Johnny Carson was known as the late night king for decades for a reason. He was charming, witty, and he knew how to treat his guests right.
But on February 3, 1988, an elderly gentleman who happened to be the oldest farmer in Illinois at the time appeared on The Tonight Show. His name was Merritt Heaton.
The 97-year-old farmer quickly warms up and steals the show.
Johnny then asks Merritt why he was initially reluctant to come. The old farmer says that he was scared, but Johnny argues that he’s probably been in “10 or 12 world wars.”
Merritt chuckles and relaxes quickly, and soon the conversation starts rolling.
Merritt and Johnny then discuss coffee-shop culture, with the old farmer describing the political and farm-related conversations that happens at the local joint.
Johnny goes on to ask about farm work, as he is still shocked to learn that Heaton, at his age, still does farm work.
But the boss now is Heaton’s son, who at the time was already 78!
Even Johnny Carson had to give up and laugh.
And when asked about the greatest change his farm has seen? Merritt says it was electricity.
The conversation soon turns to Mr. Heaton’s love life.
Merritt admits he’s not a dancer, but he seems to have things figured out in the romance department. The 97-year-old was married 64 years before his wife passed.
So Johnny, sharing that he has a poor track record with wives, asks him how he made his marriage work.
It’s give, and compromise, and go to bed in peace with each other.
Heaton then talks about how times and women have changed, even saying that he was happy seeing an ankle back in his day as compared to the day’s fashion trends.
He’s really happy with his relationships. He’s got two lady friends!
There’s one in California and one in his hometown of Illinois, and that’s a 97-year-old man!
Johnny and Merritt have a lovely back and forth, both trading wit while the farmer narrated his life.
He even referenced “rural free delivery” and how new that was when he was a child. Must have been interesting to see!
There were no telephones, television, or the internet, so his father learned about the assassination of President William McKinley in September 1901 through a much livelier source.
Johnny soon ends the conversation Merritt, with the elderly farmer expressing his thanks before leaving.
Ray Stevens, a big deal in country music at the time, was ready to come on after the commercial. But Johnny invites Merritt back with his California lady, Peggy Taylor, for a quick introduction.
Johnny shares that he once dated a girl named Peggy Taylor too!
Ms. Peggy is refined and very ladylike, no wonder Merritt seemed happy with her.
What a witty old man, Mr. Heaton proved to be!
Merritt Heaton passed away just over a year after his Tonight Show appearance in April of 1989. He was laid to rest next to his wife who passed 17 years before him.
You’ll love this exchange between Carson and Heaton in the video below!
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