Carson had Peter Schickele perform P.D.Q. Bach on the show, and then called him over to the couch to "discuss" the insignificance of this deservedly ignored composer.Mitch wrote:Carson had continued...hosting guests who were erudite and those who were pedantic. Authors, diplomats, artists (and not in the sense that Hilary Duff is an "artist") could be found on the same show as the potato chip lady or the truly amazing winners of the annual Piedmont Bird Calling Contest or the guy who did impressions of various two-cycle motors, from a Husqvarna chain saw to a 9 h.p. Evinrude outboard. He showcased all of what our culture embodied, not just the lowest common denominator.
But the funniest moment was at the very end of the show, when Carson would briefly acknowledge each of the guests and their upcoming projects/plugs. Schickele was sitting in the chair next to Carson. "You must understand," Carson advised the audience, "Peter Schickele really is a serious musician who attended Juilliard."
"Duhhh, yeah!" Schickele gleely replied.
Carson fell off his chair laughing.