It was nearly 17 years ago that Johnny Carson made his final appearance as host of "The Tonight Show."
But that was not his absolute final television appearance.
That came 15 years ago today, when he made a brief appearance on "The David Letterman Show" on Friday, May 13, 1994.
It was the last time — to my knowledge — that Carson appeared on any TV program — and he never spoke a word to the audience. He later claimed that he was suffering from acute laryngitis.
Carson died of respiratory arrest stemming from emphysema more than 10 years later, on Jan. 23, 2005.
It probably isn't necessary to say that Carson was a special talent. For me, late night TV hasn't been the same since he left.
Oh, and by the way — on the day Carson appeared on Letterman's show, Carrie Prejean, the Miss California who has been in the news lately because of her views on marriage, marked her seventh birthday.
