Johnny Carson was the original Tonight Show host.

This show first went nationwide on NBC September 27th 1954. In those days the program duration was 1 hour and 45 minutes and Mr. Allen remained a host until January 1957. Johnny Carson became the host only on the 2nd of October 1962, though in 1958 Carson appeared on The Tonight Show as a substitute for host Jack Paar.

The Tonight Show had originated in 1951 in Los Angeles as a radio program hosted by Steve Allen. In 1954, the program moved to TV and in 1957 Jack Parr replaced Allen as the host. He hosted the show from New York City until 1972, when it moved to Burbank, California.

The show is one of the most popular in the USA and also one of the oldest on television.

Have you ever watched this show? If yes, who is your favorite host? Share your opinion in the comments!

More Info: www.history.com

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79 Comments

Larry Humphrey

It doesn't matter--Johnny Carson was and will always be the best.

Bob Wexler

i watched it frequently from Steve Allen, Jack, Jonny, Jay. But not ao much since Jay left. Jay walking was among my favorite segment.

Douglas Germond

The best Tonight Show will always be when Johnny Carson hosted it. I actually got to see a taping of one show that had Carrie Fisher and Gary Shandling as guests. It was a fantastic, truly enjoyable day!!!!!

Jane Elliott

Johnny Carson was my favorite

Owen Tucker

Jane Owen, I disagree with all of you all.

marilynmitri

Here's Johnny!!

Kay Agnew

Larry Humphrey, I barely remember Paar, but I was three three then and we got our first TV a year later!

marijohnross

Jane Owen, So do I!

Mary Clinton

Loved Johnny -my husband and I watched the show together! I think Jimmy Fallon is great-love watching him now!!

Cheryl Love

Lynne Zeman, No. Steve Allen was the 1st host, followed by Jack Paar, then Carson.

Howard Groopman

Corey Taylor, I gave up on Fallon two years ago. He fawns over every guest, and his verbal byplay with his announcer and the band members is flat and embarrassing. Colbert has much superior writers and is very intelligent to boot.

Howard Groopman

Good question, but PAAR misspelled.

Corey Taylor

WALTER CRONKITE!? What network are you tuned into!?

Corey Taylor

There's been nobody great since Jay Leno stepped down. Fallon is good, but his writer's violate Carson and Leno's cardinal rule: Everyone gets made fun of equally.

Char

Majority didn't know either so apparently many others didn't watch these shows and I still don't just catch clips.

earlepg

Before retiring I never stayed up to watch the late-night shows, so I only managed to catch a few times when Steve and Johnny were hosts. I liked both but just couldn't stay up. Missed Paar completely. After retiring I started watching the show with Leno as host (I have to say that under the circumstances, i liked Leno the most). I gave Fallon about a week, but was not impessed. I also wasn't impressed with any of the other late-night hosts.