barbutti, Dr. Robert Jastrow | Johnny Mathis | |
| Sketch- "Abe Lincoln" | ||||
| 3871 | February 10, 1978 | Bob Hope, Dr. William Nolen | Carol Neblett, Lola Falana | |
| Desk- "How to Be a Better Lover" | ||||
| 3872 | February 13, 1978 | Roy Clark (guest host), Sandy Duncan, Foster Brooks | Glen Campbell | |
| 3873 | February 14, 1978 | Earl Holliman, Steve Landesberg, Bridget Boland | Bobby Goldsboro | |
| Desk-"Valentine Cards from Children" | ||||
| 3874 | February 15, 1978 | Walter Matthau | Al Hirt | |
| Desk-"How to Survive a Snowstorm" | ||||
| 3875 | February 16, 1978 | Orson Bean, Mary Livingstone | Monti Rock | |
| Sketch- "Man Charges Wife Money for Sex" | ||||
| 3876 | February 17, 1978 | Jack Webb, Elizabeth Ashley | Buddy Rich, Marilyn Horne | |
| Sketch- "Gene Shallow Movie Review" | ||||
| 3877 | February 20, 1978 | Steve Martin (guest host), Steve Allen, Elke Sommer, Andy Kaufman | Kenny Rogers | |
| 3878 | February 21, 1978 | Robert Blake, Red Buttons, Johnny Yune | Gladys Knight & The Pips | |
| Desk- "How to Avoid the Flu" | ||||
| 3879 | February 22, 1978 | Goldie Hawn, Buck Henry, Dennis Dugan | N/A | |
| Sketch: George Washington is interviewed by Ed McMahon; Johnny reads an Oregon classified ad for missing dentures, and quizzes Ed on celebrities' real names; scheduled musical guest Stan Getz was unavailable due to bad weather cancelling his flight | ||||
| 3880 | February 23, 1978 | Richard Benjamin, David Steinberg | Marilyn Maye | |
| Desk- "Letters"; Johnny demonstrates sea monster on Lake Carson backdrop of the Tonight Show set. | ||||
| 3881 | February 24, 1978 | Peter Falk, Fernando Lamas, Dorothy Fuldheim | Chuck Mangione | |
| Sketch- "New Wave Author" | ||||
| 3882 | February 27, 1978 | Tom Smothers (guest host), Shelley Winters | Ben Vereen | |
| 3883 | February 28, 1978 | Joan Embery, Susan Clark, Kelly Monteith, Barbara Howar | N/A | |
| Carnac the Magnificent | ||||
March[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3884 | March 1, 1978 | Cheryl Ladd, Don Rickles, Ray Bradbury | N/A | |
| Desk- "Soap Opera Shows" | ||||
| 3885 | March 2, 1978 | Bruce Dern, Robert Klein, Susan Sullivan, Dr. Carl Sagan | N/A | |
| Sketch- "Canadian Mouse" | ||||
| 3886 | March 3, 1978 | Shirley MacLaine, Cheryl Tiegs | Ronny Graham, Stan Getz | |
| Stump the Band | ||||
| 3887 | March 6, 1978 | Bill Cosby (guest host), Sally Kellerman | N/A | |
| 3888 | March 7, 1978 | Bill Cosby (guest host), Teri Garr | N/A | |
| 3889 | March 8, 1978 | Bill Cosby (guest host), Dr. Joyce Brothers | Freddy Fender | |
| 3890 | March 9, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host) | Sarah Vaughan | |
| 3891 | March 10, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), Joan Rivers, Dick Shawn, George Plimpton | N/A | |
| 3892 | March 13, 1978 | Rich Little (guest host), Sandy Duncan, George Gobel | Linda Hopkins, Robert Goulet | |
| 3893 | March 14, 1978 | Charlton Heston, Charles Nelson Reilly, Thalassa Cruso | Helen Schneider | |
| Desk-"Theory of Relativity"; Desk-"Winners of Clio Awards for Best Commercials" | ||||
| 3894 | March 15, 1978 | John Davidson, Jodie Foster, Johnny Yune, Sam Blotner | John Davidson ("I Can't Smile Without You" and "You Light Up My Life") | |
| Aunt Blabby | ||||
| 3895 | March 16, 1978 | Mel Brooks, Carol Lawrence | N/A | |
| Desk- "Answers to Test Questions by Elementary School Children" | ||||
| 3896 | March 17, 1978 | David Brinkley, Arlene Francis, Bert Convy | N/A | |
| Desk- "T-Shirts for Dogs" | ||||
| 3897 | March 20, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host), Tom Smothers | N/A | |
| 3898 | March 21, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3899 | March 22, 1978 | Jane Seymour, Rodney Dangerfield, David Horowitz | Kenny Rogers | |
| Desk- "Police Radio Codes" | ||||
| 3900 | March 23, 1978 | Walter Matthau, Bob Uecker, Dr. Michael Fox | Dee Dee Bridgewater | |
| Desk- "How Various Animals 'Turn-On' Sexually" | ||||
| 3901 | March 24, 1978 | Milton Berle, Donna Pyle, Dr. Lendon Smith | Marilyn Horne | |
| Commercial Blackouts: Takeoffs of: "RCA Colortrak", "Easy-Off", and "Schlitz Lite Beer". | ||||
| 3902 | March 27, 1978 | Bob Newhart (guest host), Kelly Monteith | Anthony Newley | |
| 3903 | March 28, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3904 | March 29, 1978 | Buddy Hackett, Claudia Jennings, Dr. William Nolen | Pat Boone | |
| Blackout Sketch- "King Tut" | ||||
| 3905 | March 30, 1978 | Orson Bean, Joanna Cassidy, Robert Easton, Beverly Dahlke | Joe Williams | |
| 3906 | March 31, 1978 | Jack Klugman, George Best, Erica Jong | Roger Miller | |
| Sketch- "Toto the Dog" | ||||
April[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3907 | April 3, 1978 | Bob Newhart (guest host), Dick Shawn, Ray Johnson | N/A | |
| 3908 | April 4, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3909 | April 5, 1978 | Joan Rivers, Fred Astaire, Jack Douglas | Gloria Loring | |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply on Mandatory Retirement" | ||||
| 3910 | April 6, 1978 | George Peppard, Frank Abagnale | Pete Fountain | |
| Sketch- "Lou Gehrig Farewell Address" | ||||
| 3911 | April 7, 1978 | Robert Mitchum, Dick Van Patten, George Miller, Dennis Madalone | N/A | |
| 3912 | April 10, 1978 | Rich Little (guest host), Debbie Reynolds, Fernando Lamas | N/A | |
| 3913 | April 11, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3914 | April 12, 1978 | Paul Williams, Gore Vidal | N/A | |
| Sketch- "Ask Mr. Dilly" | ||||
| 3915 | April 13, 1978 | Bob Hope, Joseph Wambaugh | Lola Falana | |
| Carnac the Magnificent | ||||
| 3916 | April 14, 1978 | Elizabeth Ashley, Steve Garvey, Johnny Yune | Engelbert Humperdinck | |
| Johnny displays gag 'Le Draught' wine bottle; Mighty Carson Art Players- "Jacque Coocoo" | ||||
| 3917 | April 17, 1978 | Robert Klein (guest host), Dick Clark | Eartha Kitt | |
| 3918 | April 18, 1978 | Don Rickles (guest host), Robert Blake, Bruce Jenner | N/A | |
| 3919 | April 19, 1978 | Don Rickles (guest host), Shecky Greene | Peggy Lee | |
| 3920 | April 20, 1978 | Don Rickles (guest host), Tony Curtis, Phyllis Diller, Tommy Lasorda | Skiles and Henderson, Scatman Crothers | |
| 3921 | April 21, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), Tom Smothers, Dr. Michael Fox | Roger Miller | |
| 3922 | April 24, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), Kreskin | Jack Jones | |
| 3923 | April 25, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), Wayne Rogers, Kip Addotta | N/A | |
| 3924 | April 26, 1978 | Roy Clark (guest host), Doug Henning, Victor Buono | Natalie Cole | |
| 3925 | April 27, 1978 | Roy Clark (guest host), Rich Little, Norman Fell | N/A | |
| 3926 | April 28, 1978 | Roy Clark (guest host), John Davidson, George Gobel | N/A | |
May[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3927 | May 1, 1978 | David Steinberg (guest host), Flip Wilson, Dom DeLuise | Helen Reddy | |
| 3928 | May 2, 1978 | Sammy Davis, Jr. | Sammy Davis, Jr. ("Once In a Lifetime", "Mr. Bojangles" and "Life Is a Woman"), Char Fontane | |
| Aunt Blabby | ||||
| 3929 | May 3, 1978 | Buddy Hackett, Dr. Paul Ehrlich | Donna Theodore | |
| Sketch- "Laszlo Wartstuler- World's Greatest Director" | ||||
| 3930 | May 4, 1978 | Gabriel Kaplan (guest host), Norm Crosby | Connie Stevens | |
| Desk- "'Do You Ever Wonder If..' Jokes" | ||||
| 3931 | May 5, 1978 | Gabriel Kaplan (guest host), Patrick Duffy, Barbara Eden, George Plimpton | N/A | |
| 3932 | May 8, 1978 | Gabriel Kaplan (guest host), Joan Rivers, Richard Lewis | Kenny Rogers | |
| Stump the Comedian with Gabriel Kaplan | ||||
| 3933 | May 9, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3934 | May 10, 1978 | Erma Bombeck | Mac Davis | |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply About the 55 M.P.H. Speed Limit" | ||||
| 3935 | May 11, 1978 | Carl Reiner, Florence Henderson | Monti Rock | |
| 3936 | May 12, 1978 | Rich Little, Jean Marsh, McLean Stevenson, Dr. Lendon Smith | N/A | |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Take-off of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'" | ||||
| 3937 | May 15, 1978 | Orson Welles (guest host), Vincent Price, Teri Garr | N/A | |
| 3938 | May 16, 1978 | Bess Armstrong, Bob Speca, David Horowitz | Tony Bennett | |
| Desk- "Foreign Commercials" | ||||
| 3939 | May 17, 1978 | Jane Fonda, Charlie Callas, Dr. Carl Sagan | Ethel Merman ("Gee, But It's Good To Be Here") | |
| Carnac the Magnificent | ||||
| 3940 | May 18, 1978 | Fernando Lamas, Bert Convy, Joanna Cameron | Eubie Blake | |
| Desk- "Television Pilots That Didn't Make It" | ||||
| 3941 | May 19, 1978 | Robert Blake, Dorothy Fuldheim | Kellee Patterson, Ronny Graham | |
| Commercial Blackouts: "Quotal Cereal", and a take-off on a pantyhose commercial. | ||||
| 3942 | May 22, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Betty White, Ken Norton | Jim Nabors | |
| 3943 | May 23, 1978 | Burt Reynolds, Monte Vanton | Johnny Mathis | |
| Stump the Band | ||||
| 3944 | May 24, 1978 | Shecky Greene, Shelley Hack | Buddy Rich, Donna Theodore | |
| Desk- "What is Suspicious" | ||||
| 3945 | May 25, 1978 | Orson Bean, Bob Uecker, Dr. Joyce Brothers | Eugene Fodor | |
| El Mouldo | ||||
| 3946 | May 26, 1978 | George Gobel, Frank Abagnale | Helen Reddy, Pete Fountain | |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Indy 500" | ||||
| 3947 | May 29, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), Kip Addotta, Dr. Art Ulene | Della Reese | |
| 3948 | May 30, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3949 | May 31, 1978 | Tony Randall, David Sayh, Shelley Winters | N/A | |
| Desk- "How to Make an Impression At An Interview" | ||||
June[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3950 | June 1, 1978 | Bill Cosby, Dick Van Patten, Mariel Aragon | N/A | |
| Sketch- "Murray the Mouse" | ||||
| 3951 | June 2, 1978 | James Coco, Kelly Monteith, Barbara Howar | Leonard Waxdeck & The Birdcallers | |
| Desk- "Ways to Skimp in the State Budget" | ||||
| 3952 | June 5, 1978 | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Carol Burnett, James Brolin | Roger Miller | |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" | ||||
| 3953 | June 6, 1978 | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Orson Welles, Sandy Duncan, David Steinberg, Dub Taylor | Linda Hopkins | |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" | ||||
| 3954 | June 7, 1978 | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Roy Rogers, Norman Fell | Wayne Newton | |
| 3955 | June 8, 1978 | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Charles Nelson Reilly | Lola Falana | |
| 3956 | June 9, 1978 | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Madeline Kahn, Dr. William Nolen | N/A | |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" | ||||
| 3957 | June 12, 1978 | Bob Newhart (guest host), James Hampton | Vikki Carr, Mel Tillis | |
| 3958 | June 13, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3959 | June 14, 1978 | Suzanne Pleshette, Patrick Duffy | Donna Summer ("Last Dance" and "I Love You") | |
| Desk-"How to Keep a Happy Marriage" | ||||
| 3960 | June 15, 1978 | Jim Fowler, Jenny Agutter | Phyllis Newman | |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Post Office" | ||||
| 3961 | June 16, 1978 | Ann-Margret, Robert Mitchum, Gary Morgan, Tom Dreesen, Joseph N. Sorrentino | N/A | |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply About the Olympics in Los Angeles" | ||||
| 3962 | June 19, 1978 | Steve Martin (guest host), Richard Pryor, Robert Logan | Bernadette Peters, Glen Campbell | |
| Steve Martin sings 'King Tut'. | ||||
| 3963 | June 20, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3964 | June 21, 1978 | Tony Curtis, Steve Landesberg, Bess Armstrong, Merie Earle | N/A | |
| Carnac the Magnificent | ||||
| 3965 | June 22, 1978 | Marsha Mason, Rodney Dangerfield | Benny Goodman | |
| Desk- "Fascinating Facts" | ||||
| 3966 | June 23, 1978 | Elizabeth Ashley, Johnny Yune, Buck Henry, Tim Severin | N/A | |
| Desk- "The Encyclopedia of How Long Things Take" | ||||
| 3967 | June 26, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Angie Dickinson | Skiles and Henderson, Linda Hopkins | |
| 3968 | June 27, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Elke Sommer, Kip Addotta | The Carpenters ("Thank You for the Music", "Superstar", "Goodbye to Love"), Cubby O'Brien | |
| 3969 | June 28, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Susan Saint James, Jerry Van Dyke | Jim Stafford | |
| 3970 | June 29, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Elliott Gould | N/A | |
| 3971 | June 30, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Rob Reiner | Anthony Newley | |
July[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3972 | July 3, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), George Hamilton, George Plimpton | Eartha Kitt | |
| 3973 | July 4, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), Martin Mull, George Gobel | N/A | |
| 3974 | July 5, 1978 | McLean Stevenson (guest host), William Shatner, Shelley Hack, Pete Barbutti, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Jim Bailey | Jose Feliciano | |
| 3975 | July 6, 1978 | Bob Newhart (guest host), George C. Scott, Gallagher, Dr. Lendon Smith | N/A | |
| 3976 | July 7, 1978 | Bob Newhart (guest host), Henry Fonda | Kenny Rogers | |
| 3977 | July 10, 1978 | David Steinberg (guest host) | Ken Page | |
| 3978 | July 11, 1978 | Robert Klein (guest host), Orson Bean, Jack Gilford | N/A | |
| 3979 | July 12, 1978 | Robert Klein (guest host), Vincent Price | Itzhak Perlman | |
| Robert Klein plugs his new film, 'Hooper'. | ||||
| 3980 | July 13, 1978 | Rich Little (guest host), Tom Bosley | N/A | |
| 3981 | July 14, 1978 | Rich Little (guest host), James Stewart, Kelly Monteith, Loretta Swit, Dr. William Nolen | N/A | |
| 3982 | July 17, 1978 | McLean Stevenson (guest host) | Donna Theodore | |
| 3983 | July 18, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3984 | July 19, 1978 | Sandy Duncan, Howard Jarvis | Carol Neblett | |
| 3985 | July 20, 1978 | Donna Hois, Bruce Jenner, Marilu Tolo, Ray Johnson | Joe Williams ("Young Man on the Way Up") | |
| 3986 | July 21, 1978 | Richard Pryor, Dorothy Fuldheim | Dave Brubeck Quartet | |
| Sketch- "Morris the Cat" | ||||
| 3987 | July 24, 1978 | Kenny Rogers (guest host), Dr. Michael Fox | N/A | |
| 3988 | July 25, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3989 | July 26, 1978 | Joan Embery, Jean Marsh, Nancy Lopez | Andrea McArdle ("Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Tomorrow") | |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply About Smoking in Restaurants" | ||||
| 3990 | July 27, 1978 | Angie Dickinson, Bobby Kelton, David Horowitz | Marilyn Horne | |
| Desk- "Free Thing to Do in Los Angeles" | ||||
| 3991 | July 28, 1978 | McLean Stevenson, Charles Nelson Reilly, Bill Kirchenbauer, Dr. Lendon Smith | N/A | |
| Stump the Band | ||||
| 3992 | July 31, 1978 | Bob Newhart (guest host), Susan Saint James, Jay Leno | Bernadette Peters, Harry Chapin | |
August[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3993 | August 1, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3994 | August 2, 1978 | Burt Reynolds, Susan Sarandon, Andrew Tobias | N/A | |
| Desk- "How to Pick a Wife" | ||||
| 3995 | August 3, 1978 | Fernando Lamas, Gallagher | Peggy Lee | |
| Carnac the Magnificent | ||||
| 3996 | August 4, 1978 | George Carlin, Charles Frank, Ralph Rector | Lola Falana | |
| Desk- "Tips on How to Save Money" | ||||
| 3997 | August 7, 1978 | Rob Reiner (guest host), Billy Crystal, Tommy Lasorda | N/A | |
| 3998 | August 8, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 3999 | August 9, 1978 | Dean Martin, Erma Bombeck, Martin Mull | Johnny Mathis ("Copacabana", "Pieces of Dreams") | |
| 4000 | August 10, 1978 | David Steinberg | Roger Miller | |
| The 4,000th episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson airs. | ||||
| 4001 | August 11, 1978 | Farrah Fawcett, Charlie Callas, Brooke Shields | Buddy Rich, Ed Shaughnessy | |
| Desk- "How to Get Over a Heartache" | ||||
| 4002 | August 14, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host), Elizabeth Ashley, Kelly Monteith | N/A | |
| 4003 | August 15, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 4004 | August 16, 1978 | Betty White, John Byner, Johnny Yune, Merie Earle | N/A | |
| Doc's race horses; The 100 most influential people in history. | ||||
| 4005 | August 17, 1978 | Ardath Evitt, Bess Armstrong, Bobby Kelton, Elia Kazan | N/A | |
| Desk- "National Lampoon Sunday Supplement" | ||||
| 4006 | August 18, 1978 | Buck Henry, Jack Douglas, Marilu Tolo | Larry Gatlin | |
| Stump the Band | ||||
| 4007 | August 21, 1978 | Bob Newhart (guest host), Don Rickles, Dr. Joyce Brothers | N/A | |
| 4008 | August 22, 1978 | Bob Newhart (guest host), Suzanne Somers, Dr. Michael Fox | N/A | |
| 4009 | August 23, 1978 | Bill Cosby (guest host), Mary Louise Weller, Adrienne Barbeau | Paul Anka, Pete Fountain | |
| 4010 | August 24, 1978 | Robert Klein (guest host), Teri Garr, Dr. Wayne Dyer | Hudson Brothers | |
| 4011 | August 25, 1978 | Rich Little (guest host), James Garner, Kip Addotta, Fred Travalena | N/A | |
September[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4012 | September 4, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), Frank Langella | Connie Stevens, Jim Stafford | |
| 4013 | September 5, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 4014 | September 6, 1978 | Peter Strauss, Charles Nelson Reilly | Britt Ekland, Los Indios Tabajaras | |
| Aunt Blabby | ||||
| 4015 | September 7, 1978 | Florence Henderson, Patrick Duffy, Marvin Hamlisch | N/A | |
| Desk- "The Soaps" | ||||
| 4016 | September 8, 1978 | Elizabeth Ashley, Dan Haggerty | Gene Bertoncini, Helen Schneider | |
| 4017 | September 11, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), Joan Rivers | Joel Grey | |
| 4018 | September 12, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 4019 | September 13, 1978 | Jack Albertson, Tony Delia, William Peter Blatty | Dolly Parton | |
| Carnac the Magnificent | ||||
| 4020 | September 14, 1978 | Phyllis George | Mel Tillis, Donna Theodore | |
| Desk- "Letters from Viewers" | ||||
| 4021 | September 15, 1978 | Shecky Greene, Barbara Howar, Jim Bouton | Chuck Mangione, Placido Domingo | |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply in Opposition to National Health Insurance" | ||||
| 4022 | September 18, 1978 | Rich Little (guest host), Dick Clark, Norm Crosby, Kreskin | Rita Moreno | |
| 4023 | September 19, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 4024 | September 20, 1978 | Jack Klugman, George Plimpton, Tom Dreesen | Kellee Patterson | |
| Behind the Scenes of The Tonight Show | ||||
| 4025 | September 21, 1978 | Joe Namath, Jim Fowler | Kenny Rogers & Dottie West ("The Gambler", "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight") | |
| Desk- "Courses Offers from the University of Burbank" (i.e. speed eating, modern dance for animals, history of coughing, and aborigine playwrights.) | ||||
| 4026 | September 22, 1978 | Tim Conway, Angie Dickinson, George Miller, Andrew Tobias | N/A | |
| Sketch- "Foreman of the Nuclear Power Plant Interview" | ||||
| 4027 | September 25, 1978 | Steve Martin (guest host), Burt Reynolds, Cheryl Ladd, Steve Landesberg | N/A | |
| 4028 | September 26, 1978 | Don Rickles (guest host), Suzanne Somers | Ben Vereen | |
| 4029 | September 27, 1978 | Don Rickles (guest host), Sandy Duncan, Robert Conrad | N/A | |
| 4030 | September 28, 1978 | Don Rickles (guest host), Burt Hooton, Dub Taylor | Della Reese | |
| 4031 | September 29, 1978 | none | N/A | |
October[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4032 | October 2, 1978 | Sammy Davis, Jr. (guest host) | Sarah Vaughan | |
| 4033 | October 3, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 4044 | October 4, 1978 | Frank Abagnale, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, Kelly Monteith | Senor Wences | |
| Desk- "Ways to Combat Loneliness" | ||||
| 4045 | October 5, 1978 | Betty White, Robert Morley | Monti Rock, Monteith and Rand | |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Woman Reporter in Men's Locker Room" | ||||
| 4046 | October 6, 1978 | Dick Van Patten, Dr. Lendon Smith | Bob & Ray, Luciano Pavarotti | |
| Desk- "Celebrity Donations for the Smithsonian Institute" | ||||
| 4047 | October 9, 1978 | Beverly Sills (guest host), Carol Burnett, Shecky Greene, Fernando Lamas, Charles Nelson Reilly | N/A | |
| 4048 | October 10, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 4049 | October 11, 1978 | Jean Marsh, Yacov Noy, Dr. Paul Ehrlich | Donna Summer | |
| Carnac the Magnificent | ||||
| 4050 | October 12, 1978 | David Steinberg, John Bennett, Marianne Broome | Kelly Garrett | |
| Desk- "Dreamer's Dictionary" | ||||
| 4051 | October 13, 1978 | Bob Hope, Robert Blake, Bobby Kelton, Ray Johnson | N/A | |
| Commercial Blackouts: 1. Comparative Advertising; 2. Institutional Advertising; 3. Celebrities Endorsing Advertising; and 4. Recording Tape. | ||||
| 4052 | October 16, 1978 | John Denver (guest host), John Ritter, Jay Leno, Ellen Burstyn | N/A | |
| 4053 | October 17, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 4054 | October 18, 1978 | Gregory Peck, Martin Mull, Robert Easton | Judith Blegen | |
| Desk- "What To Do When Buying a Used Car" | ||||
| 4055 | October 19, 1978 | Rob Reiner, Lit Connah, Carol Wayne | Dizzy Gillespie | |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Tea-Time Movie" | ||||
| 4056 | October 20, 1978 | Elizabeth Ashley, Johnny Yune, David Horowitz | Steve Lawrence | |
| The Edge of Wetness | ||||
| 4057 | October 23, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host) | N/A | |
| 4058 | October 24, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host) | N/A | |
| 4059 | October 25, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host) | N/A | |
| 4060 | October 26, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host) | N/A | |
| 4061 | October 27, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host) | N/A | |
| 4062 | October 30, 1978 | David Brenner (guest host), McLean Stevenson, Pete Barbutti | Bernadette Peters | |
| 4063 | October 31, 1978 | none | N/A | |
November[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4064 | November 1, 1978 | Patrick Duffy, Rodney Dangerfield, Dr. Carl Sagan | Carol Neblett | |
| Desk- "Superstitions" | ||||
| 4065 | November 2, 1978 | Bess Armstrong | N/A | |
| Desk- "Christmas Shopping Tips" | ||||
| 4066 | November 3, 1978 | Mary Tyler Moore, Beverly Johnson | Anthony Newley | |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Politics" | ||||
| 4067 | November 6, 1978 | Don Rickles (guest host) | Charo, Gladys Knight & The Pips | |
| 4068 | November 7, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 4069 | November 8, 1978 | Charlton Heston, Charlie Callas, Lesley Ann Warren, Julia Child | N/A | |
| Desk- "Yes or No Propositions" | ||||
| 4070 | November 9, 1978 | Harvey Korman, Gary Coleman, Lilli Palmer | Larry Gatlin | |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Rebuttal in Favor of Legalized Gambling" | ||||
| 4071 | November 10, 1978 | John Davidson, Charles Nelson Reilly, Dorothy Fuldheim, A.L. Rowe | N/A | |
| 4072 | November 13, 1978 | Don Rickles (guest host), Carroll O'Connor, Bobby Ramsen | Jose Molina, Peter Marshall | |
| 4073 | November 14, 1978 | Buddy Hackett, Anthony Hopkins | Billy Davis, Jr., Marilyn McCoo | |
| Carnac the Magnificent; Stump the Band | ||||
| 4074 | November 15, 1978 | Angie Dickinson, Robert Klein, Erma Bombeck | Linda Hopkins | |
| Desk- "Qualifications for Seeking Status" | ||||
| 4075 | November 16, 1978 | Sylvester Stallone, Bobby Kelton, Thalassa Cruso | Kenny Rogers | |
| The Edge of Wetness | ||||
| 4076 | November 17, 1978 | Jill Ireland | Pete Fountain | |
| 4077 | November 20, 1978 | Gabriel Kaplan (guest host), Robert Urich | Stephen Bishop | |
| 4078 | November 21, 1978 | Anthony Quinn, Steve Martin, Paul Williams | N/A | |
| Desk- "Gifts For a Person Who Has Everything" | ||||
| 4079 | November 22, 1978 | Susan Saint James, Fernando Lamas, Calvin Trillin | Donna Theodore | |
| Sketch- "Thanksgiving Turkey" | ||||
| 4080 | November 23, 1978 | Charlie Hill | Roger Miller | |
| 4081 | November 24, 1978 | James Garner, Ellen Burstyn, David Letterman, Rod Dornsife | N/A | |
| 4082 | November 27, 1978 | Don Rickles (guest host), Arte Johnson, Elke Sommer | Glen Campbell | |
| 4083 | November 28, 1978 | Richard Benjamin, Martin Mull, Dr. Lendon Smith | Joe Williams | |
| Desk- "New Etiquette/Manner List" | ||||
| 4084 | November 29, 1978 | Buck Henry, F. Lee Bailey | Andy Williams | |
| Desk- "Commonly Mispronounced Words"; Mighty Carson Art Players- "G. Walter Schneer- Phone Company" | ||||
| 4085 | November 30, 1978 | Cindy Williams, Shecky Greene | Anthony & Joseph Paratore | |
| Desk- "Wild and Crazy Calendars" | ||||
December[edit]
| No. | Original air date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4086 | December 1, 1978 | Bob Hope, Tom Dreesen, David Horowitz | Pat Boone | |
| Desk- "Trivia Dispatch" | ||||
| 4087 | December 4, 1978 | Bill Cosby (guest host), Sandy Duncan | Loretta Lynn, Lou Rawls | |
| 4088 | December 5, 1978 | Bill Cosby (guest host), Norm Crosby, George Plimpton | Mac Davis | |
| 4089 | December 6, 1978 | Bill Cosby (guest host), Richard Pryor, Dr. Michael Fox | Bobby Goldsboro | |
| 4090 | December 7, 1978 | George Carlin (guest host), Ray Johnson | Della Reese | |
| 4091 | December 8, 1978 | David Steinberg (guest host), Orson Bean, Susan Sarandon | Shields & Yarnell | |
| Sketch- "David- The Psychiatrist" | ||||
| 4092 | December 11, 1978 | Bob Newhart (guest host), Debbie Reynolds, Wayne Rogers, Pete Barbutti | N/A | |
| 4093 | December 12, 1978 | Angie Dickinson | N/A | |
| 4094 | December 13, 1978 | Ann-Margret, Joan Rivers, Lou Holtz | N/A | |
| Desk- "Letters to Santa Claus"; Johnny hosts a lingerie fashion show. | ||||
| 4095 | December 14, 1978 | Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Jean Marsh | Engelbert Humperdinck | |
| Sketch- "Carl the Cardboard" | ||||
| 4096 | December 15, 1978 | Dan Haggerty | Phyllis Newman | |
| 4097 | December 18, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Ron Howard | N/A | |
| 4098 | December 19, 1978 | none | N/A | |
| 4099 | December 20, 1978 | Bruce Dern, Myron Cohen, Calvin Trillin | Johnny Mathis | |
| Desk- "Employment Guidelines for Old St. Nick" | ||||
| 4100 | December 21, 1978 | Bob Hope, Dick Van Patten, Gil Fates | N/A | |
| New Products of 1978 | ||||
| 4101 | December 22, 1978 | Betty White, Bert Convy | Marilyn Horne | |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "The Andy Davidson Christmas Special" | ||||
| 4102 | December 25, 1978 | Patrick Duffy, Teri Garr, Vincent Price | Jim Stafford | |
| 4103 | December 26, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Phyllis Diller, Dick Clark, Kreskin | Rita Moreno | |
| Desk- "Odds and Ends" | ||||
| 4104 | December 27, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Bernie Kopell, Kip Addotta | Tony Orlando | |
| 4105 | December 28, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Erik Estrada, Dr. Joyce Brothers | Vikki Carr | |
| 4106 | December 29, 1978 | John Davidson (guest host), Lindsay Wagner, Foster Brooks | Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys | |