# List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes (1981)

The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1981:

## 1981
### January

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4530 | January 1, 1981 (1981-01-01) | Marie Osmond, Charles Nelson Reilly | N/A |
| Desk- "New Year's Resolutions" ||||
| 4531 | January 2, 1981 (1981-01-02) | David Letterman, Susan Sarandon | Linda Hopkins |
| Desk- "Eulogy for Baby" ||||
| 4532 | January 6, 1981 (1981-01-06) | Peter O'Toole, Victoria Principal | The Pointer Sisters |
| Desk- "25 Least Intriguing People of 1980" ||||
| 4533 | January 7, 1981 (1981-01-07) | Sugar Ray Leonard, Erma Bombeck | Joe Williams |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 4534 | January 8, 1981 (1981-01-08) | McLean Stevenson, James Woods, Bum Phillips | N/A |
| Sketch- "G. Walter Schneer- Insurance" ||||
| 4535 | January 9, 1981 (1981-01-09) | Burt Reynolds, Argus Hamilton | Doobie Brothers |
| Desk- "Psychic Predictions" ||||
| 4536 | January 13, 1981 (1981-01-13) | Shelley Winters, Martin Mull, Juanita Booker | N/A |
| 4537 | January 14, 1981 (1981-01-14) | Peter Strauss, George Gobel | Oak Ridge Boys |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4538 | January 15, 1981 (1981-01-15) | David Steinberg, William Conrad | N/A |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4539 | January 16, 1981 (1981-01-16) | Bob Hope, Argus Hamilton | N/A |
| Desk- "La Brea Tar Pits Remnants" ||||
| 4540 | January 26, 1981 (1981-01-26) | George Carlin (guest host), Debbie Reynolds, Kip Addotta, Dr. Joyce Brothers | N/A |
| 4541 | January 27, 1981 (1981-01-27) | David Letterman (guest host), Franklyn Ajaye | Ricky Nelson |
| 4542 | January 28, 1981 (1981-01-28) | David Letterman (guest host), Pete Barbutti | Aretha Franklin |
| 4543 | January 29, 1981 (1981-01-29) | David Letterman (guest host), Kelly Monteith, Marilu Henner | N/A |
| Desk- "Program Reminder" ||||
| 4544 | January 30, 1981 (1981-01-30) | David Letterman (guest host), Lily Tomlin | N/A |
| Desk- "Olympic Sports" ||||

### February

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4545 | February 2, 1981 (1981-02-02) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Larry Hagman, Ricky Schroder | Bobby Vinton |
| 4546 | February 3, 1981 (1981-02-03) | Rodney Dangerfield | Irene Cara |
| Desk- "Inaugural Trivia" ||||
| 4547 | February 4, 1981 (1981-02-04) | Charlie Callas | N/A |
| Talk with Ed ||||
| 4548 | February 5, 1981 (1981-02-05) | Jon Walter | Tony Bennett |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4549 | February 6, 1981 (1981-02-06) | Michael Landon, Tanya Roberts | Jean-Pierre Rampal |
| Desk- "T.V. Guide" ||||
| 4550 | February 10, 1981 (1981-02-10) | Bill Cosby, Jack Klugman | N/A |
| 4551 | February 11, 1981 (1981-02-11) | Charles Grodin | Loretta Lynn |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply Against Funding For The Arts" ||||
| 4552 | February 12, 1981 (1981-02-12) | George Segal, Lorna Patterson | N/A |
| 4553 | February 13, 1981 (1981-02-13) | Doug Henning | Bob & Ray |
| Desk- "Superstitions" ||||
| 4554 | February 17, 1981 (1981-02-17) | Robert Blake, Calvin Trillin | Linda Hopkins |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 4555 | February 18, 1981 (1981-02-18) | Lee Trevino | Pete Fountain |
| Desk- "First Photographs" ||||
| 4556 | February 19, 1981 (1981-02-19) | Rich Hall, Dr. Lawrence Kuznetz | Jim Stafford |
| Desk- "Guide to Los Angeles" ||||
| 4557 | February 20, 1981 (1981-02-20) | Tony Randall | Sarah Vaughan |
| 4558 | February 23, 1981 (1981-02-23) | Rich Little (guest host), Charlton Heston, Paul Williams, Peter Cook | N/A |
| 4559 | February 24, 1981 (1981-02-24) | Carl Reiner, Catherine Deneuve | N/A |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4560 | February 25, 1981 (1981-02-25) | Barbara Eden, Bobby Kelton, Arnold Roth | N/A |
| Desk- "Crimebusters Bulletin" ||||
| 4561 | February 26, 1981 (1981-02-26) | Mickey Rooney, Priscilla Barnes | N/A |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4562 | February 27, 1981 (1981-02-27) | David Letterman, Sydne Rome | N/A |
| Commercial Blackouts: "Alpo", "Static Gone", "Citi Corp Travelers Checks", "Kelvins" and "Harry's Bristol Cream" ||||

### March

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4563 | March 2, 1981 (1981-03-02) | Martin Mull (guest host), Morgan Fairchild, Bob Uecker | Mac Davis |
| 4564 | March 3, 1981 (1981-03-03) | Joan Rivers | Barbara Mandrell |
| Desk- "Library Questions" ||||
| 4565 | March 4, 1981 (1981-03-04) | David Brenner, Christie Brinkley | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Cronkite Sketch"; Brooke Shields is in the audience. ||||
| 4566 | March 5, 1981 (1981-03-05) | Charles Nelson Reilly | Slim Whitman |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Carl Sagan Sketch" ||||
| 4567 | March 6, 1981 (1981-03-06) | Steve Landesberg | Melissa Manchester |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4568 | March 17, 1981 (1981-03-17) | Sally Field | Mel Tillis |
| Desk- "National Enquirer" ||||
| 4569 | March 18, 1981 (1981-03-18) | Richard Benjamin, Garry Shandling, Jan Stephenson | N/A |
| Desk- "Silliness with Ed: The Snit Never Stops Flying and Sharks Never Stop Swimming" ||||
| 4570 | March 19, 1981 (1981-03-19) | David Steinberg, Lois Areno | Peabo Bryson |
| Desk- "Movies That Didn't Get Nominated for an Oscar" ||||
| 4571 | March 20, 1981 (1981-03-20) | Suzanne Somers, Dr. Warren Thomas | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Marharishi Psychic" ||||
| 4572 | March 24, 1981 (1981-03-24) | none | B.B. King, Phyllis Newman |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 4573 | March 25, 1981 (1981-03-25) | Peter Strauss, Gore Vidal | N/A |
| Desk- "Chapter Two of Dot Riddle" ||||
| 4574 | March 26, 1981 (1981-03-26) | Patrick Macnee, Pete Barbutti | N/A |
| Desk- "Homework School of The Air" ||||
| 4575 | March 27, 1981 (1981-03-27) | Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Lewis, Cathy Moriarty | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Commercial Actor School" ||||

### April

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4576 | April 6, 1981 (1981-04-06) | Joan Rivers (guest host), David Brenner, James Coco, Rip Taylor | N/A |
| 4577 | April 7, 1981 (1981-04-07) | Suzanne Pleshette, Dick Cavett | N/A |
| Desk- "Talk with Ed" ||||
| 4578 | April 8, 1981 (1981-04-08) | Angie Dickinson | Joe Williams |
| Desk- "Library Questions" ||||
| 4579 | April 9, 1981 (1981-04-09) | Albert Brooks, Susan Sarandon | N/A |
| Carnac the Magnificent, Desk- Johnny, citing information from the International Oceanographic Foundation, states there are sharks who don't need to swim at all times. ||||
| 4580 | April 10, 1981 (1981-04-10) | Robert Blake, Calvin Trillin | N/A |
| Desk- Johnny talks with Ed about staying up for the aborted inaugural launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia. It took off 2 days later. The Mighty Carson Art Players present G. Walter Schneer defending the IRS. ||||

### May

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4581 | May 5, 1981 (1981-05-05) | Thalassa Cruso | Jimmy Buffett ("Margaritaville" and "Stars Fell on Alabama") |
| Desk- "What Writers Really Want Out Of The Strike"; Desk- "Foreign Commercials" ||||
| 4582 | May 6, 1981 (1981-05-06) | Ringo Starr, Jerry Seinfeld, Barbara Bach | Oak Ridge Boys |
| 4583 | May 7, 1981 (1981-05-07) | Richard Harris, Mariette Hartley | N/A |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4584 | May 8, 1981 (1981-05-08) | David Letterman, Charles Haid | N/A |
| Desk- "Foreign Commercials"; Desk- "Letters from Children: Rules for Marriage Partners" ||||
| 4585 | May 12, 1981 (1981-05-12) | Lorna Patterson | Jim Stafford |
| Desk- "Durations Book: How Long Certain Things Take to Do" ||||
| 4586 | May 13, 1981 (1981-05-13) | Martin Mull, Joe Garagiola | N/A |
| Desk- "What Famous People Will Look Like 25 Years From Now" ||||
| 4587 | May 14, 1981 (1981-05-14) | Joan Rivers, William & Amos Caulfield | N/A |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply on High-Salaried Baseball Players" ||||
| 4588 | May 19, 1981 (1981-05-19) | Alan Alda, David Brenner | N/A |
| Desk- "People Magazine Poll" ||||
| 4589 | May 20, 1981 (1981-05-20) | George Carlin, Richard Pryor | N/A |
| Desk- "Whatchamacallit Words" ||||
| 4590 | May 21, 1981 (1981-05-21) | George Segal, Rich Hall | N/A |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4591 | May 22, 1981 (1981-05-22) | Carol Wayne | Leonard Waxdeck & The Birdcallers, Larry Gatlin |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Tea-Time Movie" ||||
| 4592 | May 26, 1981 (1981-05-26) | Dr. Paul Ehrlich | Liza Minnelli ("New York, New York") |
| Desk- "Bride's Book of Etiquette" ||||
| 4593 | May 27, 1981 (1981-05-27) | Shelley Winters, Robert Klein | N/A |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4594 | May 28, 1981 (1981-05-28) | Maureen Murphy | Steve Lawrence |
| Desk- "Tree Falling from a Forest Question" ||||
| 4595 | May 29, 1981 (1981-05-29) | Kathryn Harrold | Eydie Gormé |
| Desk- "Famous High School Graduates" ||||

### June

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4596 | June 1, 1981 (1981-06-01) | Rich Little (guest host) | Charo |
| 4597 | June 2, 1981 (1981-06-02) | David Brenner (guest host) | Connie Stevens, Linda Hopkins |
| 4598 | June 3, 1981 (1981-06-03) | David Letterman (guest host), Charles Grodin | Tina Turner performed ("Crazy in the Night" and "Take a Little Pain") |
| Desk- "International Signs" ||||
| 4599 | June 4, 1981 (1981-06-04) | David Letterman (guest host), Bert Convy, Teri Garr | N/A |
| 4600 | June 5, 1981 (1981-06-05) | David Letterman (guest host), Joan Embery, Dr. Lendon Smith | Hoyt Axton |
| 4601 | June 9, 1981 (1981-06-09) | Buddy Hackett, Dr. Richard Archer | N/A |
| Desk- "Free Things to Do This Summer in South California" ||||
| 4602 | June 10, 1981 (1981-06-10) | Madeline Kahn, Pete Barbutti | N/A |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 4603 | June 11, 1981 (1981-06-11) | Peter Cook, Garry Shandling | Chet Atkins |
| Desk- "Homework School of The Air" ||||
| 4604 | June 12, 1981 (1981-06-12) | Steve Landesberg, Shelley Long | Pete Fountain |
| Commercial Blackouts: "Like Cereal", "Gullo Wine", "Flab Cola", and "Shanka Coffee". ||||
| 4605 | June 16, 1981 (1981-06-16) | Arnold Schwarzenegger | Dionne Warwick |
| Desk- "Library Questions" ||||
| 4606 | June 17, 1981 (1981-06-17) | Gerald Lawton, Myrtle Whitcher, Terry Rich | Tom Jones |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4607 | June 18, 1981 (1981-06-18) | Jim Fowler, David Steinberg | N/A |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4608 | June 19, 1981 (1981-06-19) | Lou Holtz, Dr. Carl Sagan | Ross Tompkins |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "David Horitzer- Consumer Supporter" ||||
| 4609 | June 23, 1981 (1981-06-23) | Robert Blake | Kenny Rankin |
| Desk- "Doublespeak" ||||
| 4610 | June 24, 1981 (1981-06-24) | Franklyn Ajaye, David Horowitz | Nicolette Larson |
| Desk- "Possible Vacation Trips People Might Take" ||||
| 4611 | June 25, 1981 (1981-06-25) | McLean Stevenson, Bob Uecker | N/A |
| Floyd R. Turbo- "Editorial Reply on Air Traffic Controllers" ||||
| 4612 | June 26, 1981 (1981-06-26) | Suzanne Somers, William Holden | N/A |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4613 | June 29, 1981 (1981-06-29) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Gary Coleman, Dick Van Patten | N/A |
| 4614 | June 30, 1981 (1981-06-30) | Joan Rivers (guest host), George Hamilton, George Gobel | Mac Davis |

### July

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4615 | July 1, 1981 (1981-07-01) | David Letterman (guest host), Bess Armstrong, Joe Garagiola | N/A |
| Desk- "Program Reminder" ||||
| 4616 | July 2, 1981 (1981-07-02) | David Letterman (guest host), Richard Lewis | Jim Stafford |
| 4617 | July 3, 1981 (1981-07-03) | David Letterman (guest host), Margot Kidder, Richard Simmons | Natalie Cole |
| 4618 | July 21, 1981 (1981-07-21) | Suzanne Pleshette, Dr. Robert Altman with the opera singing bird named Nino | N/A |
| Talk with Ed ||||
| 4619 | July 22, 1981 (1981-07-22) | Jerry Seinfeld, Rona Barrett | The Angels Ensemble of California |
| Desk- "Behavior Book: Manual for Ladies" ||||
| 4620 | July 23, 1981 (1981-07-23) | George Segal, Mariette Hartley | The Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band ("Ain't Nobody's Business" and "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?") |
| Desk- "What Americans Are Doing During the Baseball Strike" ||||
| 4621 | July 24, 1981 (1981-07-24) | Michael Landon, Bo Derek | Doc Severinsen & The NBC Orchestra |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Mediterranean Fruit Fly" ||||
| 4622 | July 28, 1981 (1981-07-28) | James Stewart | Mac Davis |
| Desk- "Dental Charts of Prince Charles and Lady Diana"; Desk- "Memorabilia from England" ||||
| 4623 | July 29, 1981 (1981-07-29) | Robert Klein | Johnny Mathis |
| Desk- "Facts About The Royal Wedding by Sir Eton Crumpet" ||||
| 4624 | July 30, 1981 (1981-07-30) | Sylvester Stallone | B.B. King |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 4625 | July 31, 1981 (1981-07-31) | Angie Dickinson, Tommy Lasorda, Dom DeLuise | N/A |
| G. Walter Schneer, Hospital Skopesman ||||

### August

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4626 | August 4, 1981 (1981-08-04) | Charles Nelson Reilly | Loretta Lynn |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4627 | August 5, 1981 (1981-08-05) | Alan King | Sheena Easton |
| Carnac the Magnificent, famous for the Sis Boom Bah joke. ||||
| 4628 | August 6, 1981 (1981-08-06) | John Travolta, Erma Bombeck | N/A |
| Desk- "Famous Persons' Last Words"; Johnny asks Fred de Cordova about his involvement shooting the film The King of Comedy with Robert De Niro & Jerry Lewis. ||||
| 4629 | August 7, 1981 (1981-08-07) | Dudley Moore, Franklyn Ajaye, Laurene Landon | N/A |
| Aunt Blabby ||||
| 4630 | August 11, 1981 (1981-08-11) | Betty Thomas, Marge Carlson | Andy Williams ("New York, New York" and "The More I See You") |
| Desk- "Odds and Ends" ||||
| 4631 | August 12, 1981 (1981-08-12) | William Devane, Pat McCormick | The Manhattan Transfer |
| Desk- "Library Questions" ||||
| 4632 | August 13, 1981 (1981-08-13) | Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Henny Youngman | N/A |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4633 | August 14, 1981 (1981-08-14) | Peter Strauss, Betty White, Victor Buono | N/A |
| Sketch- "Tarzan And The Apes" ||||
| 4634 | August 17, 1981 (1981-08-17) | David Steinberg (guest host), Charles Grodin | Bernadette Peters |
| 4635 | August 18, 1981 (1981-08-18) | David Steinberg (guest host), Joan Embery, Margot Kidder | N/A |
| 4636 | August 19, 1981 (1981-08-19) | David Letterman (guest host), Steve Allen, Sydney Goldsmith, Michael Keaton | N/A |
| Desk- "Program Reminder" ||||
| 4637 | August 20, 1981 (1981-08-20) | David Letterman (guest host), Elke Sommer | Al Jarreau |
| 4638 | August 21, 1981 (1981-08-21) | David Letterman (guest host), John Ritter, Andrea Martin | N/A |
| Desk- "Public Service Announcement" ||||
| 4639 | August 24, 1981 (1981-08-24) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Sugar Ray Leonard, Robert Culp | N/A |
| 4640 | August 25, 1981 (1981-08-25) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Norm Crosby, Richard Simmons | N/A |
| 4641 | August 26, 1981 (1981-08-26) | Bill Cosby (guest host), James Coco, Shelley Long | George Shearing |
| 4642 | August 27, 1981 (1981-08-27) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Dr. Lendon Smith | Tina Turner |
| 4643 | August 28, 1981 (1981-08-28) | Bill Cosby (guest host), Lynn Redgrave, James Hampton | Aretha Franklin |

### September

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4644 | September 1, 1981 (1981-09-01) | David Brenner | Tony Bennett |
| Talk with Ed ||||
| 4645 | September 2, 1981 (1981-09-02) | Joan Rivers, George Segal | Conrad Janis and the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band |
| Desk- "Boy Scout Hand Book" ||||
| 4646 | September 3, 1981 (1981-09-03) | Dom DeLuise | Steve Lawrence |
| Desk- "Whatchamacallit Words" ||||
| 4647 | September 4, 1981 (1981-09-04) | David Letterman, David Naughton | Linda Hopkins |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4648 | September 8, 1981 (1981-09-08) | Neil Simon, Sean Morey, Marsha Mason | The Oak Ridge Boys |
| Desk- Johnny explains that he is feeling a bit 'dippy' because he has been to a dentist this morning for deep cleaning. Tommy Newson was the next patient to see the dentist so Johnny dressed up as the dentist and checked over Tommy's charts and moaned. ||||
| 4649 | September 9, 1981 (1981-09-09) | Smothers Brothers, Brooke Shields | N/A |
| 4650 | September 10, 1981 (1981-09-10) | Tony Randall, Maureen Murphy | N/A |
| Desk- "Disaster Guide" ||||
| 4651 | September 11, 1981 (1981-09-11) | David Steinberg, Morgan Fairchild | Joe Williams |
| Commercial Blackouts: Spoofs on 'James Bond', 'Gone With The Wind', 'Casablanca' and 'The Elephant Man'. ||||
| 4652 | September 15, 1981 (1981-09-15) | Steve Landesberg | Larry Gatlin |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4653 | September 16, 1981 (1981-09-16) | Margot Kidder, David Frank with his singing parrot Poncho | Al Jarreau |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 4654 | September 17, 1981 (1981-09-17) | Bert Convy, Rich Hall | N/A |
| Desk- "Unusual College Courses" ||||
| 4655 | September 18, 1981 (1981-09-18) | Robert Blake, Franklyn Ajaye | The Dixie Belles |
| 4656 | September 22, 1981 (1981-09-22) | Burt Reynolds, Charles Nelson Reilly | N/A |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4657 | September 23, 1981 (1981-09-23) | Mariette Hartley | The 5th Dimension |
| Desk- "Shortcuts" ||||
| 4658 | September 24, 1981 (1981-09-24) | Robert Klein | Ann Jillian |
| Sketch- "The Entomologist" ||||
| 4659 | September 25, 1981 (1981-09-25) | Kelly Monteith | Eydie Gormé |
| Desk- "Library Questions" ||||
| 4660 | September 28, 1981 (1981-09-28) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Richard Simmons | Tony Orlando |
| 4661 | September 29, 1981 (1981-09-29) | Joan Rivers (guest host), James Coco, Erma Bombeck, Elizabeth Ashley | N/A |
| 4662 | September 30, 1981 (1981-09-30) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Cher, Charles Grodin, Helen Gurley Brown | N/A |

### October

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4663 | October 1, 1981 (1981-10-01) | David Steinberg (guest host), Phyllis Diller, Beverly D'Angelo, Peter Cook | N/A |
| 4664 | October 2, 1981 (1981-10-02) | David Letterman (guest host), Steve Allen | N/A |
| Desk- "Test Market Food" ||||
| 4665 | October 7, 1981 (1981-10-07) | Maureen Stapleton, Elliott Gould | Sarah Vaughan |
| Desk- "What's In a Name" ||||
| 4666 | October 8, 1981 (1981-10-08) | Peter Billingsley, Martin Mull, James Woods | N/A |
| Desk- "Corporate Mergers" ||||
| 4667 | October 9, 1981 (1981-10-09) | Candice Bergen, Doug Henning | N/A |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 4668 | October 13, 1981 (1981-10-13) | David Brenner, Elizabeth Tashjian | B.B. King |
| Desk- "Burbank Visitors Guide" ||||
| 4669 | October 14, 1981 (1981-10-14) | Robin Williams, Jean Marsh | N/A |
| Blackouts: Takeoff of 'Patton' and Takeoff of a 'Chess Match'. ||||
| 4670 | October 15, 1981 (1981-10-15) | Sammy Davis, Jr., Alan Alda, Alan King | N/A |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4671 | October 16, 1981 (1981-10-16) | Bruce Dern, Andrea Martin | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Carl Sagan Sketch" ||||
| 4672 | October 27, 1981 (1981-10-27) | Tony Randall | Jim Stafford |
| Desk- "Quiz on Famous Quotes" ||||
| 4673 | October 28, 1981 (1981-10-28) | Dick Cavett, Lance Burton | Reba McEntire ("You Lift Me Up to Heaven") |
| 4674 | October 29, 1981 (1981-10-29) | Angie Dickinson, Garry Shandling | Pilobolus |
| Edge of Wetness ||||
| 4675 | October 30, 1981 (1981-10-30) | Michael Landon | Sheena Easton |
| Desk- "Odds and Ends"; Commercial Blackouts: 'Polaroid Camera', 'Roach Hotel', 'Michelob Beer', and 'Yodell Hills'. ||||

### November

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4676 | November 3, 1981 (1981-11-03) | Shelley Winters, Pete Barbutti | L.A. Dodgers Blue Wrecking Crew |
| 4677 | November 4, 1981 (1981-11-04) | Gabriel Kaplan, Teri Garr | Ronnie Milsap |
| Desk- "Euphemisms" ||||
| 4678 | November 5, 1981 (1981-11-05) | Smothers Brothers, Frank Nelson, Joan Dornemann | N/A |
| Sketch- "Mailman Sketch with Frank Nelson" ||||
| 4679 | November 6, 1981 (1981-11-06) | Robert Klein, Calvin Trillin | N/A |
| Sketch- "Russian Submarine Commander Interview" ||||
| 4680 | November 10, 1981 (1981-11-10) | David Niven | Barbara Mandrell |
| Desk- "Tonight Show Guest During Sweeps Week" ||||
| 4681 | November 11, 1981 (1981-11-11) | TBA | Buddy Rich, Dionne Warwick |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 4682 | November 12, 1981 (1981-11-12) | Dom DeLuise, Jerry Seinfeld, Betty White | N/A |
| Sketch- "Video Untouchables" ||||
| 4683 | November 13, 1981 (1981-11-13) | George Burns, Lorna Patterson | N/A |
| Desk- "Phobias" ||||
| 4684 | November 17, 1981 (1981-11-17) | Joan Rivers, David Horowitz | Linda Hopkins |
| Desk- "Golden Fleece Award" ||||
| 4685 | November 18, 1981 (1981-11-18) | Cassie Yates, Elizabeth Tashjian | Mel Tillis |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 4686 | November 19, 1981 (1981-11-19) | Suzanne Pleshette | Luciano Pavarotti |
| Desk- "Library Questions" ||||
| 4687 | November 20, 1981 (1981-11-20) | Ricky Schroder, Bob Hope, Susan Sarandon | N/A |
| Desk- Johnny and Ed Discuss the Riddle from Last Night. ||||
| 4688 | November 24, 1981 (1981-11-24) | David Brenner, Wally Lattimer | Aretha Franklin |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 4689 | November 25, 1981 (1981-11-25) | Louis and Bernice Eisenberg | Kenny Rogers |
| Desk- "Thanksgiving Letters from Kids" ||||
| 4690 | November 26, 1981 (1981-11-26) | Buddy Hackett, Bud Greenspan | The Angels Ensemble of California |
| Desk- "Blue Cards" ||||
| 4691 | November 27, 1981 (1981-11-27) | James Garner, Regis Philbin | N/A |
| Aunt Blabby ||||
| 4692 | November 30, 1981 (1981-11-30) | David Letterman (guest host), Mariette Hartley | Anne Murray |

### December

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 4693 | December 1, 1981 (1981-12-01) | David Letterman (guest host), Rona Barrett, Dave Thomas | N/A |
| 4694 | December 2, 1981 (1981-12-02) | David Letterman (guest host), Dick Enberg, Jane Pauley | Natalie Cole |
| This was Letterman's final turn as the guest host of The Tonight Show. ||||
| 4695 | December 3, 1981 (1981-12-03) | George Carlin (guest host), Victor Buono | Della Reese |
| 4696 | December 4, 1981 (1981-12-04) | George Carlin (guest host), Sandy Duncan | Helen Reddy |
| 4697 | December 8, 1981 (1981-12-08) | Buddy Hackett, Rocky Graziano | N/A |
| Desk- "Euphemisms" ||||
| 4698 | December 9, 1981 (1981-12-09) | Elizabeth Ashley, Charlie Callas | N/A |
| Desk- Johnny talks about drunk driving, warning not to drive intoxicated, then reads an article sent in from a viewer regarding the penalties in foreign countries for drunk driving (ex. Execution for First Offenses).; Desk- "Foreign Commercials" ||||
| 4699 | December 10, 1981 (1981-12-10) | Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau | N/A |
| Desk- "Who's In Charge Here?" ||||
| 4700 | December 11, 1981 (1981-12-11) | Chevy Chase | Diana Ross |
| Desk- "Christmas Television Specials" ||||
| 4701 | December 15, 1981 (1981-12-15) | Jim Fowler, Gore Vidal | N/A |
| Desk- "Letters to Santa" ||||
| 4702 | December 16, 1981 (1981-12-16) | Stewart Granger | N/A |
| New Products ||||
| 4703 | December 17, 1981 (1981-12-17) | Robert Blake, Donna Dixon | B.B. King |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Bruce Lee's Fists of Christmas" ||||
| 4704 | December 18, 1981 (1981-12-18) | Bob Hope, Jane Fonda, Frank Nelson | Sarah Vaughan |
| Sketch- "Frank Nelson as Santa" ||||
| 4705 | December 29, 1981 (1981-12-29) | James Stewart, Steve Martin | N/A |
| Desk- "Things to Do on New Year's Eve" ||||
| 4706 | December 30, 1981 (1981-12-30) | Martin Mull, Bryant Gumbel | The Manhattan Transfer |
| Desk- "Less Intriguing People" ||||
| 4707 | December 31, 1981 (1981-12-31) | Lance Burton, Maureen Murphy | The Manhattan Transfer |
| Sketch- "Father Time" ||||