# List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes (1990)

The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1990.

## 1990
### January

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,082 | January 2, 1990 (1990-01-02) | Jay Leno (guest host), Richard Chamberlain, John Mendoza, Craig T. Nelson, Thomas F. Wilson | N/A |
| Newspaper Headlines ||||
| 4,083 | January 3, 1990 (1990-01-03) | Tony Danza | Chuck Berry |
| Blurred Photos; City Nicknames ||||
| 4,084 | January 4, 1990 (1990-01-04) | Lolita Davidovich, Rita Rudner | K. T. Oslin |
| Census Questions ||||
| 4,085 | January 5, 1990 (1990-01-05) | Bob Saget, Susan Norfleet | Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg |
| You Are The Author ||||
| 4,086 | January 9, 1990 (1990-01-09) | Jay Leno (guest host), Denzel Washington, John Chancellor, Faith Ford | Richard Marx |
| 4,087 | January 10, 1990 (1990-01-10) | Richard Benjamin | Larry Gatlin |
| Calendars ||||
| 4,088 | January 11, 1990 (1990-01-11) | Jay Leno (guest host), Tony Randall, Bill Black, Diane Nichols | Kenny Rankin |
| 4,089 | January 12, 1990 (1990-01-12) | Jay Leno (guest host), Charlton Heston, Roy Blount, Jr. | N/A |
| 4,090 | January 16, 1990 (1990-01-16) | Jay Leno (guest host), Andie MacDowell, Marsha Warfield, Kathleen Sullivan | N/A |
| 4,091 | January 17, 1990 (1990-01-17) | Baxter Black, Jeff Cesario | The Roches |
| Magazine Covers; Johnny's Sick Bed Diary ||||
| 4,092 | January 18, 1990 (1990-01-18) | Joan Embery, Art Donovan, Ron Silver | N/A |
| Nursery Rhymes Updated for The 90's ||||
| 4,093 | January 19, 1990 (1990-01-19) | Michael Landon, Jimmy Brogan, Roger Rees | N/A |
| Picking the Noreiga Jury ||||
| 4,094 | January 22, 1990 (1990-01-22) | Jay Leno (guest host), Sandy Duncan, Michael Gross, Fred Roggin | Poco |
| 4,095 | January 23, 1990 (1990-01-23) | Jay Leno (guest host), Steve Kelly | Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,096 | January 24, 1990 (1990-01-24) | Jay Leno (guest host), Shelley Winters, Mr. Wizard | Hoyt Axton |
| 4,097 | January 25, 1990 (1990-01-25) | Jay Leno (guest host), Jack Palance, Paul Shaffer | N/A |
| Humane Animal Products ||||
| 4,098 | January 26, 1990 (1990-01-26) | Jay Leno (guest host), Joanna Kerns, Charles Gibson | Bonnie Raitt |
| Spot Quiz ||||
| 4,099 | January 30, 1990 (1990-01-30) | Jay Leno (guest host), Connie Chung, Dennis Hopper | Highway 101 |
| 4,100 | January 31, 1990 (1990-01-31) | Martin Short, Cathy Ladman, Bonnie Hunt | N/A |
| Zipper Clipping; Public Service Announcements ||||

### February

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,101 | February 1, 1990 (1990-02-01) | Stephanie Yu, Kenneth Branagh, Cathy Guisewite | N/A |
| News Article; Eavesdropping on The Audience w/Spy Microphone ||||
| 4,102 | February 2, 1990 (1990-02-02) | Carl Reiner, Jennifer Grey | Kathy Mattea |
| News Article; Disney Character Rejects ||||
| 4,103 | February 6, 1990 (1990-02-06) | Jay Leno (guest host), Jason Bateman | Linda Hopkins |
| Articles that Appeared In The LA Times and The Wall Street Journal; Pilots That Failed ||||
| 4,104 | February 7, 1990 (1990-02-07) | Don Rickles, Jon Serl | N/A |
| Homework School of The Air (Professor John W. Carson) ||||
| 4,105 | February 8, 1990 (1990-02-08) | Harry Anderson, Bobby Slayton | Eugene Fodor |
| What They Have Could Been ||||
| 4,106 | February 9, 1990 (1990-02-09) | Beau Bridges, Rita Rudner | Melissa Manchester |
| Oil Tanker Driving School; Audience Genealogy ||||
| 4,107 | February 13, 1990 (1990-02-13) | Jay Leno (guest host), Carol Kane, Dom Irrera, Stephen Baldwin | Laurie Anderson |
| Celeb Valentines ||||
| 4,108 | February 14, 1990 (1990-02-14) | John Larroquette, Dr. Robert Ballard | Jack Jones |
| 4,109 | February 15, 1990 (1990-02-15) | Super Dave Osborne, Svetlana Starodomskaya | Stephanie Mills |
| The Amazing Bonsai Knife commercial ||||
| 4,110 | February 16, 1990 (1990-02-16) | Bob Hope, Magic Johnson | Joe Williams |
| Letters Received from Frank Lynch; Spills Illustrated Swimsuit Edition; Ink Blot Test ||||
| 4,111 | February 20, 1990 (1990-02-20) | Jay Leno (guest host), Bea Arthur, Paula Poundstone | Al Jarreau |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,112 | February 21, 1990 (1990-02-21) | Bob Newhart, Buster Douglas | Bo Diddley |
| Band Calendar (Swimsuit) ||||
| 4,113 | February 22, 1990 (1990-02-22) | Jester Hairston, Susan Norfleet | Aaron Neville, Linda Ronstadt |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4,114 | February 23, 1990 (1990-02-23) | Dabney Coleman, Kenneth Branagh | Restless Heart |
| Pentagon Products; Expensive Props ||||

### March

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,115 | March 6, 1990 (1990-03-06) | Jay Leno (guest host), Jeff Foxworthy, Crispin Glover | Natalie Cole |
| Celeb Cereal ||||
| 4,116 | March 7, 1990 (1990-03-07) | Burt Reynolds, Rene Hall | Ray Price ("For The Good Times") |
| You Are The Author ||||
| 4,117 | March 8, 1990 (1990-03-08) | Victoria Jackson, Calvin Trillin | The Temptations |
| Baby's Progress ||||
| 4,118 | March 9, 1990 (1990-03-09) | Meredith Vieira | Ofra Haza |
| Your Lost Luggage; Expensive Props ||||
| 4,119 | March 13, 1990 (1990-03-13) | Jay Leno (guest host), Harry Hamlin, Neil Patrick Harris, Ritch Shydner | Michael Bolton |
| 4,120 | March 14, 1990 (1990-03-14) | Jonathan Winters | Randy Travis |
| Wide Screen Movie ||||
| 4,121 | March 15, 1990 (1990-03-15) | Hassie & Lassie | Smokey Robinson |
| Three Minute Education ||||
| 4,122 | March 16, 1990 (1990-03-16) | Lee Trevino, Jeff Cesario | The Trinity Irish Dancers |
| Irish Toasts ||||
| 4,123 | March 20, 1990 (1990-03-20) | Jay Leno (guest host), Valerie Harper, Rain Pryor, Mario Joyner | N/A |
| 4,124 | March 21, 1990 (1990-03-21) | David Steinberg, George Preston | Don McLean |
| Toppling Domino's ||||
| 4,125 | March 22, 1990 (1990-03-22) | Deborah Norville, Larry Miller | Lyle Lovett |
| Tonight Show Commercials - 'Obsession', 'Infiniti', 'Docker's', and 'Fastpitch' ||||
| 4,126 | March 23, 1990 (1990-03-23) | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Park Overall | Sara Hickman |
| The 2nd Annual Snivelling Weasel Awards ||||
| 4,127 | March 26, 1990 (1990-03-26) | Jay Leno (guest host), Marsha Warfield, Jimmy Aleck, Roy Blount, Jr. | Regina Belle |
| 4,128 | March 27, 1990 (1990-03-27) | Jay Leno (guest host), Jean Stapleton | Starlight Express |
| Movie Posters (Billboards of Films That Does Not Make the Oscars) ||||
| 4,129 | March 28, 1990 (1990-03-28) | Jay Leno (guest host), Carol Burnett, Martin Mull, Edie McClurg | N/A |
| Newspaper Headlines ||||
| 4,130 | March 29, 1990 (1990-03-29) | Jay Leno (guest host), Dana Carvey, Wayne Cotter, Dana Delany | N/A |
| Environmental Safety Gadgets ||||
| 4,131 | March 30, 1990 (1990-03-30) | Jay Leno (guest host), Roger Moore, Sam Donaldson | N/A |
| Audience Quiz on Previous 'Tonight Shows' ||||

### April

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,132 | April 3, 1990 (1990-04-03) | Jay Leno (guest host), Rutger Hauer, Bob Costas | They Might Be Giants |
| 4,133 | April 4, 1990 (1990-04-04) | Dudley Moore, Kevin Pollak | Shawn Colvin |
| Letters to Mrs. Breast; Audience Longevity ||||
| 4,134 | April 5, 1990 (1990-04-05) | Lily Tomlin, Bryan Williams | Bulgarian State Female Vocal Choir |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 4,135 | April 6, 1990 (1990-04-06) | Bob Hope, Jeff Dunham | B.B. King |
| Mighty Carson Art Players - "Thesaurus Writers Funeral" ||||
| 4,136 | April 10, 1990 (1990-04-10) | Jay Leno (guest host), Robert Hays, Mike Binder, Carol Siskind | N/A |
| 4,137 | April 11, 1990 (1990-04-11) | Richard Lewis | Ray Charles |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Rebuttal on Broccoli" ||||
| 4,138 | April 12, 1990 (1990-04-12) | Paula Poundstone, Art Donovan | Milt Hinton |
| Carl Sagan Sketch ||||
| 4,140 | April 16, 1990 (1990-04-16) | Jay Leno (guest host), Billy Crystal, Dave Thomas | Michel'le |
| 4,141 | April 17, 1990 (1990-04-17) | Jay Leno (guest host), Dweezil Zappa, Jerry Seinfeld, Judith Hoag | Lorrie Morgan |
| 4,142 | April 18, 1990 (1990-04-18) | Jay Leno (guest host), Christine Lahti, Crystal Bernard | Huber Marionettes |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,143 | April 19, 1990 (1990-04-19) | Jay Leno (guest host), Alan Thicke, Fred Roggin | Julia Fordham |
| Novelty Items For The 90's ||||
| 4,144 | April 20, 1990 (1990-04-20) | Jay Leno (guest host), Valerie Bertinelli, Paul Reiser | The Desert Rose Band |
| Audience Quiz ||||
| 4,145 | April 24, 1990 (1990-04-24) | Jay Leno (guest host), Chuck Norris, Meredith Baxter Birney, Jeff Altman | Ricky Van Shelton |
| 4,146 | April 25, 1990 (1990-04-25) | Sonny Bono | Alexei Sultanov |
| Johnny in Indonesia; Crashing Miss Daisy ||||
| 4,147 | April 26, 1990 (1990-04-26) | Tim Conway, Judith Ivey | Clint Black |
| Art Forgery ||||
| 4,148 | April 27, 1990 (1990-04-27) | Robert Klein, Kevin Spacey, Mary Peyton-Meyer | N/A |
| Pilots That Failed ||||

### May

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,149 | May 1, 1990 (1990-05-01) | Jay Leno (guest host), Armand Assante, Clive James, Jane Goodall | N/A |
| Time Saving Tips; Props ||||
| 4,150 | May 2, 1990 (1990-05-02) | Dabney Coleman, Yakov Smirnoff Lara Flynn Boyle, announced as a guest, was bumped. She appeared on May 9. | N/A |
| Things Found Under the Bed ||||
| 4,151 | May 3, 1990 (1990-05-03) | Richard Jeni | Daniel Menendez |
| Hold Music ||||
| 4,152 | May 4, 1990 (1990-05-04) | Judge Reinhold, Rita Rudner, Rondell Sheridan | N/A |
| Your Share of The Deficit; Several Ways for 12K To Be Raised by Various Organizations ||||
| 4,153 | May 8, 1990 (1990-05-08) | Jay Leno (guest host), Teri Garr, Eva Marie Saint, Keenen Ivory Wayans | N/A |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,154 | May 9, 1990 (1990-05-09) | Tony Randall, Lara Flynn Boyle | Andy Koffman & His Frogs |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4,155 | May 10, 1990 (1990-05-10) | John Larroquette, Mark Schiff, Kurt Thomas | N/A |
| Tonight Show Staff Home Videos ||||
| 4,156 | May 11, 1990 (1990-05-11) | Liv Ullmann, Joe Piscopo | Dirty Dozen Brass Band |
| Childrens Ending to Proverbs ||||
| 4,157 | May 15, 1990 (1990-05-15) | Jay Leno (guest host), Keith Carradine, Blake Clark, Diana Bellamy | N/A |
| 4,158 | May 16, 1990 (1990-05-16) | George Foreman, Andrew Lloyd Webber | Sarah Brightman ("Love Changes Everything" and "Music Of The Night") |
| Hubble Droodles ||||
| 4,159 | May 17, 1990 (1990-05-17) | Dr. Henry Merritt Stenhouse, Barbara Hershey, Jeff Cesario | N/A |
| Rubber Chicken Boycott ||||
| 4,160 | May 18, 1990 (1990-05-18) | Bob Hope | Al Green |
| Recycling Household Items ||||
| 4,161 | May 29, 1990 (1990-05-29) | Jay Leno (guest host), George Carlin, Fran Drescher, Dominick Dunne | N/A |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,162 | May 30, 1990 (1990-05-30) | Jerry Seinfeld | Leonard Waxdeck & The Birdcallers, Dizzy Gillespie |
| 4,164 | May 31, 1990 (1990-05-31) | Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Brenner | 1990 National Acrobatic Champions |
| Audience Genealogy ||||

### June

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,165 | June 1, 1990 (1990-06-01) | Buddy Hackett, Teresa Ganzel, Dave Thomas | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players - "Hourly News" ||||
| 4,166 | June 5, 1990 (1990-06-05) | Jay Leno (guest host), Larry Miller, Charles S. Dutton | Joe Cocker |
| 4,167 | June 6, 1990 (1990-06-06) | A. Whitney Brown, Judith Hoag | Tony Bennett |
| Handbook of Practical Knowledge; Rheumatology Letter from Ed ||||
| 4,168 | June 7, 1990 (1990-06-07) | Jay Leno (guest host), Cathy Guisewite, Edie McClurg | Stevie Ray Vaughan ("Tightrope") |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,169 | June 8, 1990 (1990-06-08) | Patrika Darbo | N/A |
| 4,170 | June 12, 1990 (1990-06-12) | Jay Leno (guest host), Bill Cosby | Luther Vandross |
| The Dumber Image Catalog; Products ||||
| 4,171 | June 13, 1990 (1990-06-13) | Bob Newhart, Peter Jennings | David Byrne ("Mambo") |
| Tonight Show Audience Graduation ||||
| 4,172 | June 14, 1990 (1990-06-14) | Garry Shandling | Barry Manilow |
| Government Secrets ||||
| 4,173 | June 15, 1990 (1990-06-15) | Super Dave Osborne, Kirk Douglas, Miss Manners | N/A |
| Band Number: "Honeysuckle Rose" ||||
| 4,174 | June 18, 1990 (1990-06-18) | Jay Leno (guest host), Harry Hamlin, Sharon Stone, Julia Child | Lenny Kravitz ("Does Anybody Out There Even Care?") |
| 4,175 | June 19, 1990 (1990-06-19) | Jay Leno (guest host), Molly Ringwald, Kadeem Hardison, Bill Engvall | The Cowboy Junkies |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,176 | June 20, 1990 (1990-06-20) | Jay Leno (guest host), Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Phil Hartman, Roy Blount, Jr. | Linda Hopkins |
| The Phil Donahue Sketch w/Phil Hartman ||||
| 4,177 | June 21, 1990 (1990-06-21) | Jay Leno (guest host), Deborah Norville, Thom Sharp, Peter Weller | N/A |
| New Soviet Products ||||
| 4,178 | June 22, 1990 (1990-06-22) | Jay Leno (guest host), Bill Murray, Alan King | Leon Redbone |

### July

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,179 | July 2, 1990 (1990-07-02) | Jay Leno (guest host), Tony Randall, Wil Shriner, Faith Ford | Freda Payne |
| 4,180 | July 3, 1990 (1990-07-03) | Jay Leno (guest host), Peter Scolari, Rita Rudner, Lauren Tom | Basia |
| New Summer Movies ||||
| 4,181 | July 4, 1990 (1990-07-04) | Jay Leno (guest host), Joan Embery, Fred Roggin | N/A |
| Fourth of July Quiz ||||
| 4,182 | July 5, 1990 (1990-07-05) | Jay Leno (guest host), Tom Cruise, Phil Hartman, Helen Hayes | Barry White |
| Jay's Interview with Donald Trump (Phil Hartman) ||||
| 4,183 | July 6, 1990 (1990-07-06) | Jay Leno (guest host), Larry King, Tom Dreesen, Jeff Daniels | N/A |
| Audience Quiz ||||
| 4,184 | July 10, 1990 (1990-07-10) | Jay Leno (guest host), Charlie Korsmo, Martin Mull, Bill Maher | Lyle Lovett |
| Children's Fables ||||
| 4,185 | July 11, 1990 (1990-07-11) | Dana Carvey, Anthony Griffin | Travis Tritt |
| You Are The Author ||||
| 4,186 | July 12, 1990 (1990-07-12) | George Segal | King's Sisters |
| Tabloid Headlines ||||
| 4,187 | July 13, 1990 (1990-07-13) | Bob Saget, Jack Coen | Laura Branigan ("Reverse Psychology" and "Never In A Million Years") |
| Nursery Rhymes ||||
| 4,188 | July 17, 1990 (1990-07-17) | Jay Leno (guest host), Patrick Swayze, Randy Quaid, Jeff Foxworthy | Reba McEntire |
| 4,189 | July 18, 1990 (1990-07-18) | Monica Seles, Mike Dugan | Dionne Warwick |
| New Network Slogans ||||
| 4,190 | July 19, 1990 (1990-07-19) | Cathy Ladman, Thomas F. Wilson | Pointer Sisters, "Friends' Advice (Don't Take It)" and "After You" |
| Product Recalls ||||
| 4,191 | July 20, 1990 (1990-07-20) | Roseanne Barr, Tom Arnold, Maggie Gill | N/A |
| Amazing Sports Shots ||||
| 4,192 | July 24, 1990 (1990-07-24) | Jay Leno (guest host), Jack Palance | Patty Loveless |
| New Food Products ||||
| 4,193 | July 25, 1990 (1990-07-25) | Michael Oliver, John Goodman, Victoria Jackson | Joe Williams |
| David Souter; Expressions You Never Hear ||||
| 4,194 | July 26, 1990 (1990-07-26) | Liv Ullmann, J.J. Wall, Patrika Darbo | N/A |
| Commercial Flashcards ||||
| 4,195 | July 27, 1990 (1990-07-27) | Cathy Guisewite, Brian Haley, David Horowitz | N/A |
| Hold The Music ||||
| 4,196 | July 31, 1990 (1990-07-31) | Jay Leno (guest host), Brian Dennehy, Park Overall | Lou Gramm |

### August

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,197 | August 1, 1990 (1990-08-01) | Don Rickles | The Allman Brothers Band ("Good Clean Fun", "True Gravity") |
| Homework School of The Air ||||
| 4,198 | August 2, 1990 (1990-08-02) | Hansen Quadruplets, Maria Shriver | Michael McDonald |
| Virtues of The States ||||
| 4,199 | August 3, 1990 (1990-08-03) | David Brenner, Art Donovan | Al Green |
| Alternative Supreme Court Justice ||||
| 4,200 | August 6, 1990 (1990-08-06) | Jay Leno (guest host), Kirk Douglas, Willy T. Ribbs | Taylor Dayne ("Love Will Lead You Back") |
| 4,201 | August 7, 1990 (1990-08-07) | Jay Leno (guest host), Jon Voight, Kevin Pollak, Steven R. Kutcher | Howard Hewett |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,202 | August 8, 1990 (1990-08-08) | Jay Leno (guest host), Mel Gibson, Harley Jane Kozak, David Alan Grier | N/A |
| Album Covers ||||
| 4,203 | August 9, 1990 (1990-08-09) | Jay Leno (guest host), Tim Matheson, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, Wayne Cotter, Shari Belafonte | N/A |
| Jay Meets Gorby ||||
| 4,204 | August 10, 1990 (1990-08-10) | Jay Leno (guest host), Henry Winkler, Kevin Nealon, Sarah Jessica Parker | Asleep at the Wheel |
| Audience Quiz; Gift Certificates for Dinner ||||
| 4,205 | August 14, 1990 (1990-08-14) | Jay Leno (guest host), Steve Martin, James Belushi | James Ingram |
| 4,206 | August 15, 1990 (1990-08-15) | Harry Anderson, Joel Murray | N/A |
| Messages From Home ||||
| 4,207 | August 16, 1990 (1990-08-16) | David Steinberg, Denise Wells | N/A |
| History of The World ||||
| 4,208 | August 17, 1990 (1990-08-17) | Patrick Swayze | Oleta Adams |
| Products Around the World ||||
| 4,209 | August 21, 1990 (1990-08-21) | Jay Leno (guest host), Emilio Estevez, Phil Hartman, Lauren Tom | N/A |
| Chung Watch '90' (Remote w/Phil Hartman) ||||
| 4,210 | August 22, 1990 (1990-08-22) | Richard Lewis, Brooke Adams | The Leningrad Swing Jazz Band |
| Audience Genealogy ||||
| 4,211 | August 23, 1990 (1990-08-23) | Kid Inventors | Natalie Cole |
| The Small Print on Your Ticket ||||
| 4,212 | August 24, 1990 (1990-08-24) | Tony Randall, Mark Pitta, George Foreman | N/A |
| Weird Vacations ||||

### September

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,213 | September 4, 1990 (1990-09-04) | Jay Leno (guest host), Shirley MacLaine, David Lynch, Richard Libertini | Paul Young |
| 4,214 | September 5, 1990 (1990-09-05) | Charles Grodin, Amy Yasbeck | B.B. King ("Let The Good Times Roll" and "Peace To The World") |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4,215 | September 6, 1990 (1990-09-06) | Zachary LaVoy, Charles S. Dutton | K.T. Oslin |
| New Foreign Products ||||
| 4,216 | September 7, 1990 (1990-09-07) | Jeff Dunham | Etta James & The Roots Band, Leila Josefowicz, The Passing Zone |
| What They Could Have Been ||||
| 4,217 | September 11, 1990 (1990-09-11) | Jay Leno (guest host), Candice Bergen, George Miller, Charlie Schlatter | N/A |
| 4,218 | September 12, 1990 (1990-09-12) | Patrick Duffy, Kevin Meaney | Kid Creole & The Coconuts |
| Trademarks For Sale ||||
| 4,219 | September 13, 1990 (1990-09-13) | Martin Mull, Anne De Salvo | Ruth Brown |
| Audience Credits ||||
| 4,220 | September 14, 1990 (1990-09-14) | Bob Hope, Pete Sampras, Park Overall | N/A |
| U.S.A. Sex Trivia ||||
| 4,221 | September 17, 1990 (1990-09-17) | Jay Leno (guest host), Burt Reynolds, Robert Easton | Wynton Marsalis |
| 4,222 | September 18, 1990 (1990-09-18) | Jay Leno (guest host), Shelley Long, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Darlanne Fluegel | The Time |
| Back To School Items ||||
| 4,223 | September 19, 1990 (1990-09-19) | Jay Leno (guest host), Carol Burnett, Will Smith, Regis Philbin | N/A |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,224 | September 20, 1990 (1990-09-20) | Jay Leno (guest host), Christine Lahti, Ed Begley, Jr., Dinah Manoff | N/A |
| TV Guide Ads ||||
| 4,225 | September 21, 1990 (1990-09-21) | Jay Leno (guest host), Jimmy Smits | Celine Dion, Phil Collins |
| Audience Quiz ||||
| 4,226 | September 25, 1990 (1990-09-25) | Jay Leno, Betty White | Ladysmith Black Mambazo |
| I Want.. ||||
| 4,227 | September 26, 1990 (1990-09-26) | Garry Shandling, George Dzundza | Victoria Williams |
| 100 Least Important Americans ||||
| 4,228 | September 27, 1990 (1990-09-27) | TBA | N/A |
| 28th Anniversary Show ||||
| 4,229 | September 28, 1990 (1990-09-28) | Jay Leno (guest host), Fred Savage, Matthew Modine | N/A |

### October

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,230 | October 2, 1990 (1990-10-02) | Jay Leno (guest host), Paul Sorvino, Peggy Lipton, Nicollette Sheridan | John Hiatt |
| 4,231 | October 3, 1990 (1990-10-03) | Becky Klemt, Rita Rudner | Johnny Clegg & Savuka |
| Least Played Songs ||||
| 4,232 | October 4, 1990 (1990-10-04) | Alan King, Maryedith Burrell | George Benson |
| Mighty Carson Art Players - "David Howitzer - Consumer Supporter" ||||
| 4,233 | October 5, 1990 (1990-10-05) | Robert Klein, Jackie Collins | Bela Fleck & The Flecktones |
| Dream Analysis ||||
| 4,234 | October 9, 1990 (1990-10-09) | Jay Leno (guest host), Elizabeth Perkins, Perry King, Paula Poundstone | Zachary Richard |
| Jay Reads One Headline ||||
| 4,235 | October 10, 1990 (1990-10-10) | Shelby Foote | Louie Bellson |
| 4,236 | October 11, 1990 (1990-10-11) | Father Guido Sarducci, Jim Fowler | N/A |
| 4,237 | October 12, 1990 (1990-10-12) | Teri Garr, Kevin Pollak | N/A |
| 4,238 | October 15, 1990 (1990-10-15) | Jay Leno (guest host), Tom Selleck, Will Smith, Jeff Cesario | Take 6 |
| 4,239 | October 16, 1990 (1990-10-16) | Jay Leno (guest host), Craig T. Nelson, Helen Thomas, Nancy Valen | Garth Brooks |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,240 | October 17, 1990 (1990-10-17) | Jay Leno (guest host), Amy Irving, Rich Hall, Scott Bakula | Los Lobos |
| 4,241 | October 18, 1990 (1990-10-18) | Jay Leno (guest host), Kadeem Hardison, Barry Levinson, Tony Goldwyn | The Neville Brothers |
| 4,242 | October 19, 1990 (1990-10-19) | Jay Leno (guest host), Angela Lansbury, Walter Cronkite | John Denver |
| Audience Quiz ||||
| 4,243 | October 30, 1990 (1990-10-30) | Jay Leno (guest host), Kate Jackson, Wayne Cotter, Mark Lewis | Patty Loveless |
| Trick or Treaters ||||
| 4,244 | October 31, 1990 (1990-10-31) | John Larroquette, Anthony Griffith (actor), Kevin Pollak | N/A |
| Happy Birthday, Fred ||||

### November

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,245 | November 1, 1990 (1990-11-01) | Carl Reiner, Shelby Foote | Gary Morris |
| Audience Survey ||||
| 4,246 | November 2, 1990 (1990-11-02) | Ed Begley, Jr., Calvin Trillin | Cupstacking Champions |
| Floyd R. Turbo - "Against Female Reporters in Mens' Locker Rooms" ||||
| 4,247 | November 6, 1990 (1990-11-06) | Jay Leno (guest host), Robert Urich, Sally Jessy Raphael, John Wesley Shipp, Johnny Dark | N/A |
| 4,248 | November 7, 1990 (1990-11-07) | George Segal, Neil Patrick Harris, David Cota & his parakeet | N/A |
| Rules of Thumb ||||
| 4,249 | November 8, 1990 (1990-11-08) | Super Dave Osborne, Paul Reiser | Stan Getz |
| Showbiz Flashcards ||||
| 4,250 | November 9, 1990 (1990-11-09) | George Foreman, Joanna Kerns | James Ingram |
| Book Store/Video Store Test ||||
| 4,251 | November 13, 1990 (1990-11-13) | Jay Leno (guest host), Marilu Henner, Franklyn Ajaye, Charles Kuralt | John Mayall |
| 4,252 | November 14, 1990 (1990-11-14) | Harry Anderson, Bob Uecker | Dan Fogelberg |
| You Are The Author ||||
| 4,253 | November 15, 1990 (1990-11-15) | Bob Newhart, Catherine O'Hara | Celine Dion ("Where Does My Heart Beat Now?") |
| New Crimes ||||
| 4,254 | November 16, 1990 (1990-11-16) | Jester Hairston, Rita Rudner, Joan Benny | Jimmy Buffett |
| 4,255 | November 20, 1990 (1990-11-20) | Jay Leno (guest host), Sharon Gless, Michael Moriarty | Mariah Carey ("Vision Of Love") |
| Books by Pets ||||
| 4,256 | November 21, 1990 (1990-11-21) | Father Guido Sarducci | Ray Charles |
| The Tonight Show Philharmoonic ||||
| 4,257 | November 22, 1990 (1990-11-22) | Dean Dill | Cirque du Soleil, Louie Bellson |
| Kids' Letters ||||
| 4,258 | November 23, 1990 (1990-11-23) | James Garner, Andy Grayson | Sara Hickman |
| Talk with Ed; Blue Cards ||||

### December

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4,259 | December 4, 1990 (1990-12-04) | Jay Leno (guest host), Charlie Sheen, George Wallace | Judy Collins |
| Newspaper Headlines ||||
| 4,260 | December 5, 1990 (1990-12-05) | Miss Manners, Kelly McDonald | Randy Travis |
| Taboos Around The World ||||
| 4,261 | December 6, 1990 (1990-12-06) | George Carlin, Kimmy Robertson | Pete Fountain |
| Altered Car Logos ||||
| 4,262 | December 7, 1990 (1990-12-07) | David Letterman | Patti LaBelle |
| Lucky Lottery Numbers ||||
| 4,263 | December 11, 1990 (1990-12-11) | Jay Leno (guest host), Clint Eastwood, Olivia Newton-John | Whitney Houston |
| Bumper Stickers ||||
| 4,264 | December 12, 1990 (1990-12-12) | Richard Benjamin | Johnny Clegg & Savuka |
| New Products ||||
| 4,265 | December 13, 1990 (1990-12-13) | Bob Hope, Kirstie Alley, John Travolta | The Go-Go's ("Our Lips Are Sealed", "Vacation") |
| Poinsetta Talks; Foreign Commercials ||||
| 4,266 | December 14, 1990 (1990-12-14) | Kadeem Hardison, Mark Schiff | Dolly Parton |
| Santa Letters ||||
| 4,267 | December 17, 1990 (1990-12-17) | Jay Leno (guest host), Glenn Close, John Chancellor, Bill Maher | Rosanne Cash |
| 4,268 | December 18, 1990 (1990-12-18) | Jay Leno (guest host), Kathy Bates, Jake Johannsen | Barry Manilow, K.T. Oslin |
| Kids Letters ||||
| 4,269 | December 19, 1990 (1990-12-19) | Jay Leno (guest host), Joe Pantoliano, Jacqueline Bisset | Johnny Mathis |
| Headlines ||||
| 4,270 | December 20, 1990 (1990-12-20) | Jay Leno (guest host), John Mendoza, Olivia Brown, Miko Hughes | The Jeff Healey Band |
| Pet Products ||||
| 4,271 | December 21, 1990 (1990-12-21) | Jay Leno (guest host), James Avery, Paul Hogan | Lou Rawls, Jasmine Guy |
| Audience Quiz ||||
| 4,272 | December 31, 1990 (1990-12-31) | Jay Leno (guest host), Jane Pauley, Phil Hartman | B.B. King, Dwight Yoakam |
| Times Square Remote; Phil Donahue Sketch ||||