July 29, 1957- March 30,1962.
For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.
Guests: Groucho Marx, Palmer and Nelson, Charlie Weaver.
Highlights: The comedic singing duo of Palmer and Nelson perform a comedy routine then sing, "Almost Like Being In Love." It's the team's first network appearance.
Charlie Weaver reads "A Letter From Mama."
Paar promotes the movie "But Not For Me," starring Clark Gable, Lilli Palmer, and Lee J. Cobb.
Groucho Marx is introduced. Talks about taking a 6PM nip, how he eats three steaks a day, and has a vegetarian dentist. He offers a Havana Cigar to Paar. He sings "Chasing The Boy From The Room" Paar then introduces Mrs. Marx to the tune, ""Beautiful Girl."