Remembering Ed McMahon

Ed McMahon told a Las Vegas radio station in an interview a few years ago that his tombstone might include the two things he wanted to be remembered for: "Being a great broadcaster and a great Marine."

McMahon, best known as Johnny Carson's big-voiced sidekick, died Tuesday at age 86.

Before his health took a turn for the worse over the past year, he had shared some of his favorite "Tonight Show" memories with the morning crew at KKLZ-FM, 96.3 (Mike O'Brian, Jim Tofte and Charly Kayle).

McMahon told them his top-three favorite replacement guest hosts for Carson were Don Rickles, Bob Newhart and Kermit the Frog.

The best practical joke Carson played on him?

As McMahon was leaving the NBC lot one night in his limo, security stopped him and asked to search the trunk.

It was crammed with electronics. A policeman ordered McMahon out of the car. The cop turned out to be Carson, who was filming a "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes" segment, which was hosted by Dick Clark.

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The only "Tonight Show" appearance by local magician Steve Dacri featured one of those practical joke segments.

Dacri devised a trick where an unsuspecting Mariette Hartley would be brought onstage as his helper and put into a box and then disappear. What she didn't know was when she crawled out of the secret trap door and down the hole, she would end up popping out of a cake at a stag party.

On the day of the 1977 shoot, while sitting in his dressing room as the crew built the set, Dacri heard McMahon's booming familiar voice say, "Where's the boy from Worcester?"

McMahon, who was raised in Lowell, Mass., just down the road, not only remembered his friend, but his hometown.

He loved one of Dacri's magic tricks so much he paid Dacri $100 to perform it for Clark. After having Clark sign a card, Dacri made it vanish and then handed Clark a Clark candy bar. Clark unwrapped the candy bar and, voila, there was the signed card.

McMahon "loved magic," said Dacri.

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I had the pleasure of having dinner with McMahon at a celebration of his 80th birthday in March 2003 at Simon Kitchen & Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel.

During dinner, I asked him if he had any exciting plans in the works.

The Marine Corps had called, he said, with an offer to join them in Afghanistan in a month. He accepted. Even at age 80, McMahon was still answering the call when it came to his beloved Marines.

The man best known for his "Heeeere's Johnny" introduction was an American hero to fellow Marines. He was a World War II veteran, and he flew 85 combat missions over Korea in an artillery spotter plane during the Korean War. He eventually reached the rank of colonel.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Luc Robitaille, a Hockey Hall of Fame selection this week, may soon have a famous son, but with a different goal in mind. Jessarae Robitaille, 14, is making a name in music. Last Friday at a charity event in a Palms sky villa, young Robitaille opened for Gavin Rossdale, the former lead singer and guitarist for the rock band Bush (and husband of Gwen Stefani). Robitaille sang six songs, including four he wrote. "He was something special," said Palms owner George Maloof. ... Garth Brooks, telling the crowd at Encore Theatre (Wynn) on Tuesday: "When I was a little boy I told my mother that when I grow up I want to be musican.' She replied, 'You can only do one.' " ... Las Vegas' Jimmy Kimmel and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte are among the 2010 Hollywood Walk of Fame recipients.

SIGHTINGS

Derek Fisher, known to Los Angeles Laker fans as "Mr. Big Shot" for his game-turning heroics, at Blush (Wynn) Tuesday. ... Miami Dolphins All-Pro Joey Porter and his party, turned away from entering Prive (Planet Hollywood Resort) the other night because one of them was wearing a Christian Audigier shirt. When I asked a Prive rep if it was because Audigier, the French designer, has a competing nightclub that bears his name at Treasure Island, the response was: "It's strictly the clothing. It's a type of clothing that is not allowed." ... Steve Wynn and lady friend Andrea Hissom, arriving at the Mt. Charleston Lodge on Sunday in a red Ferrari. Wynn was wearing a Ferrari cap.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Manny Ramirez, after being suspended for 50 games for using a banned drug, will play baseball for the Albuquerque Isotopes. He says he doesn't know what isotopes are but he's pretty sure he's injected them at some point." -- late-night TV host Jimmy Fallon

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.