History of Late Night TV

Originally from Jackson, Michigan, Jack Paar became the Tonight Show host after Steve Allen, from 1957-1962. He was known for his in-depth interviews and he was the first to do a monologue each night at the top of the show. Dick Cavett said that Paar had the right mix of "neuroses, wit and curiosity." 

 

His announcer was Hugh Downs, who would later co-host the Today Show, and the ABC news program 20/20 with Barbara Walters. He also was the host of the game show Concentration. 

 

Paar became frustrated with his show being censored. He was known as an emotional man who did not conceal his feelings.  At one point he walked off the show and did not return for three weeks as a protest against the censorship of his program. 

 

He had on on-air feud with media critic Walter Winchell. Due to Paar's power, Winchell's career came to an end. 

 

The show originated from studio 6B in New York's RCA building. This studio was later used for early episodes of Johnny Carson's show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers. 

 

In 1958, Allen Funt appeared on Jack Paar's show to do a segment of Candid Camera, a show which would become popular on its own. Other frequent guests included Florence Henderson, Betty White and Phyllis Diller. 

 

Jack Paar was the first show to do the segment "Stump the Band" where audience members would try to confuse the band members as they mention obscure songs for them to play. This would become a staple of Johnny's Tonight Show.

 

After the departure of Paar, the show was hosted by various hosts from April, 1962 to September, 1962 before Johnny Carson took over. Stand-in hosts included Groucho Marx, Jerry Lewis, Merv Griffin, Bill Cullen and Mort Sahl.