Tonight Show, The, is a popular late-night American television variety show. It has been on the NBC television network with various hosts since 1954. The show’s basic format includes a humorous opening monologue, comedy sketches, musical numbers, and interviews with guest stars. It airs every weeknight.
The show traces its roots to a local program called “Tonight!” that began in New York City in 1953. It was hosted by the entertainer and musician Steve Allen . The show began airing on the NBC television network in 1954 with Allen as host. In 1956 and 1957, the comedian Ernie Kovacs hosted the show two nights a week, while Allen hosted the other three. In 1957, the humorist Jack Paar became the sole host, and the show was renamed “The Jack Paar Tonight Show.”
The entertainer Johnny Carson appeared as a guest host on “The Tonight Show” in 1958. He became the show’s regular host in 1962, and the show was renamed “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” Carson’s appealing sense of humor and natural performing style helped maintain the show’s immense popularity for 30 years. The show’s announcer, Ed McMahon, served as Carson’s sidekick. Doc Severinsen was the show’s bandleader from 1967 until Carson’s last show in 1992.
The comedian Jay Leno , a frequent guest host on the show, replaced Carson in 1992, and the show was renamed “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” The writer and comedian Conan O’Brien hosted the show from June 2009 until January 2010, and the show was renamed “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.” O’Brien left the show after a dispute with NBC. NBC wanted to change its late-night schedule to air “The Tonight Show” a half hour later. O’Brien did not want to host the show at that time and was released from his contract. Leno returned as host of “The Tonight Show” in March 2010. He hosted the show until early February 2014. Comedian Jimmy Fallon became host later that month.
