The Tonight Show (The Early Years)

Choose an answer from the three choices and True or False offered after each question and then "Check Your Answers" at the end of the quiz.

1. The Tonight Show is the third longest running US TV program. What is NOT a long running program?

2. The Tonight Show first aired September 27, 1954. Who was the original host?

• Sid Ceasar
• Mel Brooks
• Steve Allen

3. During the 1956 and 1957 season, who hosted the show on Monday and Tuesday night?

• Elvis Presley
• Andy Griffith
• Ernie Kovacs

4. NBC decided to change the format from a talk/variety to a news/features show like their Today Show and retitled Tonight to Tonight! America After Dark.

• True or False?

5. From January 28, 1957 to June 21, 1957, who was the Tonight host?

• Jack Lescoulie
• Gene Rayburn
• Dee Finch

6. In July 1957, NBC scrapped the news and features format, returning the program to a talk/variety show format once again. Who became the shows host?

• Mel Brooks
• Johnny Carson
• Jack Paar

7. With the new host, who became the shows announcer?

• Ed Ames
• Ed McMahon
• Hugh Downs

8. Who was the first Tonight band leader?

• Skitch Henderson
• Madd Marvin
• Manfred Mann

9. One of the early features was “Man on the Street interviews”. Frequently featured actors as recurring characters though the host also performed impromptu bits with non-professional civilians. Who was NOT one of the actors?

• Don Knotts
• Tom Poston
• Bob Newhart

10. In 1958, the off-again, on-again show, hosted by Allen Funt since radio's heyday, was a segment on The Tonight Show. What was the feature?

• Candid Camera
• What Time Is It
• The Rose Show

Check Your Answers

• 1. The Morning Show
• 2. Steve Allen
• 3. Ernie Kovacs
• 4. True
• 5. Jack Lescoulie
• 6. Jack Paar
• 7. Hugh Downs
• 8. Skitch Henderson
• 9. Bob Newhart
• 10. Candid Camera