Michael Starr

Michael Starr

TV

Johnny Carson’s favorite comic still standing

Irv Benson, who turns 100 on Jan. 31, is the subject of a new documentary, “The Last First Comic: How Burlesque Died and Irv Benson Lived to Tell It!”

Benson, who’s still married to Lillian, his wife of 77 years (she’s 96), appeared frequently on the Johnny Carson-hosted “Tonight Show.” He retired in 1991 and traces his show biz career all the way back to the 1930s, when he was a contemporary of comics including Phil Silvers, Red Skelton and Abbott & Costello. Later, as audience member “Sidney Spritzer,” he “heckled” Milton Berle for 35 years on Berle’s various TV specials and also appeared on ABC’s “Happy Days” (in 1979).

“The Last First Comic” was directed by John C. Brown and features the last film interview with Ed McMahon, Carson’s “Tonight Show” sidekick.

Last, but not least . . .

Michael Cera (“Arrested Development,” “Superbad”) and John Hawkes have been cast in “How And Why,” an FX sitcom pilot from Charlie Kaufman . . . Radio: Joe Piscopo hosting the 6-9 a.m. shift on 970 AM, replacing Curtis Sliwa . . . Brian Boitano in town to promote his upcoming HGTV show, “The Brian Boitano Project” . . . “Blue Bloods” co-star Marisa Ramirez drops by “The Couch” (7-9 a.m./Ch. 55) on Wednesday . . . Comedian Tom Cotter (“America’s Got Talent”) will help roast Boomer Esiason at the Friars Club (Jan. 30) . . . Congrats to Dana Green on her promotion to VP, communications, Disney Channels US . . . Is every single promotional photo of a reality show cast required, by law, to have at least one cast member folding his/her arms and scowling? Enough already.