12 DVDs, $99.99
When Carson stepped down from Tonight in 1992, he illustrated the oldest
rule of showbiz: leave 'em wanting more. Now more has arrived. This debonair
dozen compiles snippets from Johnny's 30 years in late night, from comic
guests (Roseanne, Garry Shandling and Jerry Seinfeld, to name just a few),
Carson's arsenal of characters, and essential moments from Tonight's
history, in particular Bette Midler's memorable musical send-off on Johnny's
penultimate show. Not a lot of bells and whistles — there's some documentary
and behind-the-scenes footage — but this set still makes a massive and
memory-filled nightcap.
—James Poniewozik