Henry Bushkin

A fairly negative view of Carson and a overwhelmingly positive view of Bushkin in this Hollywood biography. This was a good book overall however a little too detailed with names of Hollywood (i.e., suits) nobodies unless you happened to have worked there in the 70s and 80s. I am a fan of Carson's work and this book was interesting as long as it focused on him. The narrator was decent and at times unintentionally funny because he would often start off a sentence fine only to trail off into a Katherine Hepburn flourish. The beginning of the book gave me the impression that Buskin was writing a Raymond Chandler novel, which perked me up. Then it went back to the droll chronological narration of legal issues and personalities. I really liked the pace of the audio-book and would recommend that format here rather than not wasting valuable time reading the print version. My own flawed judgement is that this book written by an accomplished lawyer would not be challenging to the seasoned reader of memoirs or of Hollywood behind the scenes takes which are always in demand. Ed McMahon's memoir "Here's Johnny" is a much more positive rendering about Carson than this book. Carson ends his life as a sad lonely man despite his enormous financial and show business success.
Bushkin, Jewish, was a personal attorney for many years to Carson.… (mehr)

My buddy David Gelles recommended this book. The recommendation was random from such a young man and also because I had never mentioned Johnny Carson before. The Tonight Show was the background music of my entire growing up -- Carson and David Letterman. While I turned on Late Night with David Letterman on my own, my mom and dad watched the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and so the memories of the man were shallow and woven into family time (yes, either my parents stayed up late or maybe they broadcast it earlier in Hawaii). And, I loved the wry and oddly-sharp-dressed man. His hi-jinx and charm. This book dirties this a little bit, since Carson was both the worst of the worst when it came to living the high-life as well as loyal and strangely Midwestern. Henry Bushkin, Carson's lawyer and best friend for 17 or so years, opened the door on all of his skeletons, revealing so many insights into his life that Johnny Carson, the private man that he was, would probably be completely freaked and offended while also being touched. And, in the end, you both revile and admire the man. It's a good book. Henry Bushkin does a very good job and making what could be very much an insider's book, written only for the Hollywood set, into a very readable and accessible book. Entertaining, even. And, what's more: you also get a side-glance at quite a few other people, relationships, stars, and starlets (to Kathie Lee's chagrin). I wholly recommend this book. I read it as an audiobook and the voice actor was very good. With his tone and cadence, it really felt like it could have been Henry Bushkin reading. Thanks, Mr. Gelles.… (mehr)