Search Results

239 records found for Steve Allen

• #6960: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE: PRESENTED BY KNICKERBOCKER BEER

  1953-08-31, WNBT, 40 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Bobby Bryne
  , 
  • Helene Dixon

  July 27, 1953- September 24, 1954   
  
  Prior to Steve Allen hosting The Tonight Show (Sept. 27, 1954-Jan. 25,1957...originally titled Tonight!) on network T.V. he hosted a similar late night show locally in New York City called The Steve Allen Show Presented by Knickerbocker Beer. It was seen in only three states, New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut (11:20pm-midnight). These Monday through Friday 40 minute telecasts included regulars, Steve Lawrence, Helene Dixon and Bobby Bryne and his orchestra. Sponsor was Knickerbocker beer on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday only.  
  
  Sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer (on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday only) on NBC Local, it was seen in only three states: New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut from 11:20pm to Midnight, Monday to Friday, 40 minutes long, broadcast from July 27, 1953 to September 24, 1954. "The Steve Allen Show presented by Knickerbocker Beer" on NBC Local was the forerunner of the NBC National broadcast of "Tonight Starring Steve Allen" which began its official debut on September 27, 1954.
  
  Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show.
  
   This is the oldest known broadcast record of Steve Allen's 14 month local  Pre-Tonight Show run, prior to National Tonight! broadcasts which premiered September 27, 1954.  
  
  NOTE:
  
  Five Steve Allen Knickerbocker COMPLETE TV broadcasts (August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 1953) were originally discovered (NBC 16" ORTHACOUSSIC NBC RADIO-RECORDING DIVISION discs) in 2008. They were for sale in a Burlington County New Jersey store that sold old Gramophones, Victrola's and Edison Cylinder machines. 
  
  A rare discovery for only two kinescopes are known, by this author, Phil Gries, to survive, archived at the NBC Archives (December 30, 1953, and August 31. 1954).                                                                                          

• #6961: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE: PRESENTED BY KNICKERBOCKER BEER

  1953-09-01, WNBT, 40 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Bobby Bryne
  , 
  • Jim Moran
  , 
  • James A. Michener
  , 
  • Helene Dixon

  July 27, 1953- September 24, 1954   
  
  Prior to Steve Allen hosting The Tonight Show (Sept. 27, 1954-Jan. 25,1957) on network T.V. he hosted a similar late night show locally in New York City called the The Steve Allen Show Presented by Knickerbocker Beer (11:20pm-midnight). These Monday through Friday 40 minute telecasts included regulars, Steve Lawrence, Helene Dixon and Bobby Bryne and his orchestra. Sponsor was Knickerbocker beer on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, only.  
  
  This is the 27th broadcast in the series. Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show. Steve Allen, at the piano, sings "Cecilia." Jim Moran, who appears every Tuesday on the broadcast discusses with Allen "Oysters," as the Oyster season begins. Author James Michener joins in and also discusses his latest movie adaptation screenplay for the film "Return To Paradise," about to open in theaters nation wide. This was the first theatrical contribution for Michener in his literary career. 
  
  Incredible relaxed late night television from a bygone era as Steve offers a beer to Mitchener in-between anecdotes. Steve Lawrence, who just turned 18 years of age, sings "C'est si bon."   Bobby Byrne & his orchestra plays "Lover." Sign off, as Steve reminds viewers that this new late night series is on the air every weekday night for 40 minutes, 11:20pm to Midnight. Cast sings theme song "Stay Just A Little While With Me."  
  
       Sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer (on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday only) on NBC Local, it was seen in only three states: New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut from 11:20pm to Midnight, Monday to Friday, 40 minutes long, broadcast from July 27, 1953 to September 24, 1954. "The Steve Allen Show presented by Knickerbocker Beer" on NBC Local was the forerunner of the NBC National broadcast of "Tonight Starring Steve Allen" which began its official debut on September 27, 1954.
  
  Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show.    
  
    NOTE:
  
  Five Steve Allen Knickerbocker COMPLETE TV broadcasts (August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 1953) were originally discovered (NBC 16" ORTHACOUSSIC NBC RADIO-RECORDING DIVISION discs) in 2008. They were for sale in a Burlington County New Jersey store that sold old Gramophones, Victrola's and Edison Cylinder machines. 
  
  A rare discovery for only two kinescopes are known, by this author, Phil Gries, to survive, archived at the NBC Archives (December 30, 1953, and August 31. 1954).                                                                              

• #6962: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE: PRESENTED BY KNICKERBOCKER BEER

  1953-09-02, WNBT, 40 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Bobby Bryne
  , 
  • Bobby Rosengarten
  , 
  • Helene Dixon

  July 27, 1953- September 24, 1954   
  
  Prior to Steve Allen hosting The Tonight Show (Sept. 27, 1954-Jan. 25,1957) on network T.V. he hosted a similar late night show locally in New York City called the The Steve Allen Show Presented by Knickerbocker Beer (11:20pm-midnight). These Monday through Friday 40 minute telecasts included regulars, Steve Lawrence, Helene Dixon and Bobby Bryne and his orchestra. Sponsor was Knickerbocker beer on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday only.  
  
      Sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer (on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday only) on NBC Local, it was seen in only three states: New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut from 11:20pm to Midnight, Monday to Friday, 40 minutes long, broadcast from July 27, 1953 to September 24, 1954. "The Steve Allen Show presented by Knickerbocker Beer" on NBC Local was the forerunner of the NBC National broadcast of "Tonight Starring Steve Allen" which began its official debut on September 27, 1954.
  
  Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show.   
  
    NOTE:
  
  Five Steve Allen Knickerbocker COMPLETE TV broadcasts (August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 1953) were originally discovered (NBC 16" ORTHACOUSSIC NBC RADIO-RECORDING DIVISION discs) in 2008. They were for sale in a Burlington County New Jersey store that sold old Gramophones, Victrola's and Edison Cylinder machines. 
  
  A rare discovery for only two kinescopes are known, by this author, Phil Gries, to survive, archived at the NBC Archives (December 30, 1953, and August 31. 1954).                                                                                

• #6963: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE: PRESENTED BY KNICKERBOCKER BEER

  1953-09-03, WNBT, 40 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Bobby Bryne
  , 
  • Helene Dixon

  July 27, 1953- September 24, 1954   
  
  Prior to Steve Allen hosting The Tonight Show (Sept. 27, 1954-Jan. 25,1957) on network T.V. he hosted a similar late night show locally in New York City called The Steve Allen Show Presented by Knickerbocker Beer. (11:20pm-midnight). These Monday through Friday 40 minute telecasts included regulars, Steve Lawrence, Helene Dixon and Bobby Bryne and his orchestra. Sponsor was Knickerbocker beer on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  
  
  NOTE:
  
  Five Steve Allen Knickerbocker COMPLETE TV broadcasts (August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 1953) were originally discovered (NBC 16" ORTHACOUSSIC NBC RADIO-RECORDING DIVISION discs) in 2008. They were for sale in a Burlington County New Jersey store that sold old Gramophones, Victrola's and Edison Cylinder machines. 
  
  A rare discovery for only two kinescopes are known, by this author, Phil Gries, to survive, archived at the NBC Archives (December 30, 1953, and August 31. 1954).
  
      Sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer (on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday only) on NBC Local, it was seen in only three states: New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut from 11:20pm to Midnight, Monday to Friday, 40 minutes long, broadcast from July 27, 1953 to September 24, 1954. "The Steve Allen Show presented by Knickerbocker Beer" on NBC Local was the forerunner of the NBC National broadcast of "Tonight Starring Steve Allen" which began its official debut on September 27, 1954.
  
  Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show.                                                                       

• #6964: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE: PRESENTED BY KNICKERBOCKER BEER

  1953-09-04, WNBT, 40 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Bobby Bryne
  , 
  • Lyle Fitzsimmons
  , 
  • Helene Dixon

  July 27, 1953- September 24, 1954   
  
   Steve starts the show singing, "Tea For Two." Guest is Lyle Fitzsimmons, "Queen of The Coney Island Mardi Gras." The cast does, "Were Your There?" the landing of the Mayflower. Steve and Helene sing a duet to, "Side By Side."
  
  Prior to Steve Allen hosting The Tonight Show (Sept. 27, 1954-Jan. 25,1957) on network T.V. he hosted a similar late night show locally in New York City called The Steve Allen Show Presented by Knickerbocker Beer. (11:20pm-midnight). These Monday through Friday 40 minute telecasts included regulars, Steve Lawrence, Helene Dixon and Bobby Bryne and his orchestra. Sponsor was Knickerbocker beer on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.   
  
  Note: SOME VARIATIONS IN SOUND QUALITY. 
  
    Sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer (on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday only) on NBC Local, it was seen in only three states: New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut from 11:20pm to Midnight, Monday to Friday, 40 minutes long, broadcast from July 27, 1953 to September 24, 1954. "The Steve Allen Show presented by Knickerbocker Beer" on NBC Local was the forerunner of the NBC National broadcast of "Tonight Starring Steve Allen" which began its official debut on September 27, 1954.
  
  Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show.   
  
    NOTE:
  
  Five Steve Allen Knickerbocker COMPLETE TV broadcasts (August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 1953) were originally discovered (NBC 16" ORTHACOUSSIC NBC RADIO-RECORDING DIVISION discs) in 2008. They were for sale in a Burlington County New Jersey store that sold old Gramophones, Victrola's and Edison Cylinder machines. 
  
  A rare discovery for only two kinescopes are known, by this author, Phil Gries, to survive, archived at the NBC Archives (December 30, 1953, and August 31. 1954).                                                                                                

• #5893B: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE: PRESENTED BY KNICKERBOCKER BEER

  1954-02-19, WNBC, min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Phil Silvers

  Sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer (on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday only) on NBC Local, it was seen in only three states: New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut from 11:20pm to Midnight, Monday to Friday, 40 minutes long, broadcast from July 27, 1953 to September 24, 1954. "The Steve Allen Show presented by Knickerbocker Beer" on NBC Local was the forerunner of the NBC National broadcast of "Tonight Starring Steve Allen" which began its official debut on September 27, 1954.
  
  Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show.
  NOTE:
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early television broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.                      

• #5893C: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE: PRESENTED BY KNICKERBOCKER BEER

  1954-08-03, WNBC, min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Don Shirley

         Sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer (on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday only) on NBC Local, it was seen in only three states: New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut from 11:20pm to Midnight, Monday to Friday, 40 minutes long, broadcast from July 27, 1953 to September 24, 1954. "The Steve Allen Show presented by Knickerbocker Beer" on NBC Local was the forerunner of the NBC National broadcast of "Tonight Starring Steve Allen" which began its official debut on September 27, 1954.
  
  Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show.
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early television broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.                           

• #5893D: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE: PRESENTED BY KNICERBOCKER BEER

  1954-08-12, WNBC, min.

  • Steve Allen

        Sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer (on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday only) on NBC Local, it was seen in only three states: New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut from 11:20pm to Midnight, Monday to Friday, 40 minutes long, broadcast from July 27, 1953 to September 24, 1954. "The Steve Allen Show presented by Knickerbocker Beer" on NBC Local was the forerunner of the NBC National broadcast of "Tonight Starring Steve Allen" which began its official debut on September 27, 1954.
  
  Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show.
  
  NOTE:
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early television broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.                                        

• #6965: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1954-09-27, WRCA, 43 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • Pat Marshall

  September 27,1954-January 25,1957 
  Tonight! starring Steve Allen begins airing locally at 11:15pm, for 15 minutes, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer. From 11:30 to 1:00am the broadcast aired nationally. 
  
  The basic format of The Tonight Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests) were all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs were devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was a more musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra. 
  
  Steve Allen makes his network television Tonight! Show debut. The broadcast accents comedy, song & music. News & sports are handled by Gene Rayburn.                                                                             

• #5893a: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1954-12-09, WRCA, 54 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Hoagy Carmichael
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Johnny Mercer
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • Rockefeller Center Choristers

             September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
  
  This rare early December 9, 1954 TV Audio Air Check recorded only nine weeks after the debut of TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN, profiles composer Johnny Mercer at his natural best. 
  
  In this informal broadcast Steve Allen, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme give tribute to Johnny Mercer. Over 20 songs are sung written by Mercer including "Lazy Bones,"  co-written with Hoagy Carmichael, a;nd "I'm An Old Cow Hand."
  
  Eydie Gorme sings "P.S. I Love You." Steve sings "Love is the Face in the Misty Light."
  
  In a separate segment Steve Allen introduces. from Rockefeller Center in New York City, the melodic strains of the one hundred voice Rockefeller Center Choristers. It is the 16th year that they have sung Christmas music  beneath the Rockefeller Christmas tree which was erected today. 
  
  Steve asks Mercer how he got started, and to state how he first met Hoagy Carmichael. 
  
  With Skitch Henderson at the piano. Steve and Johnny sing "You Have To Accent The Positive." Steve Lawrence sings, "Angel Eyes."
  Johnny Mercer sings "Watcher  Gonna Swing Tonight, " "Rain or Come Shine," "Old Black Magic," "You Must  Have Been a Beautiful Baby," and "One For My Baby." Eydie sings, "When the Angels Sing."
  
  In a separate skit Steve Allen and Johnny Mercer play Interrogator and defendant...Mercer questioned as to what is the one necessary  integrity that a composer has to have to be a song writer...searching for imaginary lyrics reflecting LOVE through its lyrics. 
  
  Back at the piano, Steve and Johnny sing "Too Marvelous For Words," "Pardon My Southern Accent," Skylark."  "Dream,"  "Fools Rush in," " Goody Goody," "Blues in the Night," with the NBC orchestra. 
  
  Johnny Mercer sings himself off with lyrics thanking Steve Allen for the tribute and inviting him to be a guest on his show tonight. 
  
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person or topic.  
  THE ONLY EXTANT BROADCAST RECORD IN THE COUNTRY.                                              

• #5893E: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1954-12-10, WNBC, 15 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Carl Sandburg
  , 
  • Charles Coburn
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Bill Harbach

    
  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast, and even more special with Carl Sandburg trading quips with Steve Allen, who states, "I hope someone is recording this show."
  
  When Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.                                                             

• #5893F: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1954-12-23, WNBC, min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Dizzy Gillespie

    
  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.                                                             

• #5893G: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1955-01-27, WNBC, min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Woody Herman

    
  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.                                                                          

• #6976: EMMY AWARDS: 7TH ANNUAL(FIRST NATIONALLY TELEVISED)

  1955-03-07, WRCA, 96 min.

  • Jack Benny
  , 
  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Jimmy Durante
  , 
  • Danny Thomas
  , 
  • Ralph Edwards
  , 
  • George Burns
  , 
  • Dave Garroway
  , 
  • Dr. Frank Baxter
  , 
  • Don Defore
  , 
  • Gordon Jenkins

  Broadcast from 11:30 pm to 1:05am, pre-empling Tonight Show starring Steve Allen, The seventh annual Emmy Awards , and for the first time televised Nationally. From Hollywood Steve Allen. From New York Emcee Dave Garroway. Commercials included.                                       

• #5893I: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1955-03-09, WNBC, min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Gerry Mulligen

    
  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.                                                                                       

• #6969: ALLEN IN MOVIELAND

  1955-07-02, NBC, 79 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Clint Eastwood
  , 
  • Tony Curtis
  , 
  • Benny Goodman
  , 
  • Pat Crowley
  , 
  • Tommy Rall
  , 
  • Rex Reason
  , 
  • Grant Williams
  , 
  • Jeff Chandler
  , 
  • Piper Laurie
  , 
  • Jane Howell
  , 
  • Mara Corday
  , 
  • Kieth Andes
  , 
  • Tim Hovey
  , 
  • Gretchen Houser
  , 
  • Jeanne Mahoney
  , 
  • Betty Scott
  , 
  • Dani Crane
  , 
  • Dan Riss
  , 
  • Lou Krugman
  , 
  • Davey Sharp
  , 
  • Johnny Day
  , 
  • Muriel Landers
  , 
  • Danny Dayton
  , 
  • Dante de Paolo
  , 
  • Douglas Dumbrille

  A special filmed at Universal International revolving around the soon to be released feature "The Benny Goodman Story" Starring Steve Allen. Other UI stars upcoming films are previewed via clips and introductions, included in this broadcast, are solid entertainment and comedy segments, a dramatic sequence from the studio's upcoming "Bright Victory," reenacted live with Rex Reason, Grant Williams and in his television debut, Clint Eastwood.             

• #5893J: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1955-07-21, WNBC, min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Shorty Rogers

    
  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.                                                                                                    

• #6966: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1955-08-26, WRCA, 87 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Debbie Reynolds
  , 
  • Milton Berle
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Erroll Garner
  , 
  • Micki Marlo
  , 
  • Pete Ruggilo
  , 
  • Hy Averback

  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957. This broadcast was the last from Hollywood which was the home of Tonight! Starring Steve Allen from June 27 to August 26, 1955. It was also the last time Hy Averback appeared as announcer.
  
  The basic format of The Tonight Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests) were all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs were devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was a more musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.                                                                              

• #13015: TONIGHT! WITH ERNIE KOVACS

  1956-00-00, WNBC, 2 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Ernie Kovacs

  The opening of the Tonight! show with Ernie Kovacs as host. 
  
  In the summer of 1956, host, Steve Allen, of The Tonight Show, (then titled Tonight! from September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957)
  reduced his nightly appearances. Ernie Kovacs was brought in to host on Mondays and Tuesdays. Allen hosted his last Tonight! show on January 25, 1957, as the series' first era came to a close.                                                   

• #10572: TONITE! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-02-00, NBC, min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Elaine Stritch
  , 
  • Pat Kirby
  , 
  • Ted Lewis
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • Turk Murphy
  , 
  • Willie McLeish Smith
  , 
  • Meg Miles
  , 
  • Three Haircuts
  , 
  • Roy Kral
  , 
  • Jackie Cain

       September 27,1954-January 25,1957 
  Tonight! starring Steve Allen begins airing locally at 11:15pm, for 15 minutes, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer. From 11:30 to 1:00am the broadcast aired nationally.  
  
  Eight different Steve Allen Tonight Show excerpts, compilations from telecasts of February, 1956. 
  
  
  Elaine Stritch sings "Easy Street" and one other song. 
  Pat Kirby sings "Everytime" 
  Andy Williams sings "Stormy Weather"
  
  Top innovator of jazz music, Willie McLeish Smith plays "Zig-Zag"
  Piano "Finger Busting."        
  
  Turk Murphy- jazz musician struts his stuff
  
  Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme duet "I Sing Flat"
  
  Meg Miles- sings "St. Louis Blues " "Sing On Baby" and "You Shed a Tear For Me."
  
  Steve Allen sings a 1936 Benny Goodman tune: "When a Lady Meets a Gentleman Down South " 
  
  Ted Lewis sings: "Be Yourself" "Still Going Strong " With original clarinet plays 1917 Beginnings "The Good Old Tiger Rag" 
  
  The Three Haircuts comic routine
  
  American jazz vocal team, Jackie Cain and Roy Kral (February 20th, 1956) sing "Cheerful and Yearful" "You Smell So Good" and " Mountain Greenery" 
                                                                                       

• #10566: TONITE! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-02-27, NBC, 13 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Ray McKinley Quartet

     September 27,1954-January 25,1957 
  Tonight! starring Steve Allen begins airing locally at 11:15pm, for 15 minutes, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer. From 11:30 to 1:00am the broadcast aired nationally. 
  
  
  Andy Williams sings, "The Only Place I Hang My Hat Is Home."   
  "You Came A Long Way From St.Louis,"- Ray McKinley Quartet.               

• #9496: TONITE! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-02-29, NBC, 58 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Edward G. Robinson
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Irving Caesar
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • George Gershwin
  , 
  • Victor Moore
  , 
  • Oscar Hammerstein II
  , 
  • William Gaxton

       September 27,1954-January 25,1957 
  Tonight! starring Steve Allen begins airing locally at 11:15pm, for 15 minutes, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer. From 11:30 to 1:00am the broadcast aired nationally.  
  
  A tribute to George Gershwin.  Steve Allen is joined by many admiring show business celebrities for this special broadcast.  
  
  
  Duplicate of 10563.                               

• #10563: TONITE! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-02-29, NBC, 58 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Edward G. Robinson
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Irving Caesar
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • George Gershwin
  , 
  • Victor Moore
  , 
  • Oscar Hammerstein II
  , 
  • William Gaxton

       September 27,1954-January 25,1957 
  Tonight! starring Steve Allen begins airing locally at 11:15pm, for 15 minutes, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer. From 11:30 to 1:00am the broadcast aired nationally.  
  
  A tribute to George Gershwin.  Steve Allen is joined by many admiring show business celebrities for this special broadcast.  
  
  
  Duplicate of 9496                                        

• #9498: TONITE! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-03-06, NBC, 20 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Hoagy Carmichael
  , 
  • Pat Kirby

     September 27,1954-January 25,1957 
  Tonight! starring Steve Allen begins airing locally at 11:15pm, for 15 minutes, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer. From 11:30 to 1:00am the broadcast aired nationally. 
  
  A segment Tribute to Hoagy Carmichael, who sings several of his songs and reminiscences with Steve Allen. Joining Steve are Pat Kirby and Andy Williams.           

• #10573: STEVE ALLEN TONIGHT SHOW, THE

  1956-03-06, NBC, 60 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Steve Lawrence
  , 
  • Doc Severinsen
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • Joe Bushkin
  , 
  • Meg Miles
  , 
  • Pat Kirby
  , 
  • Woody Herman and Orchestra
  , 
  • Sam Taylor
  , 
  • Will Bradley Jr
  , 
  • Bill Harris Jr
  , 
  • Victor Feldman

  September 27th, 1954- January 25th, 1957 (NBC)
  
  Starring Steve Allen. 
  
  The following are excerpts from Steve Allen Tonight Shows of March 6th, 7, 8, 9, 12, 1956
  
  Highlights: 
  
  Orchestra plays "Mambo The Most." 
  
  Steve Lawrence and Doc Severinsen "Young Man With a Horn" 
  
  Eydie Gorme sings "Too Close For Comfort"
  
  Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme sing "A Fine Romance"
  
  Joe Bushkin plays on piano "Hallelujah" from his album "Midnight Rhapsody"
  
  Bushkin also plays "September Song"
  
  "The Mouth Mansfield Blues" Skitch Henderson and Orchestra 
  
  Pat Kirby sings "Young Love"
  
  Andy Williams sings "Caprice in May" 
  
  Meg Miles sings "13 Men and Only One Gal in Town" and "Can't Help Loving Dat Man" on program of March 7th, 1956. 
  
  Andy Williams sings "I'll Never Smile Again" 
  
  Blues and jazz saxophonist Sam "The Man" Taylor plays "Harlem Nocturne" and "Cloud Burst"
  
  March 6th, 1956- Woody Herman and his Orchestra play "The Square Circle "
  
  Steve Allen and Woody Herman talk about drummer Will Bradley Jr.
  and Bill Harris, Jr.
  
  Victor Feldman playing vibes
  
  Woody Herman sings "Stars Fell On Alabama" 
  
  
  
  
                                                                                        

• #5893K: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-03-23, WNBC, min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Jackie Cain

    
  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.                                                                                                                 

• #6967C: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-03-27, WRCA, 15 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • Burton Lane
  , 
  • Pat Kirby

   September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  
  Steve Allen pays tribute to composer, Burton Lane, who discusses with Steve his early life and career. Lane sings a melody of his most famous songs. 
  
  Other highlights:
  
  Steve sings "It Means The Lady's In Love With You."
  Eydie Gorme sings "There's A Great Day Coming, Manaia."
  Eydie and Andy Williams sing "How About You."
  Andy sings "You're Breaking My Heart."
   
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.                                                                                           

• #10520: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-03-27, WRCA, 15 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • Burton Lane
  , 
  • Pat Kirby

   September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  
  Steve Allen pays tribute to composer, Burton Lane, who discusses with Steve his early life and career. Lane sings a melody of his most famous songs. 
  
  Other highlights:
  
  Steve sings "It Means The Lady's In Love With You."
  Eydie Gorme sings "There's A Great Day Coming, Manaia."
  Eydie and Andy Williams sing "How About You."
  Andy sings "You're Breaking My Heart."
   
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.          
  
  Duplicate of 6967C.                                                                                              

• #9479: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-03-27, NBC, 38 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • Burton Lane

     Steve Allen pays tribute to music song writer & composer Burton Lane. Regulars on the show sing many of his songs. Burton relates to Steve's various interesting facts about his life including how he came to become a composer.          

• #10476: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-04-06, WRCA, 25 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • Oscar Peterson
  , 
  • Herb Ellis
  , 
  • Pat Kirby
  , 
  • Oscar Peterson Trio
  , 
  • Ray Brown

   September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  
  This broadcasts is joined in progress at 12:30am April 7, 1956.
  Highlights:
  
  Andy Williams and Pat Kirby sing "There Will Never Be Another You, " and "I Thought About You."
  
  Steve plays piano.
  
  Eydie Gorme sings, "And The Angels Sing."
  
  Steve Allen introduces Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar and Ray Brown on Bass. Two numbers by the Oscar Peterson Trio are performed, "Will You Still Be Mine?" and "How About You."
  
  Steve mentions new album by the trio, and that after winding up their act currently at Basin Street, they will be in Philadelphia performing at The Blue Note. 
  
  Steve, who praises Oscar, briefly chats with him about current and future  engagements by the Oscar Peterson Trio (9 minute segment). 
  Gene Rayburn signs off with a station break.  
  
  NOTE: One of the very first television appearances by Oscar Peterson, 30 years old at the time, and  of the Oscar Peterson Trio performing together on network TV. 
  
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen, began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.    
  
  Duplicate of 6967E.                                                                                                                                                         

• #6967E: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-04-06, WRCA, 25 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Eydie Gorme
  , 
  • Oscar Peterson
  , 
  • Herb Ellis
  , 
  • Pat Kirby
  , 
  • Oscar Peterson Trio
  , 
  • Ray Brown

   September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  
  This broadcasts is joined in progress at 12:30am April 7, 1956.
  Highlights:
  
  Andy Williams and Pat Kirby sing "There Will Never Be Another You, " and "I Thought About You."
  
  Steve plays piano.
  
  Eydie Gorme sings, "And The Angels Sing."
  
  Steve Allen introduces Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar and Ray Brown on Bass. Two numbers by the Oscar Peterson Trio are performed, "Will You Still Be Mine?" and "How About You."
  
  Steve mentions new album by the trio, and that after winding up their act currently at Basin Street, they will be in Philadelphia performing at The Blue Note. 
  
  Steve, who praises Oscar, briefly chats with him about current and future  engagements by the Oscar Peterson Trio (9 minute segment). 
  Gene Rayburn signs off with a station break.  
  
  NOTE: One of the very first television appearances by Oscar Peterson, 30 years old at the time, and  of the Oscar Peterson Trio performing together on network TV. 
  
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen, began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.                                                                                                                                               

• #6968: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE

  1956-06-24, NBC, 59 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Jerry Lewis
  , 
  • Kim Novak
  , 
  • Bob Hope
  , 
  • Vincent Price
  , 
  • Wally Cox
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Sammy Davis Jr
  , 
  • Will Mastin
  , 
  • Dane Clark
  , 
  • Bambi Linn
  , 
  • Rod Alexander

  Commercials included in this TV Audio Air Check are, Jergens Woodbury beauty bar, Crosley and Bandix Home Appliances, Crosley radio and Television, and Viceroy Cigarettes.
  
  
  
   Premiere broadcast.
  
  
  
   June 24, 1956-December 27, 1961.
  The multi-talented Steve Allen- musician, composer, singer, comedian,author- was the star of this live weekly variety series that bore a strong resemblance to his informal, late-night Tonight! Show. Although the program had elements of music and serious aspects, comedy was far and away its major component. Steve had with him one of the most versatile and talented collections of improvisational comics ever assembled. Among the features that were used at one time or another on a semi-regular basis were: "Letters to the Editor," "The Allen Report to the Nation," "Mad-Libs," "Crazy Shots," "Where Are They Now," "The Question Man," "The Allen Bureau of Standards," and "The Allen All Stars." The most frequently used feature, and by far the most memorable, was the "Man on the Street Interview." It was here that the comics on the show developed their  best-remembered characters: Louis Nye as suave, smug Gordon Hathaway, Tom Poston as the man who can't remember his own name, Skitch Henderson as Sidney Ferguson, Don Knotts as the extremely nervous and fidgety Mr Morrison, Pat Harrington as Italian golf pro Guido Panzini, and Bill Dana as shy Jose Jimenez.             

• #10526: SUNDAY SPECTACULAR: ""THE BACHELOR"

  1956-07-15, NBC, 78 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Jayne Mansfield
  , 
  • Hal March
  , 
  • Raymond Bramley
  , 
  • Renzo Cesana
  , 
  • Carol Haney
  , 
  • Harry Holcombe
  , 
  • Georgeann Johnson
  , 
  • Julie Wilson

  A bachelor account executive with an advertising agency,thinks he has the perfect set-up with three girlfriends. But his secretary Marion is devoted to him and will do anything for him. Music and lyrics by Steve Allen. Program begins with Allen's signature song, "This Could Be The Start Of Something Big." Directed by Joseph Cates.                                                                           

• #5956: BACHELOR, THE

  1956-07-15, WNBC, 80 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Jayne Mansfield
  , 
  • Julie Wilson
  , 
  • Hal March
  , 
  • Carol Haney
  , 
  • Georgann Johnson

  Presented on "SUNDAY SPECTACULAR." A 37 year old advertising executive cannot decide whom to choose between the three women he is dating. Score by Steve Allen and Ervin Drake. Steve Allen wrote what became his trademark theme song for this musical comedy, "This Could Be The Start Of Something Big."             

• #6967D: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-08-00, WRCA, 6 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Dixieland Jazz

   September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.                                                                                                        

• #10527: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE

  1956-08-00, NBC, 6 min.

  • Steve Allen

  June 24, 1956-December 27, 1961.
  The multi-talented Steve Allen- musician, composer, singer, comedian,author- was the star of this live weekly variety series that bore a strong resemblance to his informal, late-night Tonight! Show. Although the program had elements of music and serious aspects, comedy was far and away its major component. Steve had with him one of the most versatile and talented collections of improvisational comics ever assembled. Among the features that were used at one time or another on a semi-regular basis were: "Letters to the Editor," "The Allen Report to the Nation," "Mad-Libs," "Crazy Shots," "Where Are They Now," "The Question Man," "The Allen Bureau of Standards," and "The Allen All Stars." The most frequently used feature, and by far the most memorable, was the "Man on the Street Interview." It was here that the comics on the show developed their  best-remembered characters: Louis Nye as suave, smug Gordon Hathaway, Tom Poston as the man who can't remember his own name, Skitch Henderson as Sidney Ferguson, Don Knotts as the extremely nervous and fidgety Mr Morrison, Pat Harrington as Italian golf pro Guido Panzini, and Bill Dana as shy Jose Jimenez.    
  
  Dixieland jazz music.                                             

• #7431: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE

  1956-10-14, NBC, 00 min.

  • Louis Nye
  , 
  • Don Knotts
  , 
  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Bill Dana
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • James Dean
  , 
  • Tom Poston
  , 
  • Pat Harrington

  June 24, 1956-December 27, 1961.
  The multi-talented Steve Allen- musician, composer, singer, comedian,author- was the star of this live weekly variety series that bore a strong resemblance to his informal, late-night Tonight! Show. Although the program had elements of music and serious aspects, comedy was far and away its major component. Steve had with him one of the most versatile and talented collections of improvisational comics ever assembled. Among the features that were used at one time or another on a semi-regular basis were: "Letters to the Editor," "The Allen Report to the Nation," "Mad-Libs," "Crazy Shots," "Where Are They Now," "The Question Man," "The Allen Bureau of Standards," and "The Allen All Stars." The most frequently used feature, and by far the most memorable, was the "Man on the Street Interview." It was here that the comics on the show developed their  best-remembered characters: Louis Nye as suave, smug Gordon Hathaway, Tom Poston as the man who can't remember his own name, Skitch Henderson as Sidney Ferguson, Don Knotts as the extremely nervous and fidgety Mr Morrison, Pat Harrington as Italian golf pro Guido Panzini, and Bill Dana as shy Jose Jimenez.    
  
  Steve Allen Pays Tribute To James Dean On The First Anniversary Of His Death.                                    

• #13044: TONIGHT SHOW WITH STEVE ALLEN, THE

  1956-10-31, WNBC, 35 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Billy Gilbert
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Dagmar

  Opening. Billy Gilbert and Dagmar are introduced. Gene Rayburn is the announcer 
  
   September 27,1954-January 25,1957 
  
  The basic format of The Tonight Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests) were all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs were devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was a more musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra
  
    Opening of the program is heard by announcer Gene Rayburn. Steve Allen comments on the Hungarian / Soviet war. There is a commercial Life Magazine endorsement. Billy Gilbert and Dagmar are introduced. Gene Rayburn is the announcer.                                              

• #13065: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-11-04, WRCA, 5 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Hy Averback

  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957. 
  
  This broadcast was the last from Hollywood which was the home of Tonight! Starring Steve Allen from June 27 to August 26, 1955. It was also the last time Hy Averback appeared as announcer.
  
  The basic format of The Tonight Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests) were all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs were devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was a more musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.   
  
  Five minute excerpt. Announcer is Gene Rayburn.                                                                                                                   

• #9476: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-11-04, NBC, 15 min.

  • Steve Allen

        Late night Steve Allen TONITE! Show with guests Erin O'Brien, Alfred Drake. Les Brown and the orchestra.        

• #13095: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1956-11-18, WRCA, 9 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Bob Hope
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn

  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957. This broadcast was the last from Hollywood which was the home of Tonight! Starring Steve Allen from June 27 to August 26, 1955. It was also the last time Hy Averback appeared as announcer.
  
  The basic format of The Tonight Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests) were all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs were devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was a more musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.     
  
  Steve's guest is Bob Hope.                                                                                     

• #13136A: HY GARDNER

  1957-01-14, WRCA, 2 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Hy Gardner
  , 
  • Ed Sullivan
  , 
  • Ingrid Bergman
  , 
  • Elsa Maxwell
  , 
  • Marie McDonald
  , 
  • King Farouk
  , 
  • Frank Pace
  , 
  • John L. Sullivan
  , 
  • Louis Arthur Johnson

      
  HY GARDNER - Mon-Fri, weekdays, WRCA CH. 4 New York City 11:15-11:25pm, 11:20-11:30pm, 11:15-11:30pm September 10, 1956-January 25, 1957  
  
  Preceding TONITE! Hy Gardner had a ten minute news/gossip series on WNBC TV. On this broadcast the news of the day included:
  
  -Los Angeles police are expected to announce a solution to the Marie McDonald "who done it" case. Hy feels that the actress was kidnapped and that the incident was not a hoax.
  
  -The board of directors for Lowe's Inc. include the former secretary of defense Louis Johnson, former secretary of the army Frank Pace, and former secretary of the navy, John Sullivan. Hy thinks that MGM must be getting ready to launch a new cycle of war movies.
  
  -King Farouk is suing Elsa Maxwell for material she wrote about the former King of Egypt in her new book.
  
  -Ironically, Ed Sullivan, publicity man, is promoting for Steve Allen Ingrid Bergman's next Sunday's appearance on The Steve Allen Show.       

• #10455: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1957-01-23, WRCA, 8 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Pat Kirby
  , 
  • Randall Jarrell

   September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.      
  
  Guest: Poet Randall Jarrell. This is the first of last three Tonight Shows hosted by Steve Allen.                                                                                      

• #6967B: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1957-01-23, WRCA, 6 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Skitch Henderson
  , 
  • Gene Rayburn
  , 
  • Pat Kirby

   September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.                                                                              

• #10456: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1957-01-24, WRCA, 40 min.

  • Steve Allen

   September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  
  This next to last TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN was devoted to the culture of Cuba. Many Cuban personalities perform on the show. 
  
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.      
  
  Duplicate of # 6967A.       
  
  Next to last Tonight Show hosted by Steve Allen.                                                                  

• #6967A: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1957-01-24, WRCA, 40 min.

  • Steve Allen

   September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957
  
  This next to last TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN was devoted to the culture of Cuba. Many Cuban personalities perform on the show. 
  
  The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  
  
  After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
   
  NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.                                                                 

• #6967: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1957-01-25, WRCA, 87 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Hy Gardner
  , 
  • Gene Krupa
  , 
  • Audrey Meadows
  , 
  • Milt Kamen
  , 
  • Jack Lescoulie
  , 
  • Lionel Hampton
  , 
  • Buddy Hackett
  , 
  • Bob Considine
  , 
  • Jayne Meadows
  , 
  • Peter Lawford
  , 
  • Irwin Corey
  , 
  • George Gobel
  , 
  • Ray McKinley
  , 
  • Doc Severinsen
  , 
  • Earl Wilson
  , 
  • Tina Louise
  , 
  • Micki Marlo
  , 
  • John Crosby
  , 
  • Sammy Davis
  , 
  • Sally Powers
  , 
  • Maggie Pierce
  , 
  • Dorothy Miller
  , 
  • Joe Interleggi
  , 
  • Vic Marcell
  , 
  • Jim Moran
  , 
  • Pat Marshall
  , 
  • Mrs. Sterling
  , 
  • Pat Kirby
  , 
  • Edie Gorme
  , 
  • Gene Raymond
  , 
  • Miki Marlo
  , 
  • Sol Yagid

  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957. This evenings telecast is the final TONIGHT! show starring Steve Allen. A farewell party is staged. All the regular singers are featured in musical numbers and Steve uses some of the 'gimmicks which found great popularity on show during the 2 1/2 years on air, including the big salami, and goo goo dolls. Steve speaks briefly to some of the men on the new "Tonight" show which starts next week. They include Jack Lescoulie, Earl Wilson, Hy Gardner, & Bob Considine. 
  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.                                                    

• #10457: TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN

  1957-01-25, WRCA, 55 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Hy Gardner
  , 
  • Gene Krupa
  , 
  • Audrey Meadows
  , 
  • Milt Kamen
  , 
  • Jack Lescoulie
  , 
  • Lionel Hampton
  , 
  • Buddy Hackett
  , 
  • Bob Considine
  , 
  • Jayne Meadows
  , 
  • Peter Lawford
  , 
  • Irwin Corey
  , 
  • George Gobel
  , 
  • Ray McKinley
  , 
  • Doc Severinsen
  , 
  • Earl Wilson
  , 
  • Tina Louise
  , 
  • Micki Marlo
  , 
  • John Crosby
  , 
  • Sammy Davis
  , 
  • Sally Powers
  , 
  • Maggie Pierce
  , 
  • Dorothy Miller
  , 
  • Joe Interleggi
  , 
  • Vic Marcell
  , 
  • Jim Moran
  , 
  • Pat Marshall
  , 
  • Mrs. Sterling
  , 
  • Pat Kirby
  , 
  • Andy Williams
  , 
  • Edie Gorme
  , 
  • Gene Raymond
  , 
  • Miki Marlo
  , 
  • Sol Yagid

  September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957. This evenings telecast is the final TONIGHT! show starring Steve Allen. A farewell party is staged. All the regular singers are featured in musical numbers and Steve uses some of the 'gimmicks which found great popularity on show during the 2 1/2 years on air, including the big salami, and goo goo dolls. Steve speaks briefly to some of the men on the new "Tonight" show which starts next week. They include Jack Lescoulie, Earl Wilson, Hy Gardner, & Bob Considine. 
  
  The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.      
  
  Duplicate of #6967. Farewell Party. After two and one half years, Steve Allen hosts his final Tonight Show. 
  
  Andy Williams sings a new song, "Butterfly." Tonight Show stage hands behind the scenes bid farewell to Steve.                                                                 

• #13163: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE

  1957-04-20, NBC, 12 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Mickey Rooney
  , 
  • Joey Forman
  , 
  • Muppets

  June 24, 1956-December 27, 1961.
  The multi-talented Steve Allen- musician, composer, singer, comedian,author- was the star of this live weekly variety series that bore a strong resemblance to his informal, late-night Tonight! Show. Although the program had elements of music and serious aspects, comedy was far and away its major component. Steve had with him one of the most versatile and talented collections of improvisational comics ever assembled. Among the features that were used at one time or another on a semi-regular basis were: "Letters to the Editor," "The Allen Report to the Nation," "Mad-Libs," "Crazy Shots," "Where Are They Now," "The Question Man," "The Allen Bureau of Standards," and "The Allen All Stars." The most frequently used feature, and by far the most memorable was the "Man on the Street Interview." It was here that the comics on the show developed their best-remembered characters: Louis Nye as suave, smug Gordon Hathaway, Tom Poston as the man who can't remember his own name, Skitch Henderson as Sidney Ferguson, Don Knotts as the extremely nervous and fidgety Mr. Morrison, Pat Harrington as Italian golf pro Guido Panzini, and Bill Dana as shy Jose Jimenez.    
  
  Steve Allen's guests are Mickey Rooney and Joey Forman and The Muppets.                                                                             

• #13163A: STEVE ALLEN SHOW, THE

  1957-04-20, NBC, 12 min.

  • Steve Allen
  , 
  • Sammy Davis Jr.
  , 
  • Will Mastin Trio

  June 24, 1956-December 27, 1961.
  The multi-talented Steve Allen- musician, composer, singer, comedian,author- was the star of this live weekly variety series that bore a strong resemblance to his informal, late-night Tonight! Show. Although the program had elements of music and serious aspects, comedy was far and away its major component. Steve had with him one of the most versatile and talented collections of improvisational comics ever assembled. Among the features that were used at one time or another on a semi-regular basis were: "Letters to the Editor," "The Allen Report to the Nation," "Mad-Libs," "Crazy Shots," "Where Are They Now," "The Question Man," "The Allen Bureau of Standards," and "The Allen All Stars." The most frequently used feature, and by far the most memorable was the "Man on the Street Interview." It was here that the comics on the show developed their best-remembered characters: Louis Nye as suave, smug Gordon Hathaway, Tom Poston as the man who can't remember his own name, Skitch Henderson as Sidney Ferguson, Don Knotts as the extremely nervous and fidgety Mr. Morrison, Pat Harrington as Italian golf pro Guido Panzini, and Bill Dana as shy Jose Jimenez.    
  
  Steve Allen's guests are the Will Mastin Trio with Sammy Davis Jr.