1961-1962, Syndicated

PM East - PM West was a late-night talk show hosted by Mike Wallace and Joyce Davidson in New York City (where the PM East portion originated) and San Francisco Chronicle television critic Terrence O'Flaherty in San Francisco (PM West). The program was seen five nights a week from June 12, 1961, to June 22, 1962.

A ninety-minute nightly syndicated talk show with Mike Wallace and his co-host Joyce Davidson. Wallace and Davidson hosted the first hour from New York with Terrence O'Flaherty hosting the last half-hour from San Francisco. It was created to compete with the Jack Paar Show on NBC. 

A discussion on marriage with San Francisco host Terrence O'Flaherty.                                                                                   

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 
  
For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.  

The main guest is Gore Vidal, writer and well-known liberal who replies to remarks made by William F. Buckley Jr last night on this show...creating an on going feud between the two running on The Tonight Show. Liberalism vs conservatism. 

In a 10 minute segment Gore Vidal talks about William F. Buckley's many contradictions, his ideological wars, and smears, referencing Catholicism and the Pope. Both Jack Paar and Hugh Downs add to the analysis and criticism. "Who is he?" Vidal states that Buckley never worked for a living in his life. He criticizes everyone, using his "World Go Home" slogan. Other mentions include Buckley comments about Albert Schweitzer, integration, and his attraction for former communists (Paar mentions he has five employees at present fitting this scenario), Vidal mentions that Buckley stated that Harry Truman called Dwight Eisenhower an anti-Semite, which is an irresponsible lie. 
Paar describes Buckley as someone who speaks very quickly and rolls his eyes...very tricky and he has ruined peoples lives. 

Buddy Hackett appears briefly after Gore Vidal.   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

November 20, 1947-September 5, 1965 (primetime NBC); September 19, 1965-present (non-primetime NBC). Public affairs program which is the longest-running series on network television.




NBC newsmen interview George Romney the president of American Motors.

The host is Ned Brooks.


                                      

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

Brief excerpt beginning with Jack Paar setting the record straight, stating "...the only way to kill a lie is to reveal the truth," referring to what he believes have been miss-truths said about him over and over again by columnist Walter Winchell. 

Elsa Maxwell joins the conversation updating Jack about her gay card games, Belgium pavilion, and appreciation of South Pacific play.  

 For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.  

The guests are Bob Newhart and anthropologist Margaret Mead.                                                                                                                                                                                      

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. (NBC)

 For four years and eight months, Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times, and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, news bulletin on the "Explorer I"  satellite, launched today. 

Guest: Bob Newhart.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

 Former Vice President of the U.S. and candidate for President in 1960, Richard M. Nixon, is Jack's guest. Both Paar and Nixon discuss the Kennedy Nixon debates, John Birch Society, Nixon's forthcoming book, "Six Crisis." Nixon praises Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy...criticizes the administration for defeat in Cuba, discusses his debates with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in Moscow at "the kitchen debates." Nixon plays piano solo - "Missouri Waltz."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. (NBC). 

 For four years and eight months, Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times, and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, news bulletin on the "Explorer I"  satellite, launched today. 

Guest: Richard Nixon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

Brief excerpt beginning with Jack Paar setting the record straight, stating "...the only way to kill a lie is to reveal the truth," referring to what he believes have been miss-truths said about him over and over again by columnist Walter Winchell. 

Elsa Maxwell joins the conversation updating Jack about her gay card games, Belgium pavilion, and appreciation of South Pacific play.  

 For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.  

The guest is former vice-president Richard Nixon who comments on the 1960 presidential election, The John Birch Society, 
former president Dwight Eisenhower, Castro's Cuba, the press, and plays the "Missouri Waltz" on the piano.                                                                                                                                                                                                

1961-1962, Syndicated

A ninety-minute nightly syndicated talk show with Mike Wallace and his co-host Joyce Davidson. Wallace and Davidson hosted the first hour from New York with Terrence O'Flaherty hosting the last half-hour from San Francisco. It was created to compete with the Jack Paar Show on NBC. 

Host Mike Wallace interviews Comedian Ed Wynn.                                                  

1961-1962, Syndicated

A ninety-minute nightly syndicated talk show with Mike Wallace and his co-host Joyce Davidson. Wallace and Davidson hosted the first hour from New York with Terrence O'Flaherty hosting the last half-hour from San Francisco. It was created to compete with the Jack Paar Show on NBC. 

Mike Wallace interviews comedian Henny Youngman.

                                                                            

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. (NBC). 

 For four years and eight months, Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times, and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, news bulletin on the "Explorer I"  satellite, launched today. 

Guest: Jack Benny.

Jack Benny makes a surprise guest appearance on his birthday. He plays the violin and remembers his first network radio appearance with Fred Allen on the Jack Benny Show.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.  

Jack comments on the flight of Colonel John Glenn. Guests include Dr. Joyce Brothers.                                                                                                                                                                                                

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

    In his monologue, Jack Paar comments on John Glenn's US first orbital flight. Jack talks to Dr. Joyce Brothers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Jack Paar's guests are Peter Lorre, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Leona Anderson and Sir Cedric Hardwicke.

 This "Best of Paar" repeat program (next to Jack Paar's last), originally broadcast November 16, 1961, had Ed Reimers announcing and co-hosting.

Jack Paar opening, including his monologue.  At the desk Jack humor  prevails with many anecdotes observed during his current stay in Hollywood. Jack answers "Blue Card" questions from the the audience, including his opinion of Soupy Sales...who will replace Jack when he leaves the show?...what makes Jack so loveable.

 Mystery guest is Maurice Bishop, brother of Joey Bishop. Jack states his great admiration for Joey.  

Les Paul & Mary Ford play "Tiger Rag."  

Guest Peter Lorre in one of his last talk show appearances before passing away March 23, 1964  at age 59, discusses a myriad of subjects including Frank Sinatra and Humphrey Bogart, the film "Beat The Devil," and his current film just wrapping, "Tales of Terror," and working on "Five Weeks In a Balloon." 
Lorre discusses briefly his beginnings in film and typecasting, in the motion picture "M." Paar remarks that his daughter Randy watches specific films dozens of times intentionally because she knows how they end. 

Leona Anderson sings (dreadfully) "I Love Paris" and when concluded Paar tells her "You were never worse!" 

Orchestra leader Jose Melies joins the panel and shares his own personal background with some funny anecdotes going back to WW2 when he first met Jack Paar. 

Sir Cedrick Hardwicke reminisces with stories about working withy Sir Ralph Richardson, and praising his good friend of many years, Peter Lorre.Hardwick also has anecdotes to share with Paar about his acting career and relationship with Stanley Holloway. He talks about his own biography which include stories about working with Bernard Shaw and Gertrude Berg, and new talent in the UK, Peter Sellers. Paar also has a funny personal story to tell about Sellers. 

                                               

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

Jack Paar stated that this show with Jackie Mason, in top form, was one of the funniest shows he has ever done on The Tonight Show.

*Most of this series does not survive in any broadcast form. Kinescopes were discarded, burned, decomposed...whereabouts unknown. 2" Quadruplex Video Tape was expensive ($300 for a one hour reel), weighting 26 pounds, requiring great storage space. Video Tape could easily be erased and was used for new program recordings...retained briefly for a re-run and then erased or discarded. Legend has it that even Jack Paar himself hired a junk man to come to his home garage and paid to have JACK PAAR TONIGHT SHOW recordings discarded (reels of kinescopes and video tapes) that were now cluttering up his space. 

During this era in television history archiving television programming was not a primary concern or vision, and considered an arcane pursuit. 

ARCHIVAL TELEVISION AUDIO, INC. retains over 70 complete and excerpt JACK PAAR TONIGHT SHOW air checks (34 hours), including the complete Jack Paar's first anniversary telecast which was broadcast live from Havana Cuba (June 28, 1958). These originally recorded off the air pristine sound direct line 1/4" reel to reel audio tracks, recorded at the time of the original broadcasts, represent the only broadcast record of a "lost" visual telecast. ATA is the largest single repository (one collection), in the United Sates of Jack Paar Tonight Shows recordings. The combined archives of The Library of Congress, Paley Center for Media, and UCLA Film & Television retain a composite total of 13 hours of representative JACK PAAR TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts excerpts, all KINESCOPES (sound quality inferior to originally direct line 1/4" reel to reel home recordings at the time of the broadcast). No COMPLETE intact visual and audio broadcasts survive. There are no extant video taped surviving RECORDINGS of the JACK PAAR TONIGHT SHOW...not even an excerpt. 

For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the TONIGHT SHOW with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melis, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conreid, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Jonathan Winters.

 Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host. There were 20 different substitute hosts for Paar over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. All together there were 243 broadcasts which had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first video-taped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. The LAST LIVE broadcast was aired July 3, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10,1959. Beginning July 20, 1959 Jack Paar began taking off Monday nights & guest hosts would substitute for him (approximately on alternate Mondays). The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.
Theme music, "Everything is Coming Up Roses" was first used beginning in the Fall of 1959. 

Location broadcast telecasts of the program telecast away from the Hudson Theater in New York City occurred 14 times during this series run. 

Jan. 13-17, 1958                     Miami Beach, Florida
July 28, 1958                        Havana,Cuba           
Nov. 3-21, 1958                      Hollywood, California
March 2-20, 1959                     Hollywood, California
Nov. 10-12, 1959                  Nassau, Bahamas (Video Tape)
Nov. 30- Dec. 10, 1959               Hollywood, California
March 28-April 1, 1960            London, England (Video Tape)
Nov.9-11, 1960                    Hawaii (Video Tape) - b&w
Nov.14-24, 1960                     Hollywood, California
March 21-24, 1961                 London, England (Video Tape)
Sept. 12-14, 1961                 West Berlin (Video Tape)
Nov. 14-17, 1961                  Hollywood, California (Tape)
Nov. 21-24, 1961                  Hollywood, California (Tape)
March 13-16, 1962                 London, England (Video Tape)




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.  

Jack's guest is Jackie Mason.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Helen O'Connell interviews Mr. Television, Milton Berle with his wife Ruth Berle form their Beverly Hill home.   

The initial discussion surrounds itself around the adoption of Bill (Little Billy) whom Milton and Ruth dote over. Milton states that his adopted son's name comes from respect and the Godfather of little Billy, Billy Wilder. Ruth and Milton talk about their nine year marriage and the reasons for adopting a child, late in life. Milton describes how motherhood had changed his and Ruth's way of life.Guest Jean Milinair, 17 years of age and a house guest is introduced. Milton relates anecdotes related to good friend, Buddy Hackett.
Berle states to Helen O'connell the reason why he accepted the dramatic role in DOYLE AGAINS THE HOUSE, an Emmy Award winning teleproduction. He remembers how as a 13 year old kid he learned to manipulate playing cards very well. He was also the head of his drama class at school. Ruth mentions her relationship with Milton's mother, whom Milton states was his "rock" and guiding light in life. He talks about his father who passed away in 1938, a paint and varnish salesman, and his love for him.  HIs mother Sandra would take Milton on the road from vaudeville house to vaudeville house and during these years Milton admits to not having a childhood of child friends his own age. 
Milton talks about his NBC Special TV broadcast to air this night with Jack Benny, Lena Horne and others.  

NOTE:
This air check was recorded off the air by Phil Gries in 1962. It was dubbed in 1997 and given to Milton Berle. The master 1/4" inch reel to reel tape was located in 2023 and it had deteriorated to the extent that it did not play back properly...representing a non-playback tape with imperceptible volume.  Phil Gries used a FlexArm with Q-Tip and isopropyl alcohol  and a constant  pressure of the tape redirecting the tape path over the playback head resurrecting the tape audio playback reproduction  to a very decent level with additional EQ processing  which is now quite acceptable and represented in  the ATA collection.                                              

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

For four years and eight months, Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times, and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, news bulletin on the "Explorer I"  satellite, launched today. 

Jack's guests are Robert Morley, Peggy Cass, Dickie Henderson, and Samuel Shenton who believes the earth is flat. Broadcast from London.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 
 
  Beginning London Shows with host Jack Paar in London, England.Hugh Downs host in New York with Jim Lucas, announcer.
Samuel Shanton professes to Jack that the Earth is flat. Other guests include, Robert Morley, Peggy Cass, and Dickey Henderson.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

A Jack Paar Tonight Show broadcast taped in London England. We hear Jack's opening monologue which heavily consists of Jack's impressions of his London stay, his observations of people, places and things.

Jack introduces his guest Peter Sellers. Unfortunately only the first two minutes of Sellers appearance has been salvageable. 

For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.  
   
NOTE:
This specific air check was microphoned recorded and so it does not contain pristine audio but does have very good sound playback.                                                                                                                                                                                                              

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.  

The guests are Charles Laughton and George Jessel, 
Jack comments on Walter Winchell, Dorothy Killgallen, Ed Sullivan and William F. Buckley.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 
 
 Return from London England. Broadcast from New York.

In his monologue Jack Paar comments on Dorothy Kilgallen, Ed Sullivan, and William F. Buckley Jr. 

Jack interviews Charles Laughton.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.  

Jack comments on his "Berlin Crisis." Also comment on the poor quality status of  Los Angeles newspapers.                                                                                                                                                                                                

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.  

The guests are the Reverend Billy Graham and Jonathan Winters.                                                                                                                                                                                                             

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 
 
  Jack's guests include the Reverend Billy Graham, and Jonathan Winters.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 

For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.  

Jack Paar's final night hosting the Tonight Show. Tomorrow night would be a re-run Best of Paar. Guests include Jack E. Leonard, Alan King, and Buddy Hackett. Jack comments on Walter Winchell and his past accusations, Castro' Cuba and Newsweek magazine.                                                                                                                                                                                                  

July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. 
 
  FINAL FIRST RUN TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JACK PAAR.

 During the four and half years Jack Paar hosed the Tonight Show he clocked approximately 24,000 hours of programming of which only less than .1% survives!!! No video tapes survive. No color episodes survive. Only an handful of black and white kinescopes are extant.

What does survive is only a total of 13 hours archived by Paley Center for Media, Library of Congress, and UCLA Film & Television, combined. 

The greatest number of surviving broadcast TV Audio Air Checks in the country, representing THE JACK PAAR TONIGHT SHOW, is archived by ARCHIVAL TELEVISION AUDIO, INC. (34 hours). 

Among Jack's many guests on this final first run broadcast are Jack E. Leonard who opens the show. He acts as host for the first 15 minutes..introduces, many celebrities in the audience including Tom Poston, Sam Levenson, Selma Diamond, Jack Haskell and Max Asnas of the Stage Delicatessen. Jose Melies plays all of the familiar theme songs associated with Jack Paar. Hugh Downs reads excerpts for Abel Green's column "Variety' about the show and Jack.  Alexander King, and Buddy Hackett are live guests. On film Hugh Downs introduces good bye salutations from George Burns, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Richad M. Nixon, Tallulah Bankhead, Joey Bishop, Robert Morley, Nipsey Russell, and Rev. Dr. Billy Graham. . In Jack's last monologue he reminisces about his feuds with Walter Winchell, Dorothy Kilgallen and Ed Sullivan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Jack Paar's guest is Jack Benny. Hugh Downs is co-host. 
During Paar's monologue Jack states that Johnny Carson will be, most likely, the new host of The Tonight Show, starting in April, after he, Jack, leaves THE TONIGHT SHOW (last first run broadcast March 29, 1962). 

NOTE: Johnny Carson did replace Jack Paar as permanent host of TTS, but due to a contractual agreement with ABC TV he could not begin his 30 year reign as host of The Tonight Show until October 1, 1962. 

This was to be the final televised "Jack Paar Tonight Show." This "Best of Paar" broadcast was a repeat of a telecast aired on November 22, 1961. 
                                                   

October 2, 1961 - August 30, 1963
10:00am to 10:30am. 

Harry Reasoner and Mary Fickett are hosts for this live half-hour weekday series which deals with a variety of subjects, including art, science, history, fashion, travel, medicine, education, marriage, and customs. Included is a daily news report by Reasoner. Many celebrities also drop by and discuss their past, present and future career with Fickett and Reasoner. 

Harry Reasoner interviews Harold Lloyd on this live morning public affairs series. Co-host is Mary Fickett.                                       

From two successive telecasts, guests are double talker Mr. Laud Brooks Schmidt,appearing on April 18, 1962, and the following night, April 19, 1962, Ernest Borgnine, Danny Thomas, Edie Adams, Sonny King and Lenny Kent.             

1961-1962, Syndicated

A ninety-minute nightly syndicated talk show with Mike Wallace and his co-host Joyce Davidson. Wallace and Davidson hosted the first hour from New York with Terrence O'Flaherty hosting the last half-hour from San Francisco. It was created to compete with the Jack Paar Show on NBC. 

Mike Wallace explains yesterday's walkout by guest Burt Lancaster. 
He speaks to his television and studio audience for 15 minutes detailing last night's walk-off by guest Burt Lancaster. Wallace mentions that this was the first time in 16 years someone walked off when interviewing him/her. Mike states that he likes to do an interview devoid of "fluff" and ask pointed and relevant questions. 
Usually there is a pre-screening of questions by the staff and guest but not on this occasion. Mike mentions he met Burt ten minutes before going on TV in the men's room.  Mike Wallace mentions that on last night's telecast which had Barbara Streisand, Phil Foster, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee as guests appearing before Burt Lancaster, he waited till the last 30 minutes to have Lancaster appear. Mike recalls the first three questions posed to  Burt, and his taking exception to the question when asked why he has a bad temper, at which time he just got up and walked off. Wallace apologizes to Burt but also reads the 10 other questions he was going to ask Lancaster. 

Guests Faye Emerson and Jerry Lester discuss with Mike their feelings about the walk off. Faye remembers being interviewed by Wallace on NIGHTBEAT and being asked, "if she thought Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller's marriage would last."
 

NOTE: When Burt Lancaster walked off the show , it was the first time such occurrence would happen in the career of Mike Wallace. 
Wallace requested the audio air check audio  tape of this moment archived in the ATA collection. He set up a meeting with Phil Gries, owner of Archival Television Audio, Inc. at The Paley Center in NYC where Gries gave him a dub of the recording. 

A week later Phil Gries received a letter from Mike Wallace who stated that when listening to the air check he yelled into the play back machine to "stop talking so much.!"

Host: Mike Wallace.                                                                                           

1961-1962, Syndicated

PM East - PM West was a late-night talk show hosted by Mike Wallace and Joyce Davidson in New York City (where the PM East portion originated) and San Francisco Chronicle television critic Terrence O'Flaherty in San Francisco (PM West). The program was seen five nights a week from June 12, 1961, to June 22, 1962.


Mike Wallace interviews George Maharis. 

   
                                   

Television around the world is discussed by Dennis G. Scusse (UK),
Jacques Sallebert (France), Lister Sinclair (Canada), Leonard Mauger (Australia), John G. McCarthy (USA), and Francis Yoshimura (Japan). David Susskind is host.             

Barry Gray was an American radio personality, often referred to as "the father of talk radio." His late-night New York City radio talk show was carried by WOR radio and then later by WMCA. 

Barry Gray returned to WMCA in 1950, and stayed there for 39 years, refining the talk show format still utilized today. During the 1960s, he was in the odd position of having an 11 p.m.-1 a.m. late night talk show on a station otherwise dominated by Top 40 music and the youth-targeted "Good Guys" disc jockey campaign. But for teenagers who kept their radios on into the night, Gray's show was a window into the high-brow New York culture of the 1940s and 1950s.

Barry Gray interviews D-Day reporter George Hicks, he recalls the moment in 1944 "as an awful waste."                                                               

Guests are Dell and Bill who do a comedy routine about Vietnam, and Otto Preminger. Mort Sahl is guest host.             

Host Brian O'Doherty welcomes film makers Peretz Johannes, Richard Leacock and Stan Vanderbeek who discuss the New York Filmmaker.