This was pure comedy PLATINUM. Lily Tomlin didn't break character once and made her character so believable and real. Much applause, Lily. I have so much respect for this level of talent.
I was taught at Illinois Bell telephone back in the 1970’s. Yes on a switchboard with the black pulls. I loved it!! I was in high school. I was a telephone operator for a Hanes distributor for my first real job. Later in the 1980’s I worked as a receptionist/telephone operator. It had evolved so much to just a small console with push buttons. The first Halloween we had a dress up and yes I dressed up at Ernestine and snorted the entire day. I wore the big skirt and a wig. What a hoot that was. So it’s funny to know that it was still 1970 and that switchboard was still in use. Good times.
“Tapes on everybody” - just like today!😢 Lily was amazing - her characters were both outrageous and believable! So grateful to have been around to see her great acting and career.♥️
@@sxm76I think she offered a wave to the audience. I had the sense she saw, or acted to see, a particular wave - but it was likely to no one in particular, I think I almost think the caution “learn your craft” was self referential, as she had failed to recognize where the mic was But of course each of them has some awareness to be responsible for. I would wonder, too, did they see her hand going up and inertia alone prevented the boom moving away fast enough 💙
LOVE IT!!! We're so used to Joan "dissing" celebrities/guests, great to see Lily giving it to Joan. No mistaking who's got the floor during that interview. I'd love to hear Ernestine's take on everything today -- internet, cell phones, etc.
Joan Rivers was a very funny lady. Clearly she had a great knack for hosting. She’s gracious with perfect manners and enjoys playing along to make her guest shine. No ego to get in the way of a good bit. What a shame. NBC and Carson got it wrong. She was something truly special.
This iconic, unforgettable, and immortal interview was one of 93 episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson guest hosted by Joan Rivers, and originally aired on Thursday, September 13, 1984.
'If I revealed who I am seeing right now I think it would swing the election.' EXCELLENT! LMAO! I love the one leg warmer pushed to her ankle. It was 1986! Thanks for posting this.
At first I was thinking it was a cast, forgetting they didn't have the colorful plaster back then, but I was also paying more attention to the actual legs.
Lilly Tomlin hung out with the greats in the village when they were starving aspiring performers: Richard Pryor, Dick Cavett, Joan Rivers, Bill Cosby, Lilly tomlin.etc,... As good if not better than anyone, pick your poison. Flip Wilson, they all hung out together.
I remember this show so clear. Joan and Michael has an awkward interview and Lilly comes out as Ernestine and made reference to the previous segment. Omg, it was hysterical. And when she hits the boom mic and blames the operator was a brilliant character reaction. Pure gold, Lilly!!
@@leavingitblank9363 Michael Landon seated to Gary's right and not in the shots with Ernestine. After his interview he wasn't so welcome on the set or say good for the vibe.
@@leavingitblank9363 We hear that his appearance didn't go well. Bad vibes with the host or a guest? NBC might have put a lid on it that part way back then, and also edited it out for release into syndication.
@@johncmitchell4941 Wonder where the blame for the bad interview goes. I got the impression Lily was none too pleased with Joan and was letting her have it with as much as she thought she could get away with. It was awkward.
Two very funny Ladies. Very early jr stand up was great, not many lady stand up comedians were around when she started.LT’s characters over 50 years have been golden at times.
I remember her on Laugh In as Ernestine and also as the little girl who always ended her little stories with "...and that's the truth- ppttttt!" She was the best!
@@markcadieux3445 Why? If she was hedro or bi it doesn't mean she would go out with you! So many men are dissalusional especially calling lesbians a waste.. As though women were only born to have sex with every single man out there.
Joan Rivers should have been Johnny Carson's successor. She would have made history, kept us entertained, and would have saved us from the whole Jay Leno debacle.
@@estellepatella2520 then again, she had little options, she didn’t need Carson’s approval. She told him once and he never spoke to her again, i understood he had plans for her taking his spot on the show when he retired, but Joan was offered more money, power, and respect from FOX. Also carson probably loathed the idea of competition, especially from a dear friend. Still, the slander on Joan and Edgar was horrible, feel bad for what happened to Edgar!
ATT used to have a monopoly on telephones and telephone service. The "divestiture" Ernestine refers to is when the Securities and Exchange Commission forced ATT to let other companies use their networks to compete with them. It's difficult these days to understand that this one company wielded a complete monopoly on phone service.
They also tried to prevent MCI from offering their long distance service by arguing that AT&T's monopoly was in the customer's best interest. It took many court battles before MCI was allowed to start offering service. Even though their local tie-ins to the AT&T network were required they were commonly maliciously delayed or sabotaged by AT&T.
Having a monopoly, they had infamously horrible customer service which inspired Lillie’s Ernestine. “We don’t care. We don’t have to. We’re the. Phone. Company.”
Wish I was a fly on the wall in the Green Room with these four. 3 Emmy award-winning comedians and an Emmy award-winning actor director who had a hilarious sense of humor- Michael Landon
You really gotta LOVE Lily Tomlin! She's just far too hilarious! Edith Ann and Ernestine were my utmost favs! My best friend, Emily, reminded me sooooo MUCH of Edith Ann, it was SCARY!!
Hahahaha, Joan could've easily devoured Lily if she wanted to, but I don't think that this was the right time and place for it. Besides, Lily was trying so hard to start something with Joan, and by Joan not giving her what she wanted, Lily came out as making a fool of herself.
***** That's why she was being a bitch. What has Joan done to her for her to treat the host of the show so rudely? The whole time Joan was being nice to her. And who did Joan steal her jokes from by the way? And Lily's act here was original? Really?
i remember her on Laugh In when I was just a kid. She was always talking about Mr. Veedle. It took me years to figure out that she was talking about Gore Vidal and "Myra Brekenridge" one of the best comic novels ever written. And, after "Orlando" and "The Christine Jorgensen Story", the third literary transsexual.
Omg...Lily Tomlin absolutely OWNS Joan Rivers in this! (And I wouldn't have believed anyone could, lol!) I once served Ms. Tomlin in a restaurant. She was so fun to talk to in the back and forth of serving her a meal. A nice lady. We were lucky enough to have her perform her one woman show at our local high school, as well.
I've got tapes on every one! The mind boggles if she did this act right now with all the tRumP tapes floating around. Whilst these replays are all classic gold, I'm sure if she had a special where she did Ernestine one more time she would top all her previous calls.
I think everyone must write to Melissa & say a terrific gift to the millions of Joan Rivers fans would be to get the rights to her mother's show and make all episodes public & broadcast quality. xoxo :) September 4th is the Anniversary of Joan's "Transcendence."
This was pure comedy PLATINUM. Lily Tomlin didn't break character once and made her character so believable and real. Much applause, Lily. I have so much respect for this level of talent.
Wow! Lillie Tomlin OWNED this interview. Joan seemed nervous from the jump. And yes Lilly has some Great legs
Joan did not get in her way. Perfect showcase for Lillie!
and of course she killed her boss with rat poison
To quote Hedley Lamar in Blazing Saddles: Lili. Lili, Lili, Lili, legs, Lili, Lili
What kind of host would Joan be to enter a showdown with her guests?
It’s an act t hey rehearsed
I met Lily Tomlin in 1979/80 in LA. She is (was) taller than I expected. Very sweet and brilliant.
She is utterly brilliant!
And timeless…she’s as relevant now as ever.
My Lord she’s so hilarious! Lilly Tomlin is a national treasure!
I was taught at Illinois Bell telephone back in the 1970’s. Yes on a switchboard with the black pulls. I loved it!! I was in high school. I was a telephone operator for a Hanes distributor for my first real job. Later in the 1980’s I worked as a receptionist/telephone operator. It had evolved so much to just a small console with push buttons. The first Halloween we had a dress up and yes I dressed up at Ernestine and snorted the entire day. I wore the big skirt and a wig. What a hoot that was. So it’s funny to know that it was still 1970 and that switchboard was still in use. Good times.
That’s cool!
I bet it was FUN. I did switchboard a few times before I went to college and I salute you!
@@sealyonessthank you! This just popped up in June/2024. I’m still here.. I still can’t snort as good as Ernestine though. 😂😂😂
@@sealyoness well thank you so much. I’m 67 and survived stage 3 cancer. I’m still here!! Woo Hoo.
@@suedesignable Be Glad! And if you get to go places and pester relatives, well, you know I'll envy you. Cheers!
RIP Joan & Michael & Gary.
Lily only one still alive in 2023.
🎉🎉🕊🌈💔🙏🧨🙏💖❤️🌟👏💐🙌👍
Lily Tomlin has always been an ace with zingers... some of her lines in "All Of Me" with Steve Martin are just timeless!
I love the Ernestines in the audience. She had some great characters.
That was great 👍
The one in the middle is Lily's brother, Richard.
Yes, her fan club. An unexpected but delightfully silly touch of frosting.
“Tapes on everybody” - just like today!😢 Lily was amazing - her characters were both outrageous and believable! So grateful to have been around to see her great acting and career.♥️
You go, Lily!
I never saw this before -
Joan Rivers interviewing "Ernestine", a Lily Tomlin character.
Well done , Lily and Joan!
Look how beautiful, Joan is. I miss her so much
Obama is to thank for that!
never broke character
Lily’s Ernestine character is insanely hilarious here - pure genius!
There is only ONE Lily Tomlin. I love her diversity and talent for days!!!
Joan was Magnificent. RIP
Lily is Wonderful.
I love how when they went to the commercial break it was once again Joan 😆
The old Hollywood's at Betty Ford's!!!!!!!! Love it!
6:27 Hits hand on boom mic... "You better learn your craft!" Best one-liner ever! LOL!
What was that about? She hit the mic on purpose?
@@sxm76I think she offered a wave to the audience. I had the sense she saw, or acted to see, a particular wave - but it was likely to no one in particular, I think
I almost think the caution “learn your craft” was self referential, as she had failed to recognize where the mic was
But of course each of them has some awareness to be responsible for.
I would wonder, too, did they see her hand going up and inertia alone prevented the boom moving away fast enough 💙
Lily Tomlin is a National Treasure! Six decades of pure funny :)
Well said, you.
@1:30 the Old Hollywood's at Betty Ford's.
LOVE IT!!! We're so used to Joan "dissing" celebrities/guests, great to see Lily giving it to Joan. No mistaking who's got the floor during that interview. I'd love to hear Ernestine's take on everything today -- internet, cell phones, etc.
It's was all obviously scripted. Joan GAVE Lily the floor.
Lily and Joan are both comedy legends.
Lily and Joan - Two of my all time favorites! ❤️
One of my favorite Ernestine’s bits was when she called J. Edgar Hoover. She kept calling him Jedgar. She was edgy & brilliant.
She was. I still remember her line that ended with "... and you know, nothing picks up dirt like a Hoover."
@@catkeys6911 when Ernestine kept screwing Muhammad Ali's name up, sheer genius.
The Frank Sinatra residence was good too!
How refreshing! She is a true original!
Did anyone notice Lilys legs? She got a rocking body here
That she did.
Yeah she did. She was bombshell.
Lily, Lily, Lily Legs, Lily ... Yes, she has the most amazing pair of gams. Legs all the way up to the MOON!
Joan Rivers was a very funny lady. Clearly she had a great knack for hosting. She’s gracious with perfect manners and enjoys playing along to make her guest shine. No ego to get in the way of a good bit. What a shame. NBC and Carson got it wrong. She was something truly special.
Did she just wing this?? She's brilliant!
This iconic, unforgettable, and immortal interview was one of 93 episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson guest hosted by Joan Rivers, and originally aired on Thursday, September 13, 1984.
she guest hosted for him 93 times? wow
Joan Rivers and Lilly Tomlin you are much loved by all.
Two of the best!
Sylvia Laura Ranyak she from highland park,michigan
A lot of this is clearly improvised as you can see how Joan is cracking up.
Love how Ernestine (Lily) has total control of the interview. Poor Joan didn't stand a chance.
I think Joan was being respectable and let her shine. That’s the purpose of a good host.
@Aaron Digby what on earth does that even mean.
Do you think it would've been nice if Joan got into it like a showdown?
@@samegross6337
No one could stand up to Lilly Tomlin’s lightening fast wit!
@@kellylappin5944 Joan can chew up anybody. She was graciously feeding Lilly punchlines.
I grew up watching Ernestine and I had no idea until this interview all these decades later she was such a diva!
Still going tough as she said!
Same with me. I didn't know about this side of her! Hilarious!😅
'If I revealed who I am seeing right now I think it would swing the election.'
EXCELLENT! LMAO!
I love the one leg warmer pushed to her ankle. It was 1986! Thanks for posting this.
At first I was thinking it was a cast, forgetting they didn't have the colorful plaster back then, but I was also paying more attention to the actual legs.
this woman is class...so many funny responses..."you better learn your craft!!!"
Lilly Tomlin hung out with the greats in the village when they were starving aspiring performers: Richard Pryor, Dick Cavett, Joan Rivers, Bill Cosby, Lilly tomlin.etc,... As good if not better than anyone, pick your poison. Flip Wilson, they all hung out together.
Lily Tomlin was absolutely genius doing that. Loved it, thanks for posting.
Just phenomenal, absolutely hysterical. I swear this has me laughing on the floor. I grew up watching Lily on Rowan & Martin 's Laugh In.
Remember how adorable she was as ‘Edith Ann’ in that big rocking chair. She was so funny.♥️
@@judywright4241 Yes! 😊
Awesome! I love both Lily and Joan. Lily could riff better than anyone!
I remember this show so clear. Joan and Michael has an awkward interview and Lilly comes out as Ernestine and made reference to the previous segment. Omg, it was hysterical. And when she hits the boom mic and blames the operator was a brilliant character reaction. Pure gold, Lilly!!
Michael who? That's Garry Shandling sitting next to her.
@@leavingitblank9363 Michael Landon seated to Gary's right and not in the shots with Ernestine. After his interview he wasn't so welcome on the set or say good for the vibe.
@@johncmitchell4941 There's no video of his interview available. What happened?
@@leavingitblank9363 We hear that his appearance didn't go well. Bad vibes with the host or a guest? NBC might have put a lid on it that part way back then, and also edited it out for release into syndication.
@@johncmitchell4941 Wonder where the blame for the bad interview goes. I got the impression Lily was none too pleased with Joan and was letting her have it with as much as she thought she could get away with. It was awkward.
Wow Lilly is a tour de force .. completely amazing .. almost uncomfortably talking over Joan.
Fantastic.
Joan was being a gracious host. She gave the floor to Lily
Two very funny Ladies. Very early jr stand up was great, not many lady stand up comedians were around when she started.LT’s characters over 50 years have been golden at times.
Talented & delighting audiences for many years....Thank you Lily........
Yea she is finally able to marry her partner of 42 years!
Lily Tomlin is one of the few who can make me laugh from my gut. She is marvelous, a national treasure.
Amen
I remember her on Laugh In as Ernestine and also as the little girl who always ended her little stories with "...and that's the truth- ppttttt!" She was the best!
Yes! Edith Ann!
Lily Tomlin an Gilda Radner were the most insane comedians female in the tv shows in USA
And Lily still is!
And Carol Burnett!
@@caith6830 Oh yes! Can't leave her out. She's my favorite!
LOVE the special mention to the fans!! God, she makes it look so easy and natural...
"you over estimate yourself" love her...so quick...
I never realized she had such a great pair of legs!
She was offered the fitness books but declined. . then they sought for Jane Fonda.
Wow, those long lovely legs! Didn't know!
She did have great legs, I always thought it was too bad she's gay.
@@zippitydodaday6037 sought for?
@@markcadieux3445
Why? If she was hedro or bi it doesn't mean she would go out with you! So many men are dissalusional especially calling lesbians a waste.. As though women were only born to have sex with every single man out there.
Did anyone notice that the ad in the middle was an MCI phone company ad!!! Lmao😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Starring Joan Rivers.
Joan Rivers should have been Johnny Carson's successor. She would have made history, kept us entertained, and would have saved us from the whole Jay Leno debacle.
Jay would have made the perfect side man, guest host
i like leno
Hey, I actually LIKE Jay Leno.... got more talent in his chin, than Stephen, or any of the "Jimmy's" these days, etc.
@@estellepatella2520 then again, she had little options, she didn’t need Carson’s approval. She told him once and he never spoke to her again, i understood he had plans for her taking his spot on the show when he retired, but Joan was offered more money, power, and respect from FOX. Also carson probably loathed the idea of competition, especially from a dear friend. Still, the slander on Joan and Edgar was horrible, feel bad for what happened to Edgar!
She did make history. 🤓
LILY at her best,sharp wit off the cuff humour..love it!!
“It’s about time for all of us, isn’t it?” One of the first televised celebrity coming out moments, or at least I think she was subtly doing so.
Lilyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥
ATT used to have a monopoly on telephones and telephone service. The "divestiture" Ernestine refers to is when the Securities and Exchange Commission forced ATT to let other companies use their networks to compete with them. It's difficult these days to understand that this one company wielded a complete monopoly on phone service.
Great factoid!! 👍🏽
They also tried to prevent MCI from offering their long distance service by arguing that AT&T's monopoly was in the customer's best interest. It took many court battles before MCI was allowed to start offering service. Even though their local tie-ins to the AT&T network were required they were commonly maliciously delayed or sabotaged by AT&T.
Having a monopoly, they had infamously horrible customer service which inspired Lillie’s Ernestine. “We don’t care. We don’t have to. We’re the. Phone. Company.”
This was a great interview. Quite surreal! Lily at her caustic best as Ernestine!
One of my favorite skits was when Ernestine called the Electric company, threatened to cut their phone service off, and they cut her lights off. 🎉😆📴
Mine too!
Lol. Hilarious. Ernestine reminds me a lot of my own self.
"Well let's not talk about anyone else, shall we?"
@Jay Harter Wasn't she in that?
Thank you for sharing!!!! Two great comedians! RIP Joan Rivers-I
tx for posting this - Lily Tomlin is brilliant
Many years ago we saw her one woman show on Broadway. The talent to do so many characters with humor and pathos. It was astounding.
lily what a treat great comedian!!!
Amazing talent!!!
“....you overestimate yourself.” I think I’ve just witnessed a MURDER
Rip Michael Landon. Gary Shandling and Joan RIvers
Love the many gay Ernestines in full drag! Too funny!
One ringgy dinggy two ringgy dinggy
They were gay?
at least 2 of them were suspiciously large "women"
Probably drag queens. But i didnt know until recently lilly is lesbian and has been with the same woman for 50 years!
@@zippitydodaday6037 As Martin Short as Jiminy Glick would say: "SCANDALOUS!" ;)
So talented a comedienne and actress. She made her role in "The West Wing" hi-sterical. Ringy-dingies forever.
Lily has ALWAYS reminded me of an American, female Peter Cook. Absolutely brilliant; smart and funny without being ostentatious.
Wish I was a fly on the wall in the Green Room with these four. 3 Emmy award-winning comedians and an Emmy award-winning actor director who had a hilarious sense of humor- Michael Landon
You really gotta LOVE Lily Tomlin! She's just far too hilarious! Edith Ann and Ernestine were my utmost favs! My best friend, Emily, reminded me sooooo MUCH of Edith Ann, it was SCARY!!
"You better learn your craft!" hilarious.
what a magnificent, beautiful & creative actor!!!!!!!!!!!❤😊
@6:05, there's no biggie I haven't put on hold. ERNESTINE, the most hilarious caricature in show business.
Two comedy legends
This ranks with the 10 best minutes of television - ever.
Lilly Rocks!- I forgot I remember seeing this when it was on- this is when network TV was worth watching
Love Lilley and miss Joan.
Joan didn't stand a chance with such a razor sharp Lilly
Hahahaha, Joan could've easily devoured Lily if she wanted to, but I don't think that this was the right time and place for it. Besides, Lily was trying so hard to start something with Joan, and by Joan not giving her what she wanted, Lily came out as making a fool of herself.
Alex No, she didn't. They both were lovely and funny as hell. I love both, RIP Joan.
***** That's why she was being a bitch. What has Joan done to her for her to treat the host of the show so rudely? The whole time Joan was being nice to her. And who did Joan steal her jokes from by the way? And Lily's act here was original? Really?
***** Exactly, an act. A scripted one on Lily's part. Not to mention obnoxiously rude.
***** Whats with all the violence?
Simply the best!
My grandmother had the record of one ringy-dingy. I loved it ❤️.
i remember her on Laugh In when I was just a kid. She was always talking about Mr. Veedle. It took me years to figure out that she was talking about Gore Vidal and "Myra Brekenridge" one of the best comic novels ever written. And, after "Orlando" and "The Christine Jorgensen Story", the third literary transsexual.
I remember her called "Jedgar Hoover"
I just love her . Love Ernestine sharp as an arrow with her snort hahaha !
A Lily tomlin fan always.
I heart Lilly Tomlin! Emy Nomination!
Emmy, not Emy
Never realized what a quick wit Lily had.
Tomlin is a comic genius.
Hello 👋 how are you doing?
She's so amazing!!!
Omg...Lily Tomlin absolutely OWNS Joan Rivers in this! (And I wouldn't have believed anyone could, lol!) I once served Ms. Tomlin in a restaurant. She was so fun to talk to in the back and forth of serving her a meal. A nice lady. We were lucky enough to have her perform her one woman show at our local high school, as well.
The incomparable Lilly Tomlin. Absolutely wonderful comedian and entertainer.
I've got tapes on every one! The mind boggles if she did this act right now with all the tRumP tapes floating around. Whilst these replays are all classic gold, I'm sure if she had a special where she did Ernestine one more time she would top all her previous calls.
LILY WAS/IS AN ABSOLUTE GENIUS AND VERY BEAUTIFUL 🙂🤍🙏🏻
I think everyone must write to Melissa & say a terrific gift to the millions of Joan Rivers fans would be to get the rights to her mother's show and make all episodes public & broadcast quality. xoxo :) September 4th is the Anniversary of Joan's "Transcendence."
I'm not sure, but I think this was Joan, guest hosting the Tonight Show. It wasn't her own show.
This skit was great, and Joan, gave Lily the 'perfect talk show hostess' questions so Ernestine could stay in character.
Absolute hilarity! Improve to the max!
Gary Shandling, Lily Tomlin and Joan Rivers?! Thank you for sharing.
Goddamn, Lily Tomlin's a fucking genius.
One ringy dingy
yes actually she should have gotten 10 ringie dingies for staying on top of Joan!
Ernestine drag queens in the audience!!! Gold!
"Swing" She had not come out then but it was known she was gay. More power to her!
For what, getting he clit rubbed the other way? Let's celebrate he formidable talent instead.
One of the best interviews ever!!!
I had never seen this interview before, and you can tell Joan is enjoying the bit, too.