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The Tonight Show

Original title: Tonight!
  • TV Series
  • 1953–1957
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
235
YOUR RATING
Steve Allen in The Tonight Show (1953)
Sketch ComedyStand-UpComedyMusicTalk Show

The show originated as a local New York City late night program in June 1953 and went onto the network in September 1954. Throughout the summer of 1956, Steve Allen was the only host. When A... Read allThe show originated as a local New York City late night program in June 1953 and went onto the network in September 1954. Throughout the summer of 1956, Steve Allen was the only host. When Allen's prime-time series debuted in the summer of 1956, he limited his appearances on this... Read allThe show originated as a local New York City late night program in June 1953 and went onto the network in September 1954. Throughout the summer of 1956, Steve Allen was the only host. When Allen's prime-time series debuted in the summer of 1956, he limited his appearances on this show to Wednesday through Friday and a series of guest hosts filled in until 1 October 19... Read all

  • Creators
    • Steve Allen
    • Sylvester L. Weaver Jr.
  • Stars
    • Skitch Henderson
    • Gene Rayburn
    • Steve Allen
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    235
    YOUR RATING
    • Creators
      • Steve Allen
      • Sylvester L. Weaver Jr.
    • Stars
      • Skitch Henderson
      • Gene Rayburn
      • Steve Allen
    • 1User review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Episodes597

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Skitch Henderson
    Skitch Henderson
    • Self - Bandleader…
    • 1954–1957
    Gene Rayburn
    Gene Rayburn
    • Self - Announcer…
    • 1954–1957
    Steve Allen
    Steve Allen
    • Self - Host…
    • 1954–1957
    Steve Lawrence
    Steve Lawrence
    • Self - Singer…
    • 1954–1957
    Eydie Gormé
    Eydie Gormé
    • Self - Singer…
    • 1954–1957
    Andy Williams
    Andy Williams
    • Self…
    • 1954–1957
    Pat Kirby
    • Self…
    • 1955–1957
    Ernie Kovacs
    Ernie Kovacs
    • Self - Guest Host…
    • 1955–1957
    Bill Wendell
    • Self - Announcer…
    • 1955–1957
    Maureen Arthur
    Maureen Arthur
    • Self - Regular…
    • 1956–1957
    Peter Hanley
    • Self - Regular…
    • 1956–1957
    LeRoy Holmes
    • Self - Conductor…
    • 1956–1957
    Hy Averback
    Hy Averback
    • Self - Guest Announcer…
    • 1955
    Patricia Marshall
    • Self - singer…
    • 1954–1955
    Louis Nye
    Louis Nye
    • Self…
    • 1955–1956
    Erroll Garner
    Erroll Garner
    • Self…
    • 1954–1957
    Jonathan Winters
    Jonathan Winters
    • Self…
    • 1955–1957
    Micki Marlo
    • Self - singer…
    • 1955–1957
    • Creators
      • Steve Allen
      • Sylvester L. Weaver Jr.
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.8235
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    Featured reviews

    medrjel

    The Birth of Late Night TV, and the start of a Dynasty

    When the world was filled with Wrestling or early Evenings after the news, Steve Allen gathered a bunch of comics (most of whom went on to great careers in their own right) and created the original Tonight Show. It was talk, it was skits. It was fun, and it was Steve Allen.

    I have only had a chance to catch clips of the show in reruns a few years ago, and the brilliance of the show shines through. While he would be eclipsed in years to come by Carson, Allen put together a solid show with no real weaknesses other than the fact that he found himself funny too often, and couldn't keep a straight face. (Yes, carson did that too, but he usually didn't fall down laughing) And unlike Carson, he depended a lot more on his supporting actors in the skits (both a + and a - for him).

    If you can ever catch "The Steve Allen Show" as it's sometimes labeled in repackaging ever, please do. you will thank yourself that you did.

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    7.0
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The show began in 1953 as a local show on WNBT-TV, the NBC station in New York City. "Tonight!" began in 1954 when Sylvester L. Weaver Jr., the president of NBC, decided to expand the network's programming past the 11:00 p.m. local news. Weaver wanted his night-time entry to be something along the lines of Today (1952): some news and light features with interviews. Steve Allen was the original host and he remained with the show when it became a national show on September 27, 1954. The show aired live every night.
    • Connections
      Edited into Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius (1982)
    • Soundtracks
      This Could Be the Start of Something Big
      Written and Performed by Steve Allen

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    FAQ15

    • How many seasons does The Tonight Show have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 1953 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Knickerbocker Beer Presents The Steve Allen Show
    • Filming locations
      • Hudson Theatre - 141 W. 44th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(1954-1957)
    • Production companies
      • Bristad Enterprises
      • National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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