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

The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1980:

List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes
No. of episodes	197
Release
Original network	NBC
Season chronology

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