STEVE ALLEN
By
JOEL JUSTUS
· Created and hosted the "Tonight Show" (September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957) When Steve left the show, the format was continued by Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. It remains the highest rated series on late night television, and is the longest running entertainment series in television history.
· Starred in the critically-acclaimed NBC series "The Steve Allen Show." (June 24, 1956 - 1960). This Sunday night show had a neck-and-neck rating battle with Ed Sullivan's Sunday night CBS show, which saw Steve in the lead one week and Sullivan ahead the next. Regulars were Louis Nye, Tom Poston, Don Knotts, Dayton Allen, Gabe Dell, Pat Harrington, Skitch Henderson and announcer Gene Rayburn.
· Starred in numerous other Steve Allen Shows (1960 - 76) for ABC, CBS and various syndication companies, including episodes of late night comedies which David Letterman has credited as the single biggest inspiration for his show today.
· Created the award-winning Meeting of the Minds (1977-1981), one of the most popular series presented by the Public Broadcasting Service