List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes (1986)

Last updated
List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes
Season 1986
No. of episodes191
Release
Original network NBC
Season chronology
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1987 episodes
List of episodes

The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1986:

Contents

1986

January

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,463January 2, 1986 (1986-01-02) Angie Dickinson, Gene RaderN/A
Items That Were Popular Last Year
5,464January 3, 1986 (1986-01-03) Tim Conway, Hal Linden, Don StanleyN/A
Lighten Up - Response to Nevada Gov. Richard Bryan's demand for an apology for interstate rivalry jokes Johnny told.
5,465January 7, 1986 (1986-01-07) George Segal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wil Shriner N/A
Where to Look for Halley's Comet; Predictions for 1986
5,466January 8, 1986 (1986-01-08) Madeline Kahn, A. Whitney Brown N/A
Talk with Ed- Halley's Comet, Astronomer; Morality Test- Ethics Morality Survey That Appear in U.S. News & World Report; Johnny gives the audience a survey and their responses are measured by a meter.
5,467January 9, 1986 (1986-01-09) George Miller, Rosanna Arquette Liberace
Poll taken on what american consider to be the top ten heroes in this country.
5,468January 10, 1986 (1986-01-10) Brian Dennehy George Carl, Martina Arroyo ("Mädchenfluch")
Carnac the Magnificent
5,469January 14, 1986 (1986-01-14) James Garner, Barry Diamond Anita Morris
List of Corrections That Need to be Made in Other Books
5,470January 15, 1986 (1986-01-15) Don Rickles, Waddie Mitchell Pete Fountain
List of Interesting Facts
5,471January 16, 1986 (1986-01-16) Michael Douglas, Joanna Kerns New York Sax Quartet
In honor of Halley's Comet, Johnny demonstrates how the solar system works, uses 10 studio audience volunteers to demonstrate.
5,472January 17, 1986 (1986-01-17) Dabney Coleman, Dr. Carl Sagan, Hung Dinh VuN/A
A Bootleg Tape of The Tonight Show
5,473January 21, 1986 (1986-01-21) Shelley Winters, Brad Garrett Stanley Jordan
Subject Calendars
5,474January 22, 1986 (1986-01-22) Joe Namath, Teri Garr, Roy Blount, Jr. N/A
Video Report by Steve Young about Scott's Jumbo Roll Toilet Paper
5,475January 23, 1986 (1986-01-23) Jeff Daniels, Vijay Amritraj, Rufus Hussey N/A
Public Service Announcement for NBC
5,476January 24, 1986 (1986-01-24) Harvey Korman, Michael Ammar David Tolley (pianist)
Tonight Show Sports Exclusive- Super Bowl Announcers who are covering the game
5,477January 27, 1986 (1986-01-27) Joan Rivers (guest host), Emmanuel Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, Mayor Ed Koch, Betty White N/A
5,478January 28, 1986 (1986-01-28) Joan Rivers (guest host), Tony Danza, Linda Lavin, Louie Anderson, Dr. Ruth Westheimer N/A
The monologue was cancelled due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
5,479January 29, 1986 (1986-01-29) Joan Rivers (guest host), David Steinberg, James Farentino, Mark Harmon, Estelle Getty N/A
5,480January 30, 1986 (1986-01-30) Joan Rivers (guest host), Joan Collins, William Devane, William Perry N/A
5,481January 31, 1986 (1986-01-31) Joan Rivers (guest host), Ursula Andress, Kate Capshaw, Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel Teddy Pendergrass

February

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,482February 4, 1986 (1986-02-04) Buddy Hackett, Jim McMahon Louie Bellson
Johnny surveys the audience to indicate their Academy Awards preferences.
5,483February 5, 1986 (1986-02-05) Louie Anderson, John Callahan Miami Sound Machine
Leslie Pick, a teacher at Westlake Village School sent Johnny a project her students participated in.. they were given the first half of some old-fashioned cliches and had to complete them. Johnny reads what they came up with.
5,484February 6, 1986 (1986-02-06) Danny Cooksey, Robin Williams Mummenschanz
President's Birthday Cards
5,485February 7, 1986 (1986-02-07) Spud Webb, Jamie Rose N/A
5,486February 11, 1986 (1986-02-11)America Morris, Don Ameche N/A
Johnny jokes that if Coca-Cola purchased Merv Griffin Productions, then a new soft drink would be called, 'Merv'.
5,487February 12, 1986 (1986-02-12) Billy Martin, Maureen Murphy, Akosua Busia N/A
Sports Illustrated Girls Edition
5,488February 13, 1986 (1986-02-13) Alexandra Paul, Terri Jones Julia Migenes-Johnson
Johnny talks about Lee Iacocca getting fired from the Statue of Liberty committee. Johnny takes a sip of his coffee, it is cold he goes down the hall to get a new cup, sees the vending machines, among them is one for 'Live Animals, 50 Cents', Johnny puts his money and out comes a dog, Max.
5,489February 14, 1986 (1986-02-14) James Stewart, Fritz Coleman N/A
Johnny wishes everyone a happy Valentine's Day. Four girls from Pepperdine come out and surprise Johnny with presents. Girls discussed their sorority living situations.
5,490February 18, 1986 (1986-02-18) Betty White, Jon Cryer Pia Zadora
Examples from the Dictionary of American Regional English
5,491February 19, 1986 (1986-02-19) Roseanne Barr, Stephen BaccusN/A
Johnny decides he would like to help out Baby Doc and try to locate an apartment for him. He looks through the recycler and, on the air, answers some of the ads for a room.
5,492February 20, 1986 (1986-02-20) Jim Fowler, Ronn Lucas, Brenda Venus Andrae Crouch
5,493February 21, 1986 (1986-02-21) Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Shirley Muldowney N/A
Johnny and Ed plays a game of Trivial Pursuit.
5,494February 25, 1986 (1986-02-25) Bud Greenspan Jim Stafford, Russell Reig
Prince Charles' Ears; Search For a Person with the Biggest Ears
5,495February 26, 1986 (1986-02-26) Tab Thacker, Jack Gallagher, Victoria Jackson N/A
Tommy Newsom's Birthday
5,496February 27, 1986 (1986-02-27) Garry Shandling, Joseph Westley Newman N/A
Johnny invites three members of the studio audience to come up and do a segment of the monologue.
5,497February 28, 1986 (1986-02-28) Father Guido Sarducci, Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert, Robin BarnettN/A
Edge of Wetness

March

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,498March 3, 1986 (1986-03-03) Joan Rivers (guest host), Carrie Fisher, Ronnie Shakes, Hal Holbrook John Denver ("Dreamland Express", "Aspen on a Saturday Night")
Celebrity Car Jokes
5,499March 4, 1986 (1986-03-04) Joan Rivers (guest host), Barbara Walters, Susan Sullivan Little Richard
5,500March 5, 1986 (1986-03-05) Joan Rivers (guest host), Lynn Redgrave, C. Thomas Howell, Dr. Joyce Brothers N/A
Joan's dog, Spike shows that he does some fancy tricks.
5,501March 6, 1986 (1986-03-06) Joan Rivers (guest host), Valerie Harper, Arsenio Hall, Ron Howard Peter Allen
5,502March 7, 1986 (1986-03-07) Joan Rivers (guest host), Katherine Helmond, Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert Nell Carter ("Be Mine Tonight" and "Stormy Monday Blues")
5,503March 11, 1986 (1986-03-11) Keith Carradine, Wendy Schaal N/A
Frequent Flyers Program; Three People in Audience try an absence of humor test, like the baseball players, and drug testing.
5,504March 12, 1986 (1986-03-12)Barry O'Halloran, Steve Landesberg, David Horowitz N/A
Public Service Announcement
5,505March 13, 1986 (1986-03-13) Jane Curtin, Jason Bateman Jay Johnson
Collecting the Audience Members' Shoes
5,506March 14, 1986 (1986-03-14) David Steinberg, Woody Harrelson The King's Singers ("I'm a Train", "Flight of the Bumble Bee", "Born On a New Day")
5,507March 18, 1986 (1986-03-18) Barbara Hershey Ray Charles
Recognition of Some People Behind the Scenes that Deserve Life Time Achievement Awards
5,508March 19, 1986 (1986-03-19) Jon Voight Alabama ("She And I", "Forty Hour Week")
Zoos begin advertising their manure, better known as 'Zoo Doo'. Johnny decides that he is going to call two different zoo directors and try to find the best deal on 'Animal Stuff'.
5,509March 20, 1986 (1986-03-20) Shelley Long, Margaret Avery Raspini Bros.
Blue Cards
5,510March 21, 1986 (1986-03-21) Michael Keaton, Teresa Ganzel Dionne Warwick
Johnny reads a letter from Mark Harris of Kansas. Both times that Mark's wife was pregnant, she had gone into labor during Johnny's monologue. Mark is wondering what kind of power Johnny had been granted.
5,511March 25, 1986 (1986-03-25) Richard Benjamin Willie Nelson
Trivial Contest
5,512March 26, 1986 (1986-03-26) Doug Henning, Jackie Mason N/A
Sketch- "Max Beta's Collection of Marcos Family's Golden Treasure of Fine Music"; Foreign Commercials
5,513March 27, 1986 (1986-03-27) Billy Crystal, Lucille Thompson Buddy Rich
110th anniversary of the invention of the telephone. Johnny got a transcript of the entire conversation between them and recreates it for the audience.
5,514March 28, 1986 (1986-03-28) Dom Irrera, Bess Armstrong Corey Cerovsek
Child Labor Laws

April

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,515April 1, 1986 (1986-04-01) Teri Garr, Richard Chamberlain Brunson Brothers
The Legend of April Fool's Day
5,516April 2, 1986 (1986-04-02) Don King John Williams, guitar ("Albéniz Asturias", "Galilei Saltarello")
5,517April 3, 1986 (1986-04-03) Frank Zappa, Dorothy DavisN/A
Tonight Show Dating Computer
5,518April 4, 1986 (1986-04-04) Charles Grodin, Yakov Smirnoff Katrina & The Waves ("Walking on Sunshine")
Carnac the Magnificent
5,519April 15, 1986 (1986-04-15) Judge Reinhold, Don Richardson, Jane SnyderExile
Blue Cards; Silly Spellers
5,520April 16, 1986 (1986-04-16) Larry Miller, Mark Lindsay Chapman Frankie Yankovic ("Just Because" & "Cleveland, The Polka Town")
Tonight show received a phone call from the representative of the local French Tourism office. Johnny invited the representative to come on the show and present his side of the argument. (Remake of a 1967 sketch originally done with Robert Mandan.)
5,521April 17, 1986 (1986-04-17) Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill Maher N/A
An Experiment on Gossip
5,522April 18, 1986 (1986-04-18) David Letterman, Adela Rivera Maureen McGovern ("I Got Rhythm")
Lighten Up Michael Mendolsohn
5,523April 22, 1986 (1986-04-22) Tom Hulce, The Amazing Randi Brian Slawson
Public Service Announcements
5,524April 23, 1986 (1986-04-23) Patrick Duffy, Harry Anderson, Lucy Lee Flippin N/A
Letters from Children Stating 'Why or Why Not They Would Like to Marry When They Grow Up'
5,525April 24, 1986 (1986-04-24) Ted Turner, Kevin Rooney Dizzy Gillespie
Johnny has a couple of low cost travel excursions that tourists can participate in, the most exciting offer being a tour of the Playboy Mansion.
5,526April 25, 1986 (1986-04-25) Joan Embery, Joan Rivers, Philip Michael Thomas N/A
5,527April 28, 1986 (1986-04-28) Joan Rivers (guest host), Anthony Quinn Patti LaBelle, Michael McDonald
5,528April 29, 1986 (1986-04-29) Joan Rivers (guest host), Hulk Hogan, Mr. Rogers, Calvin Trillin N/A
5,529April 30, 1986 (1986-04-30) Joan Rivers (guest host), Danny DeVito, Bobcat Goldthwait Pointer Sisters ("Jump" and "Hey You")

May

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,530May 1, 1986 (1986-05-01) Joan Rivers (guest host), Tony Danza, Elizabeth Ashley, Richard Simmons Pia Zadora
5,531May 2, 1986 (1986-05-02) Joan Rivers (guest host), Mark Harmon, Rick Overton, Vanna White, Roger Vadim N/A
Joan Rivers guest hosts The Tonight Show for the last time. She first guest hosted in 1969, when Johnny Carson was on vacation.
5,532May 6, 1986 (1986-05-06) Harvey Korman Donna Theodore, Nicolas Slonimsky
A bit on Chief on Protocol on a few comedic customs- 'Never ask a late night talk show host, how's your wife?'
5,533May 7, 1986 (1986-05-07)Ed Kennedy, Buddy Hackett, Ally Sheedy N/A
Johnny tries to find work for four Playboy Bunnies as The Playboy Club in L.A. would close the next month.
5,534May 8, 1986 (1986-05-08) Joe Piscopo Yo-Yo Ma (Elfentanz by David Popper)
Interviewing Techniques
5,535May 9, 1986 (1986-05-09) Bob Uecker, Kathleen Wilhoite, Zippy the ChimpN/A
Desk - Johnny does a bit on Mother's Day sales.
5,536May 13, 1986 (1986-05-13) Marvelous Marvin Hagler Jennifer Holliday ("We Can Work It Out" and "Dreams Never Die")
Hummingbirds
5,537May 14, 1986 (1986-05-14) Patrick Swayze, Linda Ellerbee Oak Ridge Boys
Johnny found an army sea rations survival kit while cleaning his office.
5,538May 15, 1986 (1986-05-15) Anthony Quinn, JoBeth Williams Joe Bushkin
5,539May 16, 1986 (1986-05-16) Paula Poundstone Leonard Waxdeck & The Birdcallers, ZZ Top ("Sharp Dressed Man", "Tush")
Tonight Show Promos for Sweeps Week
5,540May 20, 1986 (1986-05-20) Lucy Lee Flippin Dwight Yoakam ("Honky Tonk Man", "Guitars, Cadillacs")
Update on Hummingbirds
5,541May 21, 1986 (1986-05-21) Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor, Gwen NortonN/A
5,542May 22, 1986 (1986-05-22) Bette Davis Pete Fountain
Travel Advisories for Tourists; Spoof of the 'World Status Map'
5,543May 23, 1986 (1986-05-23) Bob Hope, Christine Lahti Diane Schuur
Hummingbirds; Pilots That Didn't Make It
5,544May 27, 1986 (1986-05-27) Joanna Kerns, The Amazing Randi George Carl
Stump the Band
5,545May 28, 1986 (1986-05-28)Rosie Gries, Steven Wright N/A
Questions from the Audience
5,546May 29, 1986 (1986-05-29) Tom Selleck, Pam Matteson Robert Palmer ("Addicted to Love", "Hyperactive")
Audience Survey
5,547May 30, 1986 (1986-05-30) Jackie Mason, Teresa Ganzel Dolly Parton ("My Tennessee Mountain Home")

June

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,548June 2, 1986 (1986-06-02) Garry Shandling (guest host), Jon Voight, Rich Hall, Justine Bateman Marvin Hamlisch
5,549June 3, 1986 (1986-06-03) Garry Shandling (guest host), Betty White, Alan Thicke, Kevin Nealon N/A
5,550June 4, 1986 (1986-06-04) Garry Shandling (guest host), Joan Van Ark, Robert Hays, Victoria Jackson The Nylons
5,551June 5, 1986 (1986-06-05) Garry Shandling (guest host), Howie Mandel, Jeff Goldblum Eddie Rabbitt ("I Love a Rainy Night" and "Repetitive Regret")
5,552June 6, 1986 (1986-06-06) Garry Shandling (guest host), Ed Begley, Jr., Teresa Ganzel, Sugar Ray Leonard N/A
5,553June 10, 1986 (1986-06-10)Jon Pennington (1986 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion), George Carlin N/A
New Products
5,554June 11, 1986 (1986-06-11) Billy Crystal, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Ammar N/A
Mighty Carson Art Players- Takeoff of Televised Senate Hearings on C-Span (Johnny portrays a Southern senator who approached the podium and addresses the crowd)
5,555June 12, 1986 (1986-06-12) Cybill Shepherd, Virgie White Andrae Crouch
Stump the Band
5,556June 13, 1986 (1986-06-13) Bill Cosby Graham Nash
Superstitions; Phobias
5,557June 17, 1986 (1986-06-17) Carl Reiner, Roy Blount, Jr. N/A
Blue Cards
5,558June 18, 1986 (1986-06-18) Burt Reynolds, Franklyn Ajaye N/A
Foreign Commercials
5,559June 19, 1986 (1986-06-19) Kate Capshaw, Roseanne Barr, Woody Harrelson N/A
Johnny suggests Doc Severinsen as Don Johnson's replacement, and engages him in a scene written for 'Miami Vice' with Doc as Sonny Crockett and Johnny as Rico.
5,560June 20, 1986 (1986-06-20) David Steinberg, Craig T. Nelson Kim Carnes ("Black & White", "I'd Lie to You for Your Love")
Letters Written by School Pupils; Statue of Liberty Memorabilia
5,561June 24, 1986 (1986-06-24) Anthony Perkins, Joe Garagiola N/A
Supreme Court Justice Appointments
5,562June 25, 1986 (1986-06-25) Steve Landesberg Joe Jackson ("Home Town", "Tango Atlantico")
Psychic Predictions
5,563June 26, 1986 (1986-06-26) Joan Embery, Danny DeVito, John SearingN/A
5,564June 27, 1986 (1986-06-27) David Letterman, Judge Joseph Wapner Julio Iglesias

July

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,565July 14, 1986 (1986-07-14) Garry Shandling (guest host), Bronson Pinchot, George Wendt Rosanne Cash
5,566July 15, 1986 (1986-07-15) Garry Shandling (guest host), Judge Reinhold, Lyle Alzado, Sydney Goldsmith, Jimmy AleckN/A
5,567July 16, 1986 (1986-07-16) Garry Shandling (guest host), Judith Light, Sally Kellerman, Mary Gross, Richard Lewis N/A
Blue Cards
5,568July 17, 1986 (1986-07-17) Garry Shandling (guest host), Marsha Mason, Anthony Perkins N/A
5,569July 18, 1986 (1986-07-18) Garry Shandling (guest host), Marilu Henner, John Larroquette, James Belushi Anita Morris
5,570July 22, 1986 (1986-07-22) Walter Matthau, Dick Rutan, Jeana Yeager, Katrina Leskanich N/A
Johnny interviews prop man Jack Grant to find out who could have lifted the missing cigarette box and lighter from the Tonight Show prop box. After the break, Johnny talks about visiting his childhood home in Avoca, Iowa for the first time in over 50 years.
5,571July 23, 1986 (1986-07-23) Garry Shandling Horacio Gutiérrez (Étude in D# minor by Scriabin, Étude in F major by Moszkowski)
Blue Cards
5,572July 24, 1986 (1986-07-24) Jay Leno, Patricia Charbonneau Sandi Patty ("Pour on the Power" and "Love In Any Language")
Stump the Band
5,573July 25, 1986 (1986-07-25) Teri Garr, Michael Bohdan Leon Redbone ("Knocking Down Windows", "Steal Away Blues")
Carnac the Magnificent
5,574July 29, 1986 (1986-07-29) The Amazing Randi, Paul Miller The Labèque Sisters (Medley from West Side Story)
Stolen Tonight Show Props
5,575July 30, 1986 (1986-07-30) Joan Embery, James Belushi N/A
Anti-Fat Pill
5,576July 31, 1986 (1986-07-31) Linda Ellerbee Amy Grant ("Fat Baby", "Stay for Awhile")
Summer Drinks

August

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,577August 1, 1986 (1986-08-01) Charles Grodin, Dom Irrera, Tommy WaltonN/A
NBC Gift Shop
5,578August 5, 1986 (1986-08-05) Father Guido Sarducci Belinda Carlisle ("Mad About You" and "I Feel The Magic")
Humorous Public Service Announcements
5,579August 6, 1986 (1986-08-06) Robert Klein, Devin DeVasquez Placido Domingo (“Serenata Tapatia”, "Noche Plateada”, "Júrame")
Discusses West Coast's plan to build their own version of the Statue of Liberty.
5,580August 7, 1986 (1986-08-07) Alan Thicke Miami Sound Machine
Carson's Believe It or Stuff It
5,581August 8, 1986 (1986-08-08) Tom Hanks, Ronnie Shakes Diane Schuur
Earthquake Kits
5,582August 26, 1986 (1986-08-26) Kaleena Kiff, Paul Hogan Fabulous Thunderbirds ("Tuff Enuff", "Wrap It Up")
Johnny's Vacation Time; Tax Reform Bill- Little Known Tax Code- Death & Taxes
5,583August 27, 1986 (1986-08-27) Blake Clark, Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert Crystal Gayle
5,584August 28, 1986 (1986-08-28) George Carlin, Helen Slater The Temptations
Exploitation News
5,585August 29, 1986 (1986-08-29) Paul Reiser, Helen Slater, Victoria Jackson Pete Fountain

September

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,586September 2, 1986 (1986-09-02)Dr. Joe Daugherty Tony Bennett
Postcards That Had Been Sent to The Tonight Show from Friends from the Past
5,587September 3, 1986 (1986-09-03) Teresa Ganzel, Lewis Grizzard George Benson ("In Your Eyes", "Turn Your Love Around")
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Tea Time Movie"
5,588September 4, 1986 (1986-09-04) Vanna White, Bobby Kelton Luciano Pavarotti ("Una furtiva lagrima", "Recondita armonia")
Follow up to The Purple Cow Poem; States Putting Down Each Other
5,589September 5, 1986 (1986-09-05) Merv Griffin, Paula Poundstone, David Horowitz N/A
U.S. Open, Public Address System Announcements
5,590September 8, 1986 (1986-09-08) Betty White (guest host), Jack Klugman, William Devane, Paul Rodriguez, Charles Nelson Reilly N/A
5,591September 9, 1986 (1986-09-09) Jay Leno (guest host), Michele Lee, Deidre Hall B.B. King
Jay Leno guest hosts The Tonight Show for the very first time.
5,592September 10, 1986 (1986-09-10) Jay Leno (guest host), Pam Dawber, Paul Sorvino Robert Palmer ("Riptide")
Blue Cards.
5,593September 11, 1986 (1986-09-11) Billy Crystal (guest host), Howard Cosell, Richard Lewis Larry Gatlin
5,594September 12, 1986 (1986-09-12) Billy Crystal (guest host), Teri Garr, Don King, Paul Shaffer Chaka Khan ("Love Is A Lifetime")
5,595September 16, 1986 (1986-09-16) Steve Landesberg, Jason Bateman Spiegle Willcox, Wild Bill Davison
5,596September 17, 1986 (1986-09-17) Bob Newhart, Saundra Santiago, Teresa Ganzel N/A
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Tea Time Movie"
5,597September 18, 1986 (1986-09-18) George Segal, Loni Anderson, Bill Paxton N/A
Suggestions for Ending Phrase for Tonight Show
5,598September 19, 1986 (1986-09-19) David Letterman, Geena Davis Andreas Vollenweider
Composite Photos
5,599September 22, 1986 (1986-09-22) Kenny Rogers (guest host), Tony Danza, Dudley Moore N/A
For a monologue, Kenny sings "They Don't Make Them Like They Used To"; Kenny shows some of his shots of the Lincoln Memorial, caverns, etc.
5,600September 23, 1986 (1986-09-23) Bill Cosby (guest host), Bea Arthur, Linda Ellerbee Liberace
5,601September 24, 1986 (1986-09-24) Bill Cosby (guest host), Andy Griffith, Brad Garrett Pointer Sisters ("Neutron Dance")
5,602September 26, 1986 (1986-09-26) Bill Cosby (guest host), Tyne Daly, Ted Danson, Sherman Hemsley José Feliciano
5,603September 30, 1986 (1986-09-30) John Larroquette, Joe Garagiola Steve Earle ("Guitar Town")
The resolution of the Dallas cliffhangers and a number of possible cliffhangers for other shows returning to television.

October

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,604October 1, 1986 (1986-10-01) David Steinberg (guest host), John Davidson, Joanna Kerns, Tom Poston, Ed Begley, Jr. N/A
David discuss his career as a director.
5,605October 2, 1986 (1986-10-02) Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert, Pete Barbutti Ben E. King ("Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem")
Stockmarket- E.F. Mutton
5,606October 3, 1986 (1986-10-03) Jay Leno (guest host), Joan Van Ark, Susan Cash Corey Cerovsek
Blue Cards, 'How Has The Tonight Show Affected Your Life as Both A Human Being and An American?'
5,607October 7, 1986 (1986-10-07) Buddy Hackett, Justine Bateman N/A
Public Service Announcement- Plea for Donations to the Nancy Reagan Icelandic Wardrobe Foundation.
5,608October 8, 1986 (1986-10-08) Patrick Duffy, Bob Uecker Michael McDonald ("Sweet Freedom")
Johnny returns with a picture that was taken by a photographer, who is on the scene while Dan Rather was getting his beating. (Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw are in picture)
5,609October 9, 1986 (1986-10-09) Richard Pryor, Sean Penn Kenny G ("Songbird")
Johnny's Eulogy for Baby the Rooster
5,610October 10, 1986 (1986-10-10) Tim Conway, Barry Diamond, Jerry Slocum N/A
Johnny interviews "Daryl Dorf" (Tim Conway)
5,611October 14, 1986 (1986-10-14) Smothers Brothers, Elisabeth Shue, Marguerite HanusaN/A
Tommy is congratulated on his rave reviews for his gig at the Vine Street Bar with Rosemary Clooney.
5,612October 15, 1986 (1986-10-15) James Stewart, Paul Reiser N/A
Blue Cards
5,613October 16, 1986 (1986-10-16) Woody Harrelson, Ritch Shydner Cyndi Lauper ("Change of Heart" and "True Colors")
Johnny and Ed talks about their 28th Anniversary (how long they've worked together) is coming.
5,614October 17, 1986 (1986-10-17) Fritz Coleman, Larry Anderson Linda Ronstadt ("Am I Blue?", "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "My Funny Valentine")
Johnny apologizes for Burt not appearing on the show tonight as promised, but brings out Fred Leaf, Burt's lookalike.
5,615October 21, 1986 (1986-10-21) Tom Dreesen Liza Minnelli ("My Ship" and "The Man I Love"), Christopher Parkening
5,616October 22, 1986 (1986-10-22) Sigourney Weaver Rosemary Clooney ("When October Goes")
The 99th Congress and the many laws that have passed.; Humorous No-Go's
5,617October 23, 1986 (1986-10-23) Lily Tomlin, Ray Combs N/A
Comedy Crypt- In memory of Tip O'Neil jokes forever
5,618October 24, 1986 (1986-10-24) Michael Landon, Thalassa Cruso Carl Anderson
The 65th Birthday of Tonight Show electrician Danny who is retiring.
5,619October 27, 1986 (1986-10-27) Garry Shandling (guest host), Martin Mull, Vanna White Billy Vera & The Beaters ("At This Moment")
Garry brings out miniature bowling game and plays on desk with Doc.
5,620October 28, 1986 (1986-10-28) Garry Shandling (guest host), Father Guido Sarducci, Victoria Jackson, Jason Bateman Luther Vandross
5,621October 29, 1986 (1986-10-29) Garry Shandling (guest host), Tyne Daly, Susan Sullivan, Bill Maher N/A
Blue Cards
5,622October 30, 1986 (1986-10-30) Bill Cosby (guest host), Bob Melvin Carmen McRae, Dirty Dozen Brass Band
5,623October 31, 1986 (1986-10-31) Chevy Chase (guest host), Jay Leno, Markie Post Paul Simon ("Graceland")
Blue Cards

November

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,624November 5, 1986 (1986-11-05) Burt Reynolds, Dick Shawn N/A
Desk - Johnny does a bit on unaired Tonight Show episodes preempted by the 1986 World Series.
5,625November 6, 1986 (1986-11-06) Joan Collins, Steven Wright N/A
As The White House Turns
5,626November 7, 1986 (1986-11-07) Alan Thicke, Rosanna Arquette, Oprah Winfrey N/A
Johnny talks about how he cut his ear.
5,627November 11, 1986 (1986-11-11) Jeff Daniels, Georgette Prothero Anita Baker ("Sweet Love")
Public Service Announcements
5,628November 12, 1986 (1986-11-12) Saundra Santiago, Roy Blount, Jr. Janie Fricke
Suggestions on How to Raise Extra Money for NBC
5,629November 13, 1986 (1986-11-13) The Amazing Randi, Mat Plendl Andy Williams
Blue Cards
5,630November 14, 1986 (1986-11-14) Dabney Coleman, Rich Hall N/A
Johnny talks about Bruce Springteen's new album, a five record set and the media hoopla over this album; Now there is a NEWSOM, a five record set.
5,631November 18, 1986 (1986-11-18) Jack Paar, Stephen Lang N/A
Johnny talks about the Family Privacy Act.
5,632November 19, 1986 (1986-11-19) Paul Reiser, Tom Gaskin Bobby McFerrin
Floyd R. Turbo
5,633November 20, 1986 (1986-11-20) Tim Conway, Maureen Stapleton Donna Theodore
Tim Conway performs a cooking skit entitled, "Cooking with Judy Child".
5,634November 21, 1986 (1986-11-21) David Steinberg, Paul Shaffer N/A
Old Newspaper Announcements; November Sweeps
5,635November 25, 1986 (1986-11-25) Jim Fowler, Victoria Jackson Oak Ridge Boys
5,636November 26, 1986 (1986-11-26) George Carlin, Barney Odom and his tree-climbing dog Flat NoseN/A
Letters Written by 2nd and 5th Grade Students Regarding Being a Turkey
5,637November 27, 1986 (1986-11-27) David Letterman Robert Palmer ("I Didn't Mean to Turn You On" and "Nature Boy")
Blue Cards
5,638November 28, 1986 (1986-11-28) Joe Piscopo, Ellen DeGeneres, Dennis HartN/A
Talks with Studio Audience

December

No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
5,639December 1, 1986 (1986-12-01) Tony Danza (guest host), Alyssa Milano, Danny Pintauro, Marilu Henner N/A
5,640December 2, 1986 (1986-12-02) Garry Shandling (guest host), Richard Lewis, Kate Capshaw Little Richard
5,641December 3, 1986 (1986-12-03) Garry Shandling (guest host), Joan Embery, Tom Poston N/A
5,642December 4, 1986 (1986-12-04) Jay Leno (guest host), Amy Irving, Eva Marie Saint, Michael Palin Stanley Jordan
5,643December 5, 1986 (1986-12-05) Jay Leno (guest host), Angie Dickinson, Stepfanie Kramer Billy Vera & The Beaters
Blue Cards
5,644December 9, 1986 (1986-12-09) Don Rickles Singing Dog Contest
5,645December 10, 1986 (1986-12-10) Ritch Shydner, David Horowitz Dolly Parton
5,646December 11, 1986 (1986-12-11) Eddie Townsend, James Garner Bobby McFerrin
Mighty Carson Art Players- "President Reagan reads 'Twas The Night Before X-Mas'"
5,647December 12, 1986 (1986-12-12) Chevy Chase, Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert Al Jarreau
Letters Written to Santa
5,648December 16, 1986 (1986-12-16) Steve Martin, Joseph Gabriel Sandi Patty
Blue Cards
5,649December 17, 1986 (1986-12-17) Jim McMahon, Mark McCollumN/A
5,650December 18, 1986 (1986-12-18) Jane Fonda Amy Grant
New Products
5,651December 19, 1986 (1986-12-19) Bob Hope, Tom Noddy Barbara Mandrell ("Santa, Bring My Baby Home")
Talk With the Audience
5,652December 30, 1986 (1986-12-30) Tim Conway, Teresa Ganzel Diane Schuur
Men Available for New Years Eve
5,653December 31, 1986 (1986-12-31) Bill Kirchenbauer Billy Vera & The Beaters
Rules of The Rose Parade