Chronological go through the life and career of Johnny Carson (1925-2005), together with comment from an ex wife and much more than 30 fellow comedians, friends, employees, and biographers. The biography clarifies why Carson was a lasting star (his trendy, his timing, his genuine laugh, his breadth of knowledge) and pursues his motives and inner self (a loner with a drinking problem, a decent Mid-Westerner whose mum lacked acceptance, a quiet person who loved to entertain). The trick to understanding him, argues the biography, which is that his love of magical.