Why does jack Nicholson say "Here's Johnny" in that scene from the Shining? And, as mentioned, he is referencing Johnny Carson. It's a reference to the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Ed McMahon

would announce "Heeeeeere's Johnny!" And Johnny Carson would walk on stage.

Why did Jack say here's Johnny in The Shining?

Jack Nicholson ad-libbed the line "Here's Johnny!" in imitation of announcer Ed McMahon's famous introduction of Johnny Carson on the TV program "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962-1992). The final long, slow shot into a photograph.

What does Jack mean when he says here's Johnny?

Meaning. “Here's Johnny” is versatile, and many examples of the meme have been photoshopped to include fictional characters or real people in place of Jack Nicolson's character. In its most basic form, the image macro is used to make a joke about the sudden or unexpected arrival of a person or character.