List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes (1980)

List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes
Season 1980
No. of episodes	197
Release
Original network	NBC
Season chronology
← Previous 1979 episodes Next → 1981 episodes
List of episodes

The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1980:^{[ citation needed ]}

1980

January

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4333	January 2, 1980 (1980-01-02)	Karl Malden, Teri Garr	Eubie Blake, Mel Tillis
Desk - "Most Intriguing People"
4334	January 3, 1980 (1980-01-03)	George Burns, David Horowitz	Johnny Mathis
Desk - "Tonight Show Time Capsule"
4335	January 4, 1980 (1980-01-04)	Robert Blake, Martin Mull, Dorothy Mays, Tom Wolfe	N/A
Desk - "Veteran Personalities Who Are Still Employed"
4336	January 7, 1980 (1980-01-07)	Richard Dawson (guest host), Jack Klugman, Barbi Benton, Pete Barbutti, Dr. Michael Fox	N/A
4337	January 8, 1980 (1980-01-08)	none	N/A
4338	January 9, 1980 (1980-01-09)	Cloris Leachman, Robby Benson, Argus Hamilton, Sydney Goldsmith	N/A
Desk - "The Book of Failures"
4339	January 10, 1980 (1980-01-10)	Phyllis George, Mike Farrell, Sean Morey, Jerzy Kosinski	N/A
Carnac the Magnificent
4340	January 11, 1980 (1980-01-11)	Lauren Bacall, David Steinberg	Eubie Blake
Commercial Blackouts: "Paul Gasson Wine", "Beritol Vitamins", "V-8 Juice" and "Circle One, Two, Three, And Four Dog Food".
4341	January 14, 1980 (1980-01-14)	Martin Mull (guest host), Bea Arthur, Billy Crystal	Rita Moreno
4342	January 15, 1980 (1980-01-15)	Joe Namath Stephanie Faracy	N/A
4343	January 16, 1980 (1980-01-16)	Tony Randall	N/A
Edge of Wetness
4344	January 17, 1980 (1980-01-17)	Tom Snyder, James Woods, Bert Convy	Benny Goodman
Desk - "1980 Psychics Predictions"
4345	January 18, 1980 (1980-01-18)	Bob Hope, Angie Dickinson, Bud Greenspan	Melissa Manchester
Sketch - "Super Bowl Interview"
4346	January 21, 1980 (1980-01-21)	Kenny Rogers (guest host), Bob Hope, Gallagher, Sandy Duncan	Larry Gatlin
4347	January 22, 1980 (1980-01-22)	David Letterman (guest host), Vince Ferragamo, Marvin Hamlisch, Wayne Rogers	Rupert Holmes
4348	January 23, 1980 (1980-01-23)	David Letterman (guest host), Jose Feliciano, Meadowlark Lemon	Ben Vereen, Linda Lavin
4349	January 24, 1980 (1980-01-24)	David Letterman (guest host), Ralph Nader	Sarah Vaughan, Jim Stafford
4350	January 25, 1980 (1980-01-25)	George Carlin (guest host), Ricky Schroder	Bernadette Peters, Donna Summer
4351	January 28, 1980 (1980-01-28)	Bill Cosby (guest host), Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Gobel	Lola Falana
4352	January 29, 1980 (1980-01-29)	none	N/A
4353	January 30, 1980 (1980-01-30)	Candice Bergen	Mac Davis
Desk - "The Rule Book"
4354	January 31, 1980 (1980-01-31)	Michael Landon, Jim Fowler, Dr. Paul Ehrlich	Donna Theodore
Desk - "Who's in Charge Here?"

February

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4355	February 1, 1980 (1980-02-01)	Bob Hope, Teri Garr	Ray Charles
Floyd R. Turbo- "Against Televised Presidential Debates"
4356	February 4, 1980 (1980-02-04)	Bill Cosby (guest host), Valerie Harper	N/A
4357	February 5, 1980 (1980-02-05)	McLean Stevenson	Natalie Cole
Desk- "Unusual Expenditures Made by The Government"
4358	February 6, 1980 (1980-02-06)	Mariette Hartley, Rodney Dangerfield, Dr. Lendon Smith	Robert Goulet
Desk- "Famous People with February Birthdays"
4359	February 7, 1980 (1980-02-07)	Lucille Ball, Kelly Monteith, Dick Enberg	N/A
Sketch- "Groundhog Interview"
4360	February 8, 1980 (1980-02-08)	Bob Hope, Marsha Mason, Merie Earle	Nell Carter ("Mean to Me", "Cash for Your Trash")
Desk- "NBC Newsline"
4361	February 11, 1980 (1980-02-11)	Rich Little (guest host), Dick Shawn, Natalie Wood	N/A
4362	February 12, 1980 (1980-02-12)	Patrick Duffy, Red Buttons, Ann Reinking, William F. Buckley, Jr.	N/A
Desk- "Sayings of the Ayatollah Khomeini"
4363	February 13, 1980 (1980-02-13)	Steve Martin, Lynn Redgrave, Bob Newhart	Linda Hopkins
Desk- "Valentine's Cards"
4364	February 14, 1980 (1980-02-14)	Ali MacGraw, Doug Henning, Phil Donahue	Pat Boone
Sketch- "Dan Cupid Interview"
4365	February 15, 1980 (1980-02-15)	Beau Bridges, Calvin Trillin	Dionne Warwick
Desk- "Edison's Less Famous Inventions"
4366	February 18, 1980 (1980-02-18)	Roy Clark (guest host), Suzanne Somers, Kreskin	Tammy Wynette
4367	February 19, 1980 (1980-02-19)	Alan King, George Segal	Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band
Desk- "How To Throw a Party"
4368	February 20, 1980 (1980-02-20)	Dom DeLuise, Johnny Yune, Lauren Hutton	Mel Tillis
Carnac the Magnificent
4369	February 21, 1980 (1980-02-21)	Loni Anderson, Steve Landesberg, Bill Underwood	Engelbert Humperdinck
Sketch- "Waiting For a Bus at Olympics"; 'Who Is Bert Parks?' Letters
4370	February 22, 1980 (1980-02-22)	Dean Martin, Florence Henderson	N/A
Sketch- "George Washington Press Conference"
4371	February 25, 1980 (1980-02-25)	David Letterman (guest host), John Ritter, Irving Wallace	N/A
4372	February 26, 1980 (1980-02-26)	William Devane, Sydney Goldsmith, David Horowitz	Buddy Rich
Edge of Wetness
4373	February 27, 1980 (1980-02-27)	David Steinberg, Oliver Reed	Anita O'Day, Jim Stafford
Desk- "Celebrities' Baby Pictures"
4374	February 28, 1980 (1980-02-28)	Robert Blake, Charlie Callas, Ray Johnson	James Galway
4375	February 29, 1980 (1980-02-29)	Bambi Lin Finney, Joan Embery, Helen Shaver, Jerry Weissman	Anthony Newley
Political Blackouts- (Johnny as Brezhnev with a new Afghanistan leader- a ventriloquist dummy, as Carter, as a Congressman, and Walter Cronkite.)

March

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4376	March 3, 1980 (1980-03-03)	David Brenner (guest host), Diana Canova, Vincent Price	N/A
4377	March 4, 1980 (1980-03-04)	David Brenner (guest host), Milton Berle, Steve Guttenberg	Pink Lady
4378	March 5, 1980 (1980-03-05)	David Brenner (guest host), Stephanie Faracy, Pete Hamill	Charo
4379	March 6, 1980 (1980-03-06)	David Brenner (guest host), Susan Anton, William Conrad, Dr. Michael Fox	The Hudson Brothers
4380	March 7, 1980 (1980-03-07)	David Brenner (guest host), Bob Hope, Ricardo Montalbán	N/A
4381	March 17, 1980 (1980-03-17)	Martin Mull (guest host), Rob Reiner, Betty White, Joseph Wambaugh	N/A
4382	March 19, 1980 (1980-03-19)	Sammy Davis, Jr., Tim Conway, Julia Child	Pete Fountain
4383	March 20, 1980 (1980-03-20)	Suzanne Somers, Billy Crystal	Loretta Lynn
Desk- "The Celebration of Spring"
4384	March 21, 1980 (1980-03-21)	Bert Convy, Jean Marsh, Erma Bombeck	The Manhattan Transfer
Floyd R. Turbo- "Spending Tax Dollars on HEW"
4385	March 24, 1980 (1980-03-24)	Rich Little (guest host), Kip Addotta	N/A
4386	March 26, 1980 (1980-03-26)	Henry Fonda, Fernando Lamas	Crystal Gayle
Carnac the Magnificent
4387	March 27, 1980 (1980-03-27)	Joe Namath	Judith Blegen, Mac Davis
4388	March 28, 1980 (1980-03-28)	William Holden, Carl Reiner	Steve Lawrence
4389	March 31, 1980 (1980-03-31)	David Letterman (guest host), tax expert Paul Strassels	N/A

April

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4390	April 2, 1980 (1980-04-02)	Teri Garr	Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett
Desk- "Tips When Being Audited"
4391	April 3, 1980 (1980-04-03)	Joan Rivers, Dick Van Patten, Byron Allen, Stephanie Faracy	N/A
Desk- "Spring Cleaning"; Johnny also reads an April Fools' Day joke from a newspaper from Iowa which had a story about the construction of a Johnny Carson Retirement Center.
4392	April 4, 1980 (1980-04-04)	Tony Randall, Lou Ferrigno, Bill Underwood	Melissa Manchester
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Census Blackouts"
4393	April 7, 1980 (1980-04-07)	David Letterman (guest host), Don Rickles, Bob Uecker	N/A
4394	April 9, 1980 (1980-04-09)	Suzanne Pleshette, Wally Lattimer	N/A
Desk- "Questions From The Long Census Form"
4395	April 10, 1980 (1980-04-10)	Jack Klugman, David Letterman, Tom Wolfe	N/A
Desk- "Reader's Poll"
4396	April 11, 1980 (1980-04-11)	Angie Dickinson, George Miller, Nedra Volz	Liza Minnelli ("I'm Old-Fashioned")
Stump the Band
4397	April 14, 1980 (1980-04-14)	Bob Newhart (guest host), Richard Benjamin, Betty White	N/A
Desk- "Oscars Predictions"
4398	April 15, 1980 (1980-04-15)	Bob Newhart (guest host), Walter Matthau, Charles Nelson Reilly	Larry Gatlin
4399	April 16, 1980 (1980-04-16)	George Carlin (guest host), Valerie Harper, Phyllis Diller	N/A
4400	April 17, 1980 (1980-04-17)	George Carlin (guest host), Carol Lawrence, Sal Viscuso	Marlene Ricci
4401	April 18, 1980 (1980-04-18)	George Carlin (guest host), Roger Moore, Bonnie Franklin	Pat Boone
4402	April 21, 1980 (1980-04-21)	Richard Dawson (guest host), Shecky Greene, Sandy Duncan	Bill Anderson (singer)
4403	April 22, 1980 (1980-04-22)	Richard Dawson (guest host), Steve Allen, Judy Collins	Orson Bean
4404	April 23, 1980 (1980-04-23)	Richard Dawson (guest host), Debralee Scott	Robert Goulet
4405	April 24, 1980 (1980-04-24)	Richard Dawson (guest host), Dr. Joyce Brothers	Bernadette Peters, Mel Tormé
Desk- "Stopper Questions"
4406	April 25, 1980 (1980-04-25)	Bert Convy (guest host), Harvey Korman	Lola Falana
4407	April 28, 1980 (1980-04-28)	Joan Rivers (guest host), Judd Hirsch, Loni Anderson, Judd Hirsch	N/A
4408	April 30, 1980 (1980-04-30)	Wally Mohrman, Charlton Heston, Bobby Kelton, Dorothy Stratten	N/A
Desk- "101 Ways To Save Money"

May

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4409	May 1, 1980 (1980-05-01)	Shelley Winters, Susan George, Eric Heiden	N/A
4410	May 2, 1980 (1980-05-02)	Michael Landon, Steve Landesberg, Dr. Lendon Smith	Phyllis Hyman
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Big D" (Dallas parody)
4411	May 5, 1980 (1980-05-05)	Bill Cosby (guest host), Norm Crosby	Charo
4412	May 6, 1980 (1980-05-06)	James Garner, Joe Garagiola	Larry Adler
Desk- "Presidential Tidbits and Trivia"
4413	May 7, 1980 (1980-05-07)	James Coburn	Johnny Cash
Edge of Wetness
4414	May 8, 1980 (1980-05-08)	David Steinberg, Elizabeth Ashley, Peter Strauss	N/A
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Raul Ruiz- Marathon Runner"
4415	May 9, 1980 (1980-05-09)	Robert Blake, Madeline Kahn	Hiroshima
Desk- "Mother's Day Cards"
4416	May 12, 1980 (1980-05-12)	Bert Convy (guest host), Gallagher	N/A
4417	May 13, 1980 (1980-05-13)	Omar Sharif, Sharon Gless, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	Chuck Mangione
Desk- "Self Help Book Titles"
4418	May 14, 1980 (1980-05-14)	James Stewart, Don Adams	The Manhattan Transfer
Carnac the Magnificent
4419	May 15, 1980 (1980-05-15)	Bill Cosby, Howard Hesseman, Maxie Anderson	Leonard Waxdeck & The Birdcallers
Desk- "Weird Photographs"
4420	May 16, 1980 (1980-05-16)	Sammy Davis, Jr., Mariette Hartley, Merie Earle	Sammy Davis, Jr. ("Through to the Bitter End", "Omaha Honey", "Ain't Misbehavin'"), Bob & Ray
Floyd R. Turbo- "Against the Census"
4421	May 19, 1980 (1980-05-19)	Richard Benjamin (guest host), Fernando Lamas, Teri Garr, Johnny Yune	Richie Havens
4422	May 20, 1980 (1980-05-20)	Tom Brokaw, Charles Nelson Reilly, Pete Barbutti, Victor Buono	N/A
Desk- "Trivia"
4423	May 21, 1980 (1980-05-21)	Cloris Leachman, Argus Hamilton, Gay Talese	Barbara Mandrell
Desk- "Fortune Cookies"
4424	May 22, 1980 (1980-05-22)	Dinah Shore, Arnaud de Borchgrave	Hoyt Axton
Desk- "Pyramid Clubs"
4425	May 23, 1980 (1980-05-23)	Calvin Trillin	Natalie Cole, Jim Stafford
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Tea-Time Movie"
4426	May 26, 1980 (1980-05-26)	Martin Mull (guest host), Betty White, George Gobel	N/A
4427	May 27, 1980 (1980-05-27)	Bob Hope, Linda Gray, Jack Riley	Gladys Knight & The Pips
Desk- "New Comic Books"
4428	May 28, 1980 (1980-05-28)	Joan Embery, Richard Benjamin, Red Buttons, Dick Enberg	N/A
Desk- "Foreign Commercials"
4429	May 29, 1980 (1980-05-29)	David Brinkley	Beverly Sills, Buddy Rich
Desk- "Little Known Probabilities"
4430	May 30, 1980 (1980-05-30)	Dr. Carl Sagan	Luciano Pavarotti, Sarah Vaughan
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Commercial Blackouts (on sleeping pills, hair coloring, beer, financial services, and coffee)"

June

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4431	June 2, 1980 (1980-06-02)	David Letterman (guest host), Florence Henderson	Ben Vereen
4432	June 3, 1980 (1980-06-03)	David Letterman (guest host), Dick Shawn, Robert Mandan, Erich Segal	Neil Sedaka
4433	June 4, 1980 (1980-06-04)	David Steinberg (guest host)	Anthony Newley, Sister Sledge
4434	June 5, 1980 (1980-06-05)	Joan Rivers (guest host), Mike Connors	Mac Davis, Rita Moreno
4435	June 6, 1980 (1980-06-06)	Joan Rivers (guest host), Barbara Walters, Milton Berle, Dick Van Patten	Donna Theodore
4436	June 9, 1980 (1980-06-09)	George Carlin (guest host), Orson Bean, Peter Fonda, Peter Benchley	Patrice Rushen
4437	June 16, 1980 (1980-06-16)	Bob Newhart (guest host), Paul Williams, Sydney Goldsmith	N/A
4438	June 18, 1980 (1980-06-18)	Carl Reiner, Peter Ustinov, Steve Martin	N/A
Desk- "Johnny and Ed Talk"
4439	June 19, 1980 (1980-06-19)	Suzanne Pleshette, David Steinberg, Mare Winningham	N/A
Desk- "Hospital Snapshots"; Mighty Carson Art Players- "Cainine Vs. Cainine"
4440	June 20, 1980 (1980-06-20)	Buddy Hackett, Martin Mull	N/A
Desk- "Weird Phobias"
4441	June 23, 1980 (1980-06-23)	Burt Reynolds (guest host), Angie Dickinson, Charles Nelson Reilly, Dom DeLuise	Anne Murray
4442	June 25, 1980 (1980-06-25)	Lee Marvin, Buck Henry	Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes
Edge of Wetness
4443	June 26, 1980 (1980-06-26)	Elizabeth Ashley, Neil Simon, Bob Uecker	Pat Boone
Floyd R. Turbo- "Sexual Harassment"
4444	June 27, 1980 (1980-06-27)	Diahann Carroll, Robert Klein, Teri Garr, Robert Truax	N/A
Desk- "Foods Banned By The NBC Commissary"
4445	June 30, 1980 (1980-06-30)	Rich Little (guest host), Cleveland Amory	Robert Goulet

July

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4446	July 7, 1980 (1980-07-07)	Bill Cosby (guest host), Steve Martin, Richard Benjamin, Kreskin	Aretha Franklin
4447	July 21, 1980 (1980-07-21)	Robert Klein (guest host), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, June Havoc, Pat Paulsen	Anthony Newley, Itzhak Perlman
4448	July 23, 1980 (1980-07-23)	Dyan Cannon, Jim Fowler, Rodney Dangerfield, Arnaud de Borchgrave	N/A
Desk - Johnny gives a firsthand account of the Björn Borg-John McEnroe championship match at the 1980 Wimbledon Championships. He also describes an ill-fated sailing trip to Portofino, Italy.
4449	July 24, 1980 (1980-07-24)	Charlton Heston, Charlie Callas	Rosemary Clooney
Desk- "Souvenirs from Johnny's Vacation"
4450	July 25, 1980 (1980-07-25)	Robert Blake, Steve Landesberg	Carol Neblett
4451	July 28, 1980 (1980-07-28)	Bert Convy (guest host), Orson Bean	Jim Stafford
4452	July 30, 1980 (1980-07-30)	Angie Dickinson, Charles Nelson Reilly	Melissa Manchester
Desk- "Psychic Predictions"
4453	July 31, 1980 (1980-07-31)	Bruce Dern	June Carter Cash performed ("Ring of Fire" and "San Antonio Rose"), Joe Williams
Sketch- "Mr. Coger's Neighborhood"

August

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4454	August 1, 1980 (1980-08-01)	Sammy Davis, Jr., Shelley Winters, Michelle Pfeiffer	N/A
Stump the Band
4455	August 4, 1980 (1980-08-04)	Bill Cosby (guest host), Charles Grodin	Rita Moreno
4456	August 6, 1980 (1980-08-06)	Tony Randall, Victoria Principal	Barbara Mandrell ("Crackers")
Carnac the Magnificent
4457	August 7, 1980 (1980-08-07)	Dick Cavett, Margot Kidder	Roy Clark
Sketch- "Bucky Lincoln"
4458	August 8, 1980 (1980-08-08)	Ann-Margret, George Miller, David Horowitz	Pete Fountain
Desk- "Little Known Statistics"
4459	August 25, 1980 (1980-08-25)	Joan Rivers (guest host), George Gobel, Dr. Wayne Dyer	Bernadette Peters
4460	August 27, 1980 (1980-08-27)	George Segal, Elizabeth Ashley, Conrad Janis, Sheriff Katherine Crumbley	Johnny Mathis
Desk- "Summer Vacation Pictures"
4461	August 28, 1980 (1980-08-28)	David Steinberg, Sydney Goldsmith, Sy Kramer	Jim Stafford
Desk- "The Trivia Dispatch"; Desk- "This Is Your Life, Tommy Newsom"

September

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4462	September 1, 1980 (1980-09-01)	Joan Rivers (guest host), James Coco, Phyllis Diller, Frank Abagnale	Nell Carter ("Honeycomb", "Wild Women Don't Get the Blues" and "Moonglow")
4463	September 3, 1980 (1980-09-03)	Mayor Tom Bradley, Robert Klein	David Grisman Quintet, Dionne Warwick
The New Set
4464	September 4, 1980 (1980-09-04)	Gabriel Kaplan, Fred Rogers	Andy Williams, Buddy Rich
Edge of Wetness
4465	September 5, 1980 (1980-09-05)	Bob Hope, Richard Pryor, Randi Oakes	David Bowie ("Life on Mars", "Ashes to Ashes")
Commercial Blackouts: "Norton Sound", "Custer- Basketball", "Drugs- Carter", "Brezhnev- Sinatra", and "Chrysler".
4466	September 8, 1980 (1980-09-08)	David Steinberg (guest host), Dick Shawn, Mary Kay Place, Helen Gurley Brown	George Shearing, Hoyt Axton
4467	September 10, 1980 (1980-09-10)	Joan Embery, Joe Namath, Dr. Lendon Smith	Stephane Grappelli
Desk- "Platforms Rejected by Major Parties"
4468	September 11, 1980 (1980-09-11)	Charles Nelson Reilly, Argus Hamilton, Michelle Pfeiffer	Judith Blegen
Desk- "Patents That Didn't Make It"
4469	September 12, 1980 (1980-09-12)	Robert Blake, Erma Bombeck, George Wallace, Jeff Greenfield	N/A
Floyd R. Turbo - "Against Imported Cars" (Final 90-minute show)
4470	September 16, 1980 (1980-09-16)	David Brenner	Bette Midler
Desk - "Extension Courses" (First One Hour Show)
4471	September 17, 1980 (1980-09-17)	Michael Landon	Tony Bennett
Carnac the Magnificent
4472	September 18, 1980 (1980-09-18)	Tim Conway, Eve Marie Shahoian	N/A
Desk- "Political Pix's"
4473	September 19, 1980 (1980-09-19)	James Garner, Suzanne Somers	N/A
Commercial Blackouts: "Turgrin", "Louie", "J.R. Jeans", and "Colonel".
4474	September 22, 1980 (1980-09-22)	Robert Klein (guest host), Gary Coleman, Christopher Reeve	N/A
4475	September 23, 1980 (1980-09-23)	Walter Matthau, Martin Mull	N/A
Aunt Blabby
4476	September 24, 1980 (1980-09-24)	Ron Lieske and his pig Ed	Crystal Gayle
Desk- "Carson's Believe It or Stuff It"
4477	September 25, 1980 (1980-09-25)	Charlie Callas	Mac Davis
Desk- "Little Known Facts About Japan"
4478	September 26, 1980 (1980-09-26)	Steve Martin, Dr. Carl Sagan	N/A
Sketch- "Archaeologist"
4479	September 29, 1980 (1980-09-29)	Don Rickles	N/A
18th Anniversary Show
4480	September 30, 1980 (1980-09-30)	David Brenner (guest host), Marty Feldman	Joe Williams, Rita Moreno

October

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4481	October 1, 1980 (1980-10-01)	David Brenner (guest host), Erin Gray	Pat Boone
4482	October 2, 1980 (1980-10-02)	David Brenner (guest host), George Burns, Bob Uecker	N/A
Desk- David reads an article about a shortage of human bones and items made out of bones.
4483	October 3, 1980 (1980-10-03)	David Brenner (guest host), Eric Idle, John Cleese	Mel Tillis
4484	October 6, 1980 (1980-10-06)	Bill Cosby (guest host), Wayne Rogers	George Benson
4485	October 7, 1980 (1980-10-07)	Bill Cosby (guest host), Diahann Carroll, Howard Hesseman, Rip Taylor	N/A
4486	October 8, 1980 (1980-10-08)	David Steinberg (guest host), James Woods	Jim Stafford
4487	October 9, 1980 (1980-10-09)	Robert Klein (guest host), Steve Allen	Linda Hopkins
4488	October 10, 1980 (1980-10-10)	Gabriel Kaplan (guest host), Vicki Lawrence, Fred Travalena	N/A
4489	October 14, 1980 (1980-10-14)	Dom DeLuise, Brooke Shields	N/A
Desk- "NBC Shows Ready to Go"
4490	October 15, 1980 (1980-10-15)	Goldie Hawn, Maureen Murphy, Judge Richard Roylston, Judge Robert Roylston	N/A
Mighty Carson Art Players- "G. Walter Schneer- D.M.V."
4491	October 16, 1980 (1980-10-16)	Buddy Hackett, Dr. Morris W. Goldberg	N/A
New Products
4492	October 17, 1980 (1980-10-17)	David Steinberg	Steve Lawrence
Commercial Blackouts: "Toxic Waste", "Los Angeles Smog", "Gambler", and "Operating Room".
4493	October 27, 1980 (1980-10-27)	Martin Mull (guest host), Elizabeth Ashley, Smothers Brothers	The Manhattan Transfer
4494	October 28, 1980 (1980-10-28)	Loni Anderson	Buddy Rich
Desk- "Presidential Trivia"; Desk- "Presidential Poll"
4495	October 29, 1980 (1980-10-29)	Robert Mitchum	Larry Gatlin
Desk- "Political Poll"; Mighty Carson Art Players- "Consumer Supporter"
4496	October 30, 1980 (1980-10-30)	George Carlin, Joe Garagiola	N/A
Desk- "What The Politician Really Means"
4497	October 31, 1980 (1980-10-31)	Bob Hope, Steve Landesberg, Gore Vidal	N/A
Desk- "Political Poll"

November

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4498	November 5, 1980 (1980-11-05)	Angie Dickinson	Elton John ("Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word")
Edge of Wetness; Sketch- "Jimmy Carter's Concession Speech" (11/4/80 pre-empted for NBC News election night coverage)
4499	November 6, 1980 (1980-11-06)	Tony Randall, Rona Barrett	N/A
Desk- "Lesser Known Politicians"
4500	November 7, 1980 (1980-11-07)	Charlton Heston, Professor John Rassias	N/A
Desk- "Hints from Heloise"
4501	November 11, 1980 (1980-11-11)	David Letterman, Michael Pritchard	Pete Fountain
Carnac the Magnificent
4502	November 12, 1980 (1980-11-12)	Sammy Davis, Jr., Jim Fowler	N/A
Desk- "Saturn Photos"
4503	November 13, 1980 (1980-11-13)	Tim Conway, Mare Winningham	N/A
Talk with Ed
4504	November 14, 1980 (1980-11-14)	Jean Marsh, Thom Sharp	Joe Williams
Mighty Carson Art Players- "The Big Gamble"
4505	November 18, 1980 (1980-11-18)	Calvin Trillin	Dolly Parton
Desk- "Blue Cards"
4506	November 19, 1980 (1980-11-19)	Ricky Schroder, Sean Morey, Jeana Tomasino	N/A
Desk- "Whatchamacallit Words"
4507	November 20, 1980 (1980-11-20)	James Coco, Joe Newton	Chet Atkins
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Interview with Carl Sagan"
4508	November 21, 1980 (1980-11-21)	Carl Reiner, Raquel Welch	N/A
Desk- "Horror Movies"
4509	November 24, 1980 (1980-11-24)	Joan Rivers (guest host), Minnie Pearl	Linda Lavin
4510	November 25, 1980 (1980-11-25)	Harry Garrison, Maureen Murphy	Eydie Gormé
Desk- "Vacation Destinations"
4511	November 26, 1980 (1980-11-26)	Don Rickles, George Heap	N/A
Desk- "1981 Calendars"
4512	November 27, 1980 (1980-11-27)	McLean Stevenson, Charles Grodin	N/A
Floyd R. Turbo- "In Favor of Junk Food for Schools"
4513	November 28, 1980 (1980-11-28)	Shelley Duvall, Bobby Kelton	Jim Stafford
Desk- "Ultimate Gifts"

December

No.	Original air date	Guest(s)	Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4514	December 1, 1980 (1980-12-01)	David Letterman (guest host), Pete Barbutti, Marilu Henner	N/A
4515	December 2, 1980 (1980-12-02)	David Letterman (guest host), Jack Lemmon	Hoyt Axton
Desk- "People Who Will Not Be On The Tonight Show"
4516	December 3, 1980 (1980-12-03)	David Letterman (guest host), Rich Hall	Crystal Gayle
Desk- "Lesser Known Art Works by Famous Artists"
4517	December 4, 1980 (1980-12-04)	David Letterman (guest host), Teri Garr, Victor Buono	N/A
4518	December 5, 1980 (1980-12-05)	David Letterman (guest host), Steve Allen	N/A
4519	December 9, 1980 (1980-12-09)	Bill Cosby, Susan George	N/A
Desk- "Christmas Television Specials"
4520	December 10, 1980 (1980-12-10)	Jane Fonda, Pete Barbutti	N/A
Edge of Wetness; Desk- Johnny reads a letter sent in by a teacher from Niagara Falls, New York with examples of student test answers.
4521	December 11, 1980 (1980-12-11)	James Stewart, Hodding Carter III	N/A
Desk- "Letters to Santa Claus"
4522	December 12, 1980 (1980-12-12)	Richard Pryor, Richard Benjamin	N/A
Stump the Band
4523	December 15, 1980 (1980-12-15)	Joan Rivers (guest host), Bob Hope, Charlton Heston	N/A
4524	December 16, 1980 (1980-12-16)	Buddy Hackett	Johnny Mathis
Sketch- "Dickie the Stick"
4525	December 17, 1980 (1980-12-17)	Johnny Yune	B.B. King
New Products
4526	December 18, 1980 (1980-12-18)	Suzanne Somers, Robert Klein	N/A
Desk- "Christmas Cards"
4527	December 19, 1980 (1980-12-19)	Bob Newhart, Frank Sinatra	St. Matthews School Choir ("Here We Come A-Caroling", "I Saw Three Ships", "How Far Is It To Bethlehem?" and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"), Mac Davis ("Hooked On Music")
Desk- "Frank Sinatra Walk-On"
4528	December 30, 1980 (1980-12-30)	Angie Dickinson, Professor Andrew Levine	Eddie Harris
Desk- "How to Beat Those Holiday Blues"
4529	December 31, 1980 (1980-12-31)	Maureen Murphy	Sahara Girls, The Manhattan Transfer
News Years' Eve in Burbank