US Music Variety - US Talk Shows/ Discussion Series
- US Documentary SeriesThe Tonight Show (NBC)
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Season 1 (NBC)(1954-55)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by: Rina Fox, Tom Alger [Uploaded Oct-2019]
references:
TV Guide / Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive / Writers Guild of America (wga)
NYT and Brooklyn Daily Eagle
NBC Television Network production
in association with Bristad Enterprises, Inc.
Executive Producer Mort Werner
Producer William O. Harbach
Director Dwight Hemion
Writer Stan Burns
US Late night Talk Variety show. 1954-57 (27-Sep-1954 to 25-Jan-1957)
Host: Steve Allen
with
Music Skitch Henderson
Announcer Gene Rayburn
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guest Announcer Bill Wendall
Ernie Kovacs guest hosted Mondays and Tuesdays during the 1956-57 season to give
Steve Allen time to work on his Sunday evening show.
####### Tonight starring Steve Allen #######
######### season 1 1954-1955 #############
#######################################
NBC Monday thru Friday 11:30 pm to 1 am
1.01 [01] Tonight! [Premiere Episode]
27Sep1954 NBC
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Martha Raye
Bill Kenny (Mr. Inkspot)
Steve Lawrence
and Eydie Gorme
Andy Williams
Pat Marshall
Wally Cox
and Willie Mays.
Highlights:
Willie Mays talks with Steve about the upcoming World Series between the New
York Giants and Cleveland Indians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeIBJst6evA
Bill Kenny, formerly of The Inkspots, sings "Whispering Grass." (1st song
Premiere Episode)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ausoKn1j9KQ
Pat Marshall sings "Fine and Dandy." (2nd song Premiere Episode)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW4GXtJ_VgY
"Out Of The Air" review of the Premiere Episode by columnist John
Crosby
Confused ‘Tonight' Debuts With Steve Allen
"Tonight,” the latest of Sylvester L. Weaver’s brain children,
exploded all over the midnight air from here to Omaha the other night and
from the exasperated noises emitted by its proprietor, Steve Allen, I guess
everything went wrong that could go wrong.
Still, if Allen can be that funny when things get fouled up, I hope they never
get them straightened out.
"Tonight,” (NBC-TV 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays through Fridays) is the
companion piece of ‘Today” and “Home”
and like those two shows it embodies what Mr. Weaver is wont to call the
magazine concept of selling.
In brief, that means that instead of being assaulted by one sponsor, we are
assaulted by about 83.
As a matter of fact, "Today” in 1953 did have exactly 83 sponsors ranging from
General Motors to Appian Way Pizza Pie Mix.
At the very outset Mr. Allen, looking decidedly harassed, announced: ‘‘Boy, have
we ever been making last-minute changes around here.
I admit that’s not funny in Omaha. We were going to show you the Empire State
Building. The Hudson River was going to flow the other way —but somebody goofed.
This is ‘Tonight’ and I want to give you the bad news right now. This show is
going to go on and on and on, forever. This is the Hudson Theater.
I think it sleeps 800 people. This show — well, it's not a spectacular. It's
kind of a monotony. And if this show is anywhere near as successful as
"Today" and "Home," they’re going to put on another show called ‘Son of
Tonight.’
That’s the kind of humor Allen has — a sort of late at night, earthy, ‘Aaah, the
hell with it' kind of humor that is entirely suitable to that hour.
Apparently, NBC had sent out a Cadillac with a remote unit aboard that was
supposed to bring in something or other but the driver got pinched or something.
“This is the first network that ever got a ticket."
Stations kept either latching on to the program or dropping it at 15-minute
intervals and Allen kept hopelessly saying hello to the newcomers
and goodbye to the others and trying to explain what it was all about to the new
arrivals. “I've never done such a confusing program in my life.
I think we started about noon.”
And he tried to explain again about that Cadillac, concerning which we in the
East were already hopelessly confused.
“We’re all going to hold hands and have a community sleep. Synchronize your
sleeping pills.” Allen had a long, impressive schedule on a
clipboard which he kept riffling through to find out what was supposed to be
happening at that precise moment — but none of the things that
were supposed to be happening were happening.
His guest star, Wally Cox, appeared with his copy of the schedule and said:
“I’ve been looking at this schedule and I guess I better leave.”
Cox started to walk off but Allen got him back.
“ No, that would be giving you short shrift,” said Allen. Then he added: “Short
shrift — that’s a good name. General Foods ought to put out
something called Short Shrift. Buy a box of Short Shrift.”
“ Or you could buy a box of Long Shrift and have it shortened,” suggested Cox —
and then went into his “Gee, what a crazy guy”
routine which is about funny as anything can be.
Every so often, the out-of-town stations dropped the show for one minute to sell
things and this left Allen with one minute of time and
his New York audience and nobody else. It’s a tough assignment, one minute.
“I’ve got some 34 second jokes,”he announced. “ And I’ve got a dance that takes
42 seconds. But I haven’t got any 57 second jokes.”
During the rest of the hour and a half, Allen played the piano; a girl singer
named Pat Marshall sang “ Fine and Dandy” ;
Gene Rayburn gave the news and participated in a sketch with Allen; and there
was an interview with Willy Mays,
the most interviewed man since Charles A. Lindbergh.
But mostly it was just Allen. At one point, wandering through the
audience, he asked a young lady if she wanted to wave at anyone at home.
“No, I guess they’re all asleep,” said the young lady.
“Thanks,” muttered Allen. “Thanks a lot. There goes a $4,000,000 advertising
account.”
For future shows we are promised big name stars, and interviews with theatrical
folk, and service features — and, oh, all sorts of things.
I expect eventually everything will be neat and tidy and run like clockwork. But
it won’t be nearly so much fun.
1.02 [02] Tonight starring Steve Allen
28Sep1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Lena Horne
1.03 [03] Tonight starring Steve Allen
29Sep1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Joan Crawford
Judy Garland
and Margaret Truman
1.04 [04] Tonight starring Steve Allen
30Sep1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
1.05 [05] Tonight starring Steve Allen
01Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Gene Krupa Trio
1.06 [06] Tonight starring Steve Allen
04Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Burl Ives
1.07 [07] Tonight starring Steve Allen
05Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.08 [08] Tonight starring Steve Allen
06Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.09 [09] Tonight starring Steve Allen
07Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.10 [10] Tonight starring Steve Allen
08Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Count Basie and His Orchestra
1.11 [11] Tonight starring Steve Allen
11Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.12 [12] Tonight!
12Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Dane Clark
Harold Rome
Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.
1.13 [13] Tonight!
13Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Duke Ellington and his Orchestra
1.14 [14] Tonight!
14Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Max Liebman
1.15 [15] Tonight!
15Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.16 [16] Tonight!
18Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.17 [17] Tonight!
19Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.18 [18] Tonight!
20Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.19 [19] Tonight!
21Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.20 [20] Tonight!
22Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.21 [21] Tonight!
25Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
DeMarco Sisters
1.22 [22] Tonight!
26Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Henny Youngman
1.23 [23] Tonight!
27Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Fred Allen
1.24 [24] Tonight!
28Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Joey Faye
1.25 [25] Tonight!
29Oct1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Hazel Scott
[--] Tonight!
01Nov1954
pre-empted by New York Democratic State Committee
[--] Tonight!
02Nov1954
pre-empted by Election returns with Dave Garroway
1.26 [26] Tonight!
03Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Rose Marie
Jim Moran
and Lenny Kent.
1.27 [27] Tonight!
04Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Frank Fontaine
and the Barry Sisters.
1.28 [28] Tonight!
05Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Professor Irwin Corey
and Joe Bushkin.
1.29 [29] Tonight!
08Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
George De Witt
and Nelly Lutcher.
1.30 [30] Tonight!
09Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.31 [31] Tonight!
10Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Billy Vine
1.32 [32] Tonight!
11Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Cliff Norton
and the Blackburn Twins.
1.33 [33] Tonight!
12Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Erroll Garner
and Will Jordan.
1.34 [34] Tonight!
15Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Stan Freeman
1.35 [35] Tonight!
16Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Bennett Cerf
and Chet Baker Quartet.
1.36 [36] Tonight!
17Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Ronnie Graham
1.37 [37] Tonight!
18Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Elizabeth Taylor
Peter Lawford
and Van Johnson.
1.38 [38] Tonight!
19Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Woody Herman
and Bob and Ray.
1.39 [39] Tonight!
22Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Henry Morgan
and Willie Mosconi.
1.40 [40] Tonight!
23Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Burl Ives
1.41 [41] Tonight!
24Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Jim Moran
and Sauter-Finegan Orchestra.
1.42 [42] Tonight!
25Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.43 [43] Tonight!
26Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.44 [44] Tonight!
29Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Morey Amsterdam
1.45 [45] Tonight!
30Nov1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Eddie Arcaro
and Rocky Graziano.
1.46 [46] Tonight!
01Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Bobby Short
and John Cameron Swayze.
1.47 [47] Tonight!
02Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Diana Adams
and Andre Eglevsky.
1.48 [48] Tonight!
03Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Eugene List
Elaine Stritch
Alfred Drake
Doretta Morrow
and the cast of "Kismet".
1.49 [49] Tonight!
06Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Bibi Osterwald
1.50 [50] Tonight!
07Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Faye Emerson
and Skitch Henderson.
1.51 [51] Tonight!
08Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Jose Ferrer
Jerome Hines
and Sander Glatssz.
1.52 [52] Tonight!
09Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Johnny Mercer
and the RCA Choir.
1.53 [53] Tonight!
10Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Marian McPartland
1.54 [54] Tonight!
13Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Richard Willis
1.55 [55] Tonight!
14Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Paul Henreid
Luba Malina
and Allyn Edwards.
1.56 [56] Tonight!
15Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Grace Kelly
John B. Kelly
and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kelly.
1.57 [57] Tonight!
16Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Live Show from Birdland.
1.58 [58] Tonight!
17Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
George Shearing
1.59 [59] Tonight!
20Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Mabel Mercer
and Cy Coleman Trio.
1.60 [60] Tonight!
21Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Jim Moran
and Jack E. Leonard.
1.61 [61] Tonight!
22Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Eddie Condon and His Jazz Band.
1.62 [62] Tonight!
23Dec1954
Guest Host Gene Rayburn
Guests
[--] Tonight!
24Dec1954
pre-empted by Christmas Service with the Vienna Boys Choir.
1.63 [63] Tonight!
27Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
George De Witt
1.64 [64] Tonight!
28Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Duke Ellington
1.65 [65] Tonight!
29Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Jerome Hines
1.66 [66] Tonight!
30Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.67 [67] Tonight!
31Dec1954
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Bobby Hackett
1.68 [68] Tonight!
03Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Rocky Graziano
and Kuda Bux.
1.69 [69] Tonight!
04Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Ivan Sanderson
1.70 [70] Tonight!
05Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.71 [71] Tonight!
06Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Henry Morgan
and Thelma Carpenter.
1.72 [72] Tonight!
07Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Slim Gaillard Trio
1.73 [73] Tonight!
10Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Mayor Lummis, First Mayor of Miami Beach
and Mayor Shapiro, Present Mayor.
1.74 [74] Tonight!
11Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Henny Youngman
1.75 [75] Tonight!
12Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Ted Lewis
and George De Witt.
1.76 [76] Tonight!
13Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Milton Berle
and Joel Grey.
1.77 [77] Tonight!
14Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Joe E. Lewis
1.78 [78] Tonight!
17Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Salvador Dali
1.79 [79] Tonight!
18Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.80 [80] Tonight!
19Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.81 [81] Tonight!
20Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.82 [82] Tonight!
21Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.83 [83] Tonight!
24Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
John Carradine
and Mae Barnes.
1.84 [84] Tonight!
25Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.85 [85] Tonight!
26Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.86 [86] Tonight!
27Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Woody Herman and Orchestra.
1.87 [87] Tonight!
28Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Erroll Garner
and Harvey Stone.
1.88 [88] Tonight!
31Jan1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.89 [89] Tonight!
01Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.90 [90] Tonight!
02Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.91 [91] Tonight!
03Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.92 [92] Tonight!
04Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.93 [93] Tonight!
07Feb1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Mambo-dancing midget Tum-Tum
1.94 [94] Tonight!
08Feb1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
comedian Joey Bishop
1.95 [95] Tonight!
09Feb1955 UCLA
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Jackie Robinson
and singer Pat Marshall.
Highlights:
Jackie Robinson plays catch with Steve Allen as they talk.
Pat Marshall sings "The Man I Love".
1.96 [96] Tonight!
10Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.97 [97] Tonight!
11Feb1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
"Tonight!" moves to Dayton, Oio for an evening at National Cash Register hall.
Special guests are members of the "Grand Ole Opry" Lulu Belle and Scotty.
1.98 [98] Tonight!
14Feb1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
French chanteuse Genevieve
1.99 [99] Tonight!
15Feb1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Blues singer Dinah Washington
1.100 [100] Tonight!
16Feb1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Jinx Falkenburg McCrary
1.101 [101] Tonight!
17Feb1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Leona Anderson, singer-partner of a small record firm.
1.102 [102] Tonight!
18Feb1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Jazz combo Barbara Carroll Trio
1.103 [103] Tonight!
21Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.104 [104] Tonight!
22Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.105 [105] Tonight!
23Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.106 [106] Tonight!
24Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.107 [107] Tonight!
25Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.108 [108] Tonight!
28Feb1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.109 [109] Tonight!
01Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.110 [110] Tonight!
02Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.111 [111] Tonight!
03Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.112 [112] Tonight!
04Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.113 [113] Tonight!
07Mar1955 TVG
Substitute Host Gene Rayburn
Guest
1.114 [114] Tonight!
08Mar1955
Substitute Host Gene Rayburn
Guest
1.115 [115] Tonight!
09Mar1955
Substitute Host Gene Rayburn
Guest
1.116 [116] Tonight!
10Mar1955
Substitute Host Gene Rayburn
Guest
1.117 [117] Tonight!
11Mar1955
Substitute Host Gene Rayburn
Guest
1.118 [118] Tonight!
14Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
*Note: Aired at Midnight due to Vice President Nixon speech from Los Angeles.
1.119 [119] Tonight!
15Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.120 [120] Tonight!
16Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.121 [121] Tonight!
17Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.122 [122] Tonight!
18Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.123 [123] Tonight!
21Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.124 [124] Tonight!
22Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.125 [125] Tonight!
23Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.126 [126] Tonight!
24Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.127 [127] Tonight!
25Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.128 [128] Tonight!
28Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.129 [129] Tonight!
29Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.130 [130] Tonight!
30Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.131 [131] Tonight!
31Mar1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.132 [132] Tonight!
01Apr1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.133 [133] Tonight!
04Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
dancer Sono Osato
and the singing Red Caps.
1.134 [134] Tonight!
05Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
pianola player Jay Cooke
singer Al Hibbler of "Unchained" fame
and comedian Henry Morgan.
Also with Andy Williams and Terry Stevens.
1.135 [135] Tonight!
06Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Dorothy Collins
and Wally Cox.
1.136 [136] Tonight!
07Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
harpsichordist Fernando Valenti.
1.137 [137] Tonight!
08Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Orchestra leader Richard Hayman
1.138 [138] Tonight!
11Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
ballerina Nora Kaye
and restauranteur Al Schacht.
1.139 [139] Tonight!
12Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Professor Irwin Corey
1.140 [140] Tonight!
13Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Ernie Kovacs
and Van Cliburn.
1.141 [141] Tonight!
14Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Scottish songstress Ella Logan
and comedian George De Witt.
1.142 [142] Tonight!
15Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
pianist Don Shirley
1.143 [143] Tonight!
18Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
vocalist Teddy King
Steve plans special coverage of the opening night of the Broadway musical,
"Ankles Aweigh".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankles_Aweigh
1.144 [144] Tonight!
19Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
George Jessel
and Don 'Mr. Wizard' Herbert.
Plus, a special salute to the show "All In One", opening tonight on Broadway.
1.145 [145] Tonight!
20Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
singer Jimmy Rushing
1.146 [146] Tonight!
21Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Aqua Bats, swimming virtuosi
columnist-songwriter Nick Kenny
and his brother Charles.
1.147 [147] Tonight!
22Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
dancer Sono Osato
and singer Elaine Malbin from "Kismet".
1.148 [148] Tonight!
25Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
ballerina Alicia Alonso
and the "hi de ho" man Cab Calloway.
In a remote with Philadelphia, Steve talks to the stars of "Seventh Heaven".
1.149 [149] Tonight!
26Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
lyricist Otto Harbach
1.150 [150] Tonight!
27Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Ernie Kovacs
1.151 [151] Tonight!
28Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Leona Anderson of Horrible Records
1.152 [152] Tonight!
29Apr1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Jazz pianist Erroll Garner
and dancer-choreographer-actress Valerie Bettis.
1.153 [153] Tonight!
02May1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.154 [154] Tonight!
03May1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.155 [155] Tonight!
04May1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.156 [156] Tonight!
05May1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
singer Mary Small
1.157 [157] Tonight!
06May1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Dolores Hawkins
Jazz trumpeter Phil Napoleon
and The Original Memphis Five.
1.158 [158] Tonight!
09May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
The entire cast travels to the home of a New York morning newspaper
to show us what occurs as the daily is "put to bed".
1.159 [159] Tonight!
10May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
songstress Micki Marlo
banjoist Roy Smeck
singer and disc jockey Johnny Desmond
and musician Richard Himber.
1.160 [160] Tonight!
11May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
vocalists Teddy King
and Rosemary Murphy.
Steve's got a hearty hello for the newly elected queen of the Artist's Equity
Ball.
1.161 [161] Tonight!
12May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer-musician Chet Baker and his Jazz Trio
and magician Theodore, know for his midnight horror show.
1.162 [162] Tonight!
13May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
violinist Joseph Szigeti
1.163 [163] Tonight!
16May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
New York's Barnard College grads who now work for Steve Allen's Tonight show.
Lois Balk and Carole Honig are TV's youngest staff writers.
They dream up gag bits using special props and write skits for guests.
1.164 [164] Tonight!
17May1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
1.165 [165] Tonight!
18May1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
pianist Bill Taylor
and vaudeville comedian Chaz Chase.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence, Pat Marshall and Andy Williams.
1.166 [166] Tonight!
19May1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
vocalist Teddi King
Broadway actress Georgiana Carhart
and Jim Moran.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
1.167 [167] Tonight!
20May1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Commanders Jazz Band.
1.168 [168] Tonight!
23May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Vaughn Monroe
Jazz musician Buddy Greco
comedian Danny Rogers
and the Neal Hefti Band.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
1.169 [169] Tonight!
24May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
ad girl and actress Betty Furness
and cartoonist Walt Kelly.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
1.170 [170] Tonight!
25May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
vocal group The Freshmen
With regulars
Eydie Gorme and Andy Williams.
1.171 [171] Tonight!
26May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
songstress Pat Kirby
and songwriter Irving Caesar.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
1.172 [172] Tonight!
27May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Blues singer Billie Holliday
and Jazz pianist Art Tatum.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
1.173 [173] Tonight!
30May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
actress Eva Gabor
and comedian Adolph Green.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
Steve and the gang watch a bathingsuit fashion show
and to keep in the mood, there''s a segment showing
underwater swimming.
Gene Rayburn is temporarily off the show due to illness.
1.174 [174] Tonight!
31May1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Lee Kane
drummer Buddy Rich
comic-strip artist Walt Kelly, creator of "Pogo".
1.175 [175] Tonight!
01Jun1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guest
mambo bandleader Perez Prado.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence, Pat Marshall and Andy Williams.
1.176 [176] Tonight!
02Jun1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Karen Chandler
and Jazz pianist Art Tatum.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
1.177 [177] Tonight!
03Jun1955 TVG
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singing group The Freshmen.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
1.178 [178] Tonight!
06Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Joan Crawford
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
A program of dieting and exercises for losing weight.
1.179 [179] Tonight!
07Jun1955
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.180 [180] Tonight!
08Jun1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
comedian Alan Dale
and The Ravens, quartet.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence, Pat Marshall and Andy Williams.
1.181 [181] Tonight!
09Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
From a pier on the New York waterfront;
the workings of a modern liner shown.
1.182 [182] Tonight!
10Jun1955
Host Steve Allen
Guests
comedienne Nancy Walker
Thelonious Monk
Charlie Applewhite
and Judy Tyler.
1.183 [183] Tonight!
13Jun1955 NYT
Originates from Niagara Falls
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Jean LeSieur, last person to go over the falls in a barrel.
Cameras will be focused on Prospect Point at the brink of the American Falls.
1.184 [184] Tonight!
14Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
vocalist Gloria Mann
singing group The Redheads
and a Japanese sword dancer.
1.185 [185] Tonight!
15Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
pianist Erroll Garner
and singer Bob Manning.
1.186 [186] Tonight!
16Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
vocalist Toni Arden
orchestra leader Claude Thornhill
and TV censor Stockton Helffrich.
1.187 [187] Tonight!
17Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
vocalist Carmen McRae
pianists Whittimore and Lowe
and comedian Fletcher Peck.
1.188 [188] Tonight!
20Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
boxer Max Baer
and singers The Burton Sisters.
1.189 [189] Tonight!
21Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
vocalists Elaine Dunne
and Rick Wayne
and dancer Bunny Briggs.
1.190 [190] Tonight!
22Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
vocal group the Mellow Larks
radio producer Doug Storer
and comedy team Marshall and Farrell.
1.191 [191] Tonight!
23Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
vocalist Betty Madigan
clarinetist Sol Yaged
bandleader Mitch Miller
and comedian Tim Herbert.
1.192 [192] Tonight!
24Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
musician Woody Herman
and Miss Universe.
1.193 [193] Tonight!
27Jun1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
drummer Gene Krupa
actor Peter Lawford
and comedian Jonathan Winters.
With Hy Averback.
1.194 [194] Tonight!
28Jun1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Micki Marlo
and vaudeville performer Joe Frisco.
1.195 [195] Tonight!
29Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Hoosier Hotshots
premiere of the film "Not As a Stranger".
1.196 [196] Tonight!
30Jun1955 NYT
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Mel Torme
archer Howard Hill
songstress Micki Marlo
and comedian Cliff Arquette.
1.197 [197] Tonight!
01Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
bandleader Red Norvo
strongman Tex Haggin
and comic Stan Freberg.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
1.198 [198] Tonight!
04Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
with Hy Averback.
1.199 [199] Tonight!
05Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Dolores Hawkins
and actress Sue Carson.
1.200 [200] Tonight!
06Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Steve visits Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
1.201 [201] Tonight!
07Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guest
singer Dolores Hawkins.
Steve presents a contest.
1.202 [202] Tonight!
08Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Art Tatum
comedian Dick Shawn
and Margaret Truman.
1.203 [203] Tonight!
11Jul1955
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guest
1.204 [204] Tonight!
12Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Peruvian coloratura soprano Yma Sumac
comedian Jonathan Winters
and musician Freddy Martin at the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles.
1.205 [205] Tonight!
13Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Sammy Davis Jr.
1.206 [206] Tonight!
14Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guest
With regulars
Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence.
1.207 [207] Tonight!
15Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guest
pianist Oscar Levant
1.208 [208] Tonight!
18Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guest
Jimmy McHugh
1.209 [209] Tonight!
19Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
With regulars
Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams.
Announcer Hy Averback.
1.210 [210] Tonight!
20Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guest
ballerina Diana Adams
and a California worm-growing expert.
1.211 [211] Tonight!
21Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
vaudeville performer Joe Frisco
singer Karen Chandler
and musician Shorty Rogers.
1.212 [212] Tonight!
22Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Jazz drummer Gene Krupa
Jazz pianist Lionel Hampton
and comic Lord Buckley.
1.213 [213] Tonight!
25Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Margo and Eddie Albert
comedian Frankie Fontaine
Peter the Hermit
Miss Universe and Miss United States.
1.214 [214] Tonight!
26Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Karen Chandler
and the Sportsmen Quartet.
Steve presents a Do-It-Yourself feature.
1.215 [215] Tonight!
27Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Harry Warren
and B.S. Pully.
1.216 [216] Tonight!
28Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer June Christy
comedian Jonathan Winters
and musician Dave Brubeck.
1.217 [217] Tonight!
29Jul1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Johnny Mercer
and the Page Cavanaugh Trio.
1.218 [218] Tonight!
01Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
comedian Morey Amsterdam
and Teddy Wilson.
1.219 [219] Tonight!
02Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Soprano Leontyne Price
trombonist Urby Green
and Estelle Stevens, expert in deep breathing.
1.220 [220] Tonight!
03Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
dancer Ray Malone
and singer Alan Jones.
With regulars
Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.
A segment on the women's roller skate derby with Tuffy Brasuhn.
1.221 [221] Tonight!
04Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz
and singer Pat Kirby.
1.222 [222] Tonight!
05Aug1955
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Jeri Southern
Robert Maxwell
and entertainer Ken Murray.
Highlights:
Jeri sings "What Do You See in Her?"
1.223 [223] Tonight!
08Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Jill Corey
comedian Lord Buckley
publicist Jim Moran
and the Blackburn Twins.
With regulars
Pat Kirby and Andy Williams.
1.224 [224] Tonight!
09Aug1955
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Anita O'Day
actress Peggy Ryan
and her husband Ray McDonald
actress Virginia Murray
Classical pianist Leonard Pennario
and Dr. Rotondi.
1.225 [225] Tonight!
10Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
actor Alan Ladd
actress June Allyson
actor Dick Powell
and Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle.
Remote pickup from San Francisco with Hy Averback featuring Air Force Reserve
Convention and premiere of "The McConnell Story",
film about Korean jet ace.
1.226 [226] Tonight!
11Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
comedienne Beatrice Kay
singer Pat Kirby
and pianist Earl "Fatha" Hines.
1.227 [227] Tonight!
12Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Martha Tilton
and the Page Cavanaugh Trio.
1.228 [228] Tonight!
15Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Mexican child singer Ricky Vera
comedian Gonzales Gonzales
and Lalo Guerrero the man who made the Mexican version of Davy Crockett.
1.229 [229] Tonight!
16Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Buster Keaton
and singer Martha Tilton.
1.230 [230] Tonight!
17Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Blues singer Billie Holliday
and Dave Brubeck and his Jazz Trio.
1.231 [231] Tonight!
18Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Helen O'Connell
songwriter Nacio Herb Brown
and actor-stuntman Monty Montana
With regular Andy Williams.
1.232 [232] Tonight!
19Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer-pianist Kitty White
and actor Jackie Cooper.
1.233 [233] Tonight!
22Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
Jazz singer Nellie Lutcher
comedian Arthur Walsh
makeup artist Henry Vilardo
John Ferguson
and Joe Emmett.
1.234 [234] Tonight!
23Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
actor Mickey Rooney
singer June Christy
and accordionist Dick Contino.
1.235 [235] Tonight!
24Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
comedian Buster Keaton
and composter Harry Ruby.
1.236 [236] Tonight!
25Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
singer Helen O'Connell
ventriloquist Edgar Bergen
actor William Bendix
and drummer Buddy Rich.
With regular Steve Lawrence.
1.237 [237] Tonight!
26Aug1955 NYT
From Hollywood
Host Steve Allen
Guests
actress Debbie Reynolds
comedian Milton Berle
pianist Erroll Garner
singer Micki Marlo
and composer Pete Ruggolo.
With regulars
Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence and Skitch Henderson.
*Note: 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.
1.238 [238] Tonight!
29Aug1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guests
comedians Orson Bean
and Louis Nye
and Dave Brubeck Trio.
1.239 [239] Tonight!
30Aug1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guest
singer Toni Arden
1.240 [240] Tonight!
31Aug1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guests
Mia Slavenska
and George Shearing Quintet.
With regulars
Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence.
1.241 [241] Tonight!
01Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guests
Carol Bennett
and knife-throwing act The Denvers.
1.242 [242] Tonight!
02Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guest
comedienne Kaye Ballard
1.243 [243] Tonight!
05Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guests
pianist Cy Coleman
and mentalist Polgar.
1.244 [244] Tonight!
06Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guest
comedian Mickey Deams
1.245 [245] Tonight!
07Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guests
Professor Backwards
actress Audrey Meadows
comedian Buddy Hackett
and flying saucer enthusiast George Adamski.
1.246 [246] Tonight!
08Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guests
vocalist Sonny Gale
and dancers the Blackburn Twins.
1.247 [247] Tonight!
09Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guests
musician Dizzy Gillespie
comedian Henny Youngman
and the Beauty Queen of the Harvest Queen Festival of Monroe County, New York.
1.248 [248] Tonight!
12Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guests
1.249 [249] Tonight!
13Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guests
comedienne Dorothy Greener
and vocalist Helen Merrill.
1.250 [250] Tonight!
14Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guests
pianist Oscar Peterson
and comedian Louis Nye.
1.251 [251] Tonight!
15Sep1955 NYT
From New York
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
Guest
singer Lee Wiley
1.252 [252] Tonight!
16Sep1955 NYT
Guest Host Ernie Kovacs
From the Coliseum of the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield,
Massachusetts.
########## Tonight starring Steve Allen ############
############### end of season 1 ###############
##############################################
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