2 Cowboys Leave Johnny Carson In Stitches With Their Poetry During Classic 1987 Clip
July 21, 2022
In a classic clip from 1987, two cowboys have Johnny Carson cracking up at their poetry. There are no dirty jokes or demeaning comments here, just some good old-fashioned laughs!
Two cowboys -- Waddie Mitchell and Baxter Black -- visit Johnny Carson on behalf of the annual Elko Nevada Cowboy Poetry gathering. With mustaches as unique as their names, these guys deliver two hilarious poems guaranteed to tickle your funny bone, just as they did Johnny’s 35 years ago!
RELATED: Johnny Carson Interviews Oldest Farmer And He Ends Up Stealing The Show In This Classic Clip
Once on stage, Johnny asks Waddie, who is actually appearing on the show for his third time, how he feels about the depiction of cowboys in movies. Waddie answers Johnny’s inquiry with a “story” in verse written by Gail Gardner.
Cowboy Turned Dude Wrangler
Waddie tells the tale of a cowboy who once had a mighty fine partner, one able to rope well and who sported well-worn jeans. The cowboy’s companion was shy and steered clear of women, because “he knew that they was poison.” But, the cowboy’s fellow rider went missing.
As the poem continues, the cowboy runs into his friend, but hardly recognizes him. Now, it seems, his valued comrade has turned into something else. After taking up with a Chicago woman, he’s now wearing crazy clothes and serving as a hand to folks at a dude ranch!
So shocked is the tale-teller with the demise of his cowboy colleague, he shoots him and leaves him for dead, saying, “When a cowboy turns a dude wrangler, he ain’t no good no more at all.” It’s tragic!
When Waddie finishes reciting his sad, funny poem, Johnny leans forward and addresses singer Robert Goulet. Johnny points out how well Waddie memorized the entire, long verse. This results in laughter from Mr. Goulet and perhaps is in reference to a conversation they’d had earlier in the show.
Two Cowboys Steal The Show
Next, Johnny turns his attention to the other of the two cowboys. Baxter was once a veterinarian before he began performing cowboy poetry for a living. Baxter has a dry sense of humor, referring to “big places” like Buffalo, WY, and Sioux Center, Iowa, and to his brand of cowboy poetry as “lunatic fringe.”
RELATED: Atheist On A Plane Says There’s No God But A Cowboy’s Reply Shuts Him Down Quick
Baxter explains that cowboys and vegetarians don’t always relate to one another, given the fact that cowboys are particularly fond of beef. He goes on to say that he’d recently learned that plants feel pain, and, as such, he became inspired to write “The Vegetarian’s Nightmare.”
The poem begins with the simple planting of a garden. But, it turns from good-natured to ghastly when the gardener craves a salad. It’s pure silliness, but it is also pure fun. He describes all sorts of cruelty to the produce as he procures the ingredients for his salad! Baxter says, “Then with the blade of my True Value spade, I exhumed a slumbering tater.” That’s just one of the wonderful lines that Baxter delivers with sound effects and considerable drama!
Both gentlemen are very entertaining, as Johnny Carson always was. And, it just goes to show that comedy doesn’t have to be profane or hurtful. Some of the very best bits are just good ‘old fun!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Convenience Store Robbery Doesn’t Go As Planned After Heroic Cowboy Jumps In
“Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.” 2 Peter 3:1
WATCH: Two Cowboys Share Funny Cowboy Poetry With Johnny Carson
LISTEN: Couple Reunites And Find Child They Put Up For Adoption | Miracle Baby Proves Doctors Wrong
h/t: Godtube
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Johnny Carson
Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at http://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Serenity and Inner Calm through Turmoil - Your Daily Prayer - October 29
Close your eyes and inhale the truth of God’s constant presence and protection right now. Feel it flow through you like a steady, serene river flooding peace in and through your life. He. Is. Here.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Serenity and Inner Calm through Turmoil - Your Daily Prayer - October 29
Close your eyes and inhale the truth of God’s constant presence and protection right now. Feel it flow through you like a steady, serene river flooding peace in and through your life. He. Is. Here.
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's Dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Artists
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Mac Powell Mac Powell's Catchy 'I Love Jesus' Official Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.