# List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes (1980)

The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1980:

## 1980
### January

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4333 | January 2, 1980 (1980-01-02) | Karl Malden, Teri Garr | Eubie Blake, Mel Tillis |
| Desk - "Most Intriguing People" ||||
| 4334 | January 3, 1980 (1980-01-03) | George Burns, David Horowitz | Johnny Mathis |
| Desk - "Tonight Show Time Capsule" ||||
| 4335 | January 4, 1980 (1980-01-04) | Robert Blake, Martin Mull, Dorothy Mays, Tom Wolfe | N/A |
| Desk - "Veteran Personalities Who Are Still Employed" ||||
| 4336 | January 7, 1980 (1980-01-07) | Richard Dawson (guest host), Jack Klugman, Barbi Benton, Pete Barbutti, Dr. Michael Fox | N/A |
| 4337 | January 8, 1980 (1980-01-08) | none | N/A |
| 4338 | January 9, 1980 (1980-01-09) | Cloris Leachman, Robby Benson, Argus Hamilton, Sydney Goldsmith | N/A |
| Desk - "The Book of Failures" ||||
| 4339 | January 10, 1980 (1980-01-10) | Phyllis George, Mike Farrell, Sean Morey, Jerzy Kosinski | N/A |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4340 | January 11, 1980 (1980-01-11) | Lauren Bacall, David Steinberg | Eubie Blake |
| Commercial Blackouts: "Paul Gasson Wine", "Beritol Vitamins", "V-8 Juice" and "Circle One, Two, Three, And Four Dog Food". ||||
| 4341 | January 14, 1980 (1980-01-14) | Martin Mull (guest host), Bea Arthur, Billy Crystal | Rita Moreno |
| 4342 | January 15, 1980 (1980-01-15) | Tony Randall, Joe Namath, Stephanie Faracy | N/A |
| 4343 | January 16, 1980 (1980-01-16) | Tony Randall | N/A |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4344 | January 17, 1980 (1980-01-17) | Tom Snyder, James Woods, Bert Convy | Benny Goodman |
| Desk - "1980 Psychics Predictions" ||||
| 4345 | January 18, 1980 (1980-01-18) | Bob Hope, Angie Dickinson, Bud Greenspan | Melissa Manchester |
| Sketch - "Super Bowl Interview" ||||
| 4346 | January 21, 1980 (1980-01-21) | Kenny Rogers (guest host), Bob Hope, Gallagher, Sandy Duncan | Larry Gatlin |
| 4347 | January 22, 1980 (1980-01-22) | David Letterman (guest host), Vince Ferragamo, Marvin Hamlisch, Wayne Rogers | Rupert Holmes |
| 4348 | January 23, 1980 (1980-01-23) | David Letterman (guest host), Jose Feliciano, Meadowlark Lemon | Ben Vereen, Linda Lavin |
| 4349 | January 24, 1980 (1980-01-24) | David Letterman (guest host), Ralph Nader | Sarah Vaughan, Jim Stafford |
| 4350 | January 25, 1980 (1980-01-25) | George Carlin (guest host), Ricky Schroder | Bernadette Peters, Donna Summer |
| 4351 | January 28, 1980 (1980-01-28) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Gobel | Lola Falana |
| 4352 | January 29, 1980 (1980-01-29) | none | N/A |
| 4353 | January 30, 1980 (1980-01-30) | Candice Bergen | Mac Davis |
| Desk - "The Rule Book" ||||
| 4354 | January 31, 1980 (1980-01-31) | Michael Landon, Jim Fowler, Dr. Paul Ehrlich | Donna Theodore |
| Desk - "Who's in Charge Here?" ||||

### February

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4355 | February 1, 1980 (1980-02-01) | Bob Hope, Teri Garr | Ray Charles |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Against Televised Presidential Debates" ||||
| 4356 | February 4, 1980 (1980-02-04) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Valerie Harper | N/A |
| 4357 | February 5, 1980 (1980-02-05) | McLean Stevenson, Tom Dreesen, Henry T. Smith | Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson |
| Desk- "Unusual Expenditures Made by The Government" ||||
| 4358 | February 6, 1980 (1980-02-06) | Mariette Hartley, Rodney Dangerfield, Dr. Lendon Smith | Robert Goulet |
| Desk- "Famous People with February Birthdays" ||||
| 4359 | February 7, 1980 (1980-02-07) | Lucille Ball, Kelly Monteith, Dick Enberg | N/A |
| Sketch- "Groundhog Interview" ||||
| 4360 | February 8, 1980 (1980-02-08) | Bob Hope, Marsha Mason, Merie Earle | Nell Carter ("Mean to Me", "Cash for Your Trash") |
| Desk- "NBC Newsline" ||||
| 4361 | February 11, 1980 (1980-02-11) | Rich Little (guest host), Dick Shawn, Natalie Wood | N/A |
| 4362 | February 12, 1980 (1980-02-12) | Patrick Duffy, Red Buttons, Ann Reinking, William F. Buckley Jr. | N/A |
| Desk- "Sayings of the Ayatollah Khomeini" ||||
| 4363 | February 13, 1980 (1980-02-13) | Steve Martin, Lynn Redgrave, Bob Newhart | Linda Hopkins |
| Desk- "Valentine's Cards" ||||
| 4364 | February 14, 1980 (1980-02-14) | Ali MacGraw, Doug Henning, Phil Donahue | Pat Boone |
| Sketch- "Dan Cupid Interview" ||||
| 4365 | February 15, 1980 (1980-02-15) | Beau Bridges, Calvin Trillin | Dionne Warwick |
| Desk- "Edison's Less Famous Inventions" ||||
| 4366 | February 18, 1980 (1980-02-18) | Roy Clark (guest host), Suzanne Somers, Kreskin | Tammy Wynette |
| 4367 | February 19, 1980 (1980-02-19) | Alan King, George Segal | Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band |
| Desk- "How To Throw a Party" ||||
| 4368 | February 20, 1980 (1980-02-20) | Dom DeLuise, Johnny Yune, Lauren Hutton | Mel Tillis |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4369 | February 21, 1980 (1980-02-21) | Loni Anderson, Steve Landesberg, Bill Underwood | Engelbert Humperdinck |
| Sketch- "Waiting For a Bus at Olympics"; 'Who Is Bert Parks?' Letters ||||
| 4370 | February 22, 1980 (1980-02-22) | Dean Martin, Florence Henderson, Kurt Thomas | N/A |
| Sketch- "George Washington Press Conference" ||||
| 4371 | February 25, 1980 (1980-02-25) | David Letterman (guest host), John Ritter, Irving Wallace | N/A |
| 4372 | February 26, 1980 (1980-02-26) | William Devane, Sydney Goldsmith, David Horowitz | Buddy Rich |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4373 | February 27, 1980 (1980-02-27) | David Steinberg, Oliver Reed | Anita O'Day, Jim Stafford |
| Desk- "Celebrities' Baby Pictures" ||||
| 4374 | February 28, 1980 (1980-02-28) | Robert Blake, Charlie Callas, Bambi Lin Finney / Ray Johnson | James Galway |
| 4375 | February 29, 1980 (1980-02-29) | Joan Embery, Helen Shaver, Jerry Weissman | Anthony Newley |
| Political Blackouts- (Johnny as Brezhnev with a new Afghanistan leader- a ventriloquist dummy, as Carter, as a Congressman, and Walter Cronkite.) ||||

### March

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4376 | March 3, 1980 (1980-03-03) | David Brenner (guest host), Diana Canova, Vincent Price | N/A |
| 4377 | March 4, 1980 (1980-03-04) | David Brenner (guest host), Milton Berle, Steve Guttenberg | Pink Lady |
| 4378 | March 5, 1980 (1980-03-05) | David Brenner (guest host), Stephanie Faracy, Pete Hamill | Charo |
| 4379 | March 6, 1980 (1980-03-06) | David Brenner (guest host), Susan Anton, William Conrad, Dr. Michael Fox | The Hudson Brothers |
| 4380 | March 7, 1980 (1980-03-07) | David Brenner (guest host), Bob Hope, Ricardo Montalbán | N/A |
| 4381 | March 17, 1980 (1980-03-17) | Martin Mull (guest host), Rob Reiner, Betty White, Joseph Wambaugh | N/A |
| 4382 | March 19, 1980 (1980-03-19) | Sammy Davis Jr., Tim Conway, Julia Child | Pete Fountain |
| 4383 | March 20, 1980 (1980-03-20) | Suzanne Somers, Billy Crystal | Loretta Lynn |
| Desk- "The Celebration of Spring" ||||
| 4384 | March 21, 1980 (1980-03-21) | Bert Convy, Jean Marsh, Erma Bombeck | The Manhattan Transfer |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Spending Tax Dollars on HEW" ||||
| 4385 | March 24, 1980 (1980-03-24) | Rich Little (guest host), Kip Addotta | N/A |
| 4386 | March 26, 1980 (1980-03-26) | Henry Fonda, Fernando Lamas, Lacey Neuhaus | Crystal Gayle |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4387 | March 27, 1980 (1980-03-27) | Joe Namath, Andy Lipkins | Judith Blegen, Mac Davis |
| 4388 | March 28, 1980 (1980-03-28) | William Holden, Carl Reiner | Steve Lawrence |
| 4389 | March 31, 1980 (1980-03-31) | David Letterman (guest host), tax expert Paul Strassels | N/A |

### April

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4390 | April 2, 1980 (1980-04-02) | Teri Garr | Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett |
| Desk- "Tips When Being Audited" ||||
| 4391 | April 3, 1980 (1980-04-03) | Joan Rivers, Dick Van Patten, Byron Allen, Stephanie Faracy | N/A |
| Desk- "Spring Cleaning"; Johnny also reads an April Fools' Day joke from a newspaper from Iowa which had a story about the construction of a Johnny Carson Retirement Center. ||||
| 4392 | April 4, 1980 (1980-04-04) | Tony Randall, Lou Ferrigno, Bill Underwood | Melissa Manchester |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Census Blackouts" ||||
| 4393 | April 7, 1980 (1980-04-07) | David Letterman (guest host), Don Rickles, Bob Uecker | N/A |
| 4394 | April 9, 1980 (1980-04-09) | Suzanne Pleshette, Wally Lattimer | N/A |
| Desk- "Questions From The Long Census Form" ||||
| 4395 | April 10, 1980 (1980-04-10) | Jack Klugman, David Letterman, Tom Wolfe | N/A |
| Desk- "Reader's Poll" ||||
| 4396 | April 11, 1980 (1980-04-11) | Angie Dickinson, George Miller, Nedra Volz | Liza Minnelli ("I'm Old-Fashioned") |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4397 | April 14, 1980 (1980-04-14) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Richard Benjamin, Betty White | N/A |
| Desk- "Oscars Predictions" ||||
| 4398 | April 15, 1980 (1980-04-15) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Walter Matthau, Charles Nelson Reilly | Larry Gatlin |
| 4399 | April 16, 1980 (1980-04-16) | George Carlin (guest host), Valerie Harper, Phyllis Diller | N/A |
| 4400 | April 17, 1980 (1980-04-17) | George Carlin (guest host), Carol Lawrence, Sal Viscuso | Marlene Ricci |
| 4401 | April 18, 1980 (1980-04-18) | George Carlin (guest host), Roger Moore, Bonnie Franklin | Pat Boone |
| 4402 | April 21, 1980 (1980-04-21) | Richard Dawson (guest host), Shecky Greene, Sandy Duncan | Bill Anderson (singer) |
| 4403 | April 22, 1980 (1980-04-22) | Richard Dawson (guest host), Steve Allen, Judy Collins | Orson Bean |
| 4404 | April 23, 1980 (1980-04-23) | Richard Dawson (guest host), Debralee Scott | Robert Goulet |
| 4405 | April 24, 1980 (1980-04-24) | Richard Dawson (guest host), Dr. Joyce Brothers | Bernadette Peters, Mel Tormé |
| Desk- "Stopper Questions" ||||
| 4406 | April 25, 1980 (1980-04-25) | Bert Convy (guest host), Harvey Korman | Lola Falana |
| 4407 | April 28, 1980 (1980-04-28) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Judd Hirsch, Loni Anderson, Judd Hirsch | N/A |
| 4408 | April 30, 1980 (1980-04-30) | Wally Mohrman, Charlton Heston, Bobby Kelton, Dorothy Stratten | N/A |
| Desk- "101 Ways To Save Money" ||||

### May

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4409 | May 1, 1980 (1980-05-01) | Shelley Winters, Susan George, Eric Heiden | N/A |
| 4410 | May 2, 1980 (1980-05-02) | Michael Landon, Steve Landesberg, Dr. Lendon Smith | Phyllis Hyman |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Big D" (Dallas parody) ||||
| 4411 | May 5, 1980 (1980-05-05) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Norm Crosby | Charo |
| 4412 | May 6, 1980 (1980-05-06) | James Garner, Joe Garagiola | Larry Adler |
| Desk- "Presidential Tidbits and Trivia" ||||
| 4413 | May 7, 1980 (1980-05-07) | James Coburn | Johnny Cash |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4414 | May 8, 1980 (1980-05-08) | David Steinberg, Elizabeth Ashley, Peter Strauss | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Raul Ruiz- Marathon Runner" ||||
| 4415 | May 9, 1980 (1980-05-09) | Robert Blake, Madeline Kahn | Hiroshima |
| Desk- "Mother's Day Cards" ||||
| 4416 | May 12, 1980 (1980-05-12) | Bert Convy (guest host), Gallagher | N/A |
| 4417 | May 13, 1980 (1980-05-13) | Omar Sharif, Sharon Gless, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Chuck Mangione |
| Desk- "Self Help Book Titles" ||||
| 4418 | May 14, 1980 (1980-05-14) | James Stewart, Don Adams | The Manhattan Transfer |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4419 | May 15, 1980 (1980-05-15) | Bill Cosby, Howard Hesseman, Maxie Anderson | Leonard Waxdeck & The Birdcallers |
| Desk- "Weird Photographs" ||||
| 4420 | May 16, 1980 (1980-05-16) | Sammy Davis Jr., Mariette Hartley, Merie Earle | Sammy Davis Jr. ("Through to the Bitter End", "Omaha Honey", "Ain't Misbehavin'"), Bob & Ray |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Against the Census" ||||
| 4421 | May 19, 1980 (1980-05-19) | Richard Benjamin (guest host), Fernando Lamas, Teri Garr, Johnny Yune | Richie Havens |
| 4422 | May 20, 1980 (1980-05-20) | Tom Brokaw, Charles Nelson Reilly, Pete Barbutti, Victor Buono | N/A |
| Desk- "Trivia" ||||
| 4423 | May 21, 1980 (1980-05-21) | Cloris Leachman, Argus Hamilton, Gay Talese | Barbara Mandrell |
| Desk- "Fortune Cookies" ||||
| 4424 | May 22, 1980 (1980-05-22) | Dinah Shore, Arnaud de Borchgrave | Hoyt Axton |
| Desk- "Pyramid Clubs" ||||
| 4425 | May 23, 1980 (1980-05-23) | Calvin Trillin | Natalie Cole, Jim Stafford |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Tea-Time Movie" ||||
| 4426 | May 26, 1980 (1980-05-26) | Martin Mull (guest host), Betty White, George Gobel | N/A |
| 4427 | May 27, 1980 (1980-05-27) | Bob Hope, Linda Gray, Jack Riley | Gladys Knight & The Pips |
| Desk- "New Comic Books" ||||
| 4428 | May 28, 1980 (1980-05-28) | Joan Embery, Richard Benjamin, Red Buttons, Dick Enberg | N/A |
| Desk- "Foreign Commercials" ||||
| 4429 | May 29, 1980 (1980-05-29) | David Brinkley | Beverly Sills, Buddy Rich |
| Desk- "Little Known Probabilities" ||||
| 4430 | May 30, 1980 (1980-05-30) | Dr. Carl Sagan | Luciano Pavarotti, Sarah Vaughan |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Commercial Blackouts (on sleeping pills, hair coloring, beer, financial services, and coffee)" ||||

### June

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4431 | June 2, 1980 (1980-06-02) | David Letterman (guest host), Florence Henderson | Ben Vereen |
| 4432 | June 3, 1980 (1980-06-03) | David Letterman (guest host), Dick Shawn, Robert Mandan, Erich Segal | Neil Sedaka |
| 4433 | June 4, 1980 (1980-06-04) | David Steinberg (guest host) | Anthony Newley, Sister Sledge |
| 4434 | June 5, 1980 (1980-06-05) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Mike Connors | Mac Davis, Rita Moreno |
| 4435 | June 6, 1980 (1980-06-06) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Barbara Walters, Milton Berle, Dick Van Patten | Donna Theodore |
| 4436 | June 9, 1980 (1980-06-09) | George Carlin (guest host), Orson Bean, Peter Fonda, Peter Benchley | Patrice Rushen |
| 4437 | June 16, 1980 (1980-06-16) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Paul Williams, Sydney Goldsmith | N/A |
| 4438 | June 18, 1980 (1980-06-18) | Carl Reiner, Peter Ustinov, Steve Martin | N/A |
| Desk- "Johnny and Ed Talk" ||||
| 4439 | June 19, 1980 (1980-06-19) | Suzanne Pleshette, David Steinberg, Mare Winningham | Stéphane Grappelli |
| Desk- "Hospital Snapshots"; Mighty Carson Art Players- "Cainine Vs. Cainine" ||||
| 4440 | June 20, 1980 (1980-06-20) | Buddy Hackett, Martin Mull | N/A |
| Desk- "Weird Phobias" ||||
| 4441 | June 23, 1980 (1980-06-23) | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Angie Dickinson, Charles Nelson Reilly, Dom DeLuise | Anne Murray |
| 4442 | June 25, 1980 (1980-06-25) | Lee Marvin, Buck Henry | Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4443 | June 26, 1980 (1980-06-26) | Elizabeth Ashley, Neil Simon, Bob Uecker | Pat Boone |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Sexual Harassment" ||||
| 4444 | June 27, 1980 (1980-06-27) | Diahann Carroll, Robert Klein, Teri Garr, Robert Truax | N/A |
| Desk- "Foods Banned By The NBC Commissary" ||||
| 4445 | June 30, 1980 (1980-06-30) | Rich Little (guest host), Cleveland Amory | Robert Goulet |

### July

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4446 | July 7, 1980 (1980-07-07) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Steve Martin, Richard Benjamin, Kreskin | Aretha Franklin |
| 4447 | July 21, 1980 (1980-07-21) | Robert Klein (guest host), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, June Havoc, Pat Paulsen | Anthony Newley, Itzhak Perlman |
| 4448 | July 23, 1980 (1980-07-23) | Dyan Cannon, Jim Fowler, Rodney Dangerfield, Arnaud de Borchgrave | N/A |
| Desk - Johnny gives a firsthand account of the Björn Borg-John McEnroe championship match at the 1980 Wimbledon Championships. He also describes an ill-fated sailing trip to Portofino, Italy. ||||
| 4449 | July 24, 1980 (1980-07-24) | Charlton Heston, Charlie Callas | Rosemary Clooney |
| Desk- "Souvenirs from Johnny's Vacation" ||||
| 4450 | July 25, 1980 (1980-07-25) | Robert Blake, Steve Landesberg | Carol Neblett |
| 4451 | July 28, 1980 (1980-07-28) | Bert Convy (guest host), Orson Bean | Jim Stafford |
| 4452 | July 30, 1980 (1980-07-30) | Angie Dickinson, Charles Nelson Reilly | Melissa Manchester |
| Desk- "Psychic Predictions" ||||
| 4453 | July 31, 1980 (1980-07-31) | Bruce Dern | June Carter Cash performed ("Ring of Fire" and "San Antonio Rose"), Joe Williams |
| Sketch- "Mr. Coger's Neighborhood" ||||

### August

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4454 | August 1, 1980 (1980-08-01) | Sammy Davis Jr., Shelley Winters, Michelle Pfeiffer | N/A |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4455 | August 4, 1980 (1980-08-04) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Charles Grodin | Rita Moreno |
| 4456 | August 6, 1980 (1980-08-06) | Tony Randall, Victoria Principal | Barbara Mandrell ("Crackers") |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4457 | August 7, 1980 (1980-08-07) | Dick Cavett, Margot Kidder | Roy Clark |
| Sketch- "Bucky Lincoln" ||||
| 4458 | August 8, 1980 (1980-08-08) | Ann-Margret, George Miller, David Horowitz | Pete Fountain |
| Desk- "Little Known Statistics" ||||
| 4459 | August 25, 1980 (1980-08-25) | Joan Rivers (guest host), George Gobel, Dr. Wayne Dyer | Bernadette Peters |
| 4460 | August 27, 1980 (1980-08-27) | George Segal, Elizabeth Ashley, Conrad Janis, Sheriff Katherine Crumbley | Johnny Mathis |
| Desk- "Summer Vacation Pictures" ||||
| 4461 | August 28, 1980 (1980-08-28) | David Steinberg, Sydney Goldsmith, Sy Kramer | Jim Stafford |
| Desk- "The Trivia Dispatch"; Desk- "This Is Your Life, Tommy Newsom" ||||

### September

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4462 | September 1, 1980 (1980-09-01) | Joan Rivers (guest host), James Coco, Phyllis Diller, Frank Abagnale | Nell Carter ("Honeycomb", "Wild Women Don't Get the Blues" and "Moonglow") |
| 4463 | September 3, 1980 (1980-09-03) | Mayor Tom Bradley, Robert Klein | David Grisman Quintet, Dionne Warwick |
| The New Set ||||
| 4464 | September 4, 1980 (1980-09-04) | Gabriel Kaplan, Fred Rogers | Andy Williams, Buddy Rich |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4465 | September 5, 1980 (1980-09-05) | Bob Hope, Richard Pryor, Randi Oakes | David Bowie ("Life on Mars", "Ashes to Ashes") |
| Commercial Blackouts: "Norton Sound", "Custer- Basketball", "Drugs- Carter", "Brezhnev- Sinatra", and "Chrysler". ||||
| 4466 | September 8, 1980 (1980-09-08) | David Steinberg (guest host), Dick Shawn, Mary Kay Place, Helen Gurley Brown | George Shearing, Hoyt Axton |
| 4467 | September 10, 1980 (1980-09-10) | Joan Embery, Joe Namath, Dr. Lendon Smith | Stephane Grappelli |
| Desk- "Platforms Rejected by Major Parties" ||||
| 4468 | September 11, 1980 (1980-09-11) | Charles Nelson Reilly, Argus Hamilton, Michelle Pfeiffer | Judith Blegen |
| Desk- "Patents That Didn't Make It" ||||
| 4469 | September 12, 1980 (1980-09-12) | Robert Blake, Erma Bombeck, George Wallace, Jeff Greenfield | N/A |
| Floyd R. Turbo - "Against Imported Cars" (Final 90-minute show) ||||
| 4470 | September 16, 1980 (1980-09-16) | David Brenner | Bette Midler |
| Desk - "Extension Courses" (First One Hour Show) ||||
| 4471 | September 17, 1980 (1980-09-17) | Michael Landon | Tony Bennett |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4472 | September 18, 1980 (1980-09-18) | Tim Conway, Eve Marie Shahoian | N/A |
| Desk- "Political Pix's" ||||
| 4473 | September 19, 1980 (1980-09-19) | James Garner, Suzanne Somers | N/A |
| Commercial Blackouts: "Turgrin", "Louie", "J.R. Jeans", and "Colonel". ||||
| 4474 | September 22, 1980 (1980-09-22) | Robert Klein (guest host), Gary Coleman, Christopher Reeve | N/A |
| 4475 | September 23, 1980 (1980-09-23) | Walter Matthau, Martin Mull | N/A |
| Aunt Blabby ||||
| 4476 | September 24, 1980 (1980-09-24) | Ron Lieske and his pig Ed | Crystal Gayle |
| Desk- "Carson's Believe It or Stuff It" ||||
| 4477 | September 25, 1980 (1980-09-25) | Charlie Callas | Mac Davis |
| Desk- "Little Known Facts About Japan" ||||
| 4478 | September 26, 1980 (1980-09-26) | Steve Martin, Dr. Carl Sagan | N/A |
| Sketch- "Archaeologist" ||||
| 4479 | September 29, 1980 (1980-09-29) | Don Rickles | N/A |
| 18th Anniversary Show ||||
| 4480 | September 30, 1980 (1980-09-30) | David Brenner (guest host), Marty Feldman | Joe Williams, Rita Moreno |

### October

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4481 | October 1, 1980 (1980-10-01) | David Brenner (guest host), Erin Gray | Pat Boone |
| 4482 | October 2, 1980 (1980-10-02) | David Brenner (guest host), George Burns, Bob Uecker | N/A |
| Desk- David reads an article about a shortage of human bones and items made out of bones. ||||
| 4483 | October 3, 1980 (1980-10-03) | David Brenner (guest host), Eric Idle, John Cleese | Mel Tillis |
| 4484 | October 6, 1980 (1980-10-06) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Wayne Rogers | George Benson |
| 4485 | October 7, 1980 (1980-10-07) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Diahann Carroll, Howard Hesseman, Rip Taylor | N/A |
| 4486 | October 8, 1980 (1980-10-08) | David Steinberg (guest host), James Woods | Jim Stafford |
| 4487 | October 9, 1980 (1980-10-09) | Robert Klein (guest host), Steve Allen | Linda Hopkins |
| 4488 | October 10, 1980 (1980-10-10) | Gabriel Kaplan (guest host), Vicki Lawrence, Fred Travalena | N/A |
| 4489 | October 14, 1980 (1980-10-14) | Dom DeLuise, Brooke Shields | N/A |
| Desk- "NBC Shows Ready to Go" ||||
| 4490 | October 15, 1980 (1980-10-15) | Goldie Hawn, Maureen Murphy, Judge Richard Roylston, Judge Robert Roylston | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "G. Walter Schneer- D.M.V." ||||
| 4491 | October 16, 1980 (1980-10-16) | Buddy Hackett, Dr. Morris W. Goldberg | N/A |
| New Products ||||
| 4492 | October 17, 1980 (1980-10-17) | David Steinberg | Steve Lawrence |
| Commercial Blackouts: "Toxic Waste", "Los Angeles Smog", "Gambler", and "Operating Room". ||||
| 4493 | October 27, 1980 (1980-10-27) | Martin Mull (guest host), Elizabeth Ashley, Smothers Brothers | The Manhattan Transfer |
| 4494 | October 28, 1980 (1980-10-28) | Loni Anderson | Buddy Rich |
| Desk- "Presidential Trivia"; Desk- "Presidential Poll" ||||
| 4495 | October 29, 1980 (1980-10-29) | Robert Mitchum | Larry Gatlin |
| Desk- "Political Poll"; Mighty Carson Art Players- "Consumer Supporter" ||||
| 4496 | October 30, 1980 (1980-10-30) | George Carlin, Joe Garagiola | N/A |
| Desk- "What The Politician Really Means" ||||
| 4497 | October 31, 1980 (1980-10-31) | Bob Hope, Steve Landesberg, Gore Vidal | N/A |
| Desk- "Political Poll" ||||

### November

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4498 | November 5, 1980 (1980-11-05) | Angie Dickinson | Elton John ("Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word") |
| Edge of Wetness; Sketch- "Jimmy Carter's Concession Speech" (11/4/80 pre-empted for NBC News election night coverage) ||||
| 4499 | November 6, 1980 (1980-11-06) | Tony Randall, Rona Barrett | N/A |
| Desk- "Lesser Known Politicians" ||||
| 4500 | November 7, 1980 (1980-11-07) | Charlton Heston, Professor John Rassias | N/A |
| Desk- "Hints from Heloise" ||||
| 4501 | November 11, 1980 (1980-11-11) | David Letterman, Michael Pritchard | Pete Fountain |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4502 | November 12, 1980 (1980-11-12) | Sammy Davis Jr., Jim Fowler | N/A |
| Desk- "Saturn Photos" ||||
| 4503 | November 13, 1980 (1980-11-13) | Tim Conway, Mare Winningham | N/A |
| Talk with Ed ||||
| 4504 | November 14, 1980 (1980-11-14) | Jean Marsh, Thom Sharp | Joe Williams |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "The Big Gamble" ||||
| 4505 | November 18, 1980 (1980-11-18) | Calvin Trillin | Dolly Parton |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 4506 | November 19, 1980 (1980-11-19) | Ricky Schroder, Sean Morey, Jeana Tomasino | N/A |
| Desk- "Whatchamacallit Words" ||||
| 4507 | November 20, 1980 (1980-11-20) | James Coco, Joe Newton | Chet Atkins |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Interview with Carl Sagan" ||||
| 4508 | November 21, 1980 (1980-11-21) | Carl Reiner, Raquel Welch | N/A |
| Desk- "Horror Movies" ||||
| 4509 | November 24, 1980 (1980-11-24) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Minnie Pearl | Linda Lavin |
| 4510 | November 25, 1980 (1980-11-25) | Harry Garrison, Maureen Murphy | Eydie Gormé |
| Desk- "Vacation Destinations" ||||
| 4511 | November 26, 1980 (1980-11-26) | Don Rickles, George Heap | N/A |
| Desk- "1981 Calendars" ||||
| 4512 | November 27, 1980 (1980-11-27) | McLean Stevenson, Charles Grodin | N/A |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "In Favor of Junk Food for Schools" ||||
| 4513 | November 28, 1980 (1980-11-28) | Shelley Duvall, Bobby Kelton | Jim Stafford |
| Desk- "Ultimate Gifts" ||||

### December

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4514 | December 1, 1980 (1980-12-01) | David Letterman (guest host), Pete Barbutti, Marilu Henner | N/A |
| 4515 | December 2, 1980 (1980-12-02) | David Letterman (guest host), Jack Lemmon | Hoyt Axton |
| Desk- "People Who Will Not Be On The Tonight Show" ||||
| 4516 | December 3, 1980 (1980-12-03) | David Letterman (guest host), Rich Hall | Crystal Gayle |
| Desk- "Lesser Known Art Works by Famous Artists" ||||
| 4517 | December 4, 1980 (1980-12-04) | David Letterman (guest host), Teri Garr, Victor Buono | N/A |
| 4518 | December 5, 1980 (1980-12-05) | David Letterman (guest host), Steve Allen | N/A |
| 4519 | December 9, 1980 (1980-12-09) | Bill Cosby, Susan George | N/A |
| Desk- "Christmas Television Specials" ||||
| 4520 | December 10, 1980 (1980-12-10) | Jane Fonda, Pete Barbutti | N/A |
| Edge of Wetness; Desk- Johnny reads a letter sent in by a teacher from Niagara Falls, New York with examples of student test answers. ||||
| 4521 | December 11, 1980 (1980-12-11) | James Stewart, Hodding Carter III | N/A |
| Desk- "Letters to Santa Claus" ||||
| 4522 | December 12, 1980 (1980-12-12) | Richard Pryor, Richard Benjamin | N/A |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4523 | December 15, 1980 (1980-12-15) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Bob Hope, Charlton Heston | N/A |
| 4524 | December 16, 1980 (1980-12-16) | Buddy Hackett | Johnny Mathis |
| Sketch- "Dickie the Stick" ||||
| 4525 | December 17, 1980 (1980-12-17) | Johnny Yune | B.B. King |
| New Products ||||
| 4526 | December 18, 1980 (1980-12-18) | Suzanne Somers, Robert Klein | N/A |
| Desk- "Christmas Cards" ||||
| 4527 | December 19, 1980 (1980-12-19) | Bob Newhart, Frank Sinatra | St. Matthews School Choir ("Here We Come A-Caroling", "I Saw Three Ships", "How Far Is It To Bethlehem?" and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"), Mac Davis ("Hooked On Music") |
| Desk- "Frank Sinatra Walk-On" ||||
| 4528 | December 30, 1980 (1980-12-30) | Angie Dickinson, Professor Andrew Levine | Eddie Harris |
| Desk- "How to Beat Those Holiday Blues" ||||
| 4529 | December 31, 1980 (1980-12-31) | Maureen Murphy | Sahara Girls, The Manhattan Transfer |
| News Years' Eve in Burbank ||||