Interview with STEVE ALLEN 1st TONIGHT SHOW host & legend! Find out why he was STILL MAD at NBC! WOW

[@photomanwilliams4147]

I make this comment at every Steve Allen video I see here at YT. He deserves this high praise. I grew up in the L.A. area in the 60's and 70's and attended many talk shows, and recorded show as a studio audience member, Be aware many New York based shows would do a LA based production from time to time. I saw them all. By far, Steve Allen treated his studio audience the best, even when the camera was off. He chatted with us before the taping, durning breaks and even after the show was completed. I know many other host appear to care for the audience while doing the show, but most, Johnny Carson the top of the list could care less about the people attending the show when no camera is recording. Steve Allen, R.I.P. you will forever have my respect.

[@kerridillon3120]

I grew up in the 1950's. Steve Allen was an incredibly brilliant man of many talents! This was a pleasure to watch!

[@MrRichiekaye]

What a pleasure to hear an intelligent, resonant voice. How I miss these guys!

[@MrVideovibes]

I could listen to Steve Allen talk all day. One of the most erudite personalities to ever inhabit the airwaves and one of the funniest. Thanks for such a fascinating look back Rob.

[@luehenson5953]

Qyxl

[@bllanderson2798]

I agree. Mr. Allen was one of the most well-spoken entertainers. One can actually learn how to speak better listening to him.

[@annekeel2694]

I loved Steve Allen......He was a remarkable person. Probably too cerebral for the union who got him taken off the air. I remember his contagious laugh and loved the live shows. You never knew what would happen. The ad-libs were priceless.

[@AWordonWesterns]

They sure were, Anne. His laugh usually turned into an uncontrollable giggle!

[@annekeel2694]

@@AWordonWesterns True and lit was contagious..... Some of the skits he did with Tom Poston were classic comedy.

[@mikenaughton4298]

I remember seeing his show with the cast of Don Knotts, Tom Poston, Louis Nye, Pat Harrington, Jr., & Bill Dana. It was a show I loved. Characters and routines that seemed current. I was young. I remember looking forward to it. His laugh allowed laughter, a zany, free laugh.

[@ffggddss]

@@mikenaughton4298 "My name - José Jimenez!" And don't forget Steve's high-pitched falsetto, "SHMOCK! SHMOCK!" - delivered at random moments. Fred

[@matthewronsson]

Steve Allen was a true class act of a renaissance man. Is there anything that this man can not do? All that talent seems to so casually flow off of him without one drop of pretension. What a legend.

[@vernondoane4865]

I remember being introduced to Steve Allen many years ago by my Mother. Returning home to an otherwise dark house with the exception of our b&w tv lighting our living room and my Mother killing herself laughing out loud to the hysterical antics of Steve Allen! I sat and watched a musician, songwriter (this could be the start of something big) , talk show host, comedian, stuntman (diving into a bowl of jello), author of 50 books! In short a genius! All these memories on Wednesday August 12th Ma’s Birthday..... she would have been 98. So, thank you Rob Wood for a wonderful Wednesday!!♥️

[@sled_dog]

If ever there was a genius on television it was Steve Allen. Brilliant talented man.

[@Lava1964]

What an intelligent man he was! I could listen to Steve Allen talk all day.

[@centexan]

Just stumbled across this with Steve Allen who I watched as a kid and loved his show. He fits in perfectly with your great western programs because he was a true pioneer in television.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Love it! Thanks.

[@jimross7648]

This was very interesting WayBack. Steve Allen was a marvelously articulate and thoughtful guest. You were a little more of a standard Q & A interviewer than you are now. Steve would listen to your question and respond in a clear and through manner. Rob your modern bow tie looks like a grandson of the one you were wearing in 77. However, you were, and are styling and profiling. Great episode.

[@williambilyeu9801]

My father used to watch Steve Allen and so did I. I remember the "Man on the Street" routines with Don Knotts, Louie Nye, and Tom Poston. I liked when Louie Nye would greet him with "Hi ho, Steverino." It's a shame that the old programs are lost.

[@kcthecowboy]

I was in high school when Meeting of the Minds came out. It is probably why I developed a love of history. Steve Allen was a genius.

[@42king56]

i loved that series

[@ffggddss]

@ALL LIVES MATTER. As he reiterates here, it wasn't NBC; it was one dumb schlub at NBC, who had been put in charge of their "archives." I think Steve says that when NBC found out what that guy had done, they fired him. Fred

[@ERASEREPLACEPLACE]

I was a teenager in the 80's when Steve was doing a TV show called "The Start of Something Big". And I can remember, even then, thinking: Why isn't this guy a bigger star? He was a laugh riot.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Justin. Steve had a fabulous career and, yes, he should have been bigger.

[@gerardjohnson2106]

This is a wonderful treat. Your Sunday programs are awesome but to see this interview with Steve Allen is almost unbelievable. It's just hard to imagine someone with such a diverse background in the entertainment business. Please keep shuffling through your "catalog" and bring us more. Thanks for sharing.

[@MrVerno46]

I would hear my Mother hysterically laughing in the late evening and got up one night to see what was so outrageously funny and that was my initial introduction to the genius of Steve Allen! I believe he did a high drive into a large pool of jello..... genius! This could be the start of something big🎶 Loved Steveareno.❤️

[@AWordonWesterns]

He was a true genius, Vernon. I always loved his shows, especially when he would crack up and start giggling!

[@vanrozay8871]

i love how steve, a very self-aware guy, avoids falling into celeb chat and insists on making his points. a philosopher as much as a showman.

[@e3erockstar08]

Great interview. Steve Allen is the LEGEND.

[@madiantin]

Raised quietly in England, I'd never heard of this chap. But he's so down-to-earth and funny!

[@spqr701]

Bravo Rob...! Steve Allen was indeed a comic genius... and you had the very good fortune to interview him. Thanks so much for posting.

[@tomjones2348]

I could easily listen to another hour of this. Fascinating interview.

[@marlenalinne7958]

I was just a pre-teen when his "Tonight" show was on but when I stayed all night at my older cousin's house she let me watch it and it was great.

[@virginia7191]

I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s and remember him very well! I still watch him on the old What’s My Line shows on KZbin.&

[@serinehart]

Wow that was fantastic, I hate to admit it but I had forgot about Steve Allen, what a sharp guy, well spoken. Thanks for a great memory.

[@mikeboone4425]

One hell of an entertainer and if my memory serves correctly he has more copy written music than any on the planet but at 77 what would I know. Happy trails

[@christopherallen9580]

Great interview with Steve! Always enjoy your interviews!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Chris. I was lucky to have saved this interview. Steve was a brilliant man and kept (young) me on my toes.

[@buxxbannerspov30]

I loved his show with "the man on the street" interviews...Don Knotts, Louie Nye, Tom Poston...

[@AWordonWesterns]

They were always the highlight for me.

[@ffggddss]

...and Dayton Allen, whom no one seems to remember... And the "Huttly, Brickly, Nuttly, Stinkly Report." Fred

[@UberLummox]

His shirt might has well said "1977" right on it. You can almost pin '70s fashion right down to the month! You must hear this constantly, but you age quite well! Thanks for this. Hope you have more oldies!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Ub. One day this age thing is gonna catch up to me all at once! Glad you're enjoying our programs.

[@Buzz1151]

wow, look at young Rob...great interview with Steve Allen, who I always enjoyed! 👍👍👍👍

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@PaulKyriazi]

I went to a live taping of Steve's show. He was sitting behind his desk, when the audience groaned at one of his jokes. In a FLASH, Steve was on his feet, grabbing a real bull-whip from under his desk, running at the audience, whipping the stage in front of him, yelling, "BACK, BACK."

[@AWordonWesterns]

That's so funny, Paul. You lucky dog! I can visualise Steverino doing that.

[@stephenwilliams9923]

by chance was it his show "the Allen show" at the Vine Street theater Late 60's?

[@ben2715]

As Jayne Meadows once told me, Steve prayed for things to go wrong, rather than uneventfully by the script, because mishaps gave him a springboard for his creativity, just like they did in the example you cite.

[@PaulKyriazi]

@@stephenwilliams9923 Vine Street sounds about right. It was downtown LA 1969. While we were in line, Steve came out with a trumpet and got into a tall cherry piker. He blew a note on his trumpet and everyone yelled "Higher", so he blew a higher note and the cherry picker went up a little. This continued till he was way up in the air. That was taped for his opening.

[@PaulKyriazi]

@@ben2715 A good story Ben. Great you could meet Ms Meadows. The two of them are briefly in Casino sitting at a table and have a quick word with Joe Pesci.

[@mybingobrain]

Thank you for this interview with this intelligent, innovative, funny man! We owe a lot to him and his brand of comedy.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@richardbartolo2890]

Great interview Rob, It was very interesting and a pleasure to watch Steve Allen when he was still pretty much in his prime.

[@ben2715]

What a great interview you did with Steve! I, too, was fortunate to interview him 20 years later at his office in Van Nuys, and that led to wonderful support from him and later, his family, for my 2005 book, "Inventing Late Night: Steve Allen and the Original Tonight Show." They generously connected me to over 30 of Steve's colleagues, including Carl Reiner, Sid Caesar, Don Knotts, Steve & Eydie, Eartha Kitt, Tim Conway, bandleader Skitch Henderson, and others. In 1997, Steve was still heartbroken by the needless destruction of most of his "Tonight"-era kinescopes. For someone so accomplished, he didn't get the full credit that he deserved for inventing late night, an original American art form. Love the wonderful, rare photos inserted into your video. Thanks for sharing this video treasure!

[@AWordonWesterns]

ben2715 Thank you, Dan. Boy, it sure sounds like you hit the Mother Lode with your interviews. I’ve just ordered your book and can’t wait to dig in. The genius of Steverino can never be overlooked.

[@ben2715]

@@AWordonWesterns I can't thank the Allen family enough for their support. Hope you'll enjoy my book. It expands on all of the topics you covered in the 1977 interview and examines his television career through the eyes of friends and colleagues who worked with him. Such a gifted, funny, and talented man, and a great humanitarian as well.

[@crypto118]

Thank you so much for uploading this. Steve Allen was a class act and a man of many interests and talents. I'm happy you had the privilege of meeting him. And on a side note, I appreciate all your videos - they make this difficult time and little more bearable :)

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, DL.

[@davidweston6653]

Remember him as a kid. Pure genius,laughed more than he talked.

[@patk1254]

Oh geez, I loved to see Steve Allen get tickled. He had the most infectious laugh......would love to see reruns of his talk shows......

[@jeffreyoldham55]

Brilliant interview with a true television legend. You really showed your knowledge when you asked about the Kinescope from those old shows, and you seemed to connect quite well with Steve. WOW...thanks a million, Rob!

[@albo2006]

Steve Allen was funny to the end. We saw him do a show in Milwaukee which was some music & off the cuff humor & he was terrific! He was in his 70s. Still sharp as ever!

[@TheSpaghetti64]

I loved Steve's late night TV show and watched it almost every week night. A genius.

[@stewartberger7734]

Steve is brilliant. Great , entertaining interview.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Stu. I always liked Steverino and certainly enjoyed talking to him. Funny, smart guy.

[@EldenSmith]

Thank you Rob. That was enjoyable. And I'm glad you talked about the Benny Goodman Story. One of my favorites besides Allens performance is the fact that the actual band was in it. 👍

[@AWordonWesterns]

Steve was right, the music played by Benny and other legends, was toe-tappin' great! He said the movie only ran about "an hour and 10 minutes," but it was just under 2 hours.

[@kathydixon3716]

Your voice is deeper now. I always thought Steve was an amazingly intelligent man.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

That was worth watching just to see Steve Allen wearing a '70s Rayon Disco Shirt.

[@AWordonWesterns]

We did out best to color correct this old video. I was blinded!

[@tbrackett9344]

It's like Uncle Buck's hat. It angers some people

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

One of the best videos on YT !!! This is fantastic stuff!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Wow, thanks!

[@mwolf2017]

WOW! Thanks Rob! Great choice of topic and theirs none better than Steve Allen.

[@hellsapoppin2048]

I really enjoyed this show . I lived in the boondocks of Oklahoma and we didn't get TV until 1953. I remember watching Steve Allen and many more. These shows bring a pleasant feeling of a great childhood back that I enjoy very much. Thank You Mr Word.

[@glenncalzada1707]

I grew up watching Steve Allen in the late 50's early 60's in addition to the movies and specials he starred in. He helped warp my sense of humor and I've been grateful ever since. It was a sad day when he died.

[@essessessesq]

agree with you 100%, his offbeat and wacky gags and comments were also often very smart....he was an iconoclast....we greatly LACK iconoclasts now.

[@efhs1970]

Rob, best interview with Steve I’ve ever had the opportunity to see! What a great talent and talent master! He always managed to bring incredible people together! Great editing also!💫

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Larry. He sure makes it look easy and was kind to let (young) me "bother" him that day.

[@ge45gecalled39]

the day feels a little fuller when watching your programs, thank you Word

[@AWordonWesterns]

Happy to hear that!

[@BillB23]

I remember watching him as a boy when I snuck downstairs to watch hoping my parents would not notice my presence.

[@11JohnBooker22]

Really cool, Rob.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Home movies for me!

[@kathykit7629]

Wow is right, Rob. I am jealous of you getting to talk to all these brilliant people. What a dream job. Steve Allen was a genius. Never missed his shows as a kid. The man on the street interviews with Knotts, Nye and Poston were hilarious. Never missed Steve late night either. As a matter of fact, got a marriage proposal from my husband while watching Steve. Schmock ! Schmock! in the background...very romantic!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, KK. I love romantic stories with happy endings.

[@jonwagner1]

Comedic genius!

[@courtneyhall7140]

rob,we grew up in the same era.it is really nice to look back at those good times that were to be had then.what puzzles me is you look so young and i look so old.but please keep up the great work you do,this old man can dream about yester year.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, court. Old Rob is still rollin'. Hope you are, too!

[@rogerhuber3133]

I grew up in the 1950's and remember watching Steve Allen. He was mesmerizing to audiences. He was always able to change depending on audience reaction and his humor was totally amazing. Probably the funniest and best late night TV host until Craig Ferguson arrived in America.

[@photomanwilliams4147]

Truest statement here

[@tinlizzie37]

What a great zany show Steve had way back then. I wouldn't miss it , and surely enjoyed the show. Many many new entertainers had their start on the Steve Allen Show, as well as the other Tonight Shows did. The guy that destroyed the films, lost a great time in history. R.I.P. Steve .

[@bobhartman2571]

Miss Steve Allen. Thank you.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Steve was also a terrific panelist on What's My Line for a year whilst doing the Tonight Show and returning ever so often throughout the rest of the 17 year run. You can find those on the What's My Line Channel here on YT.

[@theuberbob]

Thank you so much for posting this. I really enjoyed it. Steve Allen was more from my parents' generation but I've loved what I've seen of him over the years. Take care!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@edwardgleeson8386]

Too bad we don't have someone now of Allen's intellect and vision.

[@lylegorch5956]

I always watched him on Channel 5 in L.A. Louis Nye, Gypsy Boots, Hollywood Ranch Market, and that great band.

[@mathewcogan7754]

Awesome!! Thanks Rob!!

[@desertfox3860]

That was great, thanks!

[@raysmith7543]

At the age of 12 & 13 I would wait until I knew my Mom was sleeping and sneak out into the living room to watch Steve on the original Tonight Show...so much talent, so many laughs!!!

[@lorih2924]

Loving these way back Wednesday. I wasn’t born yet when Steve Allen became the first host of the Tonight Show. Reminds me of how great he really was. They don’t make them like him anymore. Thank you for having this channel.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, LKH. Steve was sharp! We're doing our best during this time to entertain.

[@peterszar]

I was 5 yrs. old when the Tonight Show with Mr. Allen ended, yet I can remember Don Knotts' Nervous Guy skits and Louis Nye ect. Funny thing is, because of this short documentary, I finally found out why Tom Poston came into my lost memory bank every time I saw him on other shows i.e. Newhart ect. Steve Allen, pretty cool guy.

[@karenvincent5202]

I loved him, too. I was watching one of those Hollywood cemetery tours recently. He is buried in an unmarked grave - I would bet there is a story there.

[@samarkham3]

I wish I could watch all the old shows of Steve Allen

[@AWordonWesterns]

Me, too, Shirley! Thanks.

[@politicalpartyagnostic268]

Thank you Rob Word 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@BoonOrBust]

So cool to hear this bright legend speak on himself and what he witnessed in the film industry. Hind sight when he said tgat the guy who burned those films is probably running a network now Hah! What about the process of it being America’s history Do they have a independence on what to do with some film that was not or is not seen at one time or another not as important With this threat of cyber space (EMP) ? Who makes the details in preserving all film? I so love your interviews Such an impact ! Great work.... Hearing it from the Horses Mouth Hey?!!!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Wow, Alice. Thanks. Preservation usually boils down to financing the restoration and storage, plus...how to get a return on the investment.

[@garymckee8857]

Excellent Rob you have been around for awhile

[@tonycevallos7513]

In that first early pic of Steve Allen without his glasses he looks like Sheldon from "Big Bang Theory"

[@jozatexan1964]

Great trip back in time. I was a regular viewer and particularly recall watching The Man on the Street.

[@batesy1970]

His comments about the American view of talent vs. success are spot on and still relevant today unfortunately

[@WSenator1]

Steve Allen: The father of "The Tonight Show"! Hail, Hail to Mr. Allen.

[@dattridge]

What an excellent interview, thanks for posting this Rob, much appreciated

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Danny.

[@jackgrattan1447]

Bill Dana was also one of Steve's "man in the street" interviewees. But his Jose Jimenez character was one of the first victims of political correctness.

[@guyrichardson7358]

I will never forget "my name is Jose Jimenez".

[@richardw3470]

Those hilarious but sometimes comfortable clothes of the 70s; and Allen's hair sticking out in back. I'd like to have heard him commenting about men's clothes from the 50s onwards. Oe, his asking the Man On The Street about them. He and his were so funny.

[@johncoffman2703]

Great video thanks for all you do

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks for watching, John.

[@dept2]

In 1962, 63 & 64 - Steve had a 90 minute 5 nights a week show often called the "Westinghouse" show - it was on the same time as Johnny Carson Tonight Show and had the greatest musical guests & comedians. He'd start every show with a crazy "stunt" (human tea bag, playing volleyball in the street with local "beauty queens", playing piano 400 feet in the air, etc). Many of those shows are archived at UCLA film archives, but they won't syndicate them & we'll probably never seem although a few are "out there."

[@AWordonWesterns]

Would love to see some of those again. Thanks, dept2

[@4toes1nose]

Thank you

[@livelongandprosper1363]

Thanks for another pleasant surprise from the Word archives .

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you like them, LP.

[@simonhaines3441]

As someone from the UK, these are fascinating to see.

[@davidschlecht3016]

Great video reviewing entertainment history. Steve Allen was an interesting professional down to earth personality who was smart and knew how to relate to others, great choice for this video!🤩

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@francisscaltrito7123]

I LOVE your bow tie! The concept of putting a bow at the top of your body that u present to the world makes me smile. Steve Allen was always really funny & a ray of sunshine. He was an excellent musician & an intelligent, innovative, kind man. His format was copied by late nite talk shows & is still the model today. Rest in peace Stevo, ya did good.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Francis. I've still got a drawer full of bow ties!

[@777poco]

great stuff keep it up

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, will do!

[@WildBill-kf2pc]

I remember watching Steve Alan Shows and enjoy them. A real pioneer ! He was really funny.

[@socaleyes8684]

Love the Tonto Candy Bar sketch with Steve Allen, Andy Griffith, Imogene Coca and Elvis Presley.

[@AWordonWesterns]

What a show that was!

[@paulstan9828]

A great interview. He always struck me as a very articulate and intelligent person.

[@AWordonWesterns]

He sure was, Paul.

[@IgnitedCoyote]

Wayback on Wednesdays! Great ideal, I'm looking forward to many more. and the bow tie is great!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@DavidLeeAndrews]

To quote Oliver Twist, ‘please, sir, can I have some more’?

[@robertwatson39]

Mr Allen is a name familiar to me, but it wasn’t until your interview that I learnt who he was. I congratulate you for your interview, but have to ask, how could you see him over that bow tie? Mr Allen’s orange shirt and white flairs were better suited to BW TV lol. Here in Australia we had an icon of both radio and TV and his name was Graham Kennedy. Graham was a supreme ad libber and he had an off sider who was just as good by the name of Bert Newton ( Bert is still alive today and is an icon in his own right ). Thanks for another terrific interview Rob, from Down Under.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Robert. I guess both Steve and I were in our sartorial splendor that day.

[@henrymurphy5211]

Great interview Rob! I love retrospective shows. To bad we can't access a larger database. Are there any? Maybe you could start one. KZbin is good, but we need more choices.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, henry. I wish I'd have been able to save more of my 70s shows. Just like Steve, they were on 2" quad tape that was recycled for new shows.

[@bobclary2121]

Thought you were a Cowboy guy, boy is this interview strange for you/And Steve Allen's Shirt, what a throw back..Great One

[@AWordonWesterns]

I'm not always in the saddle, Bob. Sometime I get bucked off and land in other genres.

[@TVaughan667]

I loved the Meeting of the Minds! Steve Allen, one of, if not the smartest man in entertainment. I sure miss him.

[@Labor_Jones]

DUMONT T.V. dumped their Kinescopes in the Lake. - Some Hollywood Movie companies did the same things. I heard that FOX lost its early material to an accident or so I've heard but may have been to save money from Storage cost. Apparently, NBC actually was following a tradition that many used assuming that what had been created (shows and movies) had little value to be gained saving film or shows.

[@loditx7706]

Jack Parr was the first host of thr Tonight Show and he was FANTASTIC!!! I never missed him. He and Charles Bronson in Man With A Camera and a comedy show on Late called Jack and Jill with Ann Jeffries. I was in Jr High School, but I stayed up late every week night to watch those.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Paar followed Steve as the host. Steve 1954-57; Paar 57-62; Carson 62-92

[@JSB1882]

Everything Steve Allen did had an intelligence to it. He really should be given as much credit for "The Tonight Show" as Jack Paar. I think the problem with both men is that there really isn't much left from their shows. It's sad because we really have no more interview format shows anymore like Cavett or Tom Snyder

[@patriotprepperchannel1828]

Looking very damper Rob. Enjoying this series.

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

damper? like in a fireplace? I'll BET you meant to say dapper... you might want to edit that..

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Patriot. But, are you trying to rain on my parade?

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

@@AWordonWesterns cue in Barbra S. singing "Don't rain on my Parade"... LOL!

[@trenttuttle603]

My first thought when Rob came on screen was, "Nice tie." So I like it!