3. When Carson Cut Out Carol Wayne
On The Tonight Show, the blonde bombshell Carol Wayne was a fixture until the show gained massive momentum. The character, “Matinee Lady” became expendable after Carson successfully shortened the 90-minute show to a one-hour version. The bits featuring Matinee Lady came off the back end, ending her time on The Tonight Show. It was nothing personal. Carson just didn’t want to spend 90-minutes to make what he could earn in 60. After the change, Late Night with David Letterman filled in the opening, and Wayne went jobless.