Johnny Carson, the renowned talk show host, had a significant role in popularizing space exploration and NASA's missions through his program, "The Tonight Show". One of the most notable instances was when he hosted the Apollo 13 crew - Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise. Their mission had grabbed global attention due to the life-threatening crisis they faced when an oxygen tank exploded. Their safe return was hailed as a "successful failure", and their subsequent appearance on "The Tonight Show" helped to humanize the astronauts and brought their experiences closer to the general public, contributing greatly to the continued support for NASA's missions.

Apollo 13 Crew - Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert | Carson Tonight Show