Steve Allen

Actor / Host

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his six-hour interview, Steve Allen (1921-2000) describes his transition from radio to television, working with writing team Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr. on his primetime radio show, The Steve Allen Show, and his first television appearance in 1949 as a wrestling announcer for ABC in Los Angeles. He fondly recalls hosting a multitude of Steve Allen shows for television, in daytime, primetime, and late night, and shares his recollections of the classic Tonight!, also known as The Tonight Show with Steve Allen. He details the creation and hosting of PBS' Meeting of Minds, and describes working with an impressive array of talent over the years, including his wife, Jayne Meadows. Henry Colman conducted the two-part interview on November 25 and December 15, 1997 in Burbank, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I honestly don't think I would change anything. Some people say, 'I bet you wouldn't give up "The Tonight Show."' No, I would give it up as fast as I gave it up the first time. In fact, how Johnny Carson, how any human being, was able to stay behind that desk for 30 years, I could have never done that. It would have driven me crazy."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Steve Allen on coining the phrase "bigger than a bread box" on What's My Line?

00:25

Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight

01:33

Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man

02:21

Steve Allen on his annual invasion of Miami Beach for The Tonight Show

03:22

Steve Allen on Jack Paar and how Paar "invented the couch" on The Tonight Show

00:36

Steve Allen on how he'd like to be remembered

01:34

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on his parents' Vaudeville act; on his very famous babysitter - Milton Berle; on his creative talents; on traveling the Vaudeville circuit with his mother when he was young and being drawn to comics

On reading and his education; on language; on watching movies and listening to radio as a youngster; on comedians he liked

On growing up during the Depression; on moving from Chicago to Phoenix at age 19 in 1940 - to help his asthma; on writing for the high school paper; on playing piano

On doing comedy in high school; on attending Drake University in Iowa; on learning radio broadcasting in college; on role model Orson Welles

Chapter 2

On attending Drake University for only one year; on attending what is now Arizona State University; on auditioning for radio jobs in Arizona; on leaving school for a radio announcer job; on putting together a comedy act and bombing on stage

On being drafted into World War II; on moving to Los Angeles; on Los Angeles during World War II; on seeing Bob Hope in "Command Performance"; on getting a radio job at KAFC

On reuniting with his comedy partner, Wendell Noble, and starting to write radio shows; on getting hired at radio station KNX; on his first late-night show for radio; on the popularity of the show and expanding it to 60 minutes; on beginning to interview people

On the radio version of The Steve Allen Show on CBS; on his first comedy writers: Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr.

Chapter 3

On a routine for his radio show asking listeners who were driving to honk their horns; on replacing Eve Arden's show and having Groucho Marx and Jack Benny as his first guests; on the first time he saw television

On radio stars slowly transitioning to television; on announcing wrestling for ABC television; on Arthur Godfrey and Milton Berle venturing into television; on CBS bringing him to New York for a network talk show (The Steve Allen Show)

On the early days of The Steve Allen Show

Chapter 4

On the crew of his first daytime show, The Steve Allen Show; on how his television show differed from his radio show; on sight gags

On daily preparations for The Steve Allen Show; on critical response to show; on the show's cancellation

On being a regular on What's My Line?; on coining the phrase "bigger than a bread box"; on hosting the second Steve Allen Show, a late-night show on WNBT; on Louis Nye

Chapter 5

On the sets of the nightly Steve Allen Show, contd.; on live commercials for sponsor Knickerbocker beer; on NBC's Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight; on reaching a national audience

On network involvement with Tonight; on Pat Weaver's contributions to Tonight; on the crew of his Tonight Show; on the comedic talents of Dwight Hemion, Herb Sergeant and Stan Burns; on memorable sketches with guests on Tonight (The Tonight Show with Steve Allen) - Greer Garson, Lily Palmer, and Kim Novak

Chapter 6

On Tonight Show producer Bill Harbach; on the show's lack of competition in the beginning; on America becoming a late-night television audience and Allen creating a new genre

On booking talent for the show; on memorable guests on the show and The Tonight Show regulars

On the openings of The Tonight Show; on sketches outside the studio on The Tonight Show; on memorable stunts on the show

On The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme

Chapter 7

On musical guests on The Tonight Show and promoting jazz; on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man, and Crazy Shots; on other comedians using sketches and formats he created

On interviews with the audience on The Tonight Show - including those with The Rhyming Inventor, Dorothy Miller, and Mrs. Sterling

On The Tonight Show tackling some tough issues - organized crime

Chapter 8

On the film My Favorite Year, based on Sid Caesar, and how Allen inspired part of the film; on his Tonight Show segment on organized crime and the repercussions; on shooting outside the studio for The Tonight Show; on his annual invasion of Miami Beach for The Tonight Show

On censorship on The Tonight Show; on Mae West's appearance on the show; on the Hollywood Blacklist

On doing a prime-time show (The Steve Allen Show) for NBC; on realizing he would have to give up The Tonight Show to stay with his prime-time comedy show; on working with his comedy writers

On "The Man on the Street" bit

Chapter 9

On The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) moving to Hollywood from New York; on more film stars appearing on the show; on the show moving to ABC as the short-lived New Steve Allen Show

On the syndicated Steve Allen Westinghouse Show - one of the wildest talk shows of all time; on syndicated vs. network shows; on producer Allan Sherman and the crew of the show

On tea-bag, wrestling, and funny phone call sketches on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show; on the cancellation of the show

On guest appearances and hosting I've Got a Secret; on film roles; on creating Meeting of Minds and running into censorship problems

Chapter 10

On censorship on Meeting of Minds (contd.); on his creativity and writing; on how television has changed over the years and appealing to the public good; on the future of television

On then-current talk shows; on regrets; on how he'd like to be remembered

On his thoughts on colleagues through the years

Chapter 11

On his wife, Jayne Meadows Allen

Shows

Arthur Godfrey and His Friends

Steve Allen on Arthur Godfrey being one of the earliest radio personalities to venture into television

00:38

Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts

Steve Allen on Arthur Godfrey being one of the earliest radio personalities to venture into television

00:38

Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

Steve Allen on the success of The Ed Sullivan Show and NBC always chasing its ratings

01:58

I've Got a Secret

Steve Allen on Goodson-Todman's Gil Fates asking him to host I've Got a Secret

01:40

Meeting of Minds

Steve Allen on creating Meeting of Minds and running into censorship problems

01:51

Steve Allen on censorship on Meeting of Minds

03:48

Steve Allen on his wife, Jayne Meadows Allen, and her roles on Meeting of Minds

02:15

Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz aka Stump the Stars

Steve Allen on an early TV appearance on Pantomime Quiz

00:32

New Steve Allen Show, The (1961)

Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) moving to ABC in 1961 as the short-lived The New Steve Allen Show

03:33

Steve Allen Show, The (1950-52)

Steve Allen on the radio version of The Steve Allen Show, one year before the TV version

02:45

Steve Allen on the early days of The Steve Allen Show

06:58

Steve Allen on his first daytime show, The Steve Allen Show; on the crew, daily preparations, and the show's cancellation

20:39

Steve Allen Show, The (1953-54)

Steve Allen on hosting the second Steve Allen Show, a late-night show on WNBT

05:37

Steve Allen on the sets of the nightly Steve Allen Show

04:51

Steve Allen Show, The (1956-61)

Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight

01:33

Steve Allen on the comedy writing team of Herb Sergeant and Stan Burns on his Tonight Show

05:30

Steve Allen on the prime-time Steve Allen Show

11:24

Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) moving to Hollywood from New York

03:39

Steve Allen Westinghouse Show, The

Steve Allen on the sketches and the crew of the syndicated Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

18:23

Today

Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight

01:33

Tonight

Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight

01:33

Steve Allen on the crew of his Tonight Show

10:18

Steve Allen on reaching a national audience on Tonight and his material for the show; on the first episode

11:57

Steve Allen on Tonight Show producer Bill Harbach; on the impact of the show; on booking talent and memorable guests

16:17

Steve Allen on the openings, stunts and skits on The Tonight Show

09:00

Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme

03:02

Steve Allen on musical guests on The Tonight Show - Duke Ellington, Tony Bennett, those in jazz and classical music

04:16

Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man, Crazy Shots,

07:45

Steve Allen on interviews with the audience on The Tonight Show

10:09

Steve Allen on The Tonight Show tackling some tough issues - organized crime

02:54

Steve Allen on inspiring a section of the film My Favorite Year with his segment on organized crime on The Tonight Show

04:25

Steve Allen on shooting outside the studio for The Tonight Show, and on censorship and the Blacklist

13:10

Steve Allen on realizing he would have to give up The Tonight Show to stay with his prime-time comedy show

01:40

Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

Steve Allen on being in awe of how Johnny Carson stayed at The Tonight Show for thirty years

00:36

Tonight Starring Jack Paar aka The Jack Paar Show

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Jack Paar, and how Paar "invented the couch" on The Tonight Show

00:36

What's My Line?

Steve Allen on being a regular on What's My Line?

02:24

Topics

Bloopers

Steve Allen on live television mishaps on The Steve Allen Show

00:52

Censorship / Standards & Practices

Steve Allen on network involvement with Tonight

01:08

Steve Allen on censorship on The Tonight Show

03:17

Steve Allen on creating Meeting of Minds and running into censorship problems

07:54

Steve Allen on censorship on Meeting of Minds

03:23

Characters & Catchphrases

Steve Allen on coining the phrase "bigger than a bread box" on What's My Line?

00:25

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Steve Allen on role model Orson Welles

00:36

Criticism of TV

Steve Allen on critical response to The Steve Allen Show

02:26

Historic Events and Social Change

Steve Allen on being drafted into World War II

01:16

Hollywood Blacklist

Steve Allen on the Hollywood Blacklist

05:13

Industry Crossroads

Steve Allen on the Hollywood Blacklist

05:13

John F. Kennedy

Steve Allen on John F. Kennedy's favorite joke

01:05

Memorable Moments on Television

Steve Allen on his early recollections of TV - Kathy Fiscus falling down the well and the idea of event television

02:08

Steve Allen on announcing wrestling for ABC television

03:22

Steve Allen on announcing wrestling for ABC television and how his gift for ad-libbing helped

02:32

Steve Allen on Kim Novak as a guest on Tonight

01:23

Steve Allen on the openings of The Tonight Show

01:07

Steve Allen on dressing as a cop and going out onto the street for The Tonight Show

01:35

Steve Allen on sketches outside the studio on The Tonight Show

01:52

Steve Allen on the fake car accident stunt on The Tonight Show

00:45

Steve Allen on musical guests on The Tonight Show - Duke Ellington

01:48

Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man

02:21

Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - Crazy Shots

03:59

Steve Allen on a tug-of-war with an elephant on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

02:00

Steve Allen on a tea-bag sketch on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

00:57

Steve Allen on funny phone call sketches on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

04:13

Pivotal Career Moments

Steve Allen on role model Orson Welles

00:36

Pop Culture

Steve Allen on coining the phrase "bigger than a bread box" on What's My Line?

00:25

Television Industry

Steve Allen on network involvement with Tonight

01:08

Steve Allen on censorship on The Tonight Show

02:59

Steve Allen on creating Meeting of Minds and running into censorship problems

00:53

Steve Allen on censorship on Meeting of Minds

03:23

Steve Allen on how television has changed over the years and appealing to the public good

01:56

Television and the Presidency

Steve Allen on John F. Kennedy's favorite joke

01:05

Trash TV

Steve Allen on how television has changed over the years and appealing to the public good

01:56

War

Steve Allen on being drafted into World War II

01:16

We Celebrated

Steve Allen on sketches outside the studio on The Tonight Show

01:52

We Laughed

Steve Allen on Kim Novak as a guest on Tonight

01:23

Steve Allen on the openings of The Tonight Show

01:07

Steve Allen on dressing as a cop and going out onto the street for The Tonight Show

01:35

Steve Allen on the fake car accident stunt on The Tonight Show

00:45

Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man

02:21

Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - Crazy Shots

03:59

Steve Allen on a tug-of-war with an elephant on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

02:00

Steve Allen on a tea-bag sketch on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

00:57

Steve Allen on funny phone call sketches on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

04:13

World War II

Steve Allen on being drafted into World War II

01:16

Professions

Comedian

View Profession

Steve Allen on putting together a comedy act and bombing on stage

01:59

Steve Allen on his first late-night show for radio - gradually talking more and playing less music and the show taking off as a comedy show; on the response he got to ad-libbing

06:50

Genres

Late Night

Steve Allen on hosting the second Steve Allen Show, a late-night show on WNBT

05:37

Steve Allen on the comedic talents of Dwight Hemion, Herb Sergeant and Stan Burns on his Tonight Show

04:56

Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight

01:33

Steve Allen on America becoming a late-night television audience and creating a new genre

02:36

Steve Allen on Tonight Show producer Bill Harbach; on the impact of the show; on booking talent and memorable guests

16:17

Steve Allen on the openings, stunts and skits on The Tonight Show

09:00

Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme

02:45

Steve Allen on musical guests, sketches, audience interviews, and tough issues on The Tonight Show

28:30

Steve Allen on shooting outside the studio for The Tonight Show, and on censorship and the Blacklist

13:10

Steve Allen on the prime-time Steve Allen Show

11:24

Sports

Steve Allen on announcing wrestling for ABC television

03:22

Talk Shows

Steve Allen on the early days of The Steve Allen Show

06:58

Steve Allen on hosting the second Steve Allen Show, a late-night show on WNBT

05:37

Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight

01:33

Steve Allen on Tonight Show producer Bill Harbach; on the impact of the show; on booking talent and memorable guests

16:17

Steve Allen on the openings, stunts and skits on The Tonight Show

09:00

Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme

02:45

Steve Allen on musical guests, sketches, audience interviews, and tough issues on The Tonight Show

28:30

Steve Allen on shooting outside the studio for The Tonight Show, and on censorship and the Blacklist

13:10

Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) moving to ABC in 1961 as the short-lived New Steve Allen Show

03:33

Steve Allen on the sketches and the crew of the syndicated Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

18:23

People

Fred Allen

View Person Page

Steve Allen on Fred Allen and Allen's view of television

01:35

Steve Allen on Fred Allen not liking television studios

01:04

Woody Allen

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Steve Allen on memorable guest stars on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

00:57

Eve Arden

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Steve Allen on replacing Eve Arden's show and having Groucho Marx and Jack Benny as his first guests

01:55

James T. Aubrey

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Jim Aubrey

00:50

Tony Bennett

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Steve Allen on musical guests on The Tonight Show - Tony Bennett

01:13

Jack Benny

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Steve Allen on the radio version of The Steve Allen Show, one year before the TV version

01:21

Steve Allen on replacing Eve Arden's show and having Groucho Marx and Jack Benny as his first guests

01:55

Milton Berle

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Steve Allen on his very famous babysitter, Milton Berle

00:55

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Milton Berle

00:53

Marlon Brando

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Steve Allen on censorship on Meeting of Minds and Marlon Brando and Shirley MacLaine getting involved with him to protest capital punishment

01:55

Stan Burns

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Steve Allen on Stan Burns becoming a writer on the late-night Steve Allen Show

01:28

Steve Allen on the comedic talents of Dwight Hemion, Herb Sergeant and Stan Burns on his Tonight Show

02:24

Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers

00:40

Steve Allen on writer Stan Burns on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

00:37

Sid Caesar

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Steve Allen on attending Sid Caesar's last show on NBC

02:39

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Sid Caesar

00:38

Eddie Cantor

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Steve Allen on Eddie Cantor

00:16

Bob Carroll, Jr.

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Steve Allen on writers of the radio version of The Steve Allen Show, one year before the TV version

Steve Allen on Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr. writing for his radio show

01:56

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Pugh Davis

00:38

Johnny Carson

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Steve Allen on Jack Paar and Allen prank calling Johnny Carson on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

00:14

Steve Allen on being in awe of how Johnny Carson stayed at The Tonight Show for thirty years

00:36

Bennett Cerf

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Steve Allen on being a regular on What's My Line?

00:19

Steve Allen on Bennett Cerf being charming on What's My Line?

00:24

Rosemary Clooney

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Rosemary Clooney

00:58

Tim Conway

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Tim Conway

00:54

Bill Dana

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Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man

03:46

Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers

00:40

Madelyn Pugh Davis

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Steve Allen on writers of the radio version of The Steve Allen Show, one year before the TV version

Steve Allen on Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr. writing for his radio show

01:56

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Pugh Davis

00:38

Sammy Davis, Jr.

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Steve Allen on Sammy Davis, Jr. as a guest on Tonight - and Dwight Hemion placing Davis on the stage

01:04

Doris Day

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Steve Allen on Doris Day not showing up for his late-night radio show

01:29

Bob Dylan

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Steve Allen on memorable guest stars on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

00:42

Duke Ellington

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Steve Allen on musical guests on The Tonight Show - Duke Ellington

01:48

Gil Fates

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Steve Allen on Goodson-Todman's Gil Fates asking him to host I've Got a Secret

01:40

Betty Garrett

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Steve Allen on recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist - not being able to book Betty Garrett and Larry Parks

01:37

Greer Garson

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Steve Allen on Greer Garson as a guest on Tonight

00:25

Arthur Godfrey

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Steve Allen on Arthur Godfrey being one of the earliest radio personalities to venture into television and Allen subbing for him

02:41

Mark Goodson

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Mark Goodson and Bill Todman

00:52

Eydie Gorme

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Steve Allen on Eydie Gorme and her response to critics

00:58

Steve Allen on an appearance by singers Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence

00:50

Steve Allen on memorable guests on The Tonight Show - the singers

02:02

Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme

02:45

Pat Harrington, Jr.

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Pat Harrington, Jr.

00:43

Dwight Hemion

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Steve Allen on the talents of director Dwight Hemion, on the Tonight Show

02:32

Steve Allen on an appearance by singers Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence

00:50

Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - Crazy Shots

03:59

Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers

00:40

Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers

00:40

Skitch Henderson

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Steve Allen on Skitch Henderson becoming the bandleader on Tonight

00:23

Charlton Heston

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Steve Allen on a funny Charlton Heston sketch on Tonight

01:14

Don Hinkley

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Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man

03:46

Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers

00:40

Bob Hope

View Person Page

Steve Allen on seeing Bob Hope in the radio show "Command Performance"

02:22

Steve Allen on radio stars slowly transitioning to television

00:30

John F. Kennedy

View Person Page

Steve Allen on John F. Kennedy's favorite joke

01:05

Ted Koppel

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Steve Allen on watching Ted Koppel

00:28

Steve Lawrence

View Person Page

Steve Allen on an appearance by singers Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence

00:50

Steve Allen on memorable guests on The Tonight Show - the singers

02:02

Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme

02:45

Peggy Lee

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Steve Allen on Peggy Lee singing on his first daytime show, The Steve Allen Show

02:08

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Peggy Lee

00:13

David Letterman

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Steve Allen on the number of comedy writers nowadays

00:21

Steve Allen on David Letterman being a fan of the syndicated Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

00:55

Jerry Lewis

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Steve Allen on Jerry Lewis making a funny phone call with Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

00:46

Max Liebman

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Max Liebman

00:31

Shirley MacLaine

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Steve Allen on censorship on Meeting of Minds and Marlon Brando and Shirley MacLaine getting involved with him to protest capital punishment

01:55

Groucho Marx

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Steve Allen on replacing Eve Arden's show and having Groucho Marx and Jack Benny as his first guests

01:55

Jayne Meadows

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Steve Allen on his wife, Jayne Meadows Allen

02:26

Daniel Melnick

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Steve Allen on crew members on his first daytime show, The Steve Allen Show

02:22

Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) moving to ABC in 1961 as the short-lived New Steve Allen Show

03:33

Kim Novak

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Steve Allen on Kim Novak as a guest on Tonight

01:23

Louis Nye

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Steve Allen on starting a new late-night show on WNBT with Louis Nye as a guest

03:17

Jack Paar

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Steve Allen on some of Jack Paar's guests when Paar hosted The Tonight Show

00:19

Steve Allen on Jack Paar and Allen prank calling Johnny Carson on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

00:21

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Jack Paar

00:58

Joseph Papp

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Steve Allen on crew members on his first daytime show, The Steve Allen Show

00:28

Larry Parks

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Steve Allen on recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist - not being able to book Betty Garrett and Larry Parks

01:37

Elvis Presley

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Steve Allen on booking Elvis Presley for his first major television appearance

00:20

Steve Allen on Ed Sullivan panicking when Steve Allen booked Elvis

00:55

Gene Rayburn

View Person Page

Steve Allen on NBC wanting a segment on ski conditions added to The Tonight Show (Tonight), which Gene Rayburn announced

01:14

Steve Allen on his annual invasion of Miami Beach for The Tonight Show

02:09

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Gene Rayburn

00:32

Carl Reiner

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Steve Allen on appearing in Carl Reiner's film The Comic

00:15

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Carl Reiner

00:37

Burt Reynolds

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Steve Allen on Burt Reynolds being a wonderful guest on The Tonight Show

00:36

Hubbell Robinson

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Steve Allen on getting hired for CBS network television in NY by Hubbell Robinson

04:00

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Hubbell Robinson

00:15

Herbert Sargent

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Steve Allen on Herbert Sargent becoming a writer on the late-night Steve Allen Show

01:28

Steve Allen on the comedic talents of Dwight Hemion, Herb Sergeant and Stan Burns on his Tonight Show

02:24

Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers

00:40

David Sarnoff

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - David Sarnoff

02:58

Doc Severinsen

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Doc Severinsen

00:13

Allan Sherman

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Steve Allen on Steve Allen Westinghouse Show producer Allan Sherman

02:03

Frank Stanton

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Frank Stanton

00:22

Leonard Stern

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Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers

01:43

Mike Stokey

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Steve Allen on an early TV appearance on Pantomime Quiz

00:32

Ed Sullivan

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Steve Allen on Ed Sullivan panicking when Steve Allen booked Elvis

00:55

Bill Todman

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Mark Goodson and Bill Todman

00:52

Nick Vanoff

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Steve Allen on Nick Vanoff asking him to introduce Pat Weaver at an awards show

01:23

Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - Crazy Shots

00:37

Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver

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Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight

01:33

Steve Allen on Pat Weaver's contributions to Tonight

02:53

Steve Allen on Pat Weaver encouraging NBC employees to have an informative/educational segment in their programs

00:43

Orson Welles

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Steve Allen on role model Orson Welles

00:36

Mort Werner

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Mort Werner

00:29

Mae West

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Steve Allen on booking Mae West on The Tonight Show

02:23

Esther Williams

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Steve Allen on film stars appearing on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) when it moved to Hollywood

01:35

Andy Williams

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Steve Allen on memorable guests on The Tonight Show - the singers

02:02

Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme

02:45

Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Andy Williams

00:20

Jonathan Winters

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Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Jonathan Winters

01:05

Marvin Worth

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Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers

01:03