I've said it before, and I'll say it again. When those who I enjoyed watching as I was a child, growing up, pass away, it hits me. There are plenty of people who are in wrestling and the entertainment industry who have died, and I simply couldn't care less about.
Johnny Carson is THE latenight man. Hell, Johnny Carson IS/WAS television. Anyone who knows anything about his career will tell you the same.
Carson passing away is to television, what Elvis's passing was to the music industry.