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Who was the first late-night?
Late Night is an American late-night talk and variety show airing on NBC since 1982. Four men have hosted Late Night: David Letterman (1982–1993), Conan O'Brien (1993–2009), Jimmy Fallon (2009–2014), and Seth Meyers (2014–present).
Who were the first late night talk show hosts?
The first late-night television talk show was The Faye Emerson Show, hosted by actress Faye Emerson. It began airing on CBS on October 24, 1949, in local East Coast markets before the network moved the 15-minute show, which regularly aired up to 11pm, nationwide in March 1950.
Who was on The Tonight Show after Johnny Carson?
Jay Leno hosted NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" from 1992 until 2009. Leno took over hosting duties from Johnny Carson in May 1992, and remained the host of "The Tonight Show" for 17 years.
Who was first host of Tonight Show?
Steve AllenSteve Allen was the first host of “The Tonight Show,” and he is largely responsible for developing the late night TV format — a cross between a talk show and a variety program.
Who is the greatest talk show host ever?
“Here's Johnny!” The gold standard of the late-night talk show world, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson aired for 30 years, from 1962 to 1992. With his sidekick Ed McMahon sitting alongside him, Johnny Carson became the most respected late-night show host of all time.
Who is the most popular TV talk show host?
The 9 Best Late Night TV Hosts Currently on Air, RankedJimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show. Image Via NBC. ... Samantha Bee, Full Frontal. ... Trevor Noah, The Daily Show. ... James Corden, The Late Late Show. ... Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Kimmel Live! ... Seth Meyers, Late Night. ... Daniel Baker and Joel Martinez, Desus & Mero. ... John Oliver, Last Week Tonight.More items...•
Who was on The Tonight Show before Johnny Carson?
The program has had six principal hosts in its history—Steve Allen (1954–57), Jack Paar (1957–62), Johnny Carson (1962–92), Jay Leno (1992–2009, 2010–14), Conan O'Brien (2009–10), and Jimmy Fallon (2014– )—as well as numerous guest hosts and sidekicks or cohosts, the most significant of whom was Ed McMahon, Carson's ...
Who had better ratings Leno or Letterman?
Leno's “Tonight” routinely beat Letterman in the ratings for the vast majority of the time they went head-to-head.
Who was the second host of The Tonight Show?
The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 2010–2014), Conan O'Brien (2009–2010), and Jimmy Fallon (2014–present).
Who guest hosted The Tonight Show the most?
Joan Rivers hosted 93 times, and Jay Leno hosted the most of all which was 300 times. Jay Leno went on to become a permanent host. Currently, Saturday Night Live alumnus Jimmy Fallon hosts The Tonight Show, and he's the sixth major host.
Who was the most frequent guest host on The Tonight Show?
Until Joan Rivers became permanent guest host in September 1983, the most frequent of "guest hosts" were: 'Joey Bishop' (177 times), Joan Rivers (93 times), Bob Newhart (87 times), John Davidson (87 times), David Brenner (70 times), McLean Stevenson (58 times), Jerry Lewis (52 times), and David Letterman (51 times).
Who made more than 100 appearances on The Tonight Show?
Johnny Carson Rickles appeared on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show alone more than 100 times, serving as guest host on occasion when Carson decided to take a few nights off.
Who was the first woman hosted the late-night show?
Joan RiversJoan Rivers was widely considered the first female late-night host when she began hosting Fox's The Late Show in October 1986. However, nearly forty years before Rivers took that job, there was another woman who had, in fact, pioneered the genre and become the first late-night host: Faye Emerson.
What was the first ever talk show?
History. Talk shows have been broadcast on television since the earliest days of the medium. Joe Franklin, an American radio and television personality, hosted the first television talk show. The show began in 1951 on WJZ-TV (later WABC-TV) and moved to WOR-TV (later WWOR-TV) from 1962 to 1993.
Who were the talk show host in the 70s?
The Dean Martin Show is another good talk show that aired in the '70s. Throughout the decade, Dick Cavett chatted with many of the top entertainers of the day including Carol Burnett, Marlon Brando, and Katharine Hepburn.
Which host is the true king of late-night?
The Fox News Channel is claiming a huge victory: its snarky, comedic and conservative host Greg Gutfeld is the new king of late-night television, joining the likes of Johnny Carson, Jay Leno and David Letterman, all of whom have held the title in the past. And Fox News has the Nielsen data to back up its assertion.
Who is Jack Lescoulie?
At least when it comes to talking about " The Tonight Show .". Lescoulie was a radio and television announcer and one-time host of " The Today Show .". Collins was a deejay, radio personality, and recording artist.
Who took over for Jay Leno?
Mike Coppola / Getty Images. " Late Night" host Jimmy Fallon took over for Jay Leno in February 2014. While Fallon promised that the show wouldn't feel much different than "The Tonight Show" people had grown to love, he did make at least one big change.
Why did Allen have his own talk show?
Because Allen was so popular with viewers, NBC gave him his own prime time talk show. Rather than quit "Tonight," Allen hosted both programs simultaneously, sharing hosting duties with Ernie Kovacs during his final 1956-57 season.
When did Donald Trump appear on Jay Leno?
Donald Trump appears on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' at the NBC Studios, on Septmber 7, 2004. Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Who was Steve Allen's successor?
Most consider Jack Paar the true "Tonight " successor to Steve Allen. Perhaps most famously, Paar abruptly quit "The Tonight Show" after NBC censored one of his monolog jokes. After delivering his monolog the following evening, Paar walked out, leaving announcer Hugh Downs to fill in for the remainder of the program.
Who was Carson's replacement?
Most people assumed "Late Night" host, David Letterman, would be named Carson's replacement. But heavy lobbying—and some questionable actions by Leno's then-manager, including planting a false story that NBC executives wanted Carson gone—scored Leno the job.
Who was the first host of Tonight?
Steve Allen was the first host of "Tonight." His run on the show set the bar for nearly every talk show to come. He was a pioneer and his impact is still felt today.
When did Jack Paar start?
Tonight Starring Jack Paar (in later seasons The Jack Paar Tonight Show) is an American talk show hosted by Jack Paar under the Tonight Show franchise from 1957 to 1962. It aired during late-night .
Who was the pianist in Jack Paar?
A combo band conducted by Paar's Army buddy pianist José Melis filled commercial breaks and backed musical entertainers.
What was the name of the show that was reverted to talk show format?
In July 1957, after the failure of Tonight! America After Dark (a news-oriented program first hosted by Jack Lescoulie and briefly by Al Collins ), NBC reverted its late-night show, Tonight, to a talk/variety show format as it had been during Steve Allen's tenure as host. Jack Paar was brought in to host the reformatted Tonight. He was, at the time, working for CBS and hosting the network's The Morning Show, a morning show similar to NBC's The Today Show, before he agreed to jump networks and take over Tonight. Under Paar, most of the NBC affiliates that had dropped the show during the ill-fated run of America After Dark (or who had never picked it up) began airing the show once again. Paar's era began the practice of branding the series after the host, and as such the program, though officially still called Tonight, was marketed as The Jack Paar Show. A combo band conducted by Paar's Army buddy pianist José Melis filled commercial breaks and backed musical entertainers. When Paar was on vacation, the guest hosts presided over the show; one of these early hosts was Johnny Carson. Other guest hosts included Jonathan Winters, Orson Bean, as well as the show's announcer, Hugh Downs. Starting in 1960, it was one of the first regularly scheduled shows to be videotaped in color, with the show recorded very early in the evening and broadcast from 11:15 P.M. to 1 A.M. Eastern time that night. Only a handful of complete Jack Paar "Tonight Show" episodes exist. All of them are black-and-white kinescope recordings; no color videotapes of any complete Paar "Tonight" shows are known to exist. Paar hosted the program from 1957 to 1962.
Why did Jack Paar leave the Tonight Show?
Jack Paar left the show in March 1962, citing the fact that he could no longer handle the load of putting on an hour and forty-five minute show a night, five nights a week. Over the course of its run, Paar was given more time off so that most Mondays featured a guest host, and all Friday shows were "Best Of Paar" repeats, giving Paar only three nights of material to fill. To fulfill the rest of his NBC contract after leaving Tonight, Paar hosted a prime-time variety series, The Jack Paar Program and aired weekly, on Friday nights, through 1965.
What was Paar's most famous behavior?
Paar was often unpredictable and emotional. The most notorious example of this kind of on-screen behavior was demonstrated on the February 10, 1960, show, when one of his jokes was cut from a broadcast by studio censors.
When did Jack Paar quit the show?
NBC censors replaced that section of the show with news coverage and failed to inform Paar of their decision. On February 11, 1960 , Jack Paar quit the show. As he left his desk in the middle of the program, he said:
Who was the host of the reformatted Tonight Show?
Jack Paar was brought in to host the reformatted Tonight. He was, at the time, working for CBS and hosting the network's The Morning Show, a morning show similar to NBC's The Today Show, before he agreed to jump networks and take over Tonight.
How old is Jack Paar?
Jack Paar would have turned 94 today. He’s been gone for more than eight years, but he is still remembered as a talk-show classic. 1960s April 27 Jack Paar Television The Tonight Show TV Hosts.
How long has Jack Paar been gone?
Jack Paar would have turned 94 today. He’s been gone for more than eight years, but he is still remembered as a talk-show classic.
Who was the guy who left the Tonight Show?
The Jack Paar Walkoff. More than 50 years ago, before Jay Leno left and returned to and left “The Tonight Show” again, Jack Paar stole the spotlight with a controversial incident of his own.
Who was the king of late night?
Jack Paar was the king of late-night when he made just such a joke. Late-night TV has always pushed the boundaries, and Paar’s joke – about confusing a water closet with a wayside chapel – was a fairly gentle push. But the censors cut it from the broadcast anyway.
Who replaced Paar on the Tonight Show?
He was replaced by the next late-night star, Johnny Carson. Paar’s TV career wasn’t over – he continued on for a few years in prime time, with a less grueling schedule than The Tonight Show offered. His prime-time show featured some of the greats of the 1960s – Richard Burton, Liberace, a young Bill Cosby, and many more.
Who succeeded Leno on the Tonight Show?
But controversy is nothing new to The Tonight Show. More than 50 years ago, before Fallon succeeded Leno, before Leno and Conan battled it out, and before Leno and Letterman squared off, Jack Paar stole the spotlight with an incident of his own.
Who was the pianist in Jack Paar?
A combo band conducted by Paar's Army buddy pianist Jose Melis filled commercial breaks and backed musical entertainers.
Who was the last guest on Jack Paar?
The guests on the last show were Jack E. Leonard , Alexander King, Robert Merrill and Buddy Hackett. Among those appearing in taped farewell messages were Richard Nixon, Robert F. Kennedy, Billy Graham, Bob Hope and Jack Benny. Hugh Downs was the announcer, and José Melis led the band. The Jack Paar Show was moved to the evening's prime time (as The Jack Paar Program) and aired weekly on Friday nights through the 1965 season.
What is the name of the show that Jimmy Fallon is on?
American late-night talk show. For the current incarnation of the series, see The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The Tonight Show. The title card for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the current incarnation of the show. Genre.
When did Allen and Kovacs leave the Tonight Show?
Allen and Kovacs departed Tonight in January 1957 after NBC ordered Allen to concentrate all his efforts on his Sunday-night variety program, hoping to combat the dominance of the Sunday night ratings first by CBS's The Ed Sullivan Show then by ABC's Maverick.
When did Jay Leno start his new show?
Not wanting Leno, who remained number one in the ratings, to move to a competing network, NBC signed the host to a new contract to host a new prime-time talk show beginning in September 2009, entitled The Jay Leno Show, with a format similar to his Tonight Show except that he was contractually prohibited from using a desk on the show. In a departure from network programming conventions of the time, the new show aired every weeknight at 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific, competing with expensively produced narrative series on other networks and leading into affiliates' local news broadcasts and O'Brien's Tonight Show .
What was the name of the show that Jerry Lester hosted?
From 1950 to 1951 NBC aired Broadway Open House , a nightly variety show hosted primarily by comic Jerry Lester. It was initially not a success (hosting five nights a week quickly burned through all of Lester's material faster than he could create it, and he was given rotating hosting duties for a weekly prime time variety show in 1951); the network scaled back late-night programming to shorter weekly shows. A spin-off, Dagmar's Canteen, aired the following season on Saturday nights; at some other point in the week, Mary Kay 's Nightcap (which mostly consisted of previews of the next day's programming) also aired that season.
Who did Johnny Carson host?
Because Carson was under contract through September to ABC and producer Don Fedderson (who held him to his contract until the day it expired), he could not take over as host until October 1, 1962. The months between Paar and Carson were filled by a series of guest hosts including Art Linkletter (4 weeks), Joey Bishop (2 weeks), Bob Cummings, Merv Griffin (4 weeks), Jack Carter, Jan Murray, Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healy, Soupy Sales, Mort Sahl, Steve Lawrence, Jerry Lewis (2 weeks), Jimmy Dean, Arlene Francis, Jack E. Leonard, Hugh Downs, Groucho Marx, Hal March and Donald O'Connor, many of whom later noted they were being led to believe they were auditioning for the job; Francis was among the first women to ever host a late-night talk show. Griffin was so well received as a guest host that NBC gave him his own daytime talk show, the first of three he would host in his broadcasting career, which debuted the same day Carson took over the late-night show, and Lewis's two-week stint was so successful that NBC seriously considered retracting their offer to Carson. Lewis subsequently wound up hosting a lavish 2-hour prime time talk show for ABC entitled The Jerry Lewis Show, which was famously unsuccessful, and continued his more successful movie career.
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When Johnny Carson decided to leave The Tonight Show, he gave America one year’s notice. But when Carson’s predecessor, Jack Paar, made his most famous exit, viewers had no warning at all.
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Overview
Jack Harold Paar (May 1, 1918 – January 27, 2004) was an American talk show host, author, radio and television comedian, and film actor. He was the second host of The Tonight Show from 1957 to 1962. Time magazine's obituary of Paar reported wryly, "His fans would remember him as the fellow who split talk show history into two eras: Before Paar and Below Paar."
Early life and education
Paar was born in 1918 in Canton, Ohio, the son of Lillian M. (Hein) and Howard Paar. He moved with his family to Jackson, Michigan, about 40 miles (64 km) south of Lansing, as a child. As a child, he developed a stutter, which he learned to manage. He contracted tuberculosis when he was 14 and left school at 16.
Career
He first worked near home as a radio announcer at WIBM in Jackson, Michigan, and later as a humorous disc jockey at Midwest stations, including WJR in Detroit, WIRE in Indianapolis, WGAR in Cleveland, and WBEN in Buffalo. In his book P.S. Jack Paar, he recalled doing utility duty at WGAR in 1938 when Orson Welles broadcast his famous simulated alien invasion, The War of the Worlds, over the CBS network (and its WGAR affiliate). Attempting to calm possibly panicked listeners, P…
Later career
In the late 1960s, Paar lived in Maine where he owned and operated television station WMTW, an ABC network affiliate in Poland Spring, Maine.
Paar returned to television with a show in January 1973, on Jack Paar Tonite, which aired one week per month as one of several rotating shows on ABC's Wide World of Entertainment. Paar said it was the most he was willing to appear, an…
Awards
Paar was nominated for an Emmy award for Best Performance by a Continuing Character in a Musical or Variety Series in 1951, and nominated again in 1958 for an Emmy for Best Continuing Performance in a Series by a Comedian, Singer, Host, Dancer, M.C., Announcer, Narrator, or Panelist. He did not win either time.
Personal life and death
Paar was married twice to his first wife, Irene Paar (née Gubbins). After divorcing, the couple remarried in 1940 in Ohio, only to divorce again. He then married his second wife, Miriam Wagner, in 1943, and they remained together until his death.
During the 1990s, Paar's health began to decline steadily. He had triple-bypass heart surgery in 1998 and suffered a stroke in 2003. The following year he died at his home in Greenwich, Connect…
Bibliography
• Jack Douglas (1959). My Brother was an Only Child. Dutton. pp. 96. ASIN B0006AVWCE. introduction by Jack Paar.
• Jack Paar (May 1, 1961). I Kid You Not. Pocket Books. ASIN B00005W4PA.
• Jack Paar (1962). My Saber Is Bent. Trident Press. ASIN B0007F6FTI.