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The Tonight Show
Recounts the history of the long-running Tonight Show, from the madcap antics of Steve Allen, through the psychodramas of Jack Paar, to the surprising phenomenal popularity of Johnny Carson
290 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 1, 2019
Worth reading to get a feeling for Jack Paar if you were too young to remember him.
May 14, 2024
Stellar background about the start of a legendary show ...
July 25, 2015
A book sale find I was lucky to find!
When I finished this book, I had a bitter sweet feeling. Originally published in 1980, Johnny Carson would retire in 1992. The talk show world sure has changed. I felt this book gave a good history of what eventually led up to The Tonight Show.
At first I didn’t like the early chapter on, I’ll call it caveman comedians….by the end of the book it all made sense. I can’t believe I’m going to say this…for those who “remember” the Carson years, and those who know just who Steve Allen and Jack Paar is….you’ll enjoy and appreciate this book. At least you’ll know who the entertainers are that are mentioned in this book. There’s a list at the very end of the book of some of the stars that made it big due to their appearances on the show. Sadly most passed on to the bigger stage in the sky, as have the three previous hosts mentioned in this book.
This show would never have gotten to the air if not for the creative maverick type executive or two behind this show. And as with any corporation, the suits pushed each other around and out the revolving door of corporate America as the show evolved. At least in Johnny’s case…he pushed back and won financially, he also chopped heads when he felt like it too.
For me…I did like Jack Paar, I saw his shows on DVD’s, Steve Allen I somehow don’t associate with The Tonight Show. But I will ALWAYS adore Johnny Carson. And my framed NBC poster of The Tonight Show with Johnny, Ed and Doc is in a place of honor in my house.
When I finished this book, I had a bitter sweet feeling. Originally published in 1980, Johnny Carson would retire in 1992. The talk show world sure has changed. I felt this book gave a good history of what eventually led up to The Tonight Show.
At first I didn’t like the early chapter on, I’ll call it caveman comedians….by the end of the book it all made sense. I can’t believe I’m going to say this…for those who “remember” the Carson years, and those who know just who Steve Allen and Jack Paar is….you’ll enjoy and appreciate this book. At least you’ll know who the entertainers are that are mentioned in this book. There’s a list at the very end of the book of some of the stars that made it big due to their appearances on the show. Sadly most passed on to the bigger stage in the sky, as have the three previous hosts mentioned in this book.
This show would never have gotten to the air if not for the creative maverick type executive or two behind this show. And as with any corporation, the suits pushed each other around and out the revolving door of corporate America as the show evolved. At least in Johnny’s case…he pushed back and won financially, he also chopped heads when he felt like it too.
For me…I did like Jack Paar, I saw his shows on DVD’s, Steve Allen I somehow don’t associate with The Tonight Show. But I will ALWAYS adore Johnny Carson. And my framed NBC poster of The Tonight Show with Johnny, Ed and Doc is in a place of honor in my house.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews