Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957)
The groundbreaking NBC late-night talk show that redefined television conversation, hosted by the singular Jack Paar from 1957 to 1962.
Tonight Starring Jack Paar - Series Information
- Original Title: Tonight Starring Jack Paar
- First Air Year: 1957
- Last Air Year: 1962
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Talk
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 105 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 292
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: NBC
- Alternative Titles: The Jack Paar Show (US)
Tonight Starring Jack Paar - Plot
Tonight Starring Jack Paar is an American talk show hosted by Jack Paar under The Tonight Show franchise from 1957 to 1962. It originally aired during late-night. During most of its run it was broadcast from Studio 6B inside the RCA Building. The same studio would also host early episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Its theme song was an instrumental version of "Everything's Coming Up Roses", and the closing theme was "So Until I See You" by Al Lerner.
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Tonight Starring Jack Paar - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Jack Paar
- Hugh Downs
- José Melis
- Hermione Gingold
- Orson Bean
- Skitch Henderson
- Cliff Arquette
- Dody Goodman
- Art Linkletter
- Hans Conried
Tonight Starring Jack Paar - FAQs
What is Tonight Starring Jack Paar about?
Tonight Starring Jack Paar is an American late-night talk show that aired on NBC from 1957 to 1962 as part of The Tonight Show franchise. Hosted by the witty and unpredictable Jack Paar, the show featured celebrity interviews, comedy, and lively conversation, broadcast primarily from Studio 6B in the RCA Building.
Why did Jack Paar famously walk off his own show?
In February 1960, Jack Paar walked off the show mid-broadcast after NBC censors cut a joke he had told the previous night without his knowledge. He returned three weeks later, opening with the now-famous line, "As I was saying before I was interrupted..." The incident became one of television's most talked-about moments.
Where can you watch Tonight Starring Jack Paar?
Due to the show's age and the widespread practice of tape reuse in early television, most episodes of Tonight Starring Jack Paar no longer exist in complete form. Select clips and surviving segments can be found on YouTube. Check JustWatch for any current streaming availability in your region.
How many seasons and episodes does the show have?
Tonight Starring Jack Paar ran for 6 seasons and a total of 292 episodes. Season 1 had 68 episodes, Season 2 had 52, Season 3 had 47, Season 4 had 52, Season 5 had 81, and Season 6 had 4 episodes before Jack Paar departed in March 1962.
Who were the main cast members of the show?
The show featured Jack Paar as host, Hugh Downs as announcer, José Melis and Skitch Henderson as bandleaders, and a rotating ensemble including Hermione Gingold, Orson Bean, Cliff Arquette, Dody Goodman, Art Linkletter, and Hans Conried, among many notable guest hosts and performers.
When did Tonight Starring Jack Paar first air?
Tonight Starring Jack Paar first aired in 1957 on NBC, when Jack Paar took over The Tonight Show franchise following Steve Allen's departure. The show ran until March 1962, when Paar left and was eventually succeeded by Johnny Carson later that same year.
Where was Tonight Starring Jack Paar filmed?
During most of its run, Tonight Starring Jack Paar was broadcast from Studio 6B inside the RCA Building in New York City. The same studio would later host early episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, making it one of television's most historic production spaces.
How was Tonight Starring Jack Paar received by critics?
The show was widely praised for elevating the late-night talk format into something more personal, emotional, and intellectually engaging. Jack Paar was credited with transforming the genre by prioritizing genuine conversation over variety-show spectacle, and his tenure is considered one of the most influential in late-night television history.
More About Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Explore further details about this classic late-night series on these authoritative resources.