Post #138410 by christiki295 on Sun, Jan 30, 2005 10:48 PM

Johnny Carson was a fan of tiki, based on his affection for the Mai Kai.

With all the glamour, exotic drinks and, of course, beautiful women, the Mai-Kai became a magnet for celebrities. Some, such as Johnny Carson, were regular visitors and after-hours friends of Bob and Mireille Thornton’s. Carson and a few buddies — including Ed McMahon, who usually left around midnight — were especially fond of the fabled Mystery Drink ritual. When they ordered the drink, a gong was struck, and a sinuous Polynesian maiden silently delivered a huge, flaming bowl packed with 13 shots of rum while undulating before the lucky customer, placing a lei around his neck, then kissing him on the cheek before gliding away. Carson was so taken with the sensuous presentation he even featured a Mai-Kai Mystery Girl on The Tonight Show. The Mai-Kai continues to perform the Mystery Drink ritual to this day.

Near 5 a.m., Carson and his pals usually ended up at the Thorntons’ to play bumper pool, drink and party some more. On the wildest nights, Mireille and her husband wouldn’t get to bed until noon. She says of Carson, “He was very friendly and so funny. You see the personality he had behind the desk [on his show]? He was crazy like that.” On some nights, she recalls, “We raced in the pool to see who was the fastest swimmer with all our clothes on. Imagine these guys swimming with water pouring out of their shoes. I got in, but if you have a dress on, you swim slowly.”

http://www.citylinkmagazine.com/archives/070903coverstory.html

Here he is pictured with a Mai Kai dancer, in his early years:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-carsongallery,0,6568664.photogallery?coll=sfla-home-utility&index=3

[ Edited by: christiki295 on 2005-01-30 22:53 ]