Johnny Carson Jokes About Toilet Paper Shortage Nearly 50 Years Before Coronavirus [VIDEO]
There's something about a national crisis that makes us all flock to the grocery store to buy toilet paper.
In 1973, the US was feeling the pain of an oil embargo or oil crisis, which was later termed the first "Oil Shock." Johnny Carson, whose humor was always topical and usually right on point, joked that toilet paper was disappearing from grocery store shelves in this 'Tonight Show' clip from December of 1973.
But why TP?
Apparently, there's a phycological drive that sends us to the store to pick up toilet paper by the butt-load, pardon the pun. In times of crisis, like the coronavirus pandemic, we feel like we don't have control over what is happening in the world around us and we instinctively purchase essentials to make us feel like we have control.
And if nothing else, I hope this classic video from 1973 brings a bit of joy to your day. I hope it cracks you up. (I'll see myself out.)