The papers of John William "Johnny" Carson (1925- ) consist of reports, scripts, correspondence, and production files of the "Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" on the NBC Television Network. The papers comprise one series reflecting Carson's affiliation with the show for the period October 1970 to May 1992.

The Carson Papers document each night's show and the production material pertaining to guest interviews. Typed index cards contain introductory comments for use by Carson or a substitute host related to each guest. Linked to these cue cards are typed commentaries prepared by researchers from preliminary interviews with a guest outlining areas of interest to be discussed. Also with the file for each show is a listing of commercials, skits, guests, and network pauses in the sequence they occurred. A "Broadcast Standards Acceptability" report includes the names of guests, the host, sponsors, personalities and commercial products mentioned, and references which were censored and edited. The report expanded from an outline in the 1970s to a more comprehensive review during the 1980s, especially after 1988. Comments by Carson, though rare, are pencilled on the reverse of the show's cue cards. Files for shows aired January-June 1976 and January-April 1991 are missing. In 1971, Carson reduced his appearances from five to four nights a week and in the late 1970s to three or four nights a week plus extended vacation periods.

Comedy skits from the show are available in their entirety, often based on current political themes or topical personalities. Letters from the viewing public to Carson or his producers focus on remarks made by guests or the cast or on specific situations. A show receiving wide attention from the viewing audience aired on 4 December 1972 with guest Don Ho, a singer-entertainer from Hawaii. Other correspondence concerns requests for guest appearances and complaints from agents. A wide range of individuals appeared as guests. Stage, screen, and television personalities predominated, but journalists, singers, writers, sports figures, scientists, politicians, comedians, and other celebrities also appeared. Guests included Joey Bishop, Helen Gurley Brown, George Carlin, Charo, Billy Crystal, Bob Hope, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Vincent Price, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Joan Rivers. Guest hosts included Joey Bishop, David Brenner, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Jerry Lewis, Bob Newhart, Joan Rivers, and McLean Stevenson.