Thomas Penn Newsom (February 25, 1929 – April 28, 2007) was a saxophone player in the NBC Orchestra onThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, for which he later became assistant director. Newsom was frequently the band's substitute director, whenever music directorDoc Severinsen was away from the show or filling in for announcerEd McMahon. Nicknamed "Mr. Excitement" byJohnny Carson as an ironic take on his low-keyed, reserved persona, he was often a foil for Carson's humor. His conservative brown or blue suits were a marked contrast to Severinsen's flashy stage clothing.[1]
Newsom won twoEmmy Awards as amusic director: in 1982 withNight of 100 Stars, and in 1986 for the broadcast of the 40th AnnualTony Awards. He also recorded several albums as a bandleader.[3]
On April 28, 2007, Newsom died ofbladder andlivercancer at his home in Portsmouth. He was 78 years old. Newsom had been married to his wife Patricia for 49 years. They had a daughter, Candy, and a son, Mark, who died in 2003.[1]
Newsom and Carson used audiences' low expectations for Newsom to good advantage:
One night Carson turned to Newsom during hismonologue and asked why he always had his hands clasped together behind his back. Newsom replied, "vapor lock!" bringing down the house with laughter. Carson quipped, "I'm out here busting my buns to get a laugh, with one joke after another, and you just say 'vapor lock' and crack us all up!"[4] (Carson made similar "complaints" on multiple episodes)
During one episode Newsom appeared in a sport coat similar to Carson's own. Noticing the similarity, Carson asked Newsom where he got his; he responded simply, "It was in my closet at home, John".
Another time, Carson, who had just returned from vacation, said, "I really missed you guys." Newsom: "Why didn't you write?"
One night, Newsom wore a very bold (for him) yellow suit. Carson commented, "Look at that big, dumbcanary." Newsom's response: "You’ll know what kind of bird I am when I fly over you."[3]
During a March 1991 episode, Johnny asked Newsom where bandleader Doc Severinsen was. Newsom replied that Severinsen went with his wife to Florida. Then Tommy followed up seconds later saying "He was going to Tampa (tamper) with her." Later in the show, Johnny asked drummerEd Shaughnessy, who was going to perform in Illinois, if he was going to do a clinic in addition to performing a concert; Shaughnessy replied he was doing just a concert. When Johnny asked Tommy if he ever did clinics, Tommy replied "Igo to clinics", which yet again brought down the house. Johnny temporarily walked offstage in mock offense.
One night Johnny asked Tommy if he wore designer underwear. Tommy: "I make my own designs.”
