It’s time for some light summer reading. This is a great “beach”
book; also ideal for the extra wait at the airport. Henry Bushkin was Johnny
Carson’s attorney/business manager for about 20 years during the 1970’s and the
1980’s. He became friends with the late night show host and was very involved
in every aspect of his life; both personally as well as professionally.
The author paints a portrait of a Johnny Carson the public
hardly knew. He was the gregarious, happy go lucky man we all came to know and
love on television; but beneath that façade was a more complicated individual;
who could go from being the nicest guy in the world, to a vindictive and petty
man in a heartbeat. But that aspect is not the sole focus of the book.
Mr. Bushkin was a young newly minted lawyer when he met
Johnny through a friend in 1970. So this is also an account of a young
inexperienced attorney learning the ropes in one of the most competitive
businesses around; the entertainment industry. It is also the story of 3 of Mr.
Carson’s marriages. (Interesting note: all 4 of Carson’s wives names began with
J.)
When the authors career takes off; and his friendship with
Carson becomes solid; Mr. Bushkin learns that there are limits to his employer’s
largesse. Everything seems free and easy, but there is always a price to be
paid. As he becomes involved in every aspect of Johnny’s life; including lining
up female companionship for his boss; he falls prey to the easy access he has
to women. This takes a toll on Johnny’s wife; Joanna; whom the host is able to
mollify by purchasing large diamonds, cars and other luxury items as a way of
apologizing.
But Mr. Bushkin is caught up in the whirlwind of easy access and
eventually loses his wife because of it.
The stories are fast and furious as Mr. Bushkin recounts
their escapades together in Los Vegas; at the Presidential Inauguration of Ronald
Reagan and Mr. Carson’s 5 year run heading the Oscar Awards.
As things get
bigger and Carson Enterprises soars, the author reaps huge financial
rewards from his sometimes brilliant work. But all good things must come to an
end and soon he finds himself caught between his desire to stay with Carson or
to strike out on his own.
The line between friendship and employment can become
blurred by many things. This is true in all of our lives. But, when you add the
lure of easy money and star power to the mix, it can become an intoxicant to be
avoided. Still, when all the money and power is gone, the memories that are left
can never be erased. You just have to decide if it was all worth it.
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