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Steve Allen

Comedian / Host

"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 had done that. It would have driven me crazy." 

About This Interview

Steve Allen (1921-2000) was interviewed for six hours (in two sessions) in Burbank, CA. Allen describes his transition from radio to television, working with writing team Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr. on his prime-time 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, prime-time, 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.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • Arthur Godfrey and His Friends
  • Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts
  • Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town
  • I've Got a Secret
  • Meeting of Minds
  • New Steve Allen Show, The (1961, ABC)
  • Pantomime Quiz
  • Steve Allen Show, The (1950-1952, CBS)
  • Steve Allen Show, The (1953-1954, WNBT)
  • Steve Allen Show, The (1956-1961, NBC)
  • Steve Allen Westinghouse Show, The
  • Today
  • Tonight (The Tonight Show with Steve Allen)
  • Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
  • Tonight Show, The (1957-1962, aka The Jack Paar Show)
  • What's My Line?

People

  • Milton Berle
  • Sid Caesar
  • Tim Conway
  • Bill Dana
  • Betty Garrett
  • Dwight Hemion
  • Skitch Henderson
  • Bob Hope
  • Ted Koppel
  • Jerry Lewis
  • Jayne Meadows
  • Elvis Presley
  • Madelyn Pugh Davis
  • Carl Reiner
  • Frank Stanton
  • Leonard Stern
  • Orson Welles
  • Andy Williams
  • Jonathan Winters

Topics

  • Bloopers
  • Censorship / Standards & Practices
  • Characters & Catchphrases
  • Creative Influences and Inspiration
  • Criticism of TV
  • Hollywood Blacklist (ca. 1950s)
  • Industry Crossroads
  • Kennedy
  • Memorable Moments on Television
  • Pop Culture
  • Sports
  • Television Industry
  • Television and the Presidency
  • Trash TV
  • WWII
  • We Celebrated
  • We Laughed

Professions

  • Hosts
  • Performers

Featured Content

Video Clip: Elvis Presley sings "Hound Dog" on The Steve Allen Show:

Resources

from the Museum of Broadcast Communications Encyclopedia of Television

STEPHEN (Valentine Patrick William) ALLEN.

Born in New York City, U.S., 26 December 1921. Attended Drake University, 1941 and Arizona State Teacher's College, 1942. Married 1) Dorothy Goodman, 1943 (divorced, 1952); children: Stephen, Brian, and David; 2) Jayne Meadows, 1954; child: William Christopher. Worked as radio announcer at stations KOY, Phoenix, 1942; KFAC and KMTR, Los Angeles, 1944; entertainer-comedian, Mutual Network, 1946-47; entertainer-comedian, CBS television, 1948-50; created and hosted The Tonight Show for NBC television, 1953-57; created and hosted Meeting of the Minds for Public Broadcasting Service, 1977-81; continued television guest appearances, 1970s-90s; composed more than 5,700 songs, several musicals; author of 46 books; vocalist, pianist, over 40 albums/CDs. Recipient: Grammy Award, 1964; Emmy Award, 1981; Named to Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, 1986. Died in Encino, California, October 30, 2000.

TELEVISION SERIES

1950-52 Songs for Sale
1952-67,72-73,76 I've Got a Secret
1953-55 Talent Patrol
1954-56 The Tonight Show
1956-61 The Steve Allen Show
1967 The Steve Allen Comedy Hour
1977-81 Meeting of Minds
1980-81 The Steve Allen Comedy Hour
1985-86 The Start of Something Big (host)

TELEVISION MINISERIES

1976 Rich Man, Poor Man

MADE-FOR-TELEVISION MOVIES

1972 Now You See It, Now You Don't
1979 Stone
1979 The Gossip Columnist
1984 The Ratings Game
1985 Alice in Wonderland
1996 James Dean: A Portrait

TELEVISION SPECIALS

1954 Fanfare
1954 The Follies of Suzy
1954 Sunday in Town (co-host)
1955 Good Times (Host)
1957 The Timex All-Star Jazz Show I (host)
1966 The Hollywood Deb Stars of 1966 (co-host)
1976 The Good Old Days of Radio (Host)
1981 I've Had it Up to Here (Host)
1982 Boop Oop a Doop (narrator)
1983-86 Life's Most Embarrassing Moments (host)
1984 Stooge Snapshots

FILMS

Down Memory Lane, 1949; The Benny Goodman Story, 1955; College Confidential, 1960; Warning Shot, 1967; Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?, 1968; The Funny Farm, 1982; Amazon Women on the Moon, 1987; Great Balls of Fire!, 1989; The Player, 1992; Casino, 1995.

PUBLICATIONS (selection)

The Funny Men. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1956.

Mark it and Strike it: An Autobiography. New York: Holt, 1960.

Dialogues in Americanism, with William F. Buckley; Robert Maynard Hutchins; Brent L. Bozell; and James MacGregor Burns. Chicago: H. Regnery Co., 1964.

The Ground is Our Table. Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1966.

Bigger Than A Breadbox. Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1967.

Steve Allen has appropriately been termed television's renaissance man. He has hosted numerous television programs, appeared in several motion pictures, written more than forty books, and composed several thousand songs. He once won a $1,000 bet that he couldn't compose fifty songs a day for a week.

Allen began his career in radio in 1942 as an announcer for station KFAC in Los Angeles. In 1946 he joined the Mutual Broadcasting System as a comedian and two years later signed with CBS as a late-night disc jockey on KNX in Hollywood. He first gained national attention when his program was booked as a thirteen week substitute for Our Miss Brooks during the summer of 1950. This led to his first television program, the Steve Allen Show which debuted on Christmas Day 1950 on CBS. The show was later moved to Thursday nights where it alternated with the popular Amos 'n' Andy.

In 1954 Allen began hosting a daily late-night show on NBC, The Tonight Show. During the next three years, he introduced many television innovations which his successors continued. Most of these involved his audience. Using a hand microphone, he went into the audience to talk with individuals; he answered questions submitted by the audience; members of the audience would attempt to "stump the band" by requesting songs the band couldn't play. Allen involved his announcer Gene Rayburn in nightly chit chat and he spoke with the band leaders, Skitch Henderson and Bobby Byrne. These techniques epitomized Allen's belief that "people will laugh at things that happen before their eyes much more readily than they will at incidents they're merely told about."

In 1956 Allen became a part-time host on Tonight because he was appearing in a new version of the Steve Allen Show. Still on NBC, he was now programmed on Sunday nights--opposite The Ed Sullivan Show on CBS. Thus began one of the most famous ratings wars in television history. Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan were perhaps as distinct from one another as two men could be. Allen was a witty, innovative performer, willing to try virtually anything. Sullivan was a stiff master of ceremonies who compelled his guests to conform to rigid standards of decorum. Although Allen occasionally received higher ratings, Sullivan eventually won the war and after the 1960 season NBC moved The Steve Allen Show to Mondays. A year later Allen took the show into syndication and continued for three more years. From 1964 to 1967 he hosted the highly successful game show I've Got A Secret on CBS.

Steve Allen's most innovative television offering was Meeting of Minds. The format was an hour-long dramatized discussion of social issues. Allen would act as the moderator accompanied by his "guests" in this imaginative exercise, historical characters such as Galileo, Attila the Hun, Charles Darwin, Aristotle, Hegel or Dostoevski. The idea for this program came in 1960, following Allen's reading of Mortimer Adler's The Syntopicon. Rejected by the major networks, the series was accepted by the Public Broadcasting Service in 1977 and ran until 1981.

Throughout his long career as an entertainer Allen also developed a reputation as a social activist. He considered running for Congress as a Democrat from California; he actively opposed capital punishment; he openly supported the controversial comedian Lenny Bruce. He wrote about the plight of migrant farm workers in The Ground is Our Table (1966) and what he considered the collapse of ethics in America in Ripoff (1979). In later years, Allen occassionally appeared on television but spend most of his time operating Meadowlane Music and Rosemeadow Publishing located in Van Nuys, California. Allen died in Encino, California, October 30, 2000.

-Lindsay E. Pack

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Highlights

  • Steve Allen on coining the phrase "bigger than a bread box" on <i>What's My Line?</i>Steve Allen on coining the phrase "bigger than a bread box" on What's My Line?
    Clip begins at: 20:58, Duration: 00m 25s
  • Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring <i>The Steve Allen Show</i> to network and re-titling it <i>Tonight</i>Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight
    Clip begins at: 04:51, Duration: 01m 33s
  • Steve Allen on sketches on <i>The Tonight Show</i> - The Question Man <br/>Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man
    Clip begins at: 04:20, Duration: 02m 21s
  • Steve Allen on his annual invasion of Miami Beach for <i>The Tonight Show</i> <br/>Steve Allen on his annual invasion of Miami Beach for The Tonight Show
    Clip begins at: 06:02, Duration: 03m 22s
  • Steve Allen on Jack Paar and how Paar "invented the couch" on <i>The Tonight Show</i>Steve Allen on Jack Paar and how Paar "invented the couch" on The Tonight Show
    Clip begins at: 28:25, Duration: 00m 36s
  • Steve Allen on how he'd like to be rememberedSteve Allen on how he'd like to be remembered
    Clip begins at: 09:42, Duration: 01m 34s

Interview

  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On reading and his education; on language; on watching movies and listening to radio as a youngster; on comedians he liked
    Clip begins at: 10:34
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 18:09
  • On doing comedy in high school; on attending Drake University in Iowa; on learning radio broadcasting in college; on role model Orson Welles
    Clip begins at: 25:30
  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 07:17
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 16:23
  • On the radio version of The Steve Allen Show on CBS; on his first comedy writers: Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr.
    Clip begins at: 27:14
  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • 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)
    Clip begins at: 06:38
  • On the early days of The Steve Allen Show
    Clip begins at: 21:41
  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On daily preparations for The Steve Allen Show; on critical response to show; on the show's cancellation
    Clip begins at: 14:16
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 20:39
  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 12:03
  • On
    Clip begins at: 00:00
  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On booking talent for the show; on memorable guests on the show and The Tonight Show regulars
    Clip begins at: 07:15
  • On the openings of The Tonight Show; on sketches outside the studio on The Tonight Show; on memorable stunts on the show
    Clip begins at: 16:18
  • On The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme
    Clip begins at: 25:18
  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On interviews with the audience on The Tonight Show - including those with The Rhyming Inventor, Dorothy Miller, and Mrs. Sterling
    Clip begins at: 15:31
  • On The Tonight Show tackling some tough issues - organized crime
    Clip begins at: 25:40
  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On censorship on The Tonight Show; on Mae West's appearance on the show; on the Hollywood Blacklist
    Clip begins at: 09:24
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 17:36
  • On "The Man on the Street" bit
    Clip begins at: 28:01
  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 08:38
  • On tea-bag, wrestling, and funny phone call sketches on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show; on the cancellation of the show
    Clip begins at: 16:44
  • On guest appearances and hosting I've Got a Secret; on film roles; on creating Meeting of Minds and running into censorship problems
    Clip begins at: 25:13
  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On then-current talk shows; on regrets; on how he'd like to be remembered
    Clip begins at: 08:13
  • On his thoughts on colleagues through the years
    Clip begins at: 11:16
  • Part 11
  • On his wife, Jayne Meadows Allen
    Clip begins at: 0:0

Shows

  • Arthur Godfrey and His Friends
    • Steve Allen on Arthur Godfrey being one of the earliest radio personalities to venture into television
      Clip begins at: 15:00, Duration: 00m 38s
  • Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts
    • Steve Allen on Arthur Godfrey being one of the earliest radio personalities to venture into television
      Clip begins at: 15:00, Duration: 00m 38s
  • 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
      Clip begins at: 17:36, Duration: 01m 58s
  • I've Got a Secret
    • Steve Allen on Goodson-Todman's Gil Fates asking him to host I've Got a Secret
      Clip begins at: 25:13, Duration: 01m 40s
  • Meeting of Minds
    • Steve Allen on creating Meeting of Minds and running into censorship problems
      Clip begins at: 27:19, Duration: 01m 51s
    • Steve Allen on censorship on Meeting of Minds
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 03m 48s
    • Steve Allen on his wife, Jayne Meadows Allen, and her roles on Meeting of Minds
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 02m 15s
  • New Steve Allen Show, The (1961, ABC)
    • Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) moving to ABC in 1961 as the short-lived New Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 03:39, Duration: 03m 33s
  • Pantomime Quiz
    • Steve Allen on an early TV appearance on Pantomime Quiz
      Clip begins at: 08:18, Duration: 00m 32s
  • Steve Allen Show, The (1950-1952, CBS)
    • Steve Allen on the radio version of The Steve Allen Show, one year before the TV version
      Clip begins at: 27:14, Duration: 02m 45s
    • Steve Allen on the early days of The Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 21:41, Duration: 06m 58s
    • Steve Allen on his first daytime show, The Steve Allen Show; on the crew, daily preparations, and the show's cancellation
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 20m 39s
  • Steve Allen Show, The (1953-1954, WNBT)
    • Steve Allen on hosting the second Steve Allen Show, a late-night show on WNBT
      Clip begins at: 23:03, Duration: 05m 37s
    • Steve Allen on the sets of the nightly Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 04m 51s
  • Steve Allen Show, The (1956-1961, NBC)
    • Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight
      Clip begins at: 04:51, Duration: 01m 33s
    • Steve Allen on the comedy writing team of Herb Sergeant and Stan Burns on his Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 22:39, Duration: 05m 30s
    • Steve Allen on the prime-time Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 17:36, Duration: 11m 24s
    • Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) moving to Hollywood from New York
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 03m 39s
  • Steve Allen Westinghouse Show, The
    • Steve Allen on the sketches and the crew of the syndicated Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 08:30, Duration: 18m 23s
  • Today
    • Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight
      Clip begins at: 04:51, Duration: 01m 33s
  • Tonight (The Tonight Show with Steve Allen)
    • Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight
      Clip begins at: 04:51, Duration: 01m 33s
    • Steve Allen on the crew of his Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 18:21, Duration: 10m 18s
    • Steve Allen on reaching a national audience on Tonight and his material for the show; on the first episode
      Clip begins at: 06:24, Duration: 11m 57s
    • Steve Allen on Tonight Show producer Bill Harbach; on the impact of the show; on booking talent and memorable guests
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 16m 17s
    • Steve Allen on the openings, stunts and skits on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 16:18, Duration: 09m 00s
    • Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme
      Clip begins at: 25:18, Duration: 03m 02s
    • Steve Allen on musical guests on The Tonight Show - Duke Ellington, Tony Bennett, those in jazz and classical music
      Clip begins at: 00:04, Duration: 04m 16s
    • Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man, Crazy Shots,
      Clip begins at: 04:20, Duration: 07m 45s
    • Steve Allen on interviews with the audience on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 15:31, Duration: 10m 09s
    • Steve Allen on The Tonight Show tackling some tough issues - organized crime
      Clip begins at: 25:40, Duration: 02m 54s
    • Steve Allen on inspiring a section of the film My Favorite Year with his segment on organized crime on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 04m 25s
    • Steve Allen on shooting outside the studio for The Tonight Show; on censorship and the Blacklist
      Clip begins at: 04:26, Duration: 13m 10s
    • Steve Allen on realizing he would have to give up The Tonight Show to stay with his prime-time comedy show
      Clip begins at: 21:45, Duration: 01m 40s
  • Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
    • Steve Allen on being in awe of how Johnny Carson stayed at The Tonight Show for thirty years
      Clip begins at: 09:06, Duration: 00m 36s
  • Tonight Show, The (1957-1962, 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
      Clip begins at: 28:25, Duration: 00m 36s
  • What's My Line?
    • Steve Allen on being a regular on What's My Line?
      Clip begins at: 20:39, Duration: 02m 24s

People

  • Fred Allen
    • Steve Allen on Fred Allen not liking television studios
      Clip begins at: 25:23, Duration: 01m 04s
    • Steve Allen on Fred Allen and Allen's view of television
      Clip begins at: 16:34, Duration: 01m 35s
  • Woody Allen
    • Steve Allen on memorable guest stars on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 22:51, Duration: 00m 57s
  • Eve Arden
    • Steve Allen on replacing Eve Arden's show and having Groucho Marx and Jack Benny as his first guests
      Clip begins at: 02:35, Duration: 01m 55s
  • Jim Aubrey
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Jim Aubrey
      Clip begins at: 12:09, Duration: 00m 50s
  • Tony Bennett
    • Steve Allen on musical guests on The Tonight Show - Tony Bennett
      Clip begins at: 01:52, Duration: 01m 13s
  • Jack Benny
    • Steve Allen on replacing Eve Arden's show and having Groucho Marx and Jack Benny as his first guests
      Clip begins at: 02:35, Duration: 01m 55s
    • Steve Allen on the radio version of The Steve Allen Show, one year before the TV version
      Clip begins at: 27:14, Duration: 01m 21s
  • Milton Berle
    • Steve Allen on his very famous babysitter, Milton Berle
      Clip begins at: 01:41, Duration: 00m 55s
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Milton Berle
      Clip begins at: 25:20, Duration: 00m 53s
  • Marlon Brando
    • Steve Allen on censorship on Meeting of Minds and Marlon Brando and Shirley MacLaine getting involved with him to protest capital punishment
      Clip begins at: 01:29, Duration: 01m 55s
  • Stan Burns
    • Steve Allen on Stan Burns becoming a writer on the late-night Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 27:08, Duration: 01m 28s
    • Steve Allen on the comedic talents of Dwight Hemion, Herb Sergeant and Stan Burns on his Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 21:45, Duration: 02m 24s
    • Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers
      Clip begins at: 25:30, Duration: 00m 40s
    • Steve Allen on writer Stan Burns on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 16:07, Duration: 00m 37s
  • Sid Caesar
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Sid Caesar
      Clip begins at: 24:42, Duration: 00m 38s
    • Steve Allen on attending Sid Caesar's last show on NBC
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 02m 39s
  • Eddie Cantor
    • Steve Allen on Eddie Cantor 
      Clip begins at: 16:11, Duration: 00m 16s
  • Bob Carroll, Jr.
    • Steve Allen on Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr. writing for his radio show
      Clip begins at: 00:31, Duration: 01m 56s
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Pugh Davis
      Clip begins at: 11:16, Duration: 00m 38s
    • Steve Allen on writers of the radio version of The Steve Allen Show, one year before the TV version
      Clip begins at: 28:35
  • Johnny Carson
    • Steve Allen on Jack Paar and Allen prank calling Johnny Carson on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 22:37, Duration: 00m 14s
    • Steve Allen on being in awe of how Johnny Carson stayed at The Tonight Show for thirty years
      Clip begins at: 09:06, Duration: 00m 36s
  • Bennett Cerf
    • Steve Allen on being a regular on What's My Line?
      Clip begins at: 20:39, Duration: 00m 19s
    • Steve Allen on Bennett Cerf being charming on What's My Line?
      Clip begins at: 22:39, Duration: 00m 24s
  • Rosemary Clooney
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Rosemary Clooney
      Clip begins at: 14:02, Duration: 00m 58s
  • Tim Conway
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Tim Conway
      Clip begins at: 23:35, Duration: 00m 54s
  • Bill Dana
    • Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man
      Clip begins at: 04:20, Duration: 03m 46s
    • Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers
      Clip begins at: 25:30, Duration: 00m 40s
  • Sammy Davis, Jr.
    • Steve Allen on Sammy Davis, Jr. as a guest on Tonight - and Dwight Hemion placing Davis on the stage
      Clip begins at: 20:18, Duration: 01m 04s
  • Doris Day
    • Steve Allen on Doris Day not showing up for his late-night radio show
      Clip begins at: 25:25, Duration: 01m 29s
  • Bob Dylan
    • Steve Allen on memorable guest stars on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 23:06, Duration: 00m 42s
  • Duke Ellington
    • Steve Allen on musical guests on The Tonight Show - Duke Ellington
      Clip begins at: 00:04, Duration: 01m 48s
  • John F. Kennedy
    • Steve Allen on John F. Kennedy's favorite joke
      Clip begins at: 06:42, Duration: 01m 05s
  • Gil Fates
    • Steve Allen on Goodson-Todman's Gil Fates asking him to host I've Got a Secret
      Clip begins at: 25:13, Duration: 01m 40s
  • Betty Garrett
    • Steve Allen on recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist - not being able to book Betty Garrett and Larry Parks
      Clip begins at: 13:10, Duration: 01m 37s
  • Greer Garson
    • Steve Allen on Greer Garson as a guest on Tonight
      Clip begins at: 25:23, Duration: 00m 25s
  • Arthur Godfrey
    • Steve Allen on Arthur Godfrey being one of the earliest radio personalities to venture into television and Allen subbing for him
      Clip begins at: 15:00, Duration: 02m 41s
  • Mark Goodson
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Mark Goodson and Bill Todman
      Clip begins at: 16:07, Duration: 00m 52s
  • Eydie Gorme
    • Steve Allen on Eydie Gorme and her response to critics
      Clip begins at: 16:54, Duration: 00m 58s
    • Steve Allen on an appearance by singers Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence
      Clip begins at: 16:42, Duration: 00m 50s
    • Steve Allen on memorable guests on The Tonight Show - the singers
      Clip begins at: 13:12, Duration: 02m 02s
    • Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme
      Clip begins at: 25:18, Duration: 02m 45s
  • Pat Harrington, Jr.
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Pat Harrington, Jr.
      Clip begins at: 18:08, Duration: 00m 43s
  • Dwight Hemion
    • Steve Allen on the talents of director Dwight Hemion, on the Tonight Show 
      Clip begins at: 19:13, Duration: 02m 32s
    • Steve Allen on an appearance by singers Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence
      Clip begins at: 16:42, Duration: 00m 50s
    • Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - Crazy Shots
      Clip begins at: 08:06, Duration: 03m 59s
    • Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers
      Clip begins at: 25:30, Duration: 00m 40s
    • Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers
      Clip begins at: 25:30, Duration: 00m 40s
  • Skitch Henderson
    • Steve Allen on Skitch Henderson becoming the bandleader on Tonight
      Clip begins at: 18:46, Duration: 00m 23s
  • Charlton Heston
    • Steve Allen on a funny Charlton Heston sketch on Tonight
      Clip begins at: 24:09, Duration: 01m 14s
  • Don Hinkley
    • Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man
      Clip begins at: 04:20, Duration: 03m 46s
    • Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers
      Clip begins at: 25:30, Duration: 00m 40s
  • Bob Hope
    • Steve Allen on radio stars slowly transitioning to television
      Clip begins at: 07:22, Duration: 00m 30s
    • Steve Allen on seeing Bob Hope in the radio show "Command Performance"
      Clip begins at: 11:34, Duration: 02m 22s
  • Ted Koppel
    • Steve Allen on watching Ted Koppel
      Clip begins at: 08:13, Duration: 00m 28s
  • Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver
    • Steve Allen on Pat Weaver encouraging NBC employees to have an informative/educational segment in their programs
      Clip begins at: 16:53, Duration: 00m 43s
    • Steve Allen on Pat Weaver's contributions to Tonight
      Clip begins at: 13:11, Duration: 02m 53s
    • Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight
      Clip begins at: 04:51, Duration: 01m 33s
  • Steve Lawrence
    • Steve Allen on an appearance by singers Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence
      Clip begins at: 16:42, Duration: 00m 50s
    • Steve Allen on memorable guests on The Tonight Show - the singers
      Clip begins at: 13:12, Duration: 02m 02s
    • Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme
      Clip begins at: 25:18, Duration: 02m 45s
  • Peggy Lee
    • Steve Allen on Peggy Lee singing on his first daytime show, The Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 06:48, Duration: 02m 08s
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Peggy Lee
      Clip begins at: 15:54, Duration: 00m 13s
  • David Letterman
    • Steve Allen on the number of comedy writers nowadays
      Clip begins at: 26:35, Duration: 00m 21s
    • Steve Allen on David Letterman being a fan of the syndicated Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 08:30, Duration: 00m 55s
  • Jerry Lewis
    • Steve Allen on Jerry Lewis making a funny phone call with Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 21:44, Duration: 00m 46s
  • Max Liebman
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Max Liebman
      Clip begins at: 16:59, Duration: 00m 31s
  • Shirley MacLaine
    • Steve Allen on censorship on Meeting of Minds and Marlon Brando and Shirley MacLaine getting involved with him to protest capital punishment
      Clip begins at: 01:29, Duration: 01m 55s
  • Groucho Marx
    • Steve Allen on replacing Eve Arden's show and having Groucho Marx and Jack Benny as his first guests
      Clip begins at: 02:35, Duration: 01m 55s
  • Jayne Meadows
    • Steve Allen on his wife, Jayne Meadows Allen
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 02m 26s
  • Daniel Melnick
    • Steve Allen on crew members on his first daytime show, The Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 04:26, Duration: 02m 22s
    • Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) moving to ABC in 1961 as the short-lived New Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 03:39, Duration: 03m 33s
  • Kim Novak
    • Steve Allen on Kim Novak as a guest on Tonight
      Clip begins at: 27:16, Duration: 01m 23s
  • Louis Nye
    • Steve Allen on starting a new late-night show on WNBT with Louis Nye as a guest
      Clip begins at: 23:03, Duration: 03m 17s
  • Jack Paar
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Jack Paar
      Clip begins at: 28:03, Duration: 00m 58s
    • Steve Allen on some of Jack Paar's guests when Paar hosted The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 09:45, Duration: 00m 19s
    • Steve Allen on Jack Paar and Allen prank calling Johnny Carson on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 22:30, Duration: 00m 21s
  • Joseph Papp
    • Steve Allen on crew members on his first daytime show, The Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 03:58, Duration: 00m 28s
  • Larry Parks
    • Steve Allen on recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist - not being able to book Betty Garrett and Larry Parks
      Clip begins at: 13:10, Duration: 01m 37s
  • Elvis Presley
    • Steve Allen on booking Elvis Presley for his first major television appearance
      Clip begins at: 19:14, Duration: 00m 20s
    • Steve Allen on Ed Sullivan panicking when Steve Allen booked Elvis
      Clip begins at: 24:35, Duration: 00m 55s
  • Madelyn Pugh Davis
    • Steve Allen on writers of the radio version of The Steve Allen Show, one year before the TV version
      Clip begins at: 28:35
    • Steve Allen on Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr. writing for his radio show
      Clip begins at: 00:31, Duration: 01m 56s
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Pugh Davis
      Clip begins at: 11:16, Duration: 00m 38s
  • Gene Rayburn
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Gene Rayburn
      Clip begins at: 17:30, Duration: 00m 32s
    • Steve Allen on NBC wanting a segment on ski conditions added to The Tonight Show (Tonight), which Gene Rayburn announced
      Clip begins at: 09:14, Duration: 01m 14s
    • Steve Allen on his annual invasion of Miami Beach for The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 07:15, Duration: 02m 09s
  • Carl Reiner
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Carl Reiner
      Clip begins at: 26:13, Duration: 00m 37s
    • Steve Allen on appearing in Carl Reiner's film The Comic
      Clip begins at: 26:53, Duration: 00m 15s
  • Burt Reynolds
    • Steve Allen on Burt Reynolds being a wonderful guest on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 08:56, Duration: 00m 36s
  • Hubbell Robinson
    • Steve Allen on getting hired for CBS network television in NY by Hubbell Robinson
      Clip begins at: 17:41, Duration: 04m 00s
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Hubbell Robinson
      Clip begins at: 11:54, Duration: 00m 15s
  • Herbert Sargent
    • Steve Allen on Herbert Sargent becoming a writer on the late-night Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 27:08, Duration: 01m 28s
    • Steve Allen on the comedic talents of Dwight Hemion, Herb Sergeant and Stan Burns on his Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 21:45, Duration: 02m 24s
    • Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers
      Clip begins at: 25:30, Duration: 00m 40s
  • David Sarnoff
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - David Sarnoff
      Clip begins at: 18:55, Duration: 02m 58s
  • Doc Severinsen
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Doc Severinsen
      Clip begins at: 24:29, Duration: 00m 13s
  • Allan Sherman
    • Steve Allen on Steve Allen Westinghouse Show producer Allan Sherman
      Clip begins at: 13:58, Duration: 02m 03s
  • Frank Stanton
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Frank Stanton
      Clip begins at: 12:59, Duration: 00m 22s
  • Leonard Stern
    • Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers
      Clip begins at: 25:30, Duration: 01m 43s
  • Mike Stokey
    • Steve Allen on an early TV appearance on Pantomime Quiz
      Clip begins at: 08:18, Duration: 00m 32s
  • Ed Sullivan
    • Steve Allen on Ed Sullivan panicking when Steve Allen booked Elvis
      Clip begins at: 24:35, Duration: 00m 55s
  • Bill Todman
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Mark Goodson and Bill Todman
      Clip begins at: 16:07, Duration: 00m 52s
  • Nick Vanoff
    • Steve Allen on Nick Vanoff asking him to introduce Pat Weaver at an awards show
      Clip begins at: 14:41, Duration: 01m 23s
    • Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - Crazy Shots
      Clip begins at: 10:40, Duration: 00m 37s
  • Orson Welles
    • Steve Allen on role model Orson Welles
      Clip begins at: 28:13, Duration: 00m 36s
  • Mort Werner
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Mort Werner
      Clip begins at: 26:50, Duration: 00m 29s
  • Mae West
    • Steve Allen on booking Mae West on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 10:00, Duration: 02m 23s
  • Andy Williams
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Andy Williams
      Clip begins at: 22:10, Duration: 00m 20s
    • Steve Allen on memorable guests on The Tonight Show - the singers
      Clip begins at: 13:12, Duration: 02m 02s
    • Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme
      Clip begins at: 25:18, Duration: 02m 45s
  • Esther Williams
    • Steve Allen on film stars appearing on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) when it moved to Hollywood
      Clip begins at: 02:04, Duration: 01m 35s
  • Jonathan Winters
    • Steve Allen on his thoughts on colleagues through the years - Jonathan Winters
      Clip begins at: 22:30, Duration: 01m 05s
  • Marvin Wolf
    • Steve Allen on bringing his Tonight Show staff to his prime-time Steve Allen Show and adding some writers
      Clip begins at: 26:10, Duration: 01m 03s

Topics

  • Bloopers
    • Steve Allen on live television mishaps on The Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 13:24, Duration: 00m 52s
  • Creative Influences and Inspiration
    • Steve Allen on role model Orson Welles
      Clip begins at: 28:13, Duration: 00m 36s
  • Historic Events and Social Change > War > WWII
    • Steve Allen on being drafted into World War II
      Clip begins at: 07:17, Duration: 01m 16s
  • Memorable Moments on Television
    • Steve Allen on his early recollections of TV - Kathy Fiscus falling down the well and the idea of event television
      Clip begins at: 04:30, Duration: 02m 08s
    • Steve Allen on Kim Novak as a guest on Tonight
      Clip begins at: 27:16, Duration: 01m 23s
    • Steve Allen on the openings of The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 16:18, Duration: 01m 07s
    • Steve Allen on dressing as a cop and going out onto the street for The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 17:25, Duration: 01m 35s
    • Steve Allen on sketches outside the studio on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 19:00, Duration: 01m 52s
    • Steve Allen on the fake car accident stunt on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 20:52, Duration: 00m 45s
    • Steve Allen on musical guests on The Tonight Show - Duke Ellington
      Clip begins at: 00:04, Duration: 01m 48s
    • Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man
      Clip begins at: 04:20, Duration: 02m 21s
    • Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - Crazy Shots
      Clip begins at: 08:06, Duration: 03m 59s
    • Steve Allen on a tug-of-war with an elephant on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 10:19, Duration: 02m 00s
    • Steve Allen on a tea-bag sketch on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 16:44, Duration: 00m 57s
    • Steve Allen on funny phone call sketches on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 18:38, Duration: 04m 13s
  • Memorable Moments on Television > We Celebrated
    • Steve Allen on sketches outside the studio on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 19:00, Duration: 01m 52s
  • Memorable Moments on Television > We Laughed
    • Steve Allen on Kim Novak as a guest on Tonight
      Clip begins at: 27:16, Duration: 01m 23s
    • Steve Allen on the openings of The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 16:18, Duration: 01m 07s
    • Steve Allen on dressing as a cop and going out onto the street for The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 17:25, Duration: 01m 35s
    • Steve Allen on the fake car accident stunt on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 20:52, Duration: 00m 45s
    • Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - The Question Man
      Clip begins at: 04:20, Duration: 02m 21s
    • Steve Allen on sketches on The Tonight Show - Crazy Shots
      Clip begins at: 08:06, Duration: 03m 59s
    • Steve Allen on a tug-of-war with an elephant on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 10:19, Duration: 02m 00s
    • Steve Allen on a tea-bag sketch on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 16:44, Duration: 00m 57s
    • Steve Allen on funny phone call sketches on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 18:38, Duration: 04m 13s
  • Pop Culture
    • Steve Allen on coining the phrase "bigger than a bread box" on What's My Line?
      Clip begins at: 20:58, Duration: 00m 25s
  • Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
    • Steve Allen on coining the phrase "bigger than a bread box" on What's My Line?
      Clip begins at: 20:58, Duration: 00m 25s
  • Sports
    • Steve Allen on announcing wrestling for ABC television
      Clip begins at: 08:18, Duration: 03m 22s
    • Steve Allen on announcing wrestling for ABC television and how his gift for ad-libbing helped
      Clip begins at: 12:28, Duration: 02m 32s
  • Television Industry
    • Steve Allen on network involvement with Tonight
      Clip begins at: 12:03, Duration: 01m 08s
    • Steve Allen on censorship on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 09:24, Duration: 02m 59s
    • Steve Allen on creating Meeting of Minds and running into censorship problems
      Clip begins at: 28:17, Duration: 00m 53s
    • Steve Allen on censorship on Meeting of Minds
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 03m 23s
    • Steve Allen on how television has changed over the years and appealing to the public good
      Clip begins at: 05:13, Duration: 01m 56s
  • Television Industry > Censorship / Standards & Practices
    • Steve Allen on network involvement with Tonight
      Clip begins at: 12:03, Duration: 01m 08s
    • Steve Allen on censorship on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 09:06, Duration: 03m 17s
    • Steve Allen on creating Meeting of Minds and running into censorship problems
      Clip begins at: 21:16, Duration: 07m 54s
    • Steve Allen on censorship on Meeting of Minds
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 03m 23s
  • Television Industry > Criticism of TV
    • Steve Allen on critical response to The Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 16:04, Duration: 02m 26s
  • Television Industry > Criticism of TV > Trash TV
    • Steve Allen on how television has changed over the years and appealing to the public good
      Clip begins at: 05:13, Duration: 01m 56s
  • Television Industry > Industry Crossroads
    • Steve Allen on the Hollywood Blacklist
      Clip begins at: 12:23, Duration: 05m 13s
  • Television Industry > Industry Crossroads > Hollywood Blacklist (ca. 1950s)
    • Steve Allen on the Hollywood Blacklist
      Clip begins at: 12:23, Duration: 05m 13s
  • Television and the Presidency
    • Steve Allen on John F. Kennedy's favorite joke
      Clip begins at: 06:42, Duration: 01m 05s
  • Television and the Presidency > Kennedy
    • Steve Allen on John F. Kennedy's favorite joke
      Clip begins at: 06:42, Duration: 01m 05s

Genres

  • Late Night
    • Steve Allen on hosting the second Steve Allen Show, a late-night show on WNBT
      Clip begins at: 23:03, Duration: 05m 37s
    • Steve Allen on the comedic talents of Dwight Hemion, Herb Sergeant and Stan Burns on his Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 19:13, Duration: 04m 56s
    • Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight
      Clip begins at: 04:51, Duration: 01m 33s
    • Steve Allen on America becoming a late-night television audience and creating a new genre
      Clip begins at: 04:39, Duration: 02m 36s
    • Steve Allen on Tonight Show producer Bill Harbach; on the impact of the show; on booking talent and memorable guests
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 16m 17s
    • Steve Allen on the openings, stunts and skits on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 16:18, Duration: 09m 00s
    • Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme
      Clip begins at: 25:18, Duration: 02m 45s
    • Steve Allen on musical guests, sketches, audience interviews, and tough issues on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 00:04, Duration: 28m 30s
    • Steve Allen on shooting outside the studio for The Tonight Show; on censorship and the Blacklist
      Clip begins at: 04:26, Duration: 13m 10s
  • Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
    • Steve Allen on the prime-time Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 17:36, Duration: 11m 24s
    • Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) moving to ABC in 1961 as the short-lived New Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 03:39, Duration: 03m 33s
  • Sports
    • Steve Allen on announcing wrestling for ABC television
      Clip begins at: 08:18, Duration: 03m 22s
  • Talk Shows
    • Steve Allen on the early days of The Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 21:41, Duration: 06m 58s
    • Steve Allen on hosting the second Steve Allen Show, a late-night show on WNBT
      Clip begins at: 23:03, Duration: 05m 37s
    • Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight
      Clip begins at: 04:51, Duration: 01m 33s
    • Steve Allen on Tonight Show producer Bill Harbach; on the impact of the show; on booking talent and memorable guests
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 16m 17s
    • Steve Allen on the openings, stunts and skits on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 16:18, Duration: 09m 00s
    • Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme
      Clip begins at: 25:18, Duration: 02m 45s
    • Steve Allen on musical guests, sketches, audience interviews, and tough issues on The Tonight Show
      Clip begins at: 00:04, Duration: 28m 30s
    • Steve Allen on shooting outside the studio for The Tonight Show; on censorship and the Blacklist
      Clip begins at: 04:26, Duration: 13m 10s
    • Steve Allen on the sketches and the crew of the syndicated Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
      Clip begins at: 08:30, Duration: 18m 23s

Professions

  • Performers > Comedian
    • Steve Allen on putting together a comedy act and bombing on stage
      Clip begins at: 05:18, Duration: 01m 59s
    • 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
      Clip begins at: 20:24, Duration: 06m 50s
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Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2013-02-02 07:06.

Allen's 1968-69 Film ways talk-variety show is never referenced. For baby boomers, this is the Allen vehicle that's most remembered. It was a great showcase of late 1960s pop music and culture.

Submitted by Richard R. McCurdy on Fri, 2012-12-07 22:26.

An articulate genius. Enormous pleasure to listen and marvel at his speech and the content.

Submitted by Helmy on Thu, 2012-08-09 10:05.

He is a multi talented man...

Submitted by Pennagrundsau on Thu, 2012-06-21 00:30.

He was one of those comedians (all too rare then, and nonexistant now) who worked clean, were intelligent, literate, never brash, who were never backward at letting the other guy get the laugh...

Submitted by Allen Homes on Tue, 2012-03-13 04:04.

Terrific interview with a legend

Submitted by george39able on Fri, 2011-07-08 09:03.

Steve's genius is the quietness of his uniqueness in his comedic pause's ...the loudness of his comedic .. .. " silence is deafening ,"....a True master!

Submitted by zyxquark on Sun, 2011-07-03 06:46.

I wonder if this was before the advent of "reality tv." I imagine he would have found that underwhelming. with reality tv, we vaulted to a new low.

Submitted by DmRofAtoZ on Fri, 2011-07-01 07:08.

There's a lotta' stuff out there where viewership drops for parts 2 and beyond, and it often saddens me . . sometimes it's astounding, considering the material . . but by gosh, we sure live in a busy overwhelming whirled where it's hard to give the amount time something like this deserves.
This adds up to 2 of the "Lord Of The Rings" movies . . . that said, I'm on my way to all 11 myself !

Submitted by dwalden74 on Wed, 2011-05-25 23:13.

Total genius.

Submitted by rickbangkok on Tue, 2011-05-24 03:17.

I miss Steve!

Submitted by WSenator1 on Sat, 2011-03-26 11:51.

What a incredibly talented man - comedian, musician, songwriter, author, social conscience - yet a gentleman, a gentle, modest man. I miss his type of performer.

Submitted by lenbenhear on Thu, 2011-03-17 12:11.

This man was a giant, ... and a brilliant comedic mind.
these interviews are among the most interesting on the Net.

Submitted by lenbenhear on Tue, 2011-03-15 05:22.

One of the great comedic minds of the 20th century.
a multi-talented man. no doubt.

Submitted by lenbenhear on Sat, 2011-03-12 14:16.

WONDERFUL INTERVIEW ! Steve Allen was such a bright, bright, talented man !

Submitted by lenbenhear on Wed, 2011-03-09 14:25.

Steve Allen was one of the brightest talents that ever worked in TV.
these interview are a treasure.

Submitted by chasrw303 on Sun, 2011-01-30 05:14.

Mr Allen was very dear to my mother, who passed Thursday. They crossed paths three times and I have, at least, some wonderful stories/memories. He was a wonderful and talented individual.

Submitted by EMCEMITCH on Tue, 2011-01-18 04:07.

he passed away shortly after these interviews..he was 79---r.i.p. steve

Submitted by philgiesbrecht on Mon, 2010-08-23 00:39.

@Nemesis7293 You articulated my sentiments exactly! ! Like you, once I started watching, I just couldn't stop.

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