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How a Famous Late-Night Host Caused a Toilet Paper Crisis

Joking around can have serious consequences

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On December 19, 1973, in an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Carson told a joke in his monologue about there being a toilet paper shortage. “Of all the shortages we have—there’s a gasoline shortage…You know what else is disappearing from the supermarket shelves? Toilet paper!” the comedian told the crowd that night, much to their amusement.

Take a look at the clip below.

Here’s the thing: There was no truth to what Carson said whatsoever. Evidently, what happened was that a congressman from Wisconsin named Harold Froehlich put out a statement saying, “The next thing we’re gonna have to worry about is a........

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