In the story James tells of he and Johnny walking home from school one day and being accosted by a bully who was much bigger than both of them. He said that Johnny told the guy that he wasn't going to bully them and threatened him to a fight which he refused(Corkery,1987). Another story that shows Johnny's independence and maybe rambunctious adolescence was when he along with a few of his school mates were at one of his friends house. the friend's parents were out of town so Johnny and his friends sat in the friend's living room smoking cigarettes. They were just puffing away when from out of no where they hear a car pulling up the driveway. Johnny and the other friends ran out the back door just as the parents came in the front. The parents told the child that they didn't want him hanging around with that Johnny Carson anymore because he was a trouble maker(Leamer,1989).
At the young age of twelve, Johnny Carson was introduced to his first passion. While playing at the McNeeley's house, Johnny's friend Phil McNeely introduced him to card tricks. After spending many hours at his friends house perfecting magic tricks, Johnny knew that he must have a set of his own. Later that same day he sent for his own set, so he could master his new found interest. Johnny's love and desire for magic went far beyond that of many boys his age. He would spend countless days and nights perfecting individual tricks so that he could perform them at a moments notice and with all ease. After other great magicians before himself, Johnny knew that he needed a catchy name so he came up with The Great Carsoni. To perfect a magic show the magician must be able to hold his audience with his words and quick humor, so it was this first love as a magician that led Carson to his knack for quick wit and humor(Corkery,1987).
Johnny was a wild, popular teenager. As a senior in high school Johnny joined the High school football team.
