# List of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episodes (1972)

The following is a list of episodes of the television series The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which aired in 1972:

## 1972
### January

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2380 | January 3, 1972 (1972-01-03) | Phyllis Newman (guest host), David Frye, Anne Jackson, George Maharis, Joseph Bologna, Renée Taylor, Eli Wallach | Monti Rock |
| 2381 | January 4, 1972 (1972-01-04) | Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman, Billy De Wolfe, The Amazing Randi | Teresa Brewer |
| 2382 | January 5, 1972 (1972-01-05) | Mr. Blackwell, Stephen R. Hudis | Jose Molina, Bette Midler |
| 2383 | January 6, 1972 (1972-01-06) | Marcel Marceau | Artie Shaw, Buddy Rich, Marilyn Maye |
| 2384 | January 7, 1972 (1972-01-07) | Gene Hackman, Tom O'Horgan, Irwin C. Watson, Jerzy Kosiński | Linda Hopkins |
| 2385 | January 10, 1972 (1972-01-10) | Pearl Bailey (guest host), Maya Angelou | Bill Withers |
| 2386 | January 11, 1972 (1972-01-11) | none | Lana Cantrell |
| 2387 | January 12, 1972 (1972-01-12) | John Carradine, Cloris Leachman, Albert Brooks | Los Indios Tabajaras |
| 2388 | January 13, 1972 (1972-01-13) | Karen Morrow, Jack Douglas and wife Reiko | N/A |
| 2389 | January 14, 1972 (1972-01-14) | John Wayne, Mark Rydell, Totie Fields | Johnnie Ray |
| 2390 | January 17, 1972 (1972-01-17) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Dick Martin, Yvonne Constant | Sandler and Young |
| 2391 | January 18, 1972 (1972-01-18) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Barbara Walters, Bob Melvin | Robert Merrill |
| 2392 | January 19, 1972 (1972-01-19) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Ann Corio, Pat Cooper, Dick Gregory, Dr. Joyce Brothers | Carlos Montoya |
| 2393 | January 20, 1972 (1972-01-20) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Corbett Monica, David Frye, Martina Arroyo | Lucky Peterson |
| 2394 | January 21, 1972 (1972-01-21) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Jake LaMotta, The Amazing Randi, Moms Mabley, Stanley Myron Handelman | N/A |
| 2395 | January 24, 1972 (1972-01-24) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Barbara Walters, Nipsey Russell, Hugh O'Brian | Liz Torres |
| 2396 | January 25, 1972 (1972-01-25) | George Segal, David Brenner, Greer Garson, Tom Baker | Phyllis Newman |
| 2397 | January 26, 1972 (1972-01-26) | Lloyd Bridges, Jerry Lucas | Richie Havens, Ace Trucking Company |
| 2398 | January 27, 1972 (1972-01-27) | Rob Reiner, Ashley Montagu, Mary Storrs, Milt Moss | Karen Morrow, Mac Davis |
| 2399 | January 28, 1972 (1972-01-28) | Orson Bean | N/A |
| 2400 | January 31, 1972 (1972-01-31) | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Howard Cosell, Karen Valentine, Helen Gurley Brown | Bobby Goldsboro, Margaret Whiting |

### February

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2401 | February 1, 1972 (1972-02-01) | George Carlin, Alan King, Cyb Barnstable | Linda Hopkins, Liberace |
| 2402 | February 2, 1972 (1972-02-02) | Gig Young, Robert Klein, Pamela Mason, Earl Wilson, Jim Bailey | Maxine Weldon |
| 2403 | February 3, 1972 (1972-02-03) | Lee Marvin, Rodney Dangerfield | Marilyn Horne, Phyllis Newman |
| 2404 | February 4, 1972 (1972-02-04) | Suzanne Pleshette | N/A |
| 2405 | February 14, 1972 (1972-02-14) | Sammy Davis Jr., Bette Davis, Foster Brooks, Carol Wayne | Johnny Mathis |
| 2406 | February 15, 1972 (1972-02-15) | Lawrence Welk, Buddy Hackett, Steve Martin, Mary Storrs | Johnny Mathis |
| 2407 | February 16, 1972 (1972-02-16) | Efrem Zimbalist Jr. | N/A |
| 2408 | February 17, 1972 (1972-02-17) | Ben Johnson | Bette Midler |
| 2409 | February 18, 1972 (1972-02-18) | Burt Reynolds, Billy De Wolfe, Albert Brooks | Pat Boone |
| 2410 | February 21, 1972 (1972-02-21) | George Burns, Richard Harris | Don Ho |
| 2411 | February 22, 1972 (1972-02-22) | Jack Benny, Lana Wood, Dr. David Reuben | Lola Falana |
| 2412 | February 23, 1972 (1972-02-23) | Elke Sommer, Jonathan Miller | Ike & Tina Turner |
| 2413 | February 24, 1972 (1972-02-24) | Victor Buono, Alex Karras, Adelle Davis, Karl Wallenda | Della Reese |
| 2414 | February 25, 1972 (1972-02-25) | Redd Foxx, Karen Valentine, Bob Hope | Tennessee Ernie Ford |
| 2415 | February 28, 1972 (1972-02-28) | Jonathan Winters, Smothers Brothers, Chuck Woolery | Julie London, Bobby Troup |
| 2416 | February 29, 1972 (1972-02-29) | Ann-Margret, Flip Wilson, George Carlin, Susan Saint James | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Ironfeet" (parody of "Ironside"); Flip Wilson and George Carlin present The Best of the News. ||||

### March

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2417 | March 1, 1972 (1972-03-01) | Joan Embery, Rob Reiner, Jo Anne Worley, Tony Randall | Pat Boone |
| 2418 | March 2, 1972 (1972-03-02) | George Gobel, Orson Bean, Suzanne Pleshette, Pamela Mason | Maxine Weldon |
| 2419 | March 3, 1972 (1972-03-03) | John Wayne, Debbie Reynolds, Buddy Hackett | Kaye Ballard, Roy Clark |
| 2420 | March 6, 1972 (1972-03-06) | David Steinberg, Buffy St. Marie | Bobby Darin |
| 2421 | March 7, 1972 (1972-03-07) | Florence Henderson, James Caan | N/A |
| 2422 | March 8, 1972 (1972-03-08) | Howard Cosell, Jaye P. Morgan, Pete Hamill, Susan Hampshire | Johnnie Ray |
| 2423 | March 9, 1972 (1972-03-09) | Shecky Greene | Bobby Goldsboro |
| 2424 | March 10, 1972 (1972-03-10) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Lucie Arnaz | Anthony Newley |
| 2425 | March 13, 1972 (1972-03-13) | Richard Hart (guest host), Virginia Graham, William Peter Blatty, Kreskin, Malachy McCourt | N/A |
| 2426 | March 14, 1972 (1972-03-14) | Melvin Belli, Bill Bixby, Myron Cohen | Bette Midler |
| 2427 | March 15, 1972 (1972-03-15) | David Brenner, William Saroyan, Sarah Kennedy | James Brown |
| 2428 | March 16, 1972 (1972-03-16) | George Maharis, Larry Storch, Roger Kahn | Phyllis Newman |
| 2429 | March 17, 1972 (1972-03-17) | Jim Fowler | N/A |
| 2430 | March 20, 1972 (1972-03-20) | Dom DeLuise (guest host), Cloris Leachman | N/A |
| 2431 | March 21, 1972 (1972-03-21) | Lily Tomlin | N/A |
| 2432 | March 22, 1972 (1972-03-22) | Goldie Hawn, John Byner, Dr. Leo Madow, Dr. Neil Solomon | Dusty Springfield |
| 2433 | March 23, 1972 (1972-03-23) | Joan Rivers | Beverly Sills |
| 2434 | March 24, 1972 (1972-03-24) | Mickey Rooney, Tim Rooney, Robert Klein, Gerald A. Browne | Linda Hopkins |
| 2435 | March 27, 1972 (1972-03-27) | Burt Reynolds (guest host), Billy De Wolfe, Judy Carne, Leonard Frey | Teresa Graves |
| 2436 | March 28, 1972 (1972-03-28) | Orson Bean, Jennifer O'Neill, David Brenner | Henry Mancini, John Twomey |
| 2437 | March 29, 1972 (1972-03-29) | Bruce Dern, George Carlin, Elia Kazan | Frankie Avalon |
| 2438 | March 30, 1972 (1972-03-30) | Maureen Stapleton | N/A |
| 2439 | March 31, 1972 (1972-03-31) | Joe Garagiola, Ruth Gordon, Betsy von Furstenberg | Caterina Valente |

### April

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2440 | April 3, 1972 (1972-04-03) | David Steinberg (guest host), Howard Cosell, Virginia Graham, Rip Taylor, Gay Talese | Gerri Granger, Linda Hopkins |
| 2441 | April 4, 1972 (1972-04-04) | Truman Capote, Alexis Smith, Vida Blue, Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman | Linda Hopkins |
| 2442 | April 5, 1972 (1972-04-05) | none | Phyllis McGuire |
| 2443 | April 6, 1972 (1972-04-06) | Tony Randall, Charlie Callas, John McGiver, Tim Dinsdale, Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman | Lynn Anderson |
| 2444 | April 7, 1972 (1972-04-07) | Don Rickles, Diane Keaton, Dr. Michael Fox | Monti Rock |
| 2444 | April 11, 1972 (1972-04-11) | David Steinberg, Neil Sheehan, Joe Garagiola | N/A |
| 2445 | April 12, 1972 (1972-04-12) | Rex Reed, Valerie Perrine, Johnny Bench | N/A |
| 2446 | April 13, 1972 (1972-04-13) | Rodney Dangerfield, Skye Aubrey, Leonard Frey, Alan King | Marilyn Horne |
| 2447 | April 14, 1972 (1972-04-14) | Eli Wallach, Slappy White, Jerzy Kosiński | N/A |
| 2448 | April 17, 1972 (1972-04-17) | Orson Bean, Tom Goreman | Bette Midler |
| 2449 | April 18, 1972 (1972-04-18) | Gore Vidal, David Brenner, Sam Blotner | Lana Cantrell |
| 2450 | April 19, 1972 (1972-04-19) | Burt Reynolds, Sid Caesar, Sammy Davis Jr. | Phyllis Newman |
| 2451 | April 20, 1972 (1972-04-20) | Howard Cosell, Bob Uecker, Dorothy Collins | Stiller and Meara |
| 2452 | April 21, 1972 (1972-04-21) | Desi Arnaz, Rip Taylor, Jack Douglas and wife Reiko | Enzo Stuarti, Linda Hopkins |
| 2453 | April 24, 1972 (1972-04-24) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Phil Silvers | Sandler and Young, Liz Torres |
| 2454 | April 25, 1972 (1972-04-25) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Carl Ballantine, Virginia Graham, Albert S. Ruddy, Allan Drake | Al Green |
| 2455 | April 26, 1972 (1972-04-26) | Joey Bishop (guest host), David Niven, Helen Gurley Brown, Phil Foster | Abbe Lane |
| 2456 | April 27, 1972 (1972-04-27) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Nipsey Russell, Professor Irwin Corey, Rocky Graziano | Jose Molina, Monica Maris |
| 2457 | April 28, 1972 (1972-04-28) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Allan Drake | Bobby Goldsboro |
| This is the last Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson episode to tape at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City before their permanent move to the NBC Studios in Burbank, California, although they would return to New York City for 2 final series of shows in November 1972 and May 1973. ||||

### May

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2458 | May 1, 1972 (1972-05-01) | Bob Newhart, Cal Worthington, Darlene Conley, Don Rickles, Nancy Reagan, Shelley Winters | N/A |
| Beginning with this episode, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson moved to the NBC Studios in Burbank, California, and, except for 2 final series of shows in November 1972 and May 1973, remained in Burbank until the end of Carson's run on May 22, 1992. ||||
| 2459 | May 2, 1972 (1972-05-02) | Rob Reiner, George Carlin, Carol Wayne, Mr. Blackwell | Johnny Mathis performed ("To the Ends of the Earth", "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face") |
| T.V. Guide Quotes ||||
| 2460 | May 3, 1972 (1972-05-03) | Jo Anne Worley, Michael Constantine, Paul Williams | Andy Williams |
| 2461 | May 4, 1972 (1972-05-04) | Suzanne Pleshette, Arthur Siegel, Dr. David Reuben | Ike & Tina Turner, Kaye Ballard |
| 2462 | May 5, 1972 (1972-05-05) | Shecky Greene, Phyllis Diller | N/A |
| 2463 | May 8, 1972 (1972-05-08) | Joan Embery, Albert Brooks, James Coco, Joseph Wambaugh | Gladys Knight & the Pips, Petula Clark |
| 2464 | May 9, 1972 (1972-05-09) | Billy De Wolfe, James Franciscus, Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman | Roger Miller |
| 2465 | May 10, 1972 (1972-05-10) | Sammy Davis Jr., Karen Valentine | Ethel Waters, Kenny Rogers |
| 2466 | May 11, 1972 (1972-05-11) | Charlton Heston, George Gobel | Jimmy Osmond, Lola Falana |
| 2467 | May 12, 1972 (1972-05-12) | Vincent Price, David Frye, Sarah Kennedy | Joan Baez |
| 2468 | May 15, 1972 (1972-05-15) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Eva Gabor, Charles Nelson Reilly, Virginia Graham | Anthony Newley, Maxine Weldon |
| 2469 | May 16, 1972 (1972-05-16) | Debbie Reynolds, Fernando Lamas | Trini Lopez |
| 2470 | May 17, 1972 (1972-05-17) | Lana Turner, Mickey Rooney, Adelle Davis | Vikki Carr |
| 2471 | May 18, 1972 (1972-05-18) | June Allyson, Jim Fowler, John Cassavetes, Ronnie Schell | N/A |
| 2472 | May 19, 1972 (1972-05-19) | Mitzi Gaynor, Robert Blake, Adelle Davis, Gwen Davis | John Twomey |
| 2473 | May 22, 1972 (1972-05-22) | Rodney Dangerfield, Jo Anne Worley, Cliff Robertson, Vidal Sassoon | Roy Clark |
| 2474 | May 23, 1972 (1972-05-23) | Dom DeLuise, Tony Randall, Carol Hughes, Dr. Joel Futrel, Dr. Vince Friedewald, Paul Williams | N/A |
| 2475 | May 24, 1972 (1972-05-24) | Woody Allen, Earl Holliman | Della Reese |
| 2476 | May 25, 1972 (1972-05-25) | Peter Fonda, Beverly Garland, Karen Rosenblatt, Victor Buono | Vic Damone |
| 2477 | May 26, 1972 (1972-05-26) | Barry Sullivan, Bill Dana | Clara Ward Singers, Roger Miller |
| 2478 | May 29, 1972 (1972-05-29) | Edward Asner, Eva Gabor, Billy De Wolfe, Marcia Wallace | Charles Aznavour |
| 2479 | May 30, 1972 (1972-05-30) | Maureen Stapleton, Jason Robards, Helen Gurley Brown, Gay Talese | Jerry Reed, Ray Charles |
| 2480 | May 31, 1972 (1972-05-31) | Pete Hamill, Stephanie Edwards | Pat Boone |

### June

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2481 | June 1, 1972 (1972-06-01) | John Davidson, William Holden, Pete Hamill, Martin Rackin, Luciana Paluzzi | N/A |
| 2482 | June 2, 1972 (1972-06-02) | Nancy Sinatra, David Steinberg, George Gobel, Simon Argevitch | Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood |
| 2483 | June 5, 1972 (1972-06-05) | Pat Boone (guest host), Karen Valentine, Clint Walker | N/A |
| 2484 | June 6, 1972 (1972-06-06) | none | N/A |
| 2485 | June 7, 1972 (1972-06-07) | John Wayne, Ann-Margret, Carol Burnett, Sandy Duncan | N/A |
| 2486 | June 8, 1972 (1972-06-08) | Dennis Weaver, Lorna Luft, Myron Cohen, Oral Roberts | N/A |
| 2487 | June 9, 1972 (1972-06-09) | none | N/A |
| 2488 | June 12, 1972 (1972-06-12) | Flip Wilson (guest host), George Carlin | Sarah Vaughan |
| 2489 | June 13, 1972 (1972-06-13) | Flip Wilson (guest host), Coretta Scott King | Helen Reddy, The Dells, Burns & Schreiber |
| 2490 | June 14, 1972 (1972-06-14) | Flip Wilson (guest host), Bill Russell, Kreskin, Larry Storch, Nikki Giovanni | Erroll Garner |
| 2491 | June 15, 1972 (1972-06-15) | Flip Wilson (guest host), Pat Paulsen | N/A |
| 2492 | June 16, 1972 (1972-06-16) | Flip Wilson (guest host), Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Amarillo Slim, Bill Dana | Kenny Rankin, Willie Bobo |
| 2493 | June 19, 1972 (1972-06-19) | Don Rickles (guest host), Carroll O'Connor, Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss | Della Reese, Jerry Vale |
| 2494 | June 20, 1972 (1972-06-20) | Don Rickles (guest host), Lee Marvin, Laffit Pincay Jr., Janice Harper, Muhammad Ali, Don Adams | Della Reese |
| 2495 | June 21, 1972 (1972-06-21) | Don Rickles (guest host), Bob Newhart, Karen Black, James Caan | Johnny Tillotson |
| 2496 | June 22, 1972 (1972-06-22) | Don Rickles (guest host), Corbett Monica, Cleveland Amory, Alex Karras, Redd Foxx | Sergio Franchi |
| 2497 | June 23, 1972 (1972-06-23) | Don Rickles (guest host), Sally Struthers, Ray Milland, Sally Stevens | Jackie Ward, Wayne Newton |
| 2498 | June 26, 1972 (1972-06-26) | Danny Thomas, Howard Cosell, Jimmy Allen | Jim Nabors |
| 2499 | June 27, 1972 (1972-06-27) | Suzanne Pleshette, George Peppard, Rodney Dangerfield | N/A |
| 2500 | June 28, 1972 (1972-06-28) | Elsa Lanchester, Joe Flynn, Michael Crichton | Johnny Mathis |
| 2501 | June 29, 1972 (1972-06-29) | George Burns, Patti Deutsch, Buddy Rich, Cathy Rich | James Brown |
| 2502 | June 30, 1972 (1972-06-30) | Orson Bean, Arthur Siegel, David Brenner | Kaye Ballard, Lola Falana |

### July

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2503 | July 3, 1972 (1972-07-03) | George Carlin (guest host), Debbie Reynolds | Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks |
| 2504 | July 4, 1972 (1972-07-04) | Mickey Rooney, Martin Poriss, Billy De Wolfe, Buddy Hackett, Marcia Wallace | James Brown, Lyn Collins |
| 2505 | July 5, 1972 (1972-07-05) | Joan Rivers | Burns & Schreiber |
| 2506 | July 6, 1972 (1972-07-06) | Edward Asner, Robert Blake, Shelley Winters, Dr. Kay Straud | Harry Chapin |
| 2507 | July 7, 1972 (1972-07-07) | Robert Mitchum, Ken Sansom, Robert Klein | Lana Cantrell, Mac Davis |
| 2508 | July 10, 1972 (1972-07-10) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Redd Foxx | Gladys Knight & the Pips |
| 2509 | July 11, 1972 (1972-07-11) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Jack Klugman, Harris Nelson, Stanley Myron Handelman, Rose Marie | Bobby Goldsboro |
| 2510 | July 12, 1972 (1972-07-12) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Charles Nelson Reilly, Helen Gurley Brown | Pat Boone |
| 2511 | July 13, 1972 (1972-07-13) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Rex Reed, Morty Gunty, Professor Backwards, Broderick Crawford | N/A |
| 2512 | July 14, 1972 (1972-07-14) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Ricardo Montalbán, Pepper Davis, Luciana Paluzzi, Stan Kann | Al Martino |
| 2513 | July 17, 1972 (1972-07-17) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Rip Taylor, Pamela Mason, Jan Murray, Harris Nelson | Charo |
| 2514 | July 18, 1972 (1972-07-18) | Slappy White, Bob Seagren, Dr. Jean Rosenbaum | N/A |
| 2515 | July 19, 1972 (1972-07-19) | Tony Randall, Cheryl Miller, Dr. Sidney Garfield | Cass Elliot |
| 2516 | July 20, 1972 (1972-07-20) | Truman Capote, Joe Flynn | Jack Jones |
| 2517 | July 21, 1972 (1972-07-21) | Albert Brooks, Sam Peckinpah | N/A |
| 2518 | July 24, 1972 (1972-07-24) | Bobby Darin (guest host), Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman | Nancy Wilson |
| 2519 | July 25, 1972 (1972-07-25) | Bobby Darin (guest host), Joan Embery, Jo Anne Worley | Pat Boone |
| 2520 | July 26, 1972 (1972-07-26) | Earl Holliman, Jim Ahern | N/A |
| 2521 | July 27, 1972 (1972-07-27) | James Stewart and wife Gloria, Slappy White, Sam Blotner | N/A |
| 2522 | July 28, 1972 (1972-07-28) | June Allyson, Alexis Smith, Patti Deutsch | Kenny Rankin |
| 2523 | July 31, 1972 (1972-07-31) | David Hartman (guest host), Bob Uecker, Gwen Davis, Richard M. Powell, Bobby Wick | Lola Falana |

### August

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2524 | August 1, 1972 (1972-08-01) | Lorna Luft, Robert Blake, Joan Rivers, Joseph Wambaugh | N/A |
| 2525 | August 2, 1972 (1972-08-02) | Richard Harris, Florence Henderson | N/A |
| 2526 | August 3, 1972 (1972-08-03) | Jack Benny | Harry Chapin |
| 2527 | August 4, 1972 (1972-08-04) | Redd Foxx, Dr. Paul Ehrlich | Trini Lopez |
| 2528 | August 7, 1972 (1972-08-07) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Jack Klugman, Carol Wayne, Rose Marie | Bobby Goldsboro |
| 2529 | August 8, 1972 (1972-08-08) | Andy Griffith, Paul Williams, Dick Clair, Amarillo Slim | N/A |
| 2530 | August 9, 1972 (1972-08-09) | Frank Buxton, Gail Parent, Kenny Solms | Vikki Carr |
| 2531 | August 10, 1972 (1972-08-10) | Charlie Callas, Joe Flynn, Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman | Della Reese |
| 2532 | August 11, 1972 (1972-08-11) | David Brenner, Claude Steines | Mac Davis, Melba Moore |
| 2533 | August 14, 1972 (1972-08-14) | Joey Bishop (guest host) | N/A |
| Desk- "Little Known Facts" ||||
| 2534 | August 15, 1972 (1972-08-15) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Danny Thomas, Arnold Beichman | Burns & Schreiber, Jim Croce, Maury Muehleisen |
| 2535 | August 16, 1972 (1972-08-16) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Jon Voight, Shecky Greene, Jenna McMahon, Dick Clair | N/A |
| 2536 | August 17, 1972 (1972-08-17) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Marty Feldman | Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger |
| 2537 | August 18, 1972 (1972-08-18) | Bob Hope | Lana Cantrell, John Denver |
| 2538 | August 21, 1972 (1972-08-21) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Redd Foxx, Leonard Barr | Bobby Rydell |
| 2539 | August 22, 1972 (1972-08-22) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Charles Nelson Reilly, Sandy Baron | Jose Molina, Eartha Kitt |
| 2540 | August 23, 1972 (1972-08-23) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Nipsey Russell | N/A |
| 2541 | August 24, 1972 (1972-08-24) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Dom DeLuise, Lainie Kazan, Pepper Davis, Regis Philbin, Tony Reese | The Agostinos |
| 2542 | August 25, 1972 (1972-08-25) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Norm Crosby, Marcia Wallace, Gene Nelson, Cleveland Amory | N/A |
| 2543 | August 28, 1972 (1972-08-28) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Helen Gurley Brown, Jackie Vernon, Stan Kann, Virginia Graham, Demond Wilson | N/A |
| 2544 | August 29, 1972 (1972-08-29) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Dr. Joyce Brothers, Rip Taylor, Carol Lynley | Lou Rawls |
| 2545 | August 30, 1972 (1972-08-30) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Henny Youngman | Mel Carter |
| 2546 | August 31, 1972 (1972-08-31) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Aileen Eaton, Milt Kamen | Abbe Lane, Mel Carter |

### September

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2547 | September 1, 1972 (1972-09-01) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Richard Dawson, Phil Foster | Charo |
| 2548 | September 4, 1972 (1972-09-04) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Victor Buono, Professor Backwards, Rose Marie, Amanda Ambrose | Joanie Sommers |
| 2549 | September 5, 1972 (1972-09-05) | George Gobel, Jill St. John | Paula Kelly |
| 2550 | September 6, 1972 (1972-09-06) | Steve Martin, Joe Flynn | Cass Elliot |
| 2551 | September 7, 1972 (1972-09-07) | Eva Gabor, Joseph N. Sorrentino | Roger Miller |
| 2553 | September 11, 1972 (1972-09-11) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Fernando Lamas, Pat Henry, Leonard Barr | Edie Adams, Monica Maris |
| 2554 | September 12, 1972 (1972-09-12) | Karen Valentine, Rodney Dangerfield | Larry Kert, Phyllis McGuire |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 2555 | September 13, 1972 (1972-09-13) | George Burns, Susan Saint James, Reverend Billy Graham | Ricky Nelson |
| 2556 | September 14, 1972 (1972-09-14) | Jim Fowler, George Maharis | Ace Trucking Company |
| 2557 | September 15, 1972 (1972-09-15) | Burt Reynolds, Peter Falk, Albert Brooks, Dr. Melvin Anchell | Vikki Carr |
| Desk- "Burt Reynolds Walk-On" ||||
| 2558 | September 18, 1972 (1972-09-18) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Broderick Crawford, Rex Reed, Professor Backwards | N/A |
| 2559 | September 19, 1972 (1972-09-19) | Bob Hope, Dom DeLuise, Peter Fonda | John Denver ("It's a Sin To Tell a Lie" and "Prisoners") |
| Things to Do When Bored ||||
| 2560 | September 20, 1972 (1972-09-20) | Don Rickles, Hal David, Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman | Pat Boone, Dionne Warwick |
| Ripley's Believe It or Not ||||
| 2561 | September 21, 1972 (1972-09-21) | Jonathan Winters, Carol Wayne | N/A |
| 2562 | September 22, 1972 (1972-09-22) | Shecky Greene, Peaches Jones | Ace Trucking Company, Tommy Leonetti |
| 2563 | September 25, 1972 (1972-09-25) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Charles Nelson Reilly, Sandy Baron | Eartha Kitt |
| 2564 | September 26, 1972 (1972-09-26) | Tony Randall, Paul Williams, Redd Foxx, Martin Poriss | N/A |
| T.V. Programs in Development For Next Season ||||
| 2565 | September 27, 1972 (1972-09-27) | Robert Klein, Jaye P. Morgan, Frank Buxton, Terry Meeuwsen | N/A |
| Terry Meeuwsen became Pat Robertson's co-host of The 700 Club in 1993. ||||
| 2566 | September 28, 1972 (1972-09-28) | Dennis Weaver, Totie Fields, Billy De Wolfe | Joe Williams |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 2567 | September 29, 1972 (1972-09-29) | Joan Rivers, Earl Holliman, Mitzi Gaynor, John Kidner, Carazini | N/A |
| How Johnny and Ed Meet ||||

### October

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2568 | October 2, 1972 (1972-10-02) | Jack Benny, Joey Bishop, George Burns, Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles, Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Dinah Shore, Gov. Ronald Reagan, Don Durgin, Dean Martin (taped cameo) | N/A |
| 10th anniversary show. ||||
| 2569 | October 3, 1972 (1972-10-03) | Sandy Duncan, Rodney Dangerfield, Joseph N. Sorrentino | N/A |
| Johnny showed some film of his marriage announcement at the party given for him at the Beverly Hills Hotel by NBC, and showed some NFL film footage. ||||
| 2570 | October 4, 1972 (1972-10-04) | Bob Hope, Charlie Callas, Gig Young | Ike & Tina Turner ("Things Are Gonna Work Out Fine", "Let Me Touch Your Mind") |
| Prop piece- "Memorabilia from The Tonight Show" ||||
| 2571 | October 5, 1972 (1972-10-05) | Betty Ann Carr, Carroll O'Connor, Rona Jaffe | Burns & Schreiber |
| Provocative Newspaper Titles; Burns & Schreiber performs the panhandler routine ||||
| 2572 | October 6, 1972 (1972-10-06) | Shelley Winters, Patti Deutsch, George Maharis | Kenny Rankin ("String Man") |
| Bobby Fischer Interview ||||
| 2573 | October 9, 1972 (1972-10-09) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Pat Paulsen | Della Reese, Sandler and Young |
| Audience Imitations ||||
| 2574 | October 10, 1972 (1972-10-10) | Lorne Greene, Myron Cohen, James Coco | Lola Falana ("Fever") |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 2575 | October 11, 1972 (1972-10-11) | Florence Henderson, Orson Bean, George Carlin, Dr. Melvin Anchell | N/A |
| 2576 | October 12, 1972 (1972-10-12) | Steve Martin, Madalyn Murray O'Hair | Roger Miller |
| Ripley's Believe It or Not; Stump the Band ||||
| 2577 | October 13, 1972 (1972-10-13) | James Franciscus, David Brenner, Joe Flynn | N/A |
| Johnny showed some NFL film. ||||
| 2578 | October 16, 1972 (1972-10-16) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Dr. Laurence J. Peter, Milt Kamen, E.J. Pealser | N/A |
| 2579 | October 17, 1972 (1972-10-17) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Dr. Joyce Brothers, Jack E. Leonard | Erroll Garner, Jim Weatherly, Pearl Bailey |
| 2580 | October 18, 1972 (1972-10-18) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Ross Martin, Pat Cooper, Stan Kann | Cass Elliot |
| 2581 | October 19, 1972 (1972-10-19) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Vincent Price, David Frye | Erroll Garner, Charo |
| Audience Talent Contest ||||
| 2582 | October 20, 1972 (1972-10-20) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Leonard Barr, Jack Douglas and wife Reiko | Janis Ian, Pat Boone |
| 2583 | October 23, 1972 (1972-10-23) | George Kirby, Helen Gurley Brown, Luciana Paluzzi | Liz Torres |
| 2584 | October 24, 1972 (1972-10-24) | John Davidson, Stanley Myron Handelman, Richard Boone | Jose Molina |
| 2585 | October 25, 1972 (1972-10-25) | Bruce Dern, Micki King | Johnny Mathis ("Where Is the Love?", "Alone Again") |
| Aunt Blabby ||||
| 2586 | October 26, 1972 (1972-10-26) | Charles Nelson Reilly, Cicely Tyson | N/A |
| 2587 | October 27, 1972 (1972-10-27) | Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, Ethel Waters | Julie Budd ("It's Too Late Baby", "The Way You Love") |
| Tribute to McDonald's ||||
| 2588 | October 30, 1972 (1972-10-30) | Lorne Greene (guest host), Marty Allen, Adelle Davis | Billy Daniels, Edie Adams |
| 2589 | October 31, 1972 (1972-10-31) | Frederick Forsyth, Elsa Lanchester | Trini Lopez |
| Accidents With The Staff ||||

### November

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2590 | November 1, 1972 (1972-11-01) | Victor Buono, Patti Deutsch, Mark Stone | Vikki Carr |
| Halloween Pranks ||||
| 2591 | November 2, 1972 (1972-11-02) | Jo Anne Worley, Alex Karras, John Landis | Charles Aznavour ("Dance in The Old-Fashioned Way" and "What Makes Man a Man") |
| Lesser Known World Records ||||
| 2592 | November 3, 1972 (1972-11-03) | Joan Embery, Graham Kerr, Joe Flynn | Dana Valery |
| Joan Embery of the San Diego Zoo makes her first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. ||||
| 2593 | November 6, 1972 (1972-11-06) | Danny Thomas, Jaye P. Morgan, George Maharis | Ace Trucking Company |
| Desk- "Polls"; Stump the Band (11/7/72 pre-empted for NBC News Election Night Coverage) ||||
| 2594 | November 8, 1972 (1972-11-08) | Suzanne Pleshette, Dom DeLuise, Bobby Fischer | José Feliciano |
| 2595 | November 9, 1972 (1972-11-09) | Joan Rivers, Rob Reiner, Dr. David Reuben | Bee Gees ("Living in Chicago" and "Alive") |
| T.V. Guide Listings ||||
| 2596 | November 10, 1972 (1972-11-10) | Shecky Greene, Robert Shaw, Karen Valentine | Diana Ross |
| 2597 | November 13, 1972 (1972-11-13) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Muhammad Ali, Mayor John Lindsay, Teddy Kollek, Michael Preminger | Harry Chapin ("Greyhound") |
| The show traveled back to 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City. ||||
| 2598 | November 14, 1972 (1972-11-14) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Ashley Montagu | Bobby Goldsboro, Phyllis Newman, Bob & Ray |
| NFL Football Clip ||||
| 2599 | November 15, 1972 (1972-11-15) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Jerry Lewis, Paul Williams | Paul Williams ("Here's That Rainy Day") |
| How to Meet New Friends While in Transit ||||
| 2600 | November 16, 1972 (1972-11-16) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Debbie Reynolds, Rex Reed, Patsy Kelly | Larry Kert, Linda Hopkins |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 2601 | November 17, 1972 (1972-11-17) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Gig Young, Joe Garagiola | Bette Midler, Los Indios Tabajaras |
| Unusual Hobbies ||||
| 2602 | November 20, 1972 (1972-11-20) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Jennifer O'Neill, Charlie Callas | Ethel Merman ("It's De-Lovely") |
| Amusing News Items ||||
| 2603 | November 21, 1972 (1972-11-21) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Diane Keaton, Orson Bean, Dan Jenkins | Richie Havens |
| How to Sober up a Drunk ||||
| 2604 | November 22, 1972 (1972-11-22) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Lorne Greene, Rodney Dangerfield, James Coco | Marilyn Maye ("You've Got a Friend") |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 2605 | November 23, 1972 (1972-11-23) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Billy De Wolfe | Ben Vereen, John Rubinstein |
| NFL Film Clip ||||
| 2606 | November 24, 1972 (1972-11-24) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Tony Randall, David Brenner, Jaye P. Morgan, Mark Stone | Oleg Popov, Jaye P. Morgan performed ("This Masquerade") |
| Review of Ed's Show at the St. Regis ||||
| 2607 | November 27, 1972 (1972-11-27) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Joe Frazier, Truman Capote, Robert Klein | Tammy Grimes |
| Letters to Santa ||||
| 2608 | November 28, 1972 (1972-11-28) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Anthony Quinn, David Steinberg, William F. Buckley Jr. | Lana Cantrell |
| 2609 | November 29, 1972 (1972-11-29) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Margaret Truman | Buddy Rich, Marilyn Horne, Ace Trucking Company |
| Split Billboards ||||
| 2610 | November 30, 1972 (1972-11-30) | (FROM NEW YORK CITY) Jerry Orbach | N/A |

### December

| No. | Original release date | Guest(s) | Musical/entertainment guest(s) |
| 2611 | December 1, 1972 (1972-12-01) | Joe Namath (guest host), Barbara Walters, Otto Preminger, Pat Henry | Dana Valery, Ace Trucking Company |
| 2612 | December 4, 1972 (1972-12-04) | Suzanne Pleshette, Don Rickles | Don Ho ("Lovers Prayer" and "It's Impossible") |
| Aunt Blabby ||||
| 2613 | December 5, 1972 (1972-12-05) | Steve Martin | Lola Falana, Mac Davis |
| Stump the Band ||||
| 2614 | December 6, 1972 (1972-12-06) | Robert Blake, Sammy Davis Jr., Inga Nielsen, Dr. William A. Nolen | N/A |
| 2615 | December 7, 1972 (1972-12-07) | Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, Joe Flynn, Dr. William Nolen | N/A |
| Motion Picture 'Spin-Off' Titles ||||
| 2616 | December 8, 1972 (1972-12-08) | Joan Rivers (guest host), Charles Nelson Reilly, Milt Kamen, Kreskin | Kaye Ballard, Maxine Weldon |
| 2617 | December 11, 1972 (1972-12-11) | Steve Allen, Harriet Gibson, Jackie Forrest, Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman | Martina Arroyo |
| 2618 | December 12, 1972 (1972-12-12) | Charlton Heston, George Carlin, Joseph N. Sorrentino | Kenny Rankin |
| How to Write a Thank You Note For a Gift You Don't Like ||||
| 2619 | December 13, 1972 (1972-12-13) | Patti Deutsch, George Maharis, Sharon Johansen | Della Reese |
| 2620 | December 14, 1972 (1972-12-14) | James Garner, Bruce Dern, Terry Galanoy | N/A |
| Mighty Carson Art Players- "Frankenstein's Monster" with a surprise appearance by Ed Sullivan; Reads Letters from Grade 4 students at Lincoln Elementary School in Framingham, Massachusetts ||||
| 2621 | December 15, 1972 (1972-12-15) | Sammy Davis Jr., Sandy Duncan, Mickey Rooney | Melanie |
| 2622 | December 18, 1972 (1972-12-18) | Sammy Davis Jr., Robert Blake | N/A |
| New Products ||||
| 2623 | December 19, 1972 (1972-12-19) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Danny Thomas, Norm Crosby, Stan Kann | Roger Miller |
| 2624 | December 20, 1972 (1972-12-20) | Joey Bishop (guest host), George Foreman | James Brown, Kentucky Fried Theatre |
| 2625 | December 21, 1972 (1972-12-21) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Fernando Lamas, Rich Little, Virginia Graham, Leonard Barr | N/A |
| 2626 | December 22, 1972 (1972-12-22) | Joey Bishop (guest host), Walter Matthau, Allan Drake, Martin Ritt | Charo |
| 2627 | December 25, 1972 (1972-12-25) | Milt Kamen, Rose Marie, Sarah Kennedy | Frankie Avalon, Gloria Loring |
| 2628 | December 26, 1972 (1972-12-26) | Adelle Davis, Jan Murray, Stanley Myron Handelman | Johnny Cash |
| 2629 | December 27, 1972 (1972-12-27) | Steve Martin, F. Lee Bailey | Buddy Rich, The Mills Brothers |
| Carnac the Magnificent ||||
| 2630 | December 28, 1972 (1972-12-28) | Gene Hackman, Diane Keaton, Michael Preminger, Patrick McGrady | Diane Keaton performed ("There's a Lull in My Life") |
| New Year's Eve Night Club Ads ||||
| 2631 | December 29, 1972 (1972-12-29) | Desi Arnaz Jr., Jaye P. Morgan, Dr. Irwin Maxwell Stillman | David Clayton-Thomas |
| How to Know When You've Had Enough to Drink ||||