“We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.”
Ah, Steve Allen…and Sid & Imogene. No you’re talking about people who were really clever, wrote their own matierial and were really fun and interesting! And we had very few channels back then but as many good shows.
I was interested in the “Tonight Show” history because I am a big Steve Allen fan, and picked up a book by Jack Paar in a used bookshop. Even in his own book he came across as a real jerk.
Remember that Jack Paar walked off the air in the middle of his monologue once because he was angry at an NBC censor over a rather poor joke.
Not just quit, but walked out during his monologue leaving Hugh Downs to finish the show without him.
He also pulled the same bleeep Leno pulled with demands for a prime-time show, essentially. After retiring he went over to ABC to host a new late night show as part of the “Wide World of Entertainment,” which flopped.
Personally, I’ve always wanted to host a late night show called “Past Your Bedtime.”
Sid’s show was a classic.Clips shown today are still priceless. He had incredible writers, the likes of Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Neil and Danny Simon, Woody Allen and more.
I remember seeing Steve Allen once or twice, but what I remember of him most is from the show he had in the late ’60s which I’m sure was much like his Tonight Show.
Carson made the show legendary.
Letterman is actually more like Allen, with the Man-on-the Street kinds of bits and so on. If Dave had been allowed to take over from Johnny, he’d be recognized as the Reigning King of Late Night as he should be, and NBC wouldn’t be having this problem.
Yes, Pab, there are probably many talented writers -you included, who could make a vast improvement on current TV. Unfortunately, the people in charge are “bean counters” as formerly referred to… SO those of us who appreciate quality are watching () and/or vintage shows. My only respite in current stuff is “reality” of cooking and design- and many of those (which are multiplying) are starting to be like week-old fish. BTW- The best Sid and Imogene (and most likely Dave Allen) were lost because the normal technology did not allow saving. Desilu saved theirs which IMNHO is the ONLY reason that Lucy is considered a great comic - VIVA Imogene!!!!
And Susan, I may sleep from 9 to just before dawn but TiVo lets me watch whatever I want in any room I choose. (I only watch cooking shows during a meal, because they increase my appetite, always watch light comedy right before bed because it clears away any problems and disagreeable thoughts, and I only watch news first thing in the AM -after net cartoons- because news is too disturbing at other times).
El Dorado: I’ve said a number of times that Terry Gilliam really did impact me. I remember watching parts of “Holy Grail” on the CBS late night movie ages ago during one of my childhood bouts of insomnia. Then in 1977, WKBS-TV in Philadelphia had the greatest late night lineup ever in the history of television: “Mary Hartmann Mary Hartmann,” “Fernwood 2Night,” and “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” every weeknight from 10:30-11:30. Little insomniac me was in heaven that summer.
vldazzle: Did you hear about what happened with CBS discovering a slew of Jack Benny original masters recently? Because they’ve slipped into the public domain and CBS can’t do anything with them, they sealed them back up in the vault and are refusing to release them even to Benny’s estate.
runar almost 15 years ago
“We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.”
fredbuhl almost 15 years ago
Maybe they should run a cowboy movie.
zero almost 15 years ago
It’s the red hair isn’t it?
@ Gweedo Murray - Steve Allen innovated & informed the format & was the best. He was a bit elitist & patronizing -but who ain’t…
vldazzle almost 15 years ago
Ah, Steve Allen…and Sid & Imogene. No you’re talking about people who were really clever, wrote their own matierial and were really fun and interesting! And we had very few channels back then but as many good shows.
steverinoCT almost 15 years ago
I was interested in the “Tonight Show” history because I am a big Steve Allen fan, and picked up a book by Jack Paar in a used bookshop. Even in his own book he came across as a real jerk.
Pab Sungenis creator almost 15 years ago
Remember that Jack Paar walked off the air in the middle of his monologue once because he was angry at an NBC censor over a rather poor joke.
Not just quit, but walked out during his monologue leaving Hugh Downs to finish the show without him.
He also pulled the same bleeep Leno pulled with demands for a prime-time show, essentially. After retiring he went over to ABC to host a new late night show as part of the “Wide World of Entertainment,” which flopped.
Personally, I’ve always wanted to host a late night show called “Past Your Bedtime.”
leilahosley almost 15 years ago
Sid’s show was a classic.Clips shown today are still priceless. He had incredible writers, the likes of Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Neil and Danny Simon, Woody Allen and more.
ChukLitl Premium Member almost 15 years ago
Pab, that’s the show you’re putting on here. Love the walk ons.
tedlogdon almost 15 years ago
I remember seeing Steve Allen once or twice, but what I remember of him most is from the show he had in the late ’60s which I’m sure was much like his Tonight Show.
Carson made the show legendary.
Letterman is actually more like Allen, with the Man-on-the Street kinds of bits and so on. If Dave had been allowed to take over from Johnny, he’d be recognized as the Reigning King of Late Night as he should be, and NBC wouldn’t be having this problem.
Pab Sungenis creator almost 15 years ago
ChukLitl: I’d love to get a paying writing job some time.
vldazzle almost 15 years ago
Yes, Pab, there are probably many talented writers -you included, who could make a vast improvement on current TV. Unfortunately, the people in charge are “bean counters” as formerly referred to… SO those of us who appreciate quality are watching () and/or vintage shows. My only respite in current stuff is “reality” of cooking and design- and many of those (which are multiplying) are starting to be like week-old fish. BTW- The best Sid and Imogene (and most likely Dave Allen) were lost because the normal technology did not allow saving. Desilu saved theirs which IMNHO is the ONLY reason that Lucy is considered a great comic - VIVA Imogene!!!!
vldazzle almost 15 years ago
And Susan, I may sleep from 9 to just before dawn but TiVo lets me watch whatever I want in any room I choose. (I only watch cooking shows during a meal, because they increase my appetite, always watch light comedy right before bed because it clears away any problems and disagreeable thoughts, and I only watch news first thing in the AM -after net cartoons- because news is too disturbing at other times).
Pab Sungenis creator almost 15 years ago
El Dorado: I’ve said a number of times that Terry Gilliam really did impact me. I remember watching parts of “Holy Grail” on the CBS late night movie ages ago during one of my childhood bouts of insomnia. Then in 1977, WKBS-TV in Philadelphia had the greatest late night lineup ever in the history of television: “Mary Hartmann Mary Hartmann,” “Fernwood 2Night,” and “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” every weeknight from 10:30-11:30. Little insomniac me was in heaven that summer.
Pab Sungenis creator almost 15 years ago
vldazzle: Did you hear about what happened with CBS discovering a slew of Jack Benny original masters recently? Because they’ve slipped into the public domain and CBS can’t do anything with them, they sealed them back up in the vault and are refusing to release them even to Benny’s estate.
picmajik over 14 years ago
I would love to see those Jack Benny episodes–CBS should release them to the estate at least for dvd use.