CARSON'S 'FAVORITE MOMENTS' TAPE SET BREAKS SALES RECORDS

DAN ALAIMO

BURBANK, Calif. -- Sales of the "Johnny Carson Collection: His Favorite Moments From the Tonight Show" have shattered all records for a multitape set and for products that originated on television, said Tania Steele, vice president of publicity and event marketing at Buena Vista Home Video.

The Carson collection also was the top-selling video product over the Father's Day weekend, outpacing "The Return of Jafar" and "Mrs. Doubtfire," Steele said. "This product is doing extremely well, and it is something that supermarkets can cash in on," she said. The Carson tapes had sold 2.5 million copies by June 24. The four-volume boxed set, with a suggested retail of $59.99, was selling as well as the single tapes, which were priced at $14.99, she said. "This is the first access to any entertainment from Johnny Carson since he went off the air and people are starved for his humor. It is something that people will keep for a long time and also something appropriate to give, which is probably why it did so well over Father's Day weekend," said Steele. The Carson tapes have far exceeded sales of previous video titles that appeared first on television, she said. "It's because of Carson himself -- he is quite a phenomenon. We are fortunate to have an entertainer who is so unique to the business.

"The production was extremely well done and the presentation is great. We have supported it very strongly with a great consumer campaign, including television and print," she said.