List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes (1981)

The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1981:

List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes
No. of episodes178
Release
Original networkNBC
Season chronology
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List of episodes

1981

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January

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4530January 1, 1981 (1981-01-01)Marie Osmond, Charles Nelson ReillyN/A
Desk- "New Year's Resolutions"
4531January 2, 1981 (1981-01-02)David Letterman, Susan SarandonLinda Hopkins
Desk- "Eulogy for Baby"
4532January 6, 1981 (1981-01-06)Peter O'Toole, Victoria PrincipalThe Pointer Sisters
Desk- "25 Least Intriguing People of 1980"
4533January 7, 1981 (1981-01-07)Sugar Ray Leonard, Erma BombeckJoe Williams
Desk- "Blue Cards"
4534January 8, 1981 (1981-01-08)McLean Stevenson, James Woods, Bum PhillipsN/A
Sketch- "G. Walter Schneer- Insurance"
4535January 9, 1981 (1981-01-09)Burt Reynolds, Argus HamiltonDoobie Brothers
Desk- "Psychic Predictions"
4536January 13, 1981 (1981-01-13)Shelley Winters, Martin Mull, Juanita BookerN/A
4537January 14, 1981 (1981-01-14)Peter Strauss, George GobelOak Ridge Boys
Carnac the Magnificent
4538January 15, 1981 (1981-01-15)David Steinberg, William ConradN/A
Edge of Wetness
4539January 16, 1981 (1981-01-16)Bob Hope, Argus HamiltonN/A
Desk- "La Brea Tar Pits Remnants"
4540January 26, 1981 (1981-01-26)George Carlin (guest host), Debbie Reynolds, Kip Addotta, Dr. Joyce BrothersN/A
4541January 27, 1981 (1981-01-27)David Letterman (guest host), Franklyn AjayeRicky Nelson
4542January 28, 1981 (1981-01-28)David Letterman (guest host), Pete BarbuttiAretha Franklin
4543January 29, 1981 (1981-01-29)David Letterman (guest host), Kelly Monteith, Marilu HennerN/A
Desk- "Program Reminder"
4544January 30, 1981 (1981-01-30)David Letterman (guest host), Lily TomlinN/A
Desk- "Olympic Sports"

February

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4545February 2, 1981 (1981-02-02)Joan Rivers (guest host), Larry Hagman, Ricky SchroderBobby Vinton
4546February 3, 1981 (1981-02-03)Rodney DangerfieldIrene Cara
Desk- "Inaugural Trivia"
4547February 4, 1981 (1981-02-04)Charlie CallasN/A
Talk with Ed
4548February 5, 1981 (1981-02-05)Jon WalterTony Bennett
Stump the Band
4549February 6, 1981 (1981-02-06)Michael Landon, Tanya RobertsJean-Pierre Rampal
Desk- "T.V. Guide"
4550February 10, 1981 (1981-02-10)Bill Cosby, Jack KlugmanN/A
4551February 11, 1981 (1981-02-11)Charles GrodinLoretta Lynn
Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply Against Funding For The Arts"
4552February 12, 1981 (1981-02-12)George Segal, Lorna PattersonN/A
4553February 13, 1981 (1981-02-13)Doug HenningBob & Ray
Desk- "Superstitions"
4554February 17, 1981 (1981-02-17)Robert Blake, Calvin TrillinLinda Hopkins
Desk- "Blue Cards"
4555February 18, 1981 (1981-02-18)Lee TrevinoPete Fountain
Desk- "First Photographs"
4556February 19, 1981 (1981-02-19)Rich Hall, Dr. Lawrence KuznetzJim Stafford
Desk- "Guide to Los Angeles"
4557February 20, 1981 (1981-02-20)Tony RandallSarah Vaughan
4558February 23, 1981 (1981-02-23)Rich Little (guest host), Charlton Heston, Paul Williams, Peter CookN/A
4559February 24, 1981 (1981-02-24)Carl Reiner, Catherine DeneuveN/A
Carnac the Magnificent
4560February 25, 1981 (1981-02-25)Barbara Eden, Bobby Kelton, Arnold RothN/A
Desk- "Crimebusters Bulletin"
4561February 26, 1981 (1981-02-26)Mickey Rooney, Priscilla BarnesN/A
Stump the Band
4562February 27, 1981 (1981-02-27)David Letterman, Sydne RomeN/A
Commercial Blackouts: "Alpo", "Static Gone", "Citi Corp Travelers Checks", "Kelvins" and "Harry's Bristol Cream"

March

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4563March 2, 1981 (1981-03-02)Martin Mull (guest host), Morgan Fairchild, Bob UeckerMac Davis
4564March 3, 1981 (1981-03-03)Joan RiversBarbara Mandrell
Desk- "Library Questions"
4565March 4, 1981 (1981-03-04)David Brenner, Christie BrinkleyN/A
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Cronkite Sketch"; Brooke Shields is in the audience.
4566March 5, 1981 (1981-03-05)Charles Nelson ReillySlim Whitman
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Carl Sagan Sketch"
4567March 6, 1981 (1981-03-06)Steve LandesbergMelissa Manchester
Edge of Wetness
4568March 17, 1981 (1981-03-17)Sally FieldMel Tillis
Desk- "National Enquirer"
4569March 18, 1981 (1981-03-18)Richard Benjamin, Garry Shandling, Jan StephensonN/A
Desk- "Silliness with Ed: The Snit Never Stops Flying and Sharks Never Stop Swimming"
4570March 19, 1981 (1981-03-19)David Steinberg, Lois ArenoPeabo Bryson
Desk- "Movies That Didn't Get Nominated for an Oscar"
4571March 20, 1981 (1981-03-20)Suzanne Somers, Dr. Warren ThomasN/A
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Marharishi Psychic"
4572March 24, 1981 (1981-03-24)noneB.B. King, Phyllis Newman
Desk- "Blue Cards"
4573March 25, 1981 (1981-03-25)Peter Strauss, Gore VidalN/A
Desk- "Chapter Two of Dot Riddle"
4574March 26, 1981 (1981-03-26)Patrick Macnee, Pete BarbuttiN/A
Desk- "Homework School of The Air"
4575March 27, 1981 (1981-03-27)Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Lewis, Cathy MoriartyN/A
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Commercial Actor School"

April

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4576April 6, 1981 (1981-04-06)Joan Rivers (guest host), David Brenner, James Coco, Rip TaylorN/A
4577April 7, 1981 (1981-04-07)Suzanne Pleshette, Dick CavettN/A
Desk- "Talk with Ed"
4578April 8, 1981 (1981-04-08)Angie DickinsonJoe Williams
Desk- "Library Questions"
4579April 9, 1981 (1981-04-09)Albert Brooks, Susan SarandonN/A
Carnac the Magnificent, Desk- Johnny, citing information from the International Oceanographic Foundation, states there are sharks who don't need to swim at all times.
4580April 10, 1981 (1981-04-10)Robert Blake, Calvin TrillinN/A

Desk- Johnny talks with Ed about staying up for the aborted inaugural launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia. It took off 2 days later.

The Mighty Carson Art Players present G. Walter Schneer defending the IRS.
No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4581May 5, 1981 (1981-05-05)Thalassa CrusoJimmy Buffett ("Margaritaville" and "Stars Fell on Alabama")
Desk- "What Writers Really Want Out Of The Strike"; Desk- "Foreign Commercials"
4582May 6, 1981 (1981-05-06)Ringo Starr, Jerry Seinfeld, Barbara BachOak Ridge Boys
4583May 7, 1981 (1981-05-07)Richard Harris, Mariette HartleyN/A
Edge of Wetness
4584May 8, 1981 (1981-05-08)David Letterman, Charles HaidN/A
Desk- "Foreign Commercials"; Desk- "Letters from Children: Rules for Marriage Partners"
4585May 12, 1981 (1981-05-12)Lorna PattersonJim Stafford
Desk- "Durations Book: How Long Certain Things Take to Do"
4586May 13, 1981 (1981-05-13)Martin Mull, Joe GaragiolaN/A
Desk- "What Famous People Will Look Like 25 Years From Now"
4587May 14, 1981 (1981-05-14)Joan Rivers, William & Amos CaulfieldN/A
Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply on High-Salaried Baseball Players"
4588May 19, 1981 (1981-05-19)Alan Alda, David BrennerN/A
Desk- "People Magazine Poll"
4589May 20, 1981 (1981-05-20)George Carlin, Richard PryorN/A
Desk- "Whatchamacallit Words"
4590May 21, 1981 (1981-05-21)George Segal, Rich HallN/A
Carnac the Magnificent
4591May 22, 1981 (1981-05-22)Carol WayneLeonard Waxdeck & The Birdcallers, Larry Gatlin
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Tea-Time Movie"
4592May 26, 1981 (1981-05-26)Dr. Paul EhrlichLiza Minnelli ("New York, New York")
Desk- "Bride's Book of Etiquette"
4593May 27, 1981 (1981-05-27)Shelley Winters, Robert KleinN/A
Stump the Band
4594May 28, 1981 (1981-05-28)Maureen MurphySteve Lawrence
Desk- "Tree Falling from a Forest Question"
4595May 29, 1981 (1981-05-29)Kathryn HarroldEydie Gormé
Desk- "Famous High School Graduates"

June

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4596June 1, 1981 (1981-06-01)Rich Little (guest host)Charo
4597June 2, 1981 (1981-06-02)David Brenner (guest host)Connie Stevens, Linda Hopkins
4598June 3, 1981 (1981-06-03)David Letterman (guest host), Charles GrodinTina Turner performed ("Crazy in the Night" and "Take a Little Pain")
Desk- "International Signs"
4599June 4, 1981 (1981-06-04)David Letterman (guest host), Bert Convy, Teri GarrN/A
4600June 5, 1981 (1981-06-05)David Letterman (guest host), Joan Embery, Dr. Lendon SmithHoyt Axton
4601June 9, 1981 (1981-06-09)Buddy Hackett, Dr. Richard ArcherN/A
Desk- "Free Things to Do This Summer in South California"
4602June 10, 1981 (1981-06-10)Madeline Kahn, Pete BarbuttiN/A
Desk- "Blue Cards"
4603June 11, 1981 (1981-06-11)Peter Cook, Garry ShandlingChet Atkins
Desk- "Homework School of The Air"
4604June 12, 1981 (1981-06-12)Steve Landesberg, Shelley LongPete Fountain
Commercial Blackouts: "Like Cereal", "Gullo Wine", "Flab Cola", and "Shanka Coffee".
4605June 16, 1981 (1981-06-16)Arnold SchwarzeneggerDionne Warwick
Desk- "Library Questions"
4606June 17, 1981 (1981-06-17)Gerald Lawton, Myrtle Whitcher, Terry RichTom Jones
Edge of Wetness
4607June 18, 1981 (1981-06-18)Jim Fowler, David SteinbergN/A
Carnac the Magnificent
4608June 19, 1981 (1981-06-19)Lou Holtz, Dr. Carl SaganRoss Tompkins
Mighty Carson Art Players- "David Horitzer- Consumer Supporter"
4609June 23, 1981 (1981-06-23)Robert BlakeKenny Rankin
Desk- "Doublespeak"
4610June 24, 1981 (1981-06-24)Franklyn Ajaye, David HorowitzNicolette Larson
Desk- "Possible Vacation Trips People Might Take"
4611June 25, 1981 (1981-06-25)McLean Stevenson, Bob UeckerN/A
Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply on Air Traffic Controllers"
4612June 26, 1981 (1981-06-26)Suzanne Somers, William HoldenN/A
Stump the Band
4613June 29, 1981 (1981-06-29)Joan Rivers (guest host), Gary Coleman, Dick Van PattenN/A
4614June 30, 1981 (1981-06-30)Joan Rivers (guest host), George Hamilton, George GobelMac Davis

July

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4615July 1, 1981 (1981-07-01)David Letterman (guest host), Bess Armstrong, Joe GaragiolaN/A
Desk- "Program Reminder"
4616July 2, 1981 (1981-07-02)David Letterman (guest host), Richard LewisJim Stafford
4617July 3, 1981 (1981-07-03)David Letterman (guest host), Margot Kidder, Richard SimmonsNatalie Cole
4618July 21, 1981 (1981-07-21)Suzanne Pleshette, Dr. Robert Altman with the opera singing bird named NinoN/A
Talk with Ed
4619July 22, 1981 (1981-07-22)Jerry Seinfeld, Rona BarrettThe Angels Ensemble of California
Desk- "Behavior Book: Manual for Ladies"
4620July 23, 1981 (1981-07-23)George Segal, Mariette HartleyThe Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band ("Ain't Nobody's Business" and "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?")
Desk- "What Americans Are Doing During the Baseball Strike"
4621July 24, 1981 (1981-07-24)Michael Landon, Bo DerekDoc Severinsen & The NBC Orchestra
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Mediterranean Fruit Fly"
4622July 28, 1981 (1981-07-28)James StewartMac Davis
Desk- "Dental Charts of Prince Charles and Lady Diana"; Desk- "Memorabilia from England"
4623July 29, 1981 (1981-07-29)Robert KleinJohnny Mathis
Desk- "Facts About The Royal Wedding by Sir Eton Crumpet"
4624July 30, 1981 (1981-07-30)Sylvester StalloneB.B. King
Desk- "Blue Cards"
4625July 31, 1981 (1981-07-31)Angie Dickinson, Tommy Lasorda, Dom DeLuiseN/A
G. Walter Schneer, Hospital Skopesman

August

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4626August 4, 1981 (1981-08-04)Charles Nelson ReillyLoretta Lynn
Stump the Band
4627August 5, 1981 (1981-08-05)Alan KingSheena Easton
Carnac the Magnificent, famous for the Sis Boom Bah joke.
4628August 6, 1981 (1981-08-06)John Travolta, Erma BombeckN/A
Desk- "Famous Persons' Last Words"; Johnny asks Fred de Cordova about his involvement shooting the film The King of Comedy with Robert De Niro & Jerry Lewis.
4629August 7, 1981 (1981-08-07)Dudley Moore, Franklyn Ajaye, Laurene LandonN/A
Aunt Blabby
4630August 11, 1981 (1981-08-11)Betty Thomas, Marge CarlsonAndy Williams ("New York, New York" and "The More I See You")
Desk- "Odds and Ends"
4631August 12, 1981 (1981-08-12)William Devane, Pat McCormickThe Manhattan Transfer
Desk- "Library Questions"
4632August 13, 1981 (1981-08-13)Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Henny YoungmanN/A
Edge of Wetness
4633August 14, 1981 (1981-08-14)Peter Strauss, Betty White, Victor BuonoN/A
Sketch- "Tarzan And The Apes"
4634August 17, 1981 (1981-08-17)David Steinberg (guest host), Charles GrodinBernadette Peters
4635August 18, 1981 (1981-08-18)David Steinberg (guest host), Joan Embery, Margot KidderN/A
4636August 19, 1981 (1981-08-19)David Letterman (guest host), Steve Allen, Sydney Goldsmith, Michael KeatonN/A
Desk- "Program Reminder"
4637August 20, 1981 (1981-08-20)David Letterman (guest host), Elke SommerAl Jarreau
4638August 21, 1981 (1981-08-21)David Letterman (guest host), John Ritter, Andrea MartinN/A
Desk- "Public Service Announcement"
4639August 24, 1981 (1981-08-24)Bill Cosby (guest host), Sugar Ray Leonard, Robert CulpN/A
4640August 25, 1981 (1981-08-25)Bill Cosby (guest host), Norm Crosby, Richard SimmonsN/A
4641August 26, 1981 (1981-08-26)Bill Cosby (guest host), James Coco, Shelley LongGeorge Shearing
4642August 27, 1981 (1981-08-27)Bill Cosby (guest host), Dr. Lendon SmithTina Turner
4643August 28, 1981 (1981-08-28)Bill Cosby (guest host), Lynn Redgrave, James HamptonAretha Franklin

September

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4644September 1, 1981 (1981-09-01)David BrennerTony Bennett
Talk with Ed
4645September 2, 1981 (1981-09-02)Joan Rivers, George SegalConrad Janis and the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band
Desk- "Boy Scout Hand Book"
4646September 3, 1981 (1981-09-03)Dom DeLuiseSteve Lawrence
Desk- "Whatchamacallit Words"
4647September 4, 1981 (1981-09-04)David Letterman, David NaughtonLinda Hopkins
Stump the Band
4648September 8, 1981 (1981-09-08)Neil Simon, Sean Morey, Marsha MasonThe Oak Ridge Boys
Desk- Johnny explains that he is feeling a bit 'dippy' because he has been to a dentist this morning for deep cleaning. Tommy Newson was the next patient to see the dentist so Johnny dressed up as the dentist and checked over Tommy's charts and moaned.
4649September 9, 1981 (1981-09-09)Smothers Brothers, Brooke ShieldsN/A
4650September 10, 1981 (1981-09-10)Tony Randall, Maureen MurphyN/A
Desk- "Disaster Guide"
4651September 11, 1981 (1981-09-11)David Steinberg, Morgan FairchildJoe Williams
Commercial Blackouts: Spoofs on 'James Bond', 'Gone With The Wind', 'Casablanca' and 'The Elephant Man'.
4652September 15, 1981 (1981-09-15)Steve LandesbergLarry Gatlin
Carnac the Magnificent
4653September 16, 1981 (1981-09-16)Margot Kidder, David Frank with his singing parrot PonchoAl Jarreau
Desk- "Blue Cards"
4654September 17, 1981 (1981-09-17)Bert Convy, Rich HallN/A
Desk- "Unusual College Courses"
4655September 18, 1981 (1981-09-18)Robert Blake, Franklyn AjayeThe Dixie Belles
4656September 22, 1981 (1981-09-22)Burt Reynolds, Charles Nelson ReillyN/A
Edge of Wetness
4657September 23, 1981 (1981-09-23)Mariette HartleyThe 5th Dimension
Desk- "Shortcuts"
4658September 24, 1981 (1981-09-24)Robert KleinAnn Jillian
Sketch- "The Entomologist"
4659September 25, 1981 (1981-09-25)Kelly MonteithEydie Gormé
Desk- "Library Questions"
4660September 28, 1981 (1981-09-28)Joan Rivers (guest host), Richard SimmonsTony Orlando
4661September 29, 1981 (1981-09-29)Joan Rivers (guest host), James Coco, Erma Bombeck, Elizabeth AshleyN/A
4662September 30, 1981 (1981-09-30)Joan Rivers (guest host), Cher, Charles Grodin, Helen Gurley BrownN/A

October

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4663October 1, 1981 (1981-10-01)David Steinberg (guest host), Phyllis Diller, Beverly D'Angelo, Peter CookN/A
4664October 2, 1981 (1981-10-02)David Letterman (guest host), Steve AllenN/A
Desk- "Test Market Food"
4665October 7, 1981 (1981-10-07)Maureen Stapleton, Elliott GouldSarah Vaughan
Desk- "What's In a Name"
4666October 8, 1981 (1981-10-08)Peter Billingsley, Martin Mull, James WoodsN/A
Desk- "Corporate Mergers"
4667October 9, 1981 (1981-10-09)Candice Bergen, Doug HenningN/A
Desk- "Blue Cards"
4668October 13, 1981 (1981-10-13)David Brenner, Elizabeth TashjianB.B. King
Desk- "Burbank Visitors Guide"
4669October 14, 1981 (1981-10-14)Robin Williams, Jean MarshN/A
Blackouts: Takeoff of 'Patton' and Takeoff of a 'Chess Match'.
4670October 15, 1981 (1981-10-15)Sammy Davis, Jr., Alan Alda, Alan KingN/A
Carnac the Magnificent
4671October 16, 1981 (1981-10-16)Bruce Dern, Andrea MartinN/A
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Carl Sagan Sketch"
4672October 27, 1981 (1981-10-27)Tony RandallJim Stafford
Desk- "Quiz on Famous Quotes"
4673October 28, 1981 (1981-10-28)Dick Cavett, Lance BurtonReba McEntire ("You Lift Me Up to Heaven")
4674October 29, 1981 (1981-10-29)Angie Dickinson, Garry ShandlingPilobolus
Edge of Wetness
4675October 30, 1981 (1981-10-30)Michael LandonSheena Easton
Desk- "Odds and Ends"; Commercial Blackouts: 'Polaroid Camera', 'Roach Hotel', 'Michelob Beer', and 'Yodell Hills'.

November

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4676November 3, 1981 (1981-11-03)Shelley Winters, Pete BarbuttiL.A. Dodgers Blue Wrecking Crew
4677November 4, 1981 (1981-11-04)Gabriel Kaplan, Teri GarrRonnie Milsap
Desk- "Euphemisms"
4678November 5, 1981 (1981-11-05)Smothers Brothers, Frank Nelson, Joan DornemannN/A
Sketch- "Mailman Sketch with Frank Nelson"
4679November 6, 1981 (1981-11-06)Robert Klein, Calvin TrillinN/A
Sketch- "Russian Submarine Commander Interview"
4680November 10, 1981 (1981-11-10)David NivenBarbara Mandrell
Desk- "Tonight Show Guest During Sweeps Week"
4681November 11, 1981 (1981-11-11)TBABuddy Rich, Dionne Warwick
Desk- "Blue Cards"
4682November 12, 1981 (1981-11-12)Dom DeLuise, Jerry Seinfeld, Betty WhiteN/A
Sketch- "Video Untouchables"
4683November 13, 1981 (1981-11-13)George Burns, Lorna PattersonN/A
Desk- "Phobias"
4684November 17, 1981 (1981-11-17)Joan Rivers, David HorowitzLinda Hopkins
Desk- "Golden Fleece Award"
4685November 18, 1981 (1981-11-18)Cassie Yates, Elizabeth TashjianMel Tillis
Carnac the Magnificent
4686November 19, 1981 (1981-11-19)Suzanne PleshetteLuciano Pavarotti
Desk- "Library Questions"
4687November 20, 1981 (1981-11-20)Ricky Schroder, Bob Hope, Susan SarandonN/A
Desk- Johnny and Ed Discuss the Riddle from Last Night.
4688November 24, 1981 (1981-11-24)David Brenner, Wally LattimerAretha Franklin
Stump the Band
4689November 25, 1981 (1981-11-25)Louis and Bernice EisenbergKenny Rogers
Desk- "Thanksgiving Letters from Kids"
4690November 26, 1981 (1981-11-26)Buddy Hackett, Bud GreenspanThe Angels Ensemble of California
Desk- "Blue Cards"
4691November 27, 1981 (1981-11-27)James Garner, Regis PhilbinN/A
Aunt Blabby
4692November 30, 1981 (1981-11-30)David Letterman (guest host), Mariette HartleyAnne Murray

December

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No.Original air dateGuest(s)Musical/entertainment guest(s)
4693December 1, 1981 (1981-12-01)David Letterman (guest host), Rona Barrett, Dave ThomasN/A
4694December 2, 1981 (1981-12-02)David Letterman (guest host), Dick Enberg, Jane PauleyNatalie Cole
This was Letterman's final turn as the guest host of The Tonight Show.
4695December 3, 1981 (1981-12-03)George Carlin (guest host), Victor BuonoDella Reese
4696December 4, 1981 (1981-12-04)George Carlin (guest host), Sandy DuncanHelen Reddy
4697December 8, 1981 (1981-12-08)Buddy Hackett, Rocky GrazianoN/A
Desk- "Euphemisms"
4698December 9, 1981 (1981-12-09)Elizabeth Ashley, Charlie CallasN/A
Desk- Johnny talks about drunk driving, warning not to drive intoxicated, then reads an article sent in from a viewer regarding the penalties in foreign countries for drunk driving (ex. Execution for First Offenses).; Desk- "Foreign Commercials"
4699December 10, 1981 (1981-12-10)Jack Lemmon, Walter MatthauN/A
Desk- "Who's In Charge Here?"
4700December 11, 1981 (1981-12-11)Chevy ChaseDiana Ross
Desk- "Christmas Television Specials"
4701December 15, 1981 (1981-12-15)Jim Fowler, Gore VidalN/A
Desk- "Letters to Santa"
4702December 16, 1981 (1981-12-16)Stewart GrangerN/A
New Products
4703December 17, 1981 (1981-12-17)Robert Blake, Donna DixonB.B. King
Mighty Carson Art Players- "Bruce Lee's Fists of Christmas"
4704December 18, 1981 (1981-12-18)Bob Hope, Jane Fonda, Frank NelsonSarah Vaughan
Sketch- "Frank Nelson as Santa"
4705December 29, 1981 (1981-12-29)James Stewart, Steve MartinN/A
Desk- "Things to Do on New Year's Eve"
4706December 30, 1981 (1981-12-30)Martin Mull, Bryant GumbelThe Manhattan Transfer
Desk- "Less Intriguing People"
4707December 31, 1981 (1981-12-31)Lance Burton, Maureen MurphyThe Manhattan Transfer
Sketch- "Father Time"