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.
Bob Clayton subs for Hugh Downs as announcer for this one show.
Guests: Betty Johnson, Dody Goodman, Genevieve, comedian George Givot, and Jessie Weiss, owner of Stone Crab Restaurant.
Jose Melis and his orchestra.
At desk, Jack introduces panel. Jose Melis plays a number. Dody Goodman sings "Someone Is Sending Me Flowers" Genevieve sings "United States Medley."
Commercials: Bufferin, NBC promoting "Wagon Train" and color TV, Perry Como Show, Steve Allen Show, Dinah Shore, Eddie Fisher, and Milton Berle Shows, all in color on NBC.