Likability

15 Dec Likability

Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show for 30 years, from 1962 – 1992. He won six Emmys, had 17 million viewers a night and the show grossed $40-50 million dollars annually. Younger readers might need to Google Carson, and will find his routines incredibly corny, but that’s the point. Few late-night hosts will ever match his success, and his secret sauce was likability.

Carson was a master comedy writer, but as a performer, he never appeared to be working very hard. He was skilled in light banter and easygoing punchlines. He was calm, inoffensive, apolitical, and self-deprecating, critical for engaging audiences. Bob Hope told Carson “Win an audience’s confidence, and they’ll go along with a gag.” Carson was known for animal bits that failed, then pulled a what are you gonna do? face to the camera, and in seconds, won the audience’s hearts.

Carefully consider how you want to be perceived– whether on camera or live. Your message will be welcomed if the messenger is liked and trusted. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and let your personality emerge. Before delivering a keynote, David tells Deborah to bring her warm and friendly side. Know that even the driest material can be served sunny side up.