GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- Ten years after his final "Tonight Show," Johnny Carson's place in television history remains secure. A new Gallup poll shows nearly four out of 10 Americans (39%) still consider Carson to be their favorite late-night talk show host of all time. In fact, the combined percentages for Carson's successors don't even beat his 39% rating. CBS' David Letterman was named by 20% of Americans as their favorite, while the heir to Carson's NBC throne, Jay Leno, was named by 16%. The poll, conducted May 6-9, also included three Carson predecessors and contemporaries: Steve Allen (the original host of the "Tonight Show") received 6%, Jack Paar got 2%, and Dick Cavett, another Nebraska native, was elected by 1%.
Letterman Leads Among Young Adults, But Carson Still has Strong Following
Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 were kids and teenagers when Carson stepped down on May 22, 1992. Still, the poll finds that 26% of Americans in that age group still consider Carson their all-time favorite -- meaning a lot of kids stayed up past their bedtimes for Carson's monologue. David Letterman holds the attention of most members of that key demographic, though -- 38% of Americans 18-29 consider him their favorite. Letterman's ratings among younger Americans are one of the main reasons ABC attempted to lure him away from CBS earlier this year. By comparison, NBC's Jay Leno was named by 27% of those 18-29.
| Favorite Talk Show Host of All Time 18-29 Year Olds |
 |
| May 6-9, 2002 |
As might be expected, Carson's appeal is much stronger among older Americans. Forty percent of those aged 30 to 49 and 43% of those over 50 consider him their all-time favorite, with far less support for Letterman and Leno. However, Letterman still leads Leno in the 30-49 age group, with 22% choosing Letterman and 17% picking Leno.
| Favorite Talk Show Host of All Time Age 30-49 and Age 50+ |
 |
| May 6-9, 2002 |
Carson's Appeal Strongest in Midwest
Johnny Carson's Nebraska roots and Midwestern sensibilities served him well during his career, and the poll shows his appeal is strongest in the heartland of America. Forty-eight percent of those living in the Midwest cite him as their all-time favorite. By comparison, 39% of those in the South list Carson as their favorite, as do 36% of those in the West, and 30% of those living in the East. Letterman holds a slight edge over Leno in the East, Midwest, and West, but the two tie for second in the South with 18%.
Survey Methods
These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,012 adults, 18 years and older, conducted May 6-9, 2002. For results based on this sample, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus 3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.
Which of the following would you choose as your favorite late-night television talk show host of all time -- [ROTATED: Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, Dick Cavett, Jay Leno, (or) David Letterman]?
|
|
Steve |
Jack |
Johnny |
Dick |
Jay |
David Letterman |
No |
|
2002 May 6-9 |
6% |
2 |
39 |
1 |
16 |
20 |
16 |
