Variety- NBC - 30 minutes, October 4th, 1956-June 29th, 1961.

Tennessee Ernie Ford was host, singer and comedian of this variety show. The musical portion of the program consisted mostly of Country and Western and Gospel music. 

                                                        

April 2nd, 1962-September 28th, 1962

When Jack Paar left the Tonight Show on March 29th, 1962, it created a six-month "window" of guest hosts until October 1st, 1962 when Johnny Carson took over the reins in what would be a 30-year run of hosting until May 22nd, 1992, From April 2nd, 1962-September 28th, 1962, there were a variety of 18 different celebrity guest hosts. Art Linkletter was the first guest host during this six-month "window" period and Donald O'Connor the last on September 28th, 1962. 

INTERIM HOSTS ON THE TONIGHT SHOW
(APRIL 2, 1962 - SEPTEMBER 29, 1962)
* Six or more days hosting during this interregnum period. 

April 2-6                Art Linkletter   April 9-13  Art Linkletter

April 16-20           Joey Bishop
April 23-27           Robert Cummings

April 30-May 4     Merv Griffin   May 7-11  Merv Griffin

May 14-18          Jack Carter
May 21-25          Jan Murray
May 28-June 1   Peter Lind Hayes & Mary Healy
June 4-8             Soupy Sales
June 11-15         Mort Sahl
June 18- 22       Steve Lawrence

June 25-29        Jerry Lewis   July 2-6  Jerry Lewis

July 9-13           Jimmy Dean
July 16-17         Arlene Francis
July 18              Hugh Downs
July 19-20         Arlene Francis
July 23-27         Jack E. Leonard

July 30- August 3  * Merv Griffin   August 6-19  Merv Griffin

August 13-17    * Hugh Downs
August 20-24     Groucho Marx
August 27-31     Hal March
September 3-7 * Joey Bishop

September 10-14 * Art Linkletter    September 17-21  Art Linkletter

September 24-28  Donald O'Connor

October 1, 1962 Johnny Carson becomes permanent Host       
                            of the TONIGHT SHOW

Guest Host: Art Linkletter. Tonight's guest is William Bendix. Linkletter's opening monologue is heard. We hear the opening with announcer Hugh Downs introducing who will be on the show tonight.  Art Linkletter gives tribute and anecdotes about Jack Paar, including mentioning his "water closet" controversial joke and other Tonight Show moments. Linkletter discusses the upcoming guest hosts who will fill in until Johnny Carson becomes the permanent host of the Tonight Show.  One scheduled host, Spike Jones, is asked to stand in the audience (Jones never did host the Tonight Show). Hugh Downs discusses ad-libs  related to Elizabeth Taylor.   Woody Herman who leads the band this week is introduced. In the three minute abbreviated interview William Bendix tells Linkletter that he first came to Hollywood in 1940. The interview abruptly ends after Art Linkletter praises the movie that Bendix starred in, "Lifeboat."                                                                                                                            

Jack Benny remembers the Jack Benny program
Ken Carpenter remembers Dragnet
Ken Carpenter remembers movie stars on radio    
William Bendix in The Life Of Riley
Richard Crenna in A Date With Judy
Frank Morgan in the Frank Morgan Show
Kay Kyser in Kay Kyser's Kollege Of Musical Knowledge
Ken Carpenter remembers "Lights Out" with Hans Conried
Jimmy Durante remembers The Jimmy Durante Show.

The following contains 86 minutes:

Bob Hope remembers The Bob Hope Show
Jim Jordan remembers Fibber McGee and Molly
Hal Peary remembers The Great Gildersleeve
Jack Haley remembers "The Village Store" with Joan Davis
The Shadow starring Orson Welles 1937.