Ed McMahon, a face and voice recognized by millions for so many years on late-night television died on Tuesday at age 86, his spokesman said. McMahon is best known for spending 30 years as the full-throated announcer and sidekick for Johnny Carson on NBC's "The Tonight Show". 

The veteran TV man, best known for his nightly introduction of Carson in a deep, booming voice with the drawn-out line, "Heeeeeeeeere's Johnny!" died at a Los Angeles-area hospital, spokesman Howard Bragman said.

"He died early this morning with his wife and loved ones by his side," Bragman said.

"It is impossible, I think, for anyone to imagine the Tonight Show With Johnny Carson without Ed McMahon. Ed's laugh was really the soundtrack to that show," said Conan O'Brien, who replaced Johnny Carson's replacement, Jay Leno, at the onset of June. "For 30 years Ed played his part perfectly, he played it with effortless joy, and sitting alongside Johnny, Ed was an indelible part of what I think is the most iconic two-shot in broadcasting history," he continued.

Tributes to McMahon came from all sides:

• David Letterman: "Ed McMahon's voice at 11:30 was a signal that something great was about to happen. Ed's introduction of Johnny was a classic broadcasting ritual—reassuring and exciting. Ed was a true broadcaster, and an integral part of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. We will miss him."

• Tonight Show cohort Doc Severinsen: "Ed was full of life and joy and celebration. He will be sorely missed. He was one of the greats in show business, but most of all he was a gentleman. I miss my friend."

• Dick Clark: "Fifty years ago, Ed and I were next-door neighbors. Over the years, our friendship grew while he became one of America's favorite television personalities. We were together for years. Ed was a big man, had big talent and a really big heart. We'll all miss him."

• Drew Carey: "Cried over Ed McMahon this am. Started career Star Search/Tonight Show. Ed there for both. Hope he had peace. Wonderful man."

Divorce is the best thing that ever happened to TLC's most soul-sucking show in history. On Monday's episode of "John and Kate Plus 8," the title featured a  white-on-black title card that "dissolved" Jon and Kate Gosselin, and the show averaged a series- and network-best 10.6 million viewers, TLC said.

Now we're hearing rumors that Kate will be joining Octo-mom for a new reality show. Who the hell watches this crap?

 "Royal Pains," the Mark Feuerstein freshman doctor show finished atop the viewership heap with 6.5 million viewers. "The Closer "(6.47 million) and "Burn Notice" (5.8 million) finished second and third, respectively, among cable dramas. The premiere episode of Jada Pinkett Smith's "Hawthorne" (3.8 million) ranked fourth, and I'm surprised by that, frankly, because the show absolutely sucks.

It came down to the Young Gun, the chick wrestler and the retired basketball star for the big charity win on "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" on Wednesday's finale.

All of the second season contestants—minus comedy duo Frangela—returned to the Costa Rican jungle to get their faces on TV once more/ fulfill their contracts as finalists Lou Diamond Phillips, Torrie Wilson and John Salley, scrambled through the final events. After the "Fear Factor"-meets-"Survivor" escapades were through and the jungle dust finally settled, there was only one winner: actor Lou Diamond Phillips!

The 47-year-old was declared King of the Jungle and will receive a check for his charity of choice, the Art Has Heart Foundation, which provides opportunities for underprivileged kids to receive instruction in the arts.

"This experience is head and shoulders and far to the left of anything I've ever done," said Phillips, who spent three weeks of the competition immune to being voted off, whether because he was camp leader or a challenge winner.

"No movie set ever compared to this—this is the real deal and it's been an amazing trip," he said. 

But he'll be taking his guest role on "Numb3rs" back, please and thank you. And how about another Young Guns movie? Why not?