“The first time I was on The Tonight Show”

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Louie Anderson says his favorite memory — at least prior to his recent outstanding supporting actor Emmy win for his genderbending role as Christine on the FX comedy Baskets — was his first appearance on The Tonight Show. “It was a long time coming and I killed on it,” the comedian, 63, tells Closer proudly. “I was out of my body half the time and looking at myself going, You’re on The Tonight Show!” It was especially meaningful because Johnny Carson “was one of my idols,” Louie says. “Johnny loved it, and the next week I was opening for the Commodores. It changed my whole life.”

“I got called out for a second bow,” Louie recalls of The Tonight Show.

“I’m playing my mom,” Louie says of his roleon Baskets.