# List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes (1986)

The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1986:

## 1986
### January

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,463 | January 2, 1986 (1986-01-02) | Angie Dickinson, Gene Rader | N/A |
| Items That Were Popular Last Year ||||
| 5,464 | January 3, 1986 (1986-01-03) | Tim Conway, Hal Linden, Don Stanley | N/A |
| Lighten Up - Response to Nevada Gov. Richard Bryan's demand for an apology for interstate rivalry jokes Johnny told. ||||
| 5,465 | January 7, 1986 (1986-01-07) | George Segal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wil Shriner | N/A |
| Where to Look for Halley's Comet; Predictions for 1986 ||||
| 5,466 | January 8, 1986 (1986-01-08) | Madeline Kahn, A. Whitney Brown | N/A |
| Talk with Ed- Halley's Comet, Astronomer; Morality Test- Ethics Morality Survey That Appear in U.S. News & World Report; Johnny gives the audience a survey and their responses are measured by a meter. ||||
| 5,467 | January 9, 1986 (1986-01-09) | George Miller, Rosanna Arquette | Liberace |
| Poll taken on what american consider to be the top ten heroes in this country. ||||
| 5,468 | January 10, 1986 (1986-01-10) | Brian Dennehy | George Carl, Martina Arroyo ("Mädchenfluch") |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 5,469 | January 14, 1986 (1986-01-14) | James Garner, Barry Diamond | Anita Morris |
| List of Corrections That Need to be Made in Other Books ||||
| 5,470 | January 15, 1986 (1986-01-15) | Don Rickles, Waddie Mitchell | Pete Fountain |
| List of Interesting Facts ||||
| 5,471 | January 16, 1986 (1986-01-16) | Michael Douglas, Joanna Kerns | New York Sax Quartet |
| In honor of Halley's Comet, Johnny demonstrates how the solar system works, uses 10 studio audience volunteers to demonstrate. ||||
| 5,472 | January 17, 1986 (1986-01-17) | Dabney Coleman, Dr. Carl Sagan, Hung Dinh Vu | N/A |
| A Bootleg Tape of The Tonight Show ||||
| 5,473 | January 21, 1986 (1986-01-21) | Shelley Winters, Brad Garrett | Stanley Jordan |
| Subject Calendars ||||
| 5,474 | January 22, 1986 (1986-01-22) | Joe Namath, Teri Garr, Roy Blount, Jr. | N/A |
| Video Report by Steve Young about Scott's Jumbo Roll Toilet Paper ||||
| 5,475 | January 23, 1986 (1986-01-23) | Jeff Daniels, Vijay Amritraj, Rufus Hussey | N/A |
| Public Service Announcement for NBC ||||
| 5,476 | January 24, 1986 (1986-01-24) | Harvey Korman, Michael Ammar | David Tolley (pianist) |
| Tonight Show Sports Exclusive- Super Bowl Announcers who are covering the game ||||
| 5,477 | January 27, 1986 (1986-01-27) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Emmanuel Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, Mayor Ed Koch, Betty White | N/A |
| 5,478 | January 28, 1986 (1986-01-28) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Tony Danza, Linda Lavin, Louie Anderson, Dr. Ruth Westheimer | N/A |
| The monologue was cancelled due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. ||||
| 5,479 | January 29, 1986 (1986-01-29) | Joan Rivers (guest host), David Steinberg, James Farentino, Mark Harmon, Estelle Getty | N/A |
| 5,480 | January 30, 1986 (1986-01-30) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Joan Collins, William Devane, William Perry | N/A |
| 5,481 | January 31, 1986 (1986-01-31) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Ursula Andress, Kate Capshaw, Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel | Teddy Pendergrass |

### February

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,482 | February 4, 1986 (1986-02-04) | Buddy Hackett, Jim McMahon | Louie Bellson |
| Johnny surveys the audience to indicate their Academy Awards preferences. ||||
| 5,483 | February 5, 1986 (1986-02-05) | Louie Anderson, John Callahan | Miami Sound Machine |
| Leslie Pick, a teacher at Westlake Village School sent Johnny a project her students participated in.. they were given the first half of some old-fashioned cliches and had to complete them. Johnny reads what they came up with. ||||
| 5,484 | February 6, 1986 (1986-02-06) | Danny Cooksey, Robin Williams | Mummenschanz |
| President's Birthday Cards ||||
| 5,485 | February 7, 1986 (1986-02-07) | Spud Webb, Jamie Rose | N/A |
| 5,486 | February 11, 1986 (1986-02-11) | America Morris, Don Ameche | N/A |
| Johnny jokes that if Coca-Cola purchased Merv Griffin Productions, then a new soft drink would be called, 'Merv'. ||||
| 5,487 | February 12, 1986 (1986-02-12) | Billy Martin, Maureen Murphy, Akosua Busia | N/A |
| Sports Illustrated Girls Edition ||||
| 5,488 | February 13, 1986 (1986-02-13) | Alexandra Paul, Terri Jones | Julia Migenes-Johnson |
| Johnny talks about Lee Iacocca getting fired from the Statue of Liberty committee. Johnny takes a sip of his coffee, it is cold he goes down the hall to get a new cup, sees the vending machines, among them is one for 'Live Animals, 50 Cents', Johnny puts his money and out comes a dog, Max. ||||
| 5,489 | February 14, 1986 (1986-02-14) | James Stewart, Fritz Coleman | N/A |
| Johnny wishes everyone a happy Valentine's Day. Four girls from Pepperdine come out and surprise Johnny with presents. Girls discussed their sorority living situations. ||||
| 5,490 | February 18, 1986 (1986-02-18) | Betty White, Jon Cryer | Pia Zadora |
| Examples from the Dictionary of American Regional English ||||
| 5,491 | February 19, 1986 (1986-02-19) | Roseanne Barr, Stephen Baccus | N/A |
| Johnny decides he would like to help out Baby Doc and try to locate an apartment for him. He looks through the recycler and, on the air, answers some of the ads for a room. ||||
| 5,492 | February 20, 1986 (1986-02-20) | Jim Fowler, Ronn Lucas, Brenda Venus | Andrae Crouch |
| 5,493 | February 21, 1986 (1986-02-21) | Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Shirley Muldowney | N/A |
| Johnny and Ed plays a game of Trivial Pursuit. ||||
| 5,494 | February 25, 1986 (1986-02-25) | Bud Greenspan | Jim Stafford, Russell Reig |
| Prince Charles' Ears; Search For a Person with the Biggest Ears ||||
| 5,495 | February 26, 1986 (1986-02-26) | Tab Thacker, Jack Gallagher, Victoria Jackson | N/A |
| Tommy Newsom's Birthday ||||
| 5,496 | February 27, 1986 (1986-02-27) | Garry Shandling, Joseph Westley Newman | N/A |
| Johnny invites three members of the studio audience to come up and do a segment of the monologue. ||||
| 5,497 | February 28, 1986 (1986-02-28) | Father Guido Sarducci, Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert, Robin Barnett | N/A |
| Edge of Wetness ||||

### March

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,498 | March 3, 1986 (1986-03-03) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Carrie Fisher, Ronnie Shakes, Hal Holbrook | John Denver ("Dreamland Express", "Aspen on a Saturday Night") |
| Celebrity Car Jokes ||||
| 5,499 | March 4, 1986 (1986-03-04) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Barbara Walters, Susan Sullivan | Little Richard |
| 5,500 | March 5, 1986 (1986-03-05) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Lynn Redgrave, C. Thomas Howell, Dr. Joyce Brothers | N/A |
| Joan's dog, Spike shows that he does some fancy tricks. ||||
| 5,501 | March 6, 1986 (1986-03-06) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Valerie Harper, Arsenio Hall, Ron Howard | Peter Allen |
| 5,502 | March 7, 1986 (1986-03-07) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Katherine Helmond, Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert | Nell Carter ("Be Mine Tonight" and "Stormy Monday Blues") |
| 5,503 | March 11, 1986 (1986-03-11) | Keith Carradine, Wendy Schaal | N/A |
| Frequent Flyers Program; Three People in Audience try an absence of humor test, like the baseball players, and drug testing. ||||
| 5,504 | March 12, 1986 (1986-03-12) | Barry O'Halloran, Steve Landesberg, David Horowitz | N/A |
| Public Service Announcement ||||
| 5,505 | March 13, 1986 (1986-03-13) | Jane Curtin, Jason Bateman | Jay Johnson |
| Collecting the Audience Members' Shoes ||||
| 5,506 | March 14, 1986 (1986-03-14) | David Steinberg, Woody Harrelson | The King's Singers ("I'm a Train", "Flight of the Bumble Bee", "Born On a New Day") |
| 5,507 | March 18, 1986 (1986-03-18) | Barbara Hershey | Ray Charles |
| Recognition of Some People Behind the Scenes that Deserve Life Time Achievement Awards ||||
| 5,508 | March 19, 1986 (1986-03-19) | Jon Voight | Alabama ("She And I", "Forty Hour Week") |
| Zoos begin advertising their manure, better known as 'Zoo Doo'. Johnny decides that he is going to call two different zoo directors and try to find the best deal on 'Animal Stuff'. ||||
| 5,509 | March 20, 1986 (1986-03-20) | Shelley Long, Margaret Avery | Raspini Bros. |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 5,510 | March 21, 1986 (1986-03-21) | Michael Keaton, Teresa Ganzel | Dionne Warwick |
| Johnny reads a letter from Mark Harris of Kansas. Both times that Mark's wife was pregnant, she had gone into labor during Johnny's monologue. Mark is wondering what kind of power Johnny had been granted. ||||
| 5,511 | March 25, 1986 (1986-03-25) | Richard Benjamin | Willie Nelson |
| Trivial Contest ||||
| 5,512 | March 26, 1986 (1986-03-26) | Doug Henning, Jackie Mason | N/A |
| Sketch- "Max Beta's Collection of Marcos Family's Golden Treasure of Fine Music"; Foreign Commercials ||||
| 5,513 | March 27, 1986 (1986-03-27) | Billy Crystal, Lucille Thompson | Buddy Rich |
| 110th anniversary of the invention of the telephone. Johnny got a transcript of the entire conversation between them and recreates it for the audience. ||||
| 5,514 | March 28, 1986 (1986-03-28) | Dom Irrera, Bess Armstrong | Corey Cerovsek |
| Child Labor Laws ||||

### April

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,515 | April 1, 1986 (1986-04-01) | Teri Garr, Richard Chamberlain | Brunson Brothers |
| The Legend of April Fool's Day ||||
| 5,516 | April 2, 1986 (1986-04-02) | Don King | John Williams, guitar ("Albéniz Asturias", "Galilei Saltarello") |
| 5,517 | April 3, 1986 (1986-04-03) | Frank Zappa, Dorothy Davis | N/A |
| Tonight Show Dating Computer ||||
| 5,518 | April 4, 1986 (1986-04-04) | Charles Grodin, Yakov Smirnoff | Katrina & The Waves ("Walking on Sunshine") |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 5,519 | April 15, 1986 (1986-04-15) | Judge Reinhold, Don Richardson, Jane Snyder | Exile |
| Blue Cards; Silly Spellers ||||
| 5,520 | April 16, 1986 (1986-04-16) | Larry Miller, Mark Lindsay Chapman | Frankie Yankovic ("Just Because" & "Cleveland, The Polka Town") |
| Tonight show received a phone call from the representative of the local French Tourism office. Johnny invited the representative to come on the show and present his side of the argument. (Remake of a 1967 sketch originally done with Robert Mandan.) ||||
| 5,521 | April 17, 1986 (1986-04-17) | Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill Maher | N/A |
| An Experiment on Gossip ||||
| 5,522 | April 18, 1986 (1986-04-18) | David Letterman, Adela Rivera | Maureen McGovern ("I Got Rhythm") |
| Lighten Up Michael Mendolsohn ||||
| 5,523 | April 22, 1986 (1986-04-22) | Tom Hulce, The Amazing Randi | Brian Slawson |
| Public Service Announcements ||||
| 5,524 | April 23, 1986 (1986-04-23) | Patrick Duffy, Harry Anderson, Lucy Lee Flippin | N/A |
| Letters from Children Stating 'Why or Why Not They Would Like to Marry When They Grow Up' ||||
| 5,525 | April 24, 1986 (1986-04-24) | Ted Turner, Kevin Rooney | Dizzy Gillespie |
| Johnny has a couple of low cost travel excursions that tourists can participate in, the most exciting offer being a tour of the Playboy Mansion. ||||
| 5,526 | April 25, 1986 (1986-04-25) | Joan Embery, Joan Rivers, Philip Michael Thomas | N/A |
| 5,527 | April 28, 1986 (1986-04-28) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Anthony Quinn | Patti LaBelle, Michael McDonald |
| 5,528 | April 29, 1986 (1986-04-29) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Hulk Hogan, Mr. Rogers, Calvin Trillin | N/A |
| 5,529 | April 30, 1986 (1986-04-30) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Danny DeVito, Bobcat Goldthwait | Pointer Sisters ("Jump" and "Hey You") |

### May

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,530 | May 1, 1986 (1986-05-01) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Tony Danza, Elizabeth Ashley, Richard Simmons | Pia Zadora |
| 5,531 | May 2, 1986 (1986-05-02) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Mark Harmon, Rick Overton, Vanna White, Roger Vadim | N/A |
| Joan Rivers guest hosts The Tonight Show for the last time. She first guest hosted in 1969, when Johnny Carson was on vacation. ||||
| 5,532 | May 6, 1986 (1986-05-06) | Harvey Korman | Donna Theodore, Nicolas Slonimsky |
| A bit on Chief on Protocol on a few comedic customs- 'Never ask a late night talk show host, how's your wife?' ||||
| 5,533 | May 7, 1986 (1986-05-07) | Ed Kennedy, Buddy Hackett, Ally Sheedy | N/A |
| Johnny tries to find work for four Playboy Bunnies as The Playboy Club in L.A. would close the next month. ||||
| 5,534 | May 8, 1986 (1986-05-08) | Joe Piscopo | Yo-Yo Ma (Elfentanz by David Popper) |
| Interviewing Techniques ||||
| 5,535 | May 9, 1986 (1986-05-09) | Bob Uecker, Kathleen Wilhoite, Zippy the Chimp | N/A |
| Desk - Johnny does a bit on Mother's Day sales. ||||
| 5,536 | May 13, 1986 (1986-05-13) | Marvelous Marvin Hagler | Jennifer Holliday ("We Can Work It Out" and "Dreams Never Die") |
| Hummingbirds ||||
| 5,537 | May 14, 1986 (1986-05-14) | Patrick Swayze, Linda Ellerbee | Oak Ridge Boys |
| Johnny found an army sea rations survival kit while cleaning his office. ||||
| 5,538 | May 15, 1986 (1986-05-15) | Anthony Quinn, JoBeth Williams | Joe Bushkin |
| 5,539 | May 16, 1986 (1986-05-16) | Paula Poundstone | Leonard Waxdeck & The Birdcallers, ZZ Top ("Sharp Dressed Man", "Tush") |
| Tonight Show Promos for Sweeps Week ||||
| 5,540 | May 20, 1986 (1986-05-20) | Lucy Lee Flippin | Dwight Yoakam ("Honky Tonk Man", "Guitars, Cadillacs") |
| Update on Hummingbirds ||||
| 5,541 | May 21, 1986 (1986-05-21) | Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor, Gwen Norton | N/A |
| 5,542 | May 22, 1986 (1986-05-22) | Bette Davis | Pete Fountain |
| Travel Advisories for Tourists; Spoof of the 'World Status Map' ||||
| 5,543 | May 23, 1986 (1986-05-23) | Bob Hope, Christine Lahti | Diane Schuur |
| Hummingbirds; Pilots That Didn't Make It ||||
| 5,544 | May 27, 1986 (1986-05-27) | Joanna Kerns, The Amazing Randi | George Carl |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 5,545 | May 28, 1986 (1986-05-28) | Rosie Gries, Steven Wright | N/A |
| Questions from the Audience ||||
| 5,546 | May 29, 1986 (1986-05-29) | Tom Selleck, Pam Matteson | Robert Palmer ("Addicted to Love", "Hyperactive") |
| Audience Survey ||||
| 5,547 | May 30, 1986 (1986-05-30) | Jackie Mason, Teresa Ganzel | Dolly Parton ("My Tennessee Mountain Home") |

### June

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,548 | June 2, 1986 (1986-06-02) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Jon Voight, Rich Hall, Justine Bateman | Marvin Hamlisch |
| 5,549 | June 3, 1986 (1986-06-03) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Betty White, Alan Thicke, Kevin Nealon | N/A |
| 5,550 | June 4, 1986 (1986-06-04) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Joan Van Ark, Robert Hays, Victoria Jackson | The Nylons |
| 5,551 | June 5, 1986 (1986-06-05) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Howie Mandel, Jeff Goldblum | Eddie Rabbitt ("I Love a Rainy Night" and "Repetitive Regret") |
| 5,552 | June 6, 1986 (1986-06-06) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Ed Begley, Jr., Teresa Ganzel, Sugar Ray Leonard | N/A |
| 5,553 | June 10, 1986 (1986-06-10) | Jon Pennington (1986 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion), George Carlin | N/A |
| New Products ||||
| 5,554 | June 11, 1986 (1986-06-11) | Billy Crystal, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Ammar | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- Takeoff of Televised Senate Hearings on C-Span (Johnny portrays a Southern senator who approached the podium and addresses the crowd) ||||
| 5,555 | June 12, 1986 (1986-06-12) | Cybill Shepherd, Virgie White | Andrae Crouch |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 5,556 | June 13, 1986 (1986-06-13) | Bill Cosby | Graham Nash |
| Superstitions; Phobias ||||
| 5,557 | June 17, 1986 (1986-06-17) | Carl Reiner, Roy Blount, Jr. | N/A |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 5,558 | June 18, 1986 (1986-06-18) | Burt Reynolds, Franklyn Ajaye | N/A |
| Foreign Commercials ||||
| 5,559 | June 19, 1986 (1986-06-19) | Kate Capshaw, Roseanne Barr, Woody Harrelson | N/A |
| Johnny suggests Doc Severinsen as Don Johnson's replacement, and engages him in a scene written for 'Miami Vice' with Doc as Sonny Crockett and Johnny as Rico. ||||
| 5,560 | June 20, 1986 (1986-06-20) | David Steinberg, Craig T. Nelson | Kim Carnes ("Black & White", "I'd Lie to You for Your Love") |
| Letters Written by School Pupils; Statue of Liberty Memorabilia ||||
| 5,561 | June 24, 1986 (1986-06-24) | Anthony Perkins, Joe Garagiola | N/A |
| Supreme Court Justice Appointments ||||
| 5,562 | June 25, 1986 (1986-06-25) | Steve Landesberg | Joe Jackson ("Home Town", "Tango Atlantico") |
| Psychic Predictions ||||
| 5,563 | June 26, 1986 (1986-06-26) | Joan Embery, Danny DeVito, John Searing | N/A |
| 5,564 | June 27, 1986 (1986-06-27) | David Letterman, Judge Joseph Wapner | Julio Iglesias |

### July

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,565 | July 14, 1986 (1986-07-14) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Bronson Pinchot, George Wendt | Rosanne Cash |
| 5,566 | July 15, 1986 (1986-07-15) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Judge Reinhold, Lyle Alzado, Sydney Goldsmith, Jimmy Aleck | N/A |
| 5,567 | July 16, 1986 (1986-07-16) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Judith Light, Sally Kellerman, Mary Gross, Richard Lewis | N/A |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 5,568 | July 17, 1986 (1986-07-17) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Marsha Mason, Anthony Perkins | N/A |
| 5,569 | July 18, 1986 (1986-07-18) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Marilu Henner, John Larroquette, James Belushi | Anita Morris |
| 5,570 | July 22, 1986 (1986-07-22) | Walter Matthau, Dick Rutan, Jeana Yeager, Katrina Leskanich | N/A |
| Johnny interviews prop man Jack Grant to find out who could have lifted the missing cigarette box and lighter from the Tonight Show prop box. After the break, Johnny talks about visiting his childhood home in Avoca, Iowa for the first time in over 50 years. ||||
| 5,571 | July 23, 1986 (1986-07-23) | Garry Shandling | Horacio Gutiérrez (Étude in D# minor by Scriabin, Étude in F major by Moszkowski) |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 5,572 | July 24, 1986 (1986-07-24) | Jay Leno, Patricia Charbonneau | Sandi Patty ("Pour on the Power" and "Love In Any Language") |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 5,573 | July 25, 1986 (1986-07-25) | Teri Garr, Michael Bohdan | Leon Redbone ("Knocking Down Windows", "Steal Away Blues") |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 5,574 | July 29, 1986 (1986-07-29) | The Amazing Randi, Paul Miller | The Labèque Sisters (Medley from West Side Story) |
| Stolen Tonight Show Props ||||
| 5,575 | July 30, 1986 (1986-07-30) | Joan Embery, James Belushi | N/A |
| Anti-Fat Pill ||||
| 5,576 | July 31, 1986 (1986-07-31) | Linda Ellerbee | Amy Grant ("Fat Baby", "Stay for Awhile") |
| Summer Drinks ||||

### August

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,577 | August 1, 1986 (1986-08-01) | Charles Grodin, Dom Irrera, Tommy Walton | N/A |
| NBC Gift Shop ||||
| 5,578 | August 5, 1986 (1986-08-05) | Father Guido Sarducci | Belinda Carlisle ("Mad About You" and "I Feel The Magic") |
| Humorous Public Service Announcements ||||
| 5,579 | August 6, 1986 (1986-08-06) | Robert Klein, Devin DeVasquez | Placido Domingo (“Serenata Tapatia”, "Noche Plateada”, "Júrame") |
| Discusses West Coast's plan to build their own version of the Statue of Liberty. ||||
| 5,580 | August 7, 1986 (1986-08-07) | Alan Thicke | Miami Sound Machine |
| Carson's Believe It or Stuff It ||||
| 5,581 | August 8, 1986 (1986-08-08) | Tom Hanks, Ronnie Shakes | Diane Schuur |
| Earthquake Kits ||||
| 5,582 | August 26, 1986 (1986-08-26) | Kaleena Kiff, Paul Hogan | Fabulous Thunderbirds ("Tuff Enuff", "Wrap It Up") |
| Johnny's Vacation Time; Tax Reform Bill- Little Known Tax Code- Death & Taxes ||||
| 5,583 | August 27, 1986 (1986-08-27) | Blake Clark, Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert | Crystal Gayle |
| 5,584 | August 28, 1986 (1986-08-28) | George Carlin, Helen Slater | The Temptations |
| Exploitation News ||||
| 5,585 | August 29, 1986 (1986-08-29) | Paul Reiser, Helen Slater, Victoria Jackson | Pete Fountain |

### September

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,586 | September 2, 1986 (1986-09-02) | Dr. Joe Daugherty | Tony Bennett |
| Postcards That Had Been Sent to The Tonight Show from Friends from the Past ||||
| 5,587 | September 3, 1986 (1986-09-03) | Teresa Ganzel, Lewis Grizzard | George Benson ("In Your Eyes", "Turn Your Love Around") |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Tea Time Movie" ||||
| 5,588 | September 4, 1986 (1986-09-04) | Vanna White, Bobby Kelton | Luciano Pavarotti ("Una furtiva lagrima", "Recondita armonia") |
| Follow up to The Purple Cow Poem; States Putting Down Each Other ||||
| 5,589 | September 5, 1986 (1986-09-05) | Merv Griffin, Paula Poundstone, David Horowitz | N/A |
| U.S. Open, Public Address System Announcements ||||
| 5,590 | September 8, 1986 (1986-09-08) | Betty White (guest host), Jack Klugman, William Devane, Paul Rodriguez, Charles Nelson Reilly | N/A |
| 5,591 | September 9, 1986 (1986-09-09) | Jay Leno (guest host), Michele Lee, Deidre Hall | B.B. King |
| Jay Leno guest hosts The Tonight Show for the very first time. ||||
| 5,592 | September 10, 1986 (1986-09-10) | Jay Leno (guest host), Pam Dawber, Paul Sorvino | Robert Palmer ("Riptide") |
| Blue Cards. ||||
| 5,593 | September 11, 1986 (1986-09-11) | Billy Crystal (guest host), Howard Cosell, Richard Lewis | Larry Gatlin |
| 5,594 | September 12, 1986 (1986-09-12) | Billy Crystal (guest host), Teri Garr, Don King, Paul Shaffer | Chaka Khan ("Love Is A Lifetime") |
| 5,595 | September 16, 1986 (1986-09-16) | Steve Landesberg, Jason Bateman | Spiegle Willcox, Wild Bill Davison |
| 5,596 | September 17, 1986 (1986-09-17) | Bob Newhart, Saundra Santiago, Teresa Ganzel | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Tea Time Movie" ||||
| 5,597 | September 18, 1986 (1986-09-18) | George Segal, Loni Anderson, Bill Paxton | N/A |
| Suggestions for Ending Phrase for Tonight Show ||||
| 5,598 | September 19, 1986 (1986-09-19) | David Letterman, Geena Davis | Andreas Vollenweider |
| Composite Photos ||||
| 5,599 | September 22, 1986 (1986-09-22) | Kenny Rogers (guest host), Tony Danza, Dudley Moore | N/A |
| For a monologue, Kenny sings "They Don't Make Them Like They Used To"; Kenny shows some of his shots of the Lincoln Memorial, caverns, etc. ||||
| 5,600 | September 23, 1986 (1986-09-23) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Bea Arthur, Linda Ellerbee | Liberace |
| 5,601 | September 24, 1986 (1986-09-24) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Andy Griffith, Brad Garrett | Pointer Sisters ("Neutron Dance") |
| 5,602 | September 26, 1986 (1986-09-26) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Tyne Daly, Ted Danson, Sherman Hemsley | José Feliciano |
| 5,603 | September 30, 1986 (1986-09-30) | John Larroquette, Joe Garagiola | Steve Earle ("Guitar Town") |
| The resolution of the Dallas cliffhangers and a number of possible cliffhangers for other shows returning to television. ||||

### October

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,604 | October 1, 1986 (1986-10-01) | David Steinberg (guest host), John Davidson, Joanna Kerns, Tom Poston, Ed Begley, Jr. | N/A |
| David discuss his career as a director. ||||
| 5,605 | October 2, 1986 (1986-10-02) | Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert, Pete Barbutti | Ben E. King ("Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem") |
| Stockmarket- E.F. Mutton ||||
| 5,606 | October 3, 1986 (1986-10-03) | Jay Leno (guest host), Joan Van Ark, Susan Cash | Corey Cerovsek |
| Blue Cards, 'How Has The Tonight Show Affected Your Life as Both A Human Being and An American?' ||||
| 5,607 | October 7, 1986 (1986-10-07) | Buddy Hackett, Justine Bateman | N/A |
| Public Service Announcement- Plea for Donations to the Nancy Reagan Icelandic Wardrobe Foundation. ||||
| 5,608 | October 8, 1986 (1986-10-08) | Patrick Duffy, Bob Uecker | Michael McDonald ("Sweet Freedom") |
| Johnny returns with a picture that was taken by a photographer, who is on the scene while Dan Rather was getting his beating. (Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw are in picture) ||||
| 5,609 | October 9, 1986 (1986-10-09) | Richard Pryor, Sean Penn | Kenny G ("Songbird") |
| Johnny's Eulogy for Baby the Rooster ||||
| 5,610 | October 10, 1986 (1986-10-10) | Tim Conway, Barry Diamond, Jerry Slocum | N/A |
| Johnny interviews "Daryl Dorf" (Tim Conway) ||||
| 5,611 | October 14, 1986 (1986-10-14) | Smothers Brothers, Elisabeth Shue, Marguerite Hanusa | N/A |
| Tommy is congratulated on his rave reviews for his gig at the Vine Street Bar with Rosemary Clooney. ||||
| 5,612 | October 15, 1986 (1986-10-15) | James Stewart, Paul Reiser | N/A |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 5,613 | October 16, 1986 (1986-10-16) | Woody Harrelson, Ritch Shydner | Cyndi Lauper ("Change of Heart" and "True Colors") |
| Johnny and Ed talks about their 28th Anniversary (how long they've worked together) is coming. ||||
| 5,614 | October 17, 1986 (1986-10-17) | Fritz Coleman, Larry Anderson | Linda Ronstadt ("Am I Blue?", "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "My Funny Valentine") |
| Johnny apologizes for Burt not appearing on the show tonight as promised, but brings out Fred Leaf, Burt's lookalike. ||||
| 5,615 | October 21, 1986 (1986-10-21) | Tom Dreesen | Liza Minnelli ("My Ship" and "The Man I Love"), Christopher Parkening |
| 5,616 | October 22, 1986 (1986-10-22) | Sigourney Weaver | Rosemary Clooney ("When October Goes") |
| The 99th Congress and the many laws that have passed.; Humorous No-Go's ||||
| 5,617 | October 23, 1986 (1986-10-23) | Lily Tomlin, Ray Combs | N/A |
| Comedy Crypt- In memory of Tip O'Neil jokes forever ||||
| 5,618 | October 24, 1986 (1986-10-24) | Michael Landon, Thalassa Cruso | Carl Anderson |
| The 65th Birthday of Tonight Show electrician Danny who is retiring. ||||
| 5,619 | October 27, 1986 (1986-10-27) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Martin Mull, Vanna White | Billy Vera & The Beaters ("At This Moment") |
| Garry brings out miniature bowling game and plays on desk with Doc. ||||
| 5,620 | October 28, 1986 (1986-10-28) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Father Guido Sarducci, Victoria Jackson, Jason Bateman | Luther Vandross |
| 5,621 | October 29, 1986 (1986-10-29) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Tyne Daly, Susan Sullivan, Bill Maher | N/A |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 5,622 | October 30, 1986 (1986-10-30) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Bob Melvin | Carmen McRae, Dirty Dozen Brass Band |
| 5,623 | October 31, 1986 (1986-10-31) | Chevy Chase (guest host), Jay Leno, Markie Post | Paul Simon ("Graceland") |
| Blue Cards ||||

### November

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,624 | November 5, 1986 (1986-11-05) | Burt Reynolds, Dick Shawn | N/A |
| Desk - Johnny does a bit on unaired Tonight Show episodes preempted by the 1986 World Series. ||||
| 5,625 | November 6, 1986 (1986-11-06) | Joan Collins, Steven Wright | N/A |
| As The White House Turns ||||
| 5,626 | November 7, 1986 (1986-11-07) | Alan Thicke, Rosanna Arquette, Oprah Winfrey | N/A |
| Johnny talks about how he cut his ear. ||||
| 5,627 | November 11, 1986 (1986-11-11) | Jeff Daniels, Georgette Prothero | Anita Baker ("Sweet Love") |
| Public Service Announcements ||||
| 5,628 | November 12, 1986 (1986-11-12) | Saundra Santiago, Roy Blount, Jr. | Janie Fricke |
| Suggestions on How to Raise Extra Money for NBC ||||
| 5,629 | November 13, 1986 (1986-11-13) | The Amazing Randi, Mat Plendl | Andy Williams |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 5,630 | November 14, 1986 (1986-11-14) | Dabney Coleman, Rich Hall | N/A |
| Johnny talks about Bruce Springteen's new album, a five record set and the media hoopla over this album; Now there is a NEWSOM, a five record set. ||||
| 5,631 | November 18, 1986 (1986-11-18) | Jack Paar, Stephen Lang | N/A |
| Johnny talks about the Family Privacy Act. ||||
| 5,632 | November 19, 1986 (1986-11-19) | Paul Reiser, Tom Gaskin | Bobby McFerrin |
| Floyd R. Turbo ||||
| 5,633 | November 20, 1986 (1986-11-20) | Tim Conway, Maureen Stapleton | Donna Theodore |
| Tim Conway performs a cooking skit entitled, "Cooking with Judy Child". ||||
| 5,634 | November 21, 1986 (1986-11-21) | David Steinberg, Paul Shaffer | N/A |
| Old Newspaper Announcements; November Sweeps ||||
| 5,635 | November 25, 1986 (1986-11-25) | Jim Fowler, Victoria Jackson | Oak Ridge Boys |
| 5,636 | November 26, 1986 (1986-11-26) | George Carlin, Barney Odom and his tree-climbing dog Flat Nose | N/A |
| Letters Written by 2nd and 5th Grade Students Regarding Being a Turkey ||||
| 5,637 | November 27, 1986 (1986-11-27) | David Letterman | Robert Palmer ("I Didn't Mean to Turn You On" and "Nature Boy") |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 5,638 | November 28, 1986 (1986-11-28) | Joe Piscopo, Ellen DeGeneres, Dennis Hart | N/A |
| Talks with Studio Audience ||||

### December

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 5,639 | December 1, 1986 (1986-12-01) | Tony Danza (guest host), Alyssa Milano, Danny Pintauro, Marilu Henner | N/A |
| 5,640 | December 2, 1986 (1986-12-02) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Richard Lewis, Kate Capshaw | Little Richard |
| 5,641 | December 3, 1986 (1986-12-03) | Garry Shandling (guest host), Joan Embery, Tom Poston | N/A |
| 5,642 | December 4, 1986 (1986-12-04) | Jay Leno (guest host), Amy Irving, Eva Marie Saint, Michael Palin | Stanley Jordan |
| 5,643 | December 5, 1986 (1986-12-05) | Jay Leno (guest host), Angie Dickinson, Stepfanie Kramer | Billy Vera & The Beaters |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 5,644 | December 9, 1986 (1986-12-09) | Don Rickles | Singing Dog Contest |
| 5,645 | December 10, 1986 (1986-12-10) | Ritch Shydner, David Horowitz | Dolly Parton |
| 5,646 | December 11, 1986 (1986-12-11) | Eddie Townsend, James Garner | Bobby McFerrin |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "President Reagan reads 'Twas The Night Before X-Mas'" ||||
| 5,647 | December 12, 1986 (1986-12-12) | Chevy Chase, Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert | Al Jarreau |
| Letters Written to Santa ||||
| 5,648 | December 16, 1986 (1986-12-16) | Steve Martin, Joseph Gabriel | Sandi Patty |
| Blue Cards ||||
| 5,649 | December 17, 1986 (1986-12-17) | Jim McMahon, Mark McCollum | N/A |
| 5,650 | December 18, 1986 (1986-12-18) | Jane Fonda | Amy Grant |
| New Products ||||
| 5,651 | December 19, 1986 (1986-12-19) | Bob Hope, Tom Noddy | Barbara Mandrell ("Santa, Bring My Baby Home") |
| Talk With the Audience ||||
| 5,652 | December 30, 1986 (1986-12-30) | Tim Conway, Teresa Ganzel | Diane Schuur |
| Men Available for New Years Eve ||||
| 5,653 | December 31, 1986 (1986-12-31) | Bill Kirchenbauer | Billy Vera & The Beaters |
| Rules of The Rose Parade ||||