2024 marks 70 years since The Tonight Show first hit the airwaves, making it the world's longest-running talk show. That’s pretty impressive for a show that has essentially relied on screwball comedy and puns the entire time.
Generations of viewers have been entertained on NBC following the nightly news with the show’s format changing very little over that run. Sure, current host Jimmy Fallon — who’s been on the job for over a decade now — has brought some of his patented games and silliness, but if you were to go back and watch an episode from those early days, it honestly wouldn’t feel that different.
We all have our favorite host, but only one started it all. Who was the very first host of The Tonight Show?
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The answer is: Steve Allen. Originally just called Tonight, comedian Steve Allen helped to pioneer many of today’s late-night talk show staples, such as the opening monologue and celebrity interviews. Allen hosted from 1954-57, until he was ordered by NBC to focus his efforts on a Sunday variety show meant to take on the ratings dominance of The Ed Sullivan Show.Source
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