TODAY | August 12, 2010
>> on a much different note, it's been over five years since the world lost a comedy legend, johnny carson . but his legacy and the laughs he gave us live on. and now the entire tonight show library has been made available online.
>> ladies and gentlemen , here's johnny!
>> reporter: for 30 years on nbc, johnny carson was the king of late night . and his " tonight show " the throne of american comedy. at the top of his game night after night, as many as 15 million loyal fans tuned in.
>> would you welcome jerry seinfeld .
>> reporter: comedians who got an early break from carson saws his influence was unparalleled.
>> we eight dirt every day of the week.
>> reporter: from the animals to the parade of celebrity guests his show was a who's who of pop culture . until he signed off for good in 1992 .
>> we're going to come to an end. nothing lasts forever.
>> reporter: the host with boyish charm passed away in 2005 . now his voice lives on. carson 's entire " tonight show " archive has been digitized and posted online at where else, johnnycarson.com. over 3,000 hours, millions of jokes. a treasure trove of hidden gems long under lock and key . here's woody allen with johnny on new year's eve, 1965 .
>> without question the most adorable --
>> one of the greatest of all times. johnny carson . it's fantastic. cannot wait.
>> reporter: late night 's jimmy fallon was just a kid dreaming of stardom when carson went off the air 18 years ago.
>> every host looks up to him and wants to be like him.
>> a nail --
>> reporter: not even karnac the magnificent could have predicted the long-standing legacy.
>> i remember the first night backstage i said well, when this is over, it will be a week. then it will be a year. ten years from now you won't even remember this night. we all laughed. thinking there's no way anybody's going to do this for ten years. i don't know if i can take another night of this.
>> reporter: it seems the magic of his monologues have outlived the man. now his voice and his laughter live on. and