# List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes (1978)

The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1978:

## 1978
### January

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 3842 | January 2, 1978 (1978-01-02) | Kenny Rogers (guest host), Norm Crosby, Dub Taylor | Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge |
| 3843 | January 3, 1978 (1978-01-03) | Charles Nelson Reilly, Buck Henry | Pete Fountain |
| Desk- "New Year's Resolutions" ||||
| 3844 | January 4, 1978 (1978-01-04) | John Davidson, Orson Bean | N/A |
| Aunt Blabby ||||
| 3845 | January 5, 1978 (1978-01-05) | David Brenner, Antonio Salemme | Itzhak Perlman, Joe Williams |
| 3846 | January 6, 1978 (1978-01-06) | Madlyn Rhue, Alan King, David Horowitz | Helen Reddy |
| 3847 | January 9, 1978 (1978-01-09) | George Carlin (guest host), Hal Linden, Carol Lawrence, Kelly Monteith | N/A |
| 3848 | January 10, 1978 (1978-01-10) | John Byner, Suzanne Somers, Bo Svenson | N/A |
| Desk- "Personalized License Plates for Celebrities" ||||
| 3849 | January 11, 1978 (1978-01-11) | Tony Randall, Marsha Mason, Dr. Paul Ehrlich | Donna Theodore |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 3850 | January 12, 1978 (1978-01-12) | Susan Sarandon, Red Buttons, Anne Hoffman | Anthony Newley |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Against Endangered Species Protection" ||||
| 3851 | January 13, 1978 (1978-01-13) | Buddy Hackett, Peter O'Toole, William Demarest, Victor Buono | N/A |
| Desk- "Phobias" ||||
| 3852 | January 16, 1978 (1978-01-16) | Helen Reddy (guest host), George Gobel, Dr. Joyce Brothers | Robert Goulet |
| 3853 | January 17, 1978 (1978-01-17) | Jim Fowler, George Peppard, David Steinberg | Linda Hopkins |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 3854 | January 18, 1978 (1978-01-18) | Peter Strauss, Robert Klein, Caren Kaye | William Walker |
| 3855 | January 19, 1978 (1978-01-19) | William Devane, Paul Williams, Shecky Greene, Cyra McFadden | N/A |
| Sketch- "Weatherman" (It rains on set as part of comedy gag.) ||||
| 3856 | January 20, 1978 (1978-01-20) | Diahann Carroll, Charlie Callas, Don "Red" Barry | Judith Blegen |
| Johnny shows film clip of attempted 50 men link up on the air by sky divers, after clip Johnny brings out photographer Carl Banish for bow. ||||
| 3857 | January 23, 1978 (1978-01-23) | David Brenner (guest host), Jack Palance | Lou Rawls |
| 3858 | January 24, 1978 (1978-01-24) | David Brenner (guest host), Bob Uecker | Neil Sedaka |
| 3859 | January 25, 1978 (1978-01-25) | David Brenner (guest host), Cleveland Amory, Beverly Sanders | N/A |
| 3860 | January 26, 1978 (1978-01-26) | David Brenner (guest host) | Charo |
| 3861 | January 27, 1978 (1978-01-27) | David Brenner (guest host), Arnold Schwarzenegger | Liberace |
| 3862 | January 30, 1978 (1978-01-30) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Dr. Lendon Smith | N/A |
| 3863 | January 31, 1978 (1978-01-31) | Henry Winkler, Rodney Dangerfield, Gretchen Corbett | Los Indios Tabajaras |
| Desk- "Diet Books" ||||

### February

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 3864 | February 1, 1978 (1978-02-01) | Gabriel Kaplan, Cloris Leachman, Marcel Marceau | N/A |
| Carnac the Magnificent, Johnny & Ed lead the audience in a spontaneous rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner". ||||
| 3865 | February 2, 1978 (1978-02-02) | Carl Reiner, Jack Klugman, Jan Todd | Kasey Cisyk |
| Desk- Johnny does a self-defense skit & explains the etymology of "dressed to the nines" & other British phrases. ||||
| 3866 | February 3, 1978 (1978-02-03) | Joan Rivers, David Susskind, Merie Earle | Vic Damone |
| Sketch- "Russian Satellite" ||||
| 3867 | February 6, 1978 (1978-02-06) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Kreskin | Loretta Lynn |
| 3868 | February 7, 1978 (1978-02-07) | Garson Kanin, Ed Lieberthal | Britt Ekland, Mel Tillis |
| 3869 | February 8, 1978 (1978-02-08) | Jay Leno, Charles Nelson Reilly, Norman Fell | Tony Bennett |
| Desk-Johnny demonstrates the snow and smoke machine on the Tonight Show backdrop set. ||||
| 3870 | February 9, 1978 (1978-02-09) | Jill Ireland, Pete Barbutti, Dr. Robert Jastrow | Johnny Mathis |
| Sketch- "Abe Lincoln" ||||
| 3871 | February 10, 1978 (1978-02-10) | Bob Hope, Dr. William Nolen | Carol Neblett, Lola Falana |
| Desk- "How to Be a Better Lover" ||||
| 3872 | February 13, 1978 (1978-02-13) | Roy Clark (guest host), Sandy Duncan, Foster Brooks | Glen Campbell |
| 3873 | February 14, 1978 (1978-02-14) | Earl Holliman, Steve Landesberg, Bridget Boland | Bobby Goldsboro |
| Desk-"Valentine Cards from Children" ||||
| 3874 | February 15, 1978 (1978-02-15) | Walter Matthau | Al Hirt |
| Desk-"How to Survive a Snowstorm" ||||
| 3875 | February 16, 1978 (1978-02-16) | Orson Bean, Mary Livingstone | Monti Rock |
| Sketch- "Man Charges Wife Money for Sex" ||||
| 3876 | February 17, 1978 (1978-02-17) | Jack Webb, Elizabeth Ashley | Buddy Rich, Marilyn Horne |
| Sketch- "Gene Shallow Movie Review" ||||
| 3877 | February 20, 1978 (1978-02-20) | Steve Martin (guest host), Steve Allen, Elke Sommer, Andy Kaufman | Kenny Rogers |
| 3878 | February 21, 1978 (1978-02-21) | Robert Blake, Red Buttons, Johnny Yune | Gladys Knight & The Pips |
| Desk- "How to Avoid the Flu" ||||
| 3879 | February 22, 1978 (1978-02-22) | Goldie Hawn, Buck Henry, Dennis Dugan | N/A |
| Sketch: George Washington is interviewed by Ed McMahon; Johnny reads an Oregon classified ad for missing dentures, and quizzes Ed on celebrities' real names; scheduled musical guest Stan Getz was unavailable due to bad weather cancelling his flight ||||
| 3880 | February 23, 1978 (1978-02-23) | Richard Benjamin, David Steinberg | Marilyn Maye |
| Desk- "Letters"; Johnny demonstrates sea monster on Lake Carson backdrop of the Tonight Show set. ||||
| 3881 | February 24, 1978 (1978-02-24) | Peter Falk, Fernando Lamas, Dorothy Fuldheim | Chuck Mangione |
| Sketch- "New Wave Author" ||||
| 3882 | February 27, 1978 (1978-02-27) | Tom Smothers (guest host), Shelley Winters | Ben Vereen |
| 3883 | February 28, 1978 (1978-02-28) | Joan Embery, Susan Clark, Kelly Monteith, Barbara Howar | N/A |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||

### March

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 3884 | March 1, 1978 (1978-03-01) | Cheryl Ladd, Don Rickles, Ray Bradbury | N/A |
| Desk- "Soap Opera Shows" ||||
| 3885 | March 2, 1978 (1978-03-02) | Bruce Dern, Robert Klein, Susan Sullivan, Dr. Carl Sagan | N/A |
| Sketch- "Canadian Mouse" ||||
| 3886 | March 3, 1978 (1978-03-03) | Shirley MacLaine, Cheryl Tiegs | Ronny Graham, Stan Getz |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 3887 | March 6, 1978 (1978-03-06) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Sally Kellerman | N/A |
| 3888 | March 7, 1978 (1978-03-07) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Teri Garr | N/A |
| 3889 | March 8, 1978 (1978-03-08) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Dr. Joyce Brothers | Freddy Fender |
| 3890 | March 9, 1978 (1978-03-09) | George Carlin (guest host) | Sarah Vaughan |
| 3891 | March 10, 1978 (1978-03-10) | George Carlin (guest host), Joan Rivers, Dick Shawn, George Plimpton | N/A |
| 3892 | March 13, 1978 (1978-03-13) | Rich Little (guest host), Sandy Duncan, George Gobel | Linda Hopkins, Robert Goulet |
| 3893 | March 14, 1978 (1978-03-14) | Charlton Heston, Charles Nelson Reilly, Thalassa Cruso | Helen Schneider |
| Desk-"Theory of Relativity"; Desk-"Winners of Clio Awards for Best Commercials" ||||
| 3894 | March 15, 1978 (1978-03-15) | John Davidson, Jodie Foster, Johnny Yune, Sam Blotner | John Davidson ("I Can't Smile Without You" and "You Light Up My Life") |
| Aunt Blabby ||||
| 3895 | March 16, 1978 (1978-03-16) | Mel Brooks, Carol Lawrence | N/A |
| Desk- "Answers to Test Questions by Elementary School Children" ||||
| 3896 | March 17, 1978 (1978-03-17) | David Brinkley, Arlene Francis, Bert Convy | N/A |
| Desk- "T-Shirts for Dogs" ||||
| 3897 | March 20, 1978 (1978-03-20) | David Brenner (guest host), Tom Smothers | N/A |
| 3898 | March 21, 1978 (1978-03-21) | none | N/A |
| 3899 | March 22, 1978 (1978-03-22) | Jane Seymour, Rodney Dangerfield, David Horowitz | Kenny Rogers |
| Desk- "Police Radio Codes" ||||
| 3900 | March 23, 1978 (1978-03-23) | Walter Matthau, Bob Uecker, Dr. Michael Fox | Dee Dee Bridgewater |
| Desk- "How Various Animals 'Turn-On' Sexually" ||||
| 3901 | March 24, 1978 (1978-03-24) | Milton Berle, Donna Pyle, Dr. Lendon Smith | Marilyn Horne |
| Commercial Blackouts: Takeoffs of: "RCA Colortrak", "Easy-Off", and "Schlitz Lite Beer". ||||
| 3902 | March 27, 1978 (1978-03-27) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Kelly Monteith | Anthony Newley |
| 3903 | March 28, 1978 (1978-03-28) | none | N/A |
| 3904 | March 29, 1978 (1978-03-29) | Buddy Hackett, Claudia Jennings, Dr. William Nolen | Pat Boone |
| Blackout Sketch- "King Tut" ||||
| 3905 | March 30, 1978 (1978-03-30) | Orson Bean, Joanna Cassidy, Robert Easton, Beverly Dahlke | Joe Williams |
| 3906 | March 31, 1978 (1978-03-31) | Jack Klugman, George Best, Erica Jong | Roger Miller |
| Sketch- "Toto the Dog" ||||

### April

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 3907 | April 3, 1978 (1978-04-03) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Dick Shawn, Ray Johnson | N/A |
| 3908 | April 4, 1978 (1978-04-04) | none | N/A |
| 3909 | April 5, 1978 (1978-04-05) | Joan Rivers, Fred Astaire, Jack Douglas | Gloria Loring |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply on Mandatory Retirement" ||||
| 3910 | April 6, 1978 (1978-04-06) | George Peppard, Frank Abagnale | Pete Fountain |
| Sketch- "Lou Gehrig Farewell Address" ||||
| 3911 | April 7, 1978 (1978-04-07) | Robert Mitchum, Dick Van Patten, George Miller, Dennis Madalone | N/A |
| 3912 | April 10, 1978 (1978-04-10) | Rich Little (guest host), Debbie Reynolds, Fernando Lamas | N/A |
| 3913 | April 11, 1978 (1978-04-11) | none | N/A |
| 3914 | April 12, 1978 (1978-04-12) | Paul Williams, Gore Vidal | N/A |
| Sketch- "Ask Mr. Dilly" ||||
| 3915 | April 13, 1978 (1978-04-13) | Bob Hope, Joseph Wambaugh | Lola Falana |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 3916 | April 14, 1978 (1978-04-14) | Elizabeth Ashley, Steve Garvey, Johnny Yune | Engelbert Humperdinck |
| Johnny displays gag 'Le Draught' wine bottle; Mighty Carson Art Players- "Jacque Coocoo" ||||
| 3917 | April 17, 1978 (1978-04-17) | Robert Klein (guest host), Dick Clark | Eartha Kitt |
| 3918 | April 18, 1978 (1978-04-18) | Don Rickles (guest host), Robert Blake, Bruce Jenner | N/A |
| 3919 | April 19, 1978 (1978-04-19) | Don Rickles (guest host), Shecky Greene | Peggy Lee |
| 3920 | April 20, 1978 (1978-04-20) | Don Rickles (guest host), Tony Curtis, Phyllis Diller, Tommy Lasorda | Skiles and Henderson, Scatman Crothers |
| 3921 | April 21, 1978 (1978-04-21) | George Carlin (guest host), Tom Smothers, Dr. Michael Fox | Roger Miller |
| 3922 | April 24, 1978 (1978-04-24) | George Carlin (guest host), Kreskin | Jack Jones |
| 3923 | April 25, 1978 (1978-04-25) | George Carlin (guest host), Wayne Rogers, Kip Addotta | N/A |
| 3924 | April 26, 1978 (1978-04-26) | Roy Clark (guest host), Doug Henning, Victor Buono | Natalie Cole |
| 3925 | April 27, 1978 (1978-04-27) | Roy Clark (guest host), Rich Little, Norman Fell | N/A |
| 3926 | April 28, 1978 (1978-04-28) | Roy Clark (guest host), John Davidson, George Gobel | N/A |

### May

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 3927 | May 1, 1978 (1978-05-01) | David Steinberg (guest host), Flip Wilson, Dom DeLuise | Helen Reddy |
| 3928 | May 2, 1978 (1978-05-02) | Sammy Davis, Jr. | Sammy Davis, Jr. ("Once In a Lifetime", "Mr. Bojangles" and "Life Is a Woman"), Char Fontane |
| Aunt Blabby ||||
| 3929 | May 3, 1978 (1978-05-03) | Buddy Hackett, Dr. Paul Ehrlich | Donna Theodore |
| Sketch- "Laszlo Wartstuler- World's Greatest Director" ||||
| 3930 | May 4, 1978 (1978-05-04) | Gabriel Kaplan (guest host), Norm Crosby | Connie Stevens |
| Desk- "'Do You Ever Wonder If..' Jokes" ||||
| 3931 | May 5, 1978 (1978-05-05) | Gabriel Kaplan (guest host), Patrick Duffy, Barbara Eden, George Plimpton | N/A |
| 3932 | May 8, 1978 (1978-05-08) | Gabriel Kaplan (guest host), Joan Rivers, Richard Lewis | Kenny Rogers |
| Stump the Comedian with Gabriel Kaplan ||||
| 3933 | May 9, 1978 (1978-05-09) | none | N/A |
| 3934 | May 10, 1978 (1978-05-10) | Erma Bombeck | Mac Davis |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply About the 55 M.P.H. Speed Limit" ||||
| 3935 | May 11, 1978 (1978-05-11) | Carl Reiner, Florence Henderson | Monti Rock |
| 3936 | May 12, 1978 (1978-05-12) | Rich Little, Jean Marsh, McLean Stevenson, Dr. Lendon Smith | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Take-off of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'" ||||
| 3937 | May 15, 1978 (1978-05-15) | Orson Welles (guest host), Vincent Price, Teri Garr | N/A |
| 3938 | May 16, 1978 (1978-05-16) | Bess Armstrong, Bob Speca, David Horowitz | Tony Bennett |
| Desk- "Foreign Commercials" ||||
| 3939 | May 17, 1978 (1978-05-17) | Jane Fonda, Charlie Callas, Dr. Carl Sagan | Ethel Merman ("Gee, But It's Good To Be Here") |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 3940 | May 18, 1978 (1978-05-18) | Fernando Lamas, Bert Convy, Joanna Cameron | Eubie Blake |
| Desk- "Television Pilots That Didn't Make It" ||||
| 3941 | May 19, 1978 (1978-05-19) | Robert Blake, Dorothy Fuldheim | Kellee Patterson, Ronny Graham |
| Commercial Blackouts: "Quotal Cereal", and a take-off on a pantyhose commercial. ||||
| 3942 | May 22, 1978 (1978-05-22) | John Davidson (guest host), Betty White, Ken Norton | Jim Nabors |
| 3943 | May 23, 1978 (1978-05-23) | Burt Reynolds, Monte Vanton | Johnny Mathis |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 3944 | May 24, 1978 (1978-05-24) | Shecky Greene, Shelley Hack | Buddy Rich, Donna Theodore |
| Desk- "What is Suspicious" ||||
| 3945 | May 25, 1978 (1978-05-25) | Orson Bean, Bob Uecker, Dr. Joyce Brothers | Eugene Fodor |
| El Mouldo ||||
| 3946 | May 26, 1978 (1978-05-26) | George Gobel, Frank Abagnale | Helen Reddy, Pete Fountain |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Indy 500" ||||
| 3947 | May 29, 1978 (1978-05-29) | George Carlin (guest host), Kip Addotta, Dr. Art Ulene | Della Reese |
| 3948 | May 30, 1978 (1978-05-30) | none | N/A |
| 3949 | May 31, 1978 (1978-05-31) | Tony Randall, David Sayh, Shelley Winters | N/A |
| Desk- "How to Make an Impression At An Interview" ||||

### June

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 3950 | June 1, 1978 (1978-06-01) | Bill Cosby, Dick Van Patten, Mariel Aragon | N/A |
| Sketch- "Murray the Mouse" ||||
| 3951 | June 2, 1978 (1978-06-02) | James Coco, Kelly Monteith, Barbara Howar | Leonard Waxdeck & The Birdcallers |
| Desk- "Ways to Skimp in the State Budget" ||||
| 3952 | June 5, 1978 (1978-06-05) | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Carol Burnett, James Brolin | Roger Miller |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 3953 | June 6, 1978 (1978-06-06) | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Orson Welles, Sandy Duncan, David Steinberg, Dub Taylor | Linda Hopkins |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 3954 | June 7, 1978 (1978-06-07) | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Roy Rogers, Norman Fell | Wayne Newton |
| 3955 | June 8, 1978 (1978-06-08) | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Charles Nelson Reilly | Lola Falana |
| 3956 | June 9, 1978 (1978-06-09) | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Madeline Kahn, Dr. William Nolen | N/A |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 3957 | June 12, 1978 (1978-06-12) | Bob Newhart (guest host), James Hampton | Vikki Carr, Mel Tillis |
| 3958 | June 13, 1978 (1978-06-13) | none | N/A |
| 3959 | June 14, 1978 (1978-06-14) | Suzanne Pleshette, Patrick Duffy | Donna Summer ("Last Dance" and "I Love You") |
| Desk-"How to Keep a Happy Marriage" ||||
| 3960 | June 15, 1978 (1978-06-15) | Jim Fowler, Jenny Agutter | Phyllis Newman |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Post Office" ||||
| 3961 | June 16, 1978 (1978-06-16) | Ann-Margret, Robert Mitchum, Gary Morgan, Tom Dreesen, Joseph N. Sorrentino | N/A |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply About the Olympics in Los Angeles" ||||
| 3962 | June 19, 1978 (1978-06-19) | Steve Martin (guest host), Richard Pryor, Robert Logan | Bernadette Peters, Glen Campbell |
| Steve Martin sings 'King Tut'. ||||
| 3963 | June 20, 1978 (1978-06-20) | none | N/A |
| 3964 | June 21, 1978 (1978-06-21) | Tony Curtis, Steve Landesberg, Bess Armstrong, Merie Earle | N/A |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 3965 | June 22, 1978 (1978-06-22) | Marsha Mason, Rodney Dangerfield | Benny Goodman |
| Desk- "Fascinating Facts" ||||
| 3966 | June 23, 1978 (1978-06-23) | Elizabeth Ashley, Johnny Yune, Buck Henry, Tim Severin | N/A |
| Desk- "The Encyclopedia of How Long Things Take" ||||
| 3967 | June 26, 1978 (1978-06-26) | John Davidson (guest host), Angie Dickinson | Skiles and Henderson, Linda Hopkins |
| 3968 | June 27, 1978 (1978-06-27) | John Davidson (guest host), Elke Sommer, Kip Addotta | The Carpenters ("Thank You for the Music", "Superstar", "Goodbye to Love"), Cubby O'Brien |
| 3969 | June 28, 1978 (1978-06-28) | John Davidson (guest host), Susan Saint James, Jerry Van Dyke | Jim Stafford |
| 3970 | June 29, 1978 (1978-06-29) | John Davidson (guest host), Elliott Gould | N/A |
| 3971 | June 30, 1978 (1978-06-30) | John Davidson (guest host), Rob Reiner | Anthony Newley |

### July

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 3972 | July 3, 1978 (1978-07-03) | George Carlin (guest host), George Hamilton, George Plimpton | Eartha Kitt |
| 3973 | July 4, 1978 (1978-07-04) | George Carlin (guest host), Martin Mull, George Gobel | N/A |
| 3974 | July 5, 1978 (1978-07-05) | McLean Stevenson (guest host), William Shatner, Shelley Hack, Pete Barbutti, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Jim Bailey | Jose Feliciano |
| 3975 | July 6, 1978 (1978-07-06) | Bob Newhart (guest host), George C. Scott, Gallagher, Dr. Lendon Smith | N/A |
| 3976 | July 7, 1978 (1978-07-07) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Henry Fonda | Kenny Rogers |
| 3977 | July 10, 1978 (1978-07-10) | David Steinberg (guest host) | Ken Page |
| 3978 | July 11, 1978 (1978-07-11) | Robert Klein (guest host), Orson Bean, Jack Gilford | N/A |
| 3979 | July 12, 1978 (1978-07-12) | Robert Klein (guest host), Vincent Price | Itzhak Perlman |
| Robert Klein plugs his new film, 'Hooper'. ||||
| 3980 | July 13, 1978 (1978-07-13) | Rich Little (guest host), Tom Bosley | N/A |
| 3981 | July 14, 1978 (1978-07-14) | Rich Little (guest host), James Stewart, Kelly Monteith, Loretta Swit, Dr. William Nolen | N/A |
| 3982 | July 17, 1978 (1978-07-17) | McLean Stevenson (guest host) | Donna Theodore |
| 3983 | July 18, 1978 (1978-07-18) | none | N/A |
| 3984 | July 19, 1978 (1978-07-19) | Sandy Duncan, Howard Jarvis | Carol Neblett |
| 3985 | July 20, 1978 (1978-07-20) | Donna Hois, Bruce Jenner, Marilu Tolo, Ray Johnson | Joe Williams ("Young Man on the Way Up") |
| 3986 | July 21, 1978 (1978-07-21) | Richard Pryor, Dorothy Fuldheim | Dave Brubeck Quartet |
| Sketch- "Morris the Cat" ||||
| 3987 | July 24, 1978 (1978-07-24) | Kenny Rogers (guest host), Dr. Michael Fox | N/A |
| 3988 | July 25, 1978 (1978-07-25) | none | N/A |
| 3989 | July 26, 1978 (1978-07-26) | Joan Embery, Jean Marsh, Nancy Lopez | Andrea McArdle ("Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Tomorrow") |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply About Smoking in Restaurants" ||||
| 3990 | July 27, 1978 (1978-07-27) | Angie Dickinson, Bobby Kelton, David Horowitz | Marilyn Horne |
| Desk- "Free Thing to Do in Los Angeles" ||||
| 3991 | July 28, 1978 (1978-07-28) | McLean Stevenson, Charles Nelson Reilly, Bill Kirchenbauer, Dr. Lendon Smith | N/A |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 3992 | July 31, 1978 (1978-07-31) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Susan Saint James, Jay Leno | Bernadette Peters, Harry Chapin |

### August

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 3993 | August 1, 1978 (1978-08-01) | none | N/A |
| 3994 | August 2, 1978 (1978-08-02) | Burt Reynolds, Susan Sarandon, Andrew Tobias | N/A |
| Desk- "How to Pick a Wife" ||||
| 3995 | August 3, 1978 (1978-08-03) | Fernando Lamas, Gallagher | Peggy Lee |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 3996 | August 4, 1978 (1978-08-04) | George Carlin, Charles Frank, Ralph Rector | Lola Falana |
| Desk- "Tips on How to Save Money" ||||
| 3997 | August 7, 1978 (1978-08-07) | Rob Reiner (guest host), Billy Crystal, Tommy Lasorda | N/A |
| 3998 | August 8, 1978 (1978-08-08) | none | N/A |
| 3999 | August 9, 1978 (1978-08-09) | Dean Martin, Erma Bombeck, Martin Mull | Johnny Mathis ("Copacabana", "Pieces of Dreams") |
| 4000 | August 10, 1978 (1978-08-10) | David Steinberg | Roger Miller |
| The 4,000th episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson airs. ||||
| 4001 | August 11, 1978 (1978-08-11) | Farrah Fawcett, Charlie Callas, Brooke Shields | Buddy Rich, Ed Shaughnessy |
| Desk- "How to Get Over a Heartache" ||||
| 4002 | August 14, 1978 (1978-08-14) | David Brenner (guest host), Elizabeth Ashley, Kelly Monteith | N/A |
| 4003 | August 15, 1978 (1978-08-15) | none | N/A |
| 4004 | August 16, 1978 (1978-08-16) | Betty White, John Byner, Johnny Yune, Merie Earle | N/A |
| Doc's race horses; The 100 most influential people in history. ||||
| 4005 | August 17, 1978 (1978-08-17) | Ardath Evitt, Bess Armstrong, Bobby Kelton, Elia Kazan | N/A |
| Desk- "National Lampoon Sunday Supplement" ||||
| 4006 | August 18, 1978 (1978-08-18) | Buck Henry, Jack Douglas, Marilu Tolo | Larry Gatlin |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4007 | August 21, 1978 (1978-08-21) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Don Rickles, Dr. Joyce Brothers | N/A |
| 4008 | August 22, 1978 (1978-08-22) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Suzanne Somers, Dr. Michael Fox | N/A |
| 4009 | August 23, 1978 (1978-08-23) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Mary Louise Weller, Adrienne Barbeau | Paul Anka, Pete Fountain |
| 4010 | August 24, 1978 (1978-08-24) | Robert Klein (guest host), Teri Garr, Dr. Wayne Dyer | Hudson Brothers |
| 4011 | August 25, 1978 (1978-08-25) | Rich Little (guest host), James Garner, Kip Addotta, Fred Travalena | N/A |

### September

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4012 | September 4, 1978 (1978-09-04) | George Carlin (guest host), Frank Langella | Connie Stevens, Jim Stafford |
| 4013 | September 5, 1978 (1978-09-05) | none | N/A |
| 4014 | September 6, 1978 (1978-09-06) | Peter Strauss, Charles Nelson Reilly | Britt Ekland, Los Indios Tabajaras |
| Aunt Blabby ||||
| 4015 | September 7, 1978 (1978-09-07) | Florence Henderson, Patrick Duffy, Marvin Hamlisch | N/A |
| Desk- "The Soaps" ||||
| 4016 | September 8, 1978 (1978-09-08) | Elizabeth Ashley, Dan Haggerty | Gene Bertoncini, Helen Schneider |
| 4017 | September 11, 1978 (1978-09-11) | George Carlin (guest host), Joan Rivers | Joel Grey |
| 4018 | September 12, 1978 (1978-09-12) | none | N/A |
| 4019 | September 13, 1978 (1978-09-13) | Jack Albertson, Tony Delia, William Peter Blatty | Dolly Parton |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4020 | September 14, 1978 (1978-09-14) | Phyllis George | Mel Tillis, Donna Theodore |
| Desk- "Letters from Viewers" ||||
| 4021 | September 15, 1978 (1978-09-15) | Shecky Greene, Barbara Howar, Jim Bouton | Chuck Mangione, Placido Domingo |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply in Opposition to National Health Insurance" ||||
| 4022 | September 18, 1978 (1978-09-18) | Rich Little (guest host), Dick Clark, Norm Crosby, Kreskin | Rita Moreno |
| 4023 | September 19, 1978 (1978-09-19) | none | N/A |
| 4024 | September 20, 1978 (1978-09-20) | Jack Klugman, George Plimpton, Tom Dreesen | Kellee Patterson |
| Behind the Scenes of The Tonight Show ||||
| 4025 | September 21, 1978 (1978-09-21) | Joe Namath, Jim Fowler | Kenny Rogers & Dottie West ("The Gambler", "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight") |
| Desk- "Courses Offers from the University of Burbank" (i.e. speed eating, modern dance for animals, history of coughing, and aborigine playwrights.) ||||
| 4026 | September 22, 1978 (1978-09-22) | Tim Conway, Angie Dickinson, George Miller, Andrew Tobias | N/A |
| Sketch- "Foreman of the Nuclear Power Plant Interview" ||||
| 4027 | September 25, 1978 (1978-09-25) | Steve Martin (guest host), Burt Reynolds, Cheryl Ladd, Steve Landesberg | N/A |
| 4028 | September 26, 1978 (1978-09-26) | Don Rickles (guest host), Suzanne Somers | Ben Vereen |
| 4029 | September 27, 1978 (1978-09-27) | Don Rickles (guest host), Sandy Duncan, Robert Conrad | N/A |
| 4030 | September 28, 1978 (1978-09-28) | Don Rickles (guest host), Burt Hooton, Dub Taylor | Della Reese |
| 4031 | September 29, 1978 (1978-09-29) | none | N/A |

### October

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4032 | October 2, 1978 (1978-10-02) | Sammy Davis, Jr. (guest host) | Sarah Vaughan |
| 4033 | October 3, 1978 (1978-10-03) | none | N/A |
| 4044 | October 4, 1978 (1978-10-04) | Frank Abagnale, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, Kelly Monteith | Senor Wences |
| Desk- "Ways to Combat Loneliness" ||||
| 4045 | October 5, 1978 (1978-10-05) | Betty White, Robert Morley | Monti Rock, Monteith and Rand |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Woman Reporter in Men's Locker Room" ||||
| 4046 | October 6, 1978 (1978-10-06) | Dick Van Patten, Dr. Lendon Smith | Bob & Ray, Luciano Pavarotti |
| Desk- "Celebrity Donations for the Smithsonian Institution" ||||
| 4047 | October 9, 1978 (1978-10-09) | Beverly Sills (guest host), Carol Burnett, Shecky Greene, Fernando Lamas, Charles Nelson Reilly | N/A |
| 4048 | October 10, 1978 (1978-10-10) | none | N/A |
| 4049 | October 11, 1978 (1978-10-11) | Jean Marsh, Yacov Noy, Dr. Paul Ehrlich | Donna Summer |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4050 | October 12, 1978 (1978-10-12) | David Steinberg, John Bennett, Marianne Broome | Kelly Garrett |
| Desk- "Dreamer's Dictionary" ||||
| 4051 | October 13, 1978 (1978-10-13) | Bob Hope, Robert Blake, Bobby Kelton, Ray Johnson | N/A |
| Commercial Blackouts: 1. Comparative Advertising; 2. Institutional Advertising; 3. Celebrities Endorsing Advertising; and 4. Recording Tape. ||||
| 4052 | October 16, 1978 (1978-10-16) | John Denver (guest host), John Ritter, Jay Leno, Ellen Burstyn | N/A |
| 4053 | October 17, 1978 (1978-10-17) | none | N/A |
| 4054 | October 18, 1978 (1978-10-18) | Gregory Peck, Martin Mull, Robert Easton | Judith Blegen |
| Desk- "What To Do When Buying a Used Car" ||||
| 4055 | October 19, 1978 (1978-10-19) | Rob Reiner, Lit Connah, Carol Wayne | Dizzy Gillespie |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Tea-Time Movie" ||||
| 4056 | October 20, 1978 (1978-10-20) | Elizabeth Ashley, Johnny Yune, David Horowitz | Steve Lawrence |
| The Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4057 | October 23, 1978 (1978-10-23) | David Brenner (guest host) | N/A |
| 4058 | October 24, 1978 (1978-10-24) | David Brenner (guest host) | N/A |
| 4059 | October 25, 1978 (1978-10-25) | David Brenner (guest host) | N/A |
| 4060 | October 26, 1978 (1978-10-26) | David Brenner (guest host) | N/A |
| 4061 | October 27, 1978 (1978-10-27) | David Brenner (guest host) | N/A |
| 4062 | October 30, 1978 (1978-10-30) | David Brenner (guest host), McLean Stevenson, Pete Barbutti | Bernadette Peters |
| 4063 | October 31, 1978 (1978-10-31) | none | N/A |

### November

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4064 | November 1, 1978 (1978-11-01) | Patrick Duffy, Rodney Dangerfield, Dr. Carl Sagan | Carol Neblett |
| Desk- "Superstitions" ||||
| 4065 | November 2, 1978 (1978-11-02) | Bess Armstrong | N/A |
| Desk- "Christmas Shopping Tips" ||||
| 4066 | November 3, 1978 (1978-11-03) | Mary Tyler Moore, Beverly Johnson | Anthony Newley |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Politics" ||||
| 4067 | November 6, 1978 (1978-11-06) | Don Rickles (guest host) | Charo, Gladys Knight & The Pips |
| 4068 | November 7, 1978 (1978-11-07) | none | N/A |
| 4069 | November 8, 1978 (1978-11-08) | Charlton Heston, Charlie Callas, Lesley Ann Warren, Julia Child | N/A |
| Desk- "Yes or No Propositions" ||||
| 4070 | November 9, 1978 (1978-11-09) | Harvey Korman, Gary Coleman, Lilli Palmer | Larry Gatlin |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Rebuttal in Favor of Legalized Gambling" ||||
| 4071 | November 10, 1978 (1978-11-10) | John Davidson, Charles Nelson Reilly, Dorothy Fuldheim, A.L. Rowe | N/A |
| 4072 | November 13, 1978 (1978-11-13) | Don Rickles (guest host), Carroll O'Connor, Bobby Ramsen | Jose Molina, Peter Marshall |
| 4073 | November 14, 1978 (1978-11-14) | Buddy Hackett, Anthony Hopkins | Billy Davis, Jr., Marilyn McCoo |
| Carnac the Magnificent; Stump the Band ||||
| 4074 | November 15, 1978 (1978-11-15) | Angie Dickinson, Robert Klein, Erma Bombeck | Linda Hopkins |
| Desk- "Qualifications for Seeking Status" ||||
| 4075 | November 16, 1978 (1978-11-16) | Sylvester Stallone, Bobby Kelton, Thalassa Cruso | Kenny Rogers |
| The Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4076 | November 17, 1978 (1978-11-17) | Jill Ireland | Pete Fountain |
| 4077 | November 20, 1978 (1978-11-20) | Gabriel Kaplan (guest host), Robert Urich | Stephen Bishop |
| 4078 | November 21, 1978 (1978-11-21) | Anthony Quinn, Steve Martin, Paul Williams | N/A |
| Desk- "Gifts For a Person Who Has Everything" ||||
| 4079 | November 22, 1978 (1978-11-22) | Susan Saint James, Fernando Lamas, Calvin Trillin | Donna Theodore |
| Sketch- "Thanksgiving Turkey" ||||
| 4080 | November 23, 1978 (1978-11-23) | Charlie Hill | Roger Miller |
| 4081 | November 24, 1978 (1978-11-24) | James Garner, Ellen Burstyn, David Letterman, Rod Dornsife | N/A |
| 4082 | November 27, 1978 (1978-11-27) | Don Rickles (guest host), Arte Johnson, Elke Sommer | Glen Campbell |
| 4083 | November 28, 1978 (1978-11-28) | Richard Benjamin, Martin Mull, Dr. Lendon Smith | Joe Williams |
| Desk- "New Etiquette/Manner List" ||||
| 4084 | November 29, 1978 (1978-11-29) | Buck Henry, F. Lee Bailey | Andy Williams |
| Desk- "Commonly Mispronounced Words"; Mighty Carson Art Players- "G. Walter Schneer- Phone Company" ||||
| 4085 | November 30, 1978 (1978-11-30) | Cindy Williams, Shecky Greene | Anthony & Joseph Paratore |
| Desk- "Wild and Crazy Calendars" ||||

### December

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4086 | December 1, 1978 (1978-12-01) | Bob Hope, Tom Dreesen, David Horowitz | Pat Boone |
| Desk- "Trivia Dispatch" ||||
| 4087 | December 4, 1978 (1978-12-04) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Sandy Duncan | Loretta Lynn, Lou Rawls |
| 4088 | December 5, 1978 (1978-12-05) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Norm Crosby, George Plimpton | Mac Davis |
| 4089 | December 6, 1978 (1978-12-06) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Richard Pryor, Dr. Michael Fox | Bobby Goldsboro |
| 4090 | December 7, 1978 (1978-12-07) | George Carlin (guest host), Ray Johnson | Della Reese |
| 4091 | December 8, 1978 (1978-12-08) | David Steinberg (guest host), Orson Bean, Susan Sarandon | Shields & Yarnell |
| Sketch- "David- The Psychiatrist" ||||
| 4092 | December 11, 1978 (1978-12-11) | Bob Newhart (guest host), Debbie Reynolds, Wayne Rogers, Pete Barbutti | N/A |
| 4093 | December 12, 1978 (1978-12-12) | Angie Dickinson | N/A |
| 4094 | December 13, 1978 (1978-12-13) | Ann-Margret, Joan Rivers, Lou Holtz | N/A |
| Desk- "Letters to Santa Claus"; Johnny hosts a lingerie fashion show. ||||
| 4095 | December 14, 1978 (1978-12-14) | Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Jean Marsh | Engelbert Humperdinck |
| Sketch- "Carl the Cardboard" ||||
| 4096 | December 15, 1978 (1978-12-15) | Dan Haggerty | Phyllis Newman |
| 4097 | December 18, 1978 (1978-12-18) | John Davidson (guest host), Ron Howard | N/A |
| 4098 | December 19, 1978 (1978-12-19) | none | N/A |
| 4099 | December 20, 1978 (1978-12-20) | Bruce Dern, Myron Cohen, Calvin Trillin | Johnny Mathis |
| Desk- "Employment Guidelines for Old St. Nick" ||||
| 4100 | December 21, 1978 (1978-12-21) | Bob Hope, Dick Van Patten, Gil Fates | N/A |
| New Products of 1978 ||||
| 4101 | December 22, 1978 (1978-12-22) | Betty White, Bert Convy | Marilyn Horne |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "The Andy Davidson Christmas Special" ||||
| 4102 | December 25, 1978 (1978-12-25) | Patrick Duffy, Teri Garr, Vincent Price | Jim Stafford |
| 4103 | December 26, 1978 (1978-12-26) | John Davidson (guest host), Phyllis Diller, Dick Clark, Kreskin | Rita Moreno |
| Desk- "Odds and Ends" ||||
| 4104 | December 27, 1978 (1978-12-27) | John Davidson (guest host), Bernie Kopell, Kip Addotta | Tony Orlando |
| 4105 | December 28, 1978 (1978-12-28) | John Davidson (guest host), Erik Estrada, Dr. Joyce Brothers | Vikki Carr |
| 4106 | December 29, 1978 (1978-12-29) | John Davidson (guest host), Lindsay Wagner, Foster Brooks | Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys |