I was pleased to see the Conan-ized "Tonight Show"
paid tribute to Ed McMahon, but it also reminded me that
television appealed more easily to a broader audience during the
Carson-McMahon days. Even the "Tonight Show" is now hosted by
someone who appeals to a niche audience rather than Middle
America. And while there are a few shows left with
cross-generational appeal -- think "American Idol" -- those days
are probably gone forever.
Before I was allowed to stay up late enough to watch the "Tonight
Show," my first exposure to McMahon was "T.V.'s Bloopers and
Practical Jokes," which he co-hosted with Dick Clark. It was
miles away from Ashton Kutcher's "Punk'd."
