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Laughing With Robin Williams: the Challenges of Fatherhood

Talk show host and guest in an indoor studio setting with wooden furniture, potted plants, and a mug on a desk at night.

It was always an unpredictable time when Robin Williams stopped by ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.’ Robin walks out with a wild strut and shakes Johnny’s hand energetically.

A middle-aged man with a beard and curly hair wearing a white 1970s-style suit jacket in an indoor office or studio setting, illuminated by artificial light.

Then, he pulls out a dance move that makes the crowd laugh and cheer louder before sitting down. He wears a white suit with a blue tie and says, “Robin’s wearing a lovely coat from the toilet collection.”

Johnny jokes, “You’d make a nice male model.” They both laugh as Robin poses to the camera. Robin has a big beard he’s styling, and Johnny asks if it is for the movie.

Two middle-aged and older adult males seated in a television studio, discussing with greenery visible through large windows suggesting an indoor setup designed to mimic an outdoor environment.

Robin says he plays a Russian, so he needs it, and he does a Russian accent, saying, “Happy to be in America! This country ok!” Johnny plays along, “How would you contrast American women to Russian women?” Robin smiles, “Ok! Russian women, when they like you (Robin makes a noise), ok.”

Johnny says last time they met, Robin wasn’t a father. Robin says, “Oh yeah, the hardest part of being a father is breastfeeding. The child’s going, ‘There’s nothing there,” he says in a baby voice.

Adult male in a white striped suit jacket with a microphone, seated men in formal attire, indoor studio setting with beige armchairs and greenery outside.

He explains how they went through the natural birthing process. They tried breathing and then went on medication. He said they took Lamaze classes, but instead, it was ‘La Mans’ classes.

Robin says, “We actually have Jackie Stewart in the room going (in a Scottish accent), ‘It’s a great placenta. Look at that coming out there!’” Johnny falls back into his chair and laughs during another wild Robin Williams interview.