Timehost: Welcome to the TIME room! Our guest tonight is an entertainer who needs no introduction! From "The Tonight Show" and "Star Search," to "Strictly For the Girls" and "The Big Top," Ed McMahon has done it all on television. Tonight he takes the plunge into yet another medium, the Internet, to share with us the tale of how he rose from a traveling bingo game host to become one of America's most famous celebrities and the author of a new book, For Laughing Out Loud. Ladies and gentlemen, it gives Time Online great pleasure to introduce Mr. Ed McMahon.... Welcome!

Ed McMahon: Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please everyone, please, keep your seats. It's not necessary to rise, but I do appreciate it. I'm ready for whatever questions you have.

Timehost: Great, then we'll hit up this one. The question everyone wants to know the answer to ... If you hadn't heeded the call of television, do you think you would have stuck with selling Morris metric slicers on the boardwalk in Atlantic City?

Ed McMahon: Well, let me tell you, I made one hell of an income selling slicers in 1946. I was making $500 a week and at the fairs, six weeks in the fall, we made $1,000 a week. To give you an idea of how much money that was ... My rent was $93 a month, and you could buy a new car for $500 at that time. But if I hadn't made it in this business, I would have liked to have been an architect. I've built about six houses over my lifetime as a frustrated architect, and I really enjoy it.

hgerman asks: Hi Ed! Where can we see you perform in the near future?

Ed McMahon: Here in the New York area ... Tomorrow night I'm appearing at the 92nd St. Y, which they tell me is quite a big deal. You only get to do that by invitation. And I'll be discussing my book tomorrow night in an open forum venue.

Marty2634 asks: Hello Ed. What made Johnny Carson a great talk show host, in your opinion?

Ed McMahon: He had the two elements vital to a good talk show host. He had the curiosity of a child, and he listened. And listening is so important, because sometimes your next question is in the last answer. And Johnny always recognized that.

Chucko_1999 asks: What do you think of the Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman routines of you and Johnny Carson on "Saturday Night Live?"

Ed McMahon: I got a big kick out of that, and it was quite flattering to be the subject of an imitation. A lot of impressionists had told me that I was difficult to impersonate. I never understood that, so I was glad that Phil Hartman finally did me. One of the funniest things at my home was when Phil Hartman would come over for dinner. He would greet me at the door doing Ed McMahon, and, of course, I was doing Ed McMahon.

IAM4PSU asks: Who was your favorite guest on "The Tonight Show?"

Ed McMahon: Jimmy Stewart. In my mind, he was a real, full-fledged movie star, a great gentleman and a fellow pilot. He was a general in the Air Force and, me being a colonel in the Marine Corps and a pilot, we related very well to each other.

Timehost: You mention your favorite guest host in your book, too ... Can you fill us in?

Ed McMahon: I always loved Bob Newhart because he always did the hosting job in the same way he did some of his routines: as kind of the baffled observer, and I got a great kick out of that.

Timehost: Did you also like someone who was a little greener ... say, a frog?

Ed McMahon: Yes, I loved Kermit, because I made up my mind, when Kermit was hosting, that I would make myself believe I was really talking to a frog. And not just any frog, but Kermit the frog. And it made it very believable for me, and for the audience.

ump11 asks: Ed, what was it like to work with Johnny for so long?

Ed McMahon: It was a joy. He's very clever, as any observer would note. He thinks funny, and he's a nice person, and he's a nice person to be around. He's also extremely well-read and very up on things, and I loved the challenge of bantering with him in a one-on-one situation.

the_ladies_man_4life says: You were the real host of "The Johnny Carson Show!" Don't keep living in Johnny's shadow! You rule!!

Ed McMahon: Is this the ladies' man from "Saturday Night Live?" If so, please pour me a brandy. Thanks for the compliment.

Tommy_Spence asks: Ed..how did you and Dick Clark meet?

Ed McMahon: When I got back from the Korean War in 1953, I moved back into the apartment complex I had left when I was called back as a Marine pilot. The owner had promised me an apartment when I returned, and this one was a much more elaborate three-bedroom duplex, quite an apartment. I set out to find out who my neighbors were, and my neighbor was Dick Clark. That was in 1953, and we've been friends ever since.

SunChariot asks: Who stunk the most on "The Tonight Show?"

Ed McMahon: I'd rather not comment on that.

Traditional_Skinhead asks: Pleasure to meet you, Ed. Do you think Jay Leno is doing a decent job taking over Johnny's spot?

Ed McMahon: I like Jay Leno a lot, and he's a good friend, but I don't think he could take over Johnny's spot. Johnny was very special and unique. But Jay is doing a good job with his own take on the show.

DBLUNTMAN99 asks: Ed, are you still an active reserve general?

Ed McMahon: I participate with Marine Corps functions whenever I can, but I resigned from the Marine Corps when I reached the retirement age. And in the Marine Corps, I'm a full colonel.

TM_Juliet asks: What young comics today do you admire?

Ed McMahon: I love several of the graduates from "Star Search:" Drew Carey, Brad Garrett on "Everybody Loves Raymond", Richard Jeney, Kevin Meany, John Mendoza, Dom Arera, and Carrot Top. There are others that we didn't get to introduce on "Star Search," like Jeff Foxworthy and Chris Rock.

softballchamp98 asks: How often did you really say, "Yes! You are correct sir!"?

Ed McMahon: I don't remember ever saying, "You are correct, sir!" Phil Hartman made that famous, and now I have to try my best to imitate Phil Hartman imitating me. I guess I did say "yes" frequently enough that it could be fixed to me.

Tommy_Spence asks: What was your childhood dream?

Ed McMahon: My childhood dream was to be a broadcaster. In those days, before television, it was to be a radio announcer. All my heroes were people that announced on radio. When the war started, I wanted to become a Marine fighter pilot, which I became. And I wanted to fly off a carrier, which I did.

Pckgd2go asks: Who is your best friend in show business, with the exception of Dick Clark?

Ed McMahon: I think the best friend I ever had in show business sadly has left us, Mr. Frank Sinatra.

gpgtpsc asks: Do you still keep in frequent touch with Johnny Carson and if so what do you talk about or do?

Ed McMahon: We keep in touch infrequently, but I did have lunch with him a week ago when I presented him with the book. He did, after all, write the introduction, and I wanted to give him a special autographed copy, which I delivered. Our conversation was the same as it has been since we met 40 years ago. Everything in the world, and anything in the world. And, to repeat myself, he thinks funny, so it's always a funny conversation.

whipper_will asks: Who thought up the GREAT KARMAK routine?

Ed McMahon: That was invented by Johnny Carson and the writers, as we gathered in a forum-style discussion two weeks before the show started in a vacation atmosphere in Ft. Lauderdale sitting around a pool.

whipper_will asks: If memory serves me right, you had a guest really die on the show. Is this true?

Ed McMahon: That is not true. The closest to that is the case where Peter O'Toole, who had flown into New York from a movie location in the Fiji Islands, and was totally exhausted as he left the set. He collapsed out of sight of the audience, but word got out, and people got to know that fact.

fennewaa asks: Didn't I see that you wrote a book? What is it about?

Ed McMahon: What a nice question. Yes, I did write a book. It's about my life, from birth up until now. And the title is, "For Laughing Out Loud: My Life and Good Times." Speaking of my birth, I mention in the book that I was born in Detroit, Michigan, but I lived there only six weeks. My mother and father were just passing through when I arrived. And to give you an idea of what the book is like, here's a line from the book: "I was only in Detroit six weeks. I didn't make many friends, but the kid in the next crib must have liked me, cause he cried when I left." I hope to hear a lot of LOL.

gpgtpsc asks: How did you get involved with the sweepstakes promotion and did you like awarding all that money?

Ed McMahon: I got involved about 15 years ago, when the company, Time-Life, wanted to bring more attention to their sweepstakes. And I have thoroughly enjoyed giving that money away. I've given away almost $80 million. And there's no greater thrill than giving money away, especially, if it's someone else's. Could I hear some LOL's?

Timehost: And a follow-up ...

Creature_1999 asks: Where is my $10,000,000? :)

Ed McMahon: Are you still living at the same address? Look for me, and if you see me walking up with balloons and champagne, start dancing!!

Duck_plucker asks: Do you ever see Doc Severinson anymore?

Ed McMahon: Oddly enough, in the hotel where I'm staying, I checked in, and he was checking out on the way to a European tour! I did see him last year when I surprised him on his 70th birthday, when I snuck backstage at the Minneapolis symphony where he was conducting, and surprised him at an on-stage birthday party. I called out to him using our nicknames, which drove him crazy with joy. I called him, as I always did, Tiffany Lips. And he said, "That can't be Golden Throat." And the symphony audience just loved it.

Inspector_Dim_of_the_CID asks: Is there ever a time where you look at today's talk shows and really think that they've gone too far?

Ed McMahon: I think some of the humor has an element of crassness that I don't like. The one thing about Johnny's humor, and I hope mine, is that there always was a small element of class associated with it. We never got down and dirty.

Marty2634 asks: Hello Ed. Which people that performed on "Star Search" did you think would be famous before they became a celebrity?

Ed McMahon: Sinbad, I was sure. Rosie O'Donnell, I was sure. LeAnn Rimes, I was sure. I also thought that Linda Eder, who is now starring on Broadway in "Jekyll and Hyde" would be a big star, and that Sam Harris, our very first ever singing winner, would be big. And he has been on Broadway many times, and last year was nominated for a Tony.

July1995 asks: I want "Star Search" back. Any chance?

Ed McMahon: I agree with you. I'm working very diligently to try to bring it back. We have meetings all the time, but I have not been successful thus far.

Pckgd2go asks: How do you deal with being recognized everywhere you go?

Ed McMahon: Actually, I love it. It doesn't bother me at all. I'm very appreciative of the audience's response, and I have fun with the people. I am really able to handle being a celebrity with a lot of good cheer.

Timehost: Let's turn to politics for a second ... You mention in your book that leaders of the New Jersey Democratic Party once pushed you to run for senator, saying they could guarantee you'd win.

Ed McMahon: That is correct, sir.

Timehost: You turned down the offer then, but ...

Ed McMahon: Yes!

Timehost: ... do you think you'd ever reconsider? Actually, it's ma'am.

Ed McMahon: The mess that politics is in right now, I think I'm much safer in show business. But thanks for the suggestion. You are correct, ma'am, sorry.

Timehost: All right, let's stick with politics.... You also write that you gave Richard Nixon a lot of tips for appearing personable in 1968 when he was on "The Tonight Show"...

Ed McMahon: You are correct, ma'am.

Timehost: What advice would you give to Clinton if he were to appear on the show right now?

Ed McMahon: I would suggest to the President that he use the forum of "The Tonight Show" to be totally and painfully honest.

July1995 asks: You seem to always be polite even when very funny. Is this done with a purpose or just instinct?

Ed McMahon: I think the answer to that is a little of both. My father was a great story-teller, a true raconteur. He always got laughs, but my mother was a stickler for politeness. To this day, I say "yes, ma'am" and "yes sir," and in the book I point out the way my mother would correct me was even polite. She would say, "Edward, don't do that. It will displease me." Believe me, there's no defense against that remark.

TM_Juliet asks: Ed, how long will you continue your work for MDA? And do you believe there's a cure in our future?

Ed McMahon: I intend to continue the work at the Muscular Dystrophy Association for as long as they want me. I have a full life-time commitment to that organization, and, this year on the telethon, for the first time, doctors were talking about a cure. And not just as some far-off concept, but as something that is attainable in the near future. What pleases me about that the most, is the fact that it will not only help sufferers of muscular dystrophy, but also sufferers of other diseases, once we break through. Diseases like Parkinson's, muscular sclerosis, and even Alzheimer's. And it might ultimately lead to a cure for AIDS, since all of these diseases are rooted in the gene studies.

magiczeke asks: What's Jerry Lewis like in real life?

Ed McMahon: He is very much the way you see him. Full of fun, always clowning around. But when it comes to things he's passionate about, he's very serious. Like his commitment to the fight against muscular dystrophy, and his love of his little girl. He is a very good father.

SINATRASPACK asks: After you got out of the Marines, how did you get the gig on "The Tonight Show?"

Ed McMahon: "The Tonight Show" followed in form from my work with Johnny on an afternoon game show on ABC called "Who Do You Trust?". We did that together for four years. And when "The Tonight Show" came along, we just kind of rolled into that scene as a team.

Just_Another_Ed asks: What is the strangest thing that has happened once you gave someone the sweepstakes check?

Ed McMahon: The very casual remark that was made by a young man who won the money. In the midst of our conversation, I said, "You've just won $11 million. What are you going to do with the money?" And he said, "Well, I need a new set of drums." And I said, "You can buy an awful lot of drums with $11 million." It turns out he was then an aspiring musician and had a small group, hoping to make it in the music field. And he thought new drums would be the answer.

browneyes_51 asks: I saw you on Rosie last week. Enjoyed it a lot! Tell your wife to add Pace Picante sauce to her cabbage soup. It's a real improvement.

Ed McMahon: Thank you very much. I will pass that along. In my opinion, cabbage soup could take a lot of improving.

Downtown_Swinga_99 asks: Ed, will we ever see you on Bloopers again?

Ed McMahon: Not in its present format. My show was the practical jokes part, and we felt we had to eliminate that element when they brought the show back, because it was too costly and so unpredictable. Sometimes the practical jokes just didn't work. Dick had been doing Bloopers before we had hooked up, so he continued, and continues to do them.

Ogga_Dogga asks: Do you have any web pages that your fans can look up?

Ed McMahon: I do not. I am just slowly and painfully learning the computer world. I'll tell you how painfully ... The other day, I was practicing alone in my office, which is right at the front of our house. I had one image locked on top of another image, and I couldn't move either one. And I sat there very frustrated, wondering what in the world I could do to solve my problem. At that moment, a little 12-year-old girl that I had adopted when she was 5 days old, came into the office and, with great disdain, and a lot of attitude, said, "Daddy, let me hold the mouse!" And, of course, she solved my problem immediately. It is really rough when your 12-year-old daughter is very conversant with a computer and you act as if you just fell off the back of a melon truck. I explained to her, in defense, that my business was "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. There they are. Weren't they wonderful?" I'm a master of ceremonies, Katherine, I can't get bogged down with all this technical stuff.

TM_Juliet asks: Hi Ed. Do you miss your emcee duties on "The Tonight Show," or are you enjoying the time off?

Ed McMahon: Well, I do miss my days on "The Tonight Show," but I actually am busier than ever. My wife is a fashion designer, and has her own clothing line, Anne McMahon. And I travel with her wherever she goes, promoting her dress designs. She's in Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue and a few specialty stores. And then, of course, I have my own activities: commercials, etc.

Tommy_Spence asks: What future projects are you planning to do?

Ed McMahon: I'm working on a sitcom that I will be presenting to NBC later this month. I am also working on a version of the Johnny Carson Tonight Show, using old tapes of the show that someone can order on DirectTV and I do historical wrap-arounds, identifying when this show was on the air by things like, "Ronald Reagan was running for president, a man just invented a Rubik's Cube and was driving everyone crazy, and something notable in space happened." I did a lot of those today -- 40 pages' worth. And I will of course be giving away all that money. As a matter of fact, the person that asked this question may have already won $10 million!

Just_Another_Ed asks: If you had one piece of advice to offer someone who was trying to get into show business, whether it be music or television, what would it be?

Ed McMahon: The first, get as much education and practical experience as you can. And, by experience, it can be in the simplest form. Join a drama group. If you're musically inclined, try to form a quartet of your friends. Learn it by doing it. When I was a very young man, as mentioned earlier, I was a bingo announcer, I was a barker at the circus. Anything to do with a microphone captured my fancy. And if you can believe it, I even went down to the Elks Club on Saturday nights and volunteered to emcee the amateur talent contest on stage. Little did I know that later I would have a 12-year run with "Star Search." The best thing is to get out there and do it, any way you can.

Timehost: Our time is running out, but we have one special request from a chat participant that can't be ignored...

the_ladies_man_4life asks: Hey Ed, you rule. Can you give us a here's Johnny???!!

Ed McMahon: Yes, Heeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!!

Duck_plucker concludes: Ed, "The Tonight Show" with you and Johnny was a real institution - Thanks for the memories!

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