Beginning in the early 1950’s, NBC was the first network to air programs after 11:00 P.M. Despite numerous transitions in both title and host, “The Tonight Show” remains the primary source of late-night entertainment and has consistently dominated the late-night ratings landscape. It’s where it started and it’s where America still goes.
A timeline of the significant dates regarding NBC late night and “The Tonight Show” is listed below:
• May 29, 1950 – Aug.ust 24, 1951 – “BROADWAY OPEN HOUSE” (M-F, 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. ET) starring vaudeville comedians Jerry Lester and Morey Amsterdam.
• July 7, 1953 – Sept.ember 27, 1954 – “THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW” aired locally in New York on WNBT (now WNBC). The success of the show prompted the network to broadcast the show nationally and change the title to “Tonight”.
• September 27, 1954-Jan.uary 25, 1957 – “TONIGHT” (11:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m. ET) starring Steve Allen. Allen hosted the show from Sept.ember 1954 – Oct.ober 1956. Effective Oct.ober 1956, Allen hosted Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with Ernie Kovacs hosting on Monday and Tuesday.
• January 28, 1957-July 26, 1957 – “TONIGHT! AMERICA AFTER DARK” (11:15 p.m.-1:00 a.m.) with radio and television host Jack Lescoulie, effective June 24, 1957, Al “Jazzbeau” Collins.
• July 29, 1957-March 30,1962 – “TONIGHT” (11:15-1:00 a.m. ET) starring Jack Paar. Effective Feb.ruary 3, 1958, the title changed to “The Jack Paar Show.” Last original Paar show aired on March 29, 1962. On March 30, 1962, NBC aired “The Best of Paar.”
• April 2, 1962-Sept.ember 28, 1962 – “THE TONIGHT SHOW” with various guest-hosts.
• October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992 – “THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON” (11:15 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. ET) featuring host Johnny Carson, announcer Ed McMahon and musical director Skitch Henderson. Effective Jan.uary 2, 1967, the show aired from 11:30-1:00 a.m. On May 1, 1972, “The Tonight Show” moved to Los Angeles from New York; on Sept.ember 16, 1980, the 60-minute format was put into place and on Sept.ember 2, 1991, “The Tonight Show’s” start time went from 11:30 to 11:35 p.m.
• May 25, 1992-present – “THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO” (11:35 p.m. – 12:35 a.m. ET) with host Jay Leno.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
1992
May 25 - Comedian Jay Leno takes over as the host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” after being the exclusive guest host since 1987. Billy Crystal kicks off the star-packed week which also features Tom Cruise, Sigourney Weaver and Mel Gibson.
July 13-16 - “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” checks in during the Democratic National Convention with comedian Paula Poundstone as the political correspondent from Madison Square Garden in New York City. She is credited with being the first “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” correspondent.
July 24 - Howard Stern appears with Leno for the first time.
Oct. 2 - General H. Norman Schwarzkopf makes his late-night television debut.
Dec. 31 - The live New Year’s Eve show with guests Phil Hartman and the outrageous Dame Edna from New York. The show has gone on to do ten shows on New Years Eve.
1993
Jan. 8 - Singer Meatloaf and violinist Itzhak Perlman appear on the show together and are the first of many unique talent booking combinations.
Feb. 1 - Musical director, saxophonist Branford Marsalis loses a Super Bowl bet to Leno and appears on the show in a skimpy bikini. Super Bowl MVP Troy Aikman is a guest.
Feb. 4 - Former President Jimmy Carter pays his first visit to the show and, while talking about his Habitats for Humanity house-building volunteer initiative, teaches Leno how to hammer a nail.
Feb. 11 - Defining “Variety Show” -- Politician/billionaire Ross Perot is a guest on the show alongside musical guest “Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.”
Mar. 31 - Leno and actress Cybil Shepherd phone Vice President Al Gore to send him birthday wishes. Gore comments on “Tonight Show” comedy bit “The Al Gore Dance Party.” For Leno’s 43rd birthday the next month, Gore calls in to the show.
Apr. 2 - “The Tonight Show” celebrates its 200th telecast featuring a first appearance by Rhea Pearlman and singer Bryan Adams. Leno says, “It seems like only a hundred days ago we were celebrating our 100th show.”
May. 20 - In honor of the “Cheers” finale, Leno brings his show on the road for the first time for a raucous live telecast from Boston’s Bull & Finch Pub, the real-life bar featured in the show.
June 3 - Senator Bob Dole makes his first late night talk show appearance and holds cue cards during Leno’s monologue.
Oct. 26 - Guitarist Kevin Eubanks appears in lingerie after he loses a World Series bet to Leno.
1994
Jan. 17 - “The Tonight Show” takes a rare day off due to the Los Angeles/Northridge earthquake
March 2 - As the O.J. Simpson trial dominates the media, “The Dancing Itos” and a Marcia Clark look-a-like make a splash at the “Tonight Show.” The popular dance troupe would later appear 10 times.
May 16-20 - “The Tonight Show” takes its first road trip to New York for a week of shows. The trip marks the first time the “Tonight Show” originated out of New York in more than 20 years. Jack Paar does a surprise walk-on to welcome Leno to the city. Among the guests that week were Madonna, Bill Cosby, Cindy Crawford, James Taylor, Spike Lee, Michael J. Fox, Farrah Fawcett and Howard Stern.
Sept. 27 - “The Tonight Show” celebrates 40 years on the air and Leno unveils an all-new set. Original “Tonight Show” host Steve Allen is the special guest.
Oct. 17 - Hearkening back to the old “Tonight Show,” a feisty Burt Reynolds and talk show host Marc Summers have words and end up in a pie fight
Nov. 21-15 - “The Tonight Show” returns to New York for a week of shows featuring such guests as George Clooney, Katie Couric, Celine Dion, David Copperfield and Stomp.
1995
July 10 - Actor Hugh Grant makes his first television appearance following his arrest with a Hollywood prostitute. Leno asks, “What the hell were you thinking?” The headline-making telecast marked the beginning of Leno’s winning streak, which continues today.
Sept.. 26 - General Colin Powell makes his first late night talk show appearance on “The Tonight Show.”
Nov. 13-17 - The show’s third road trip and first visit to Las Vegas out of the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino featuring Robin Williams, Kirstie Alley, Paula Abdul and Rodney Dangerfield.
1996
Jan. 25-26 - SuperBowl mania hits the show with two nights on the road from Phoenix, AZ. The show originates out of the Phoenix Symphony Hall and, with guests like Chris Farley and Diana Ross, makes a huge impact in that city and nationally.
March 20 - Leno and actress Fran Drescher re-enact their passionate kissing scene from “American Hot Wax,” a movie they did together in 1978.
April 26 - House Speaker Newt Gingrich appears on the show to discuss his passion for animals and brings along newts, baby pigs and other animals.
April 29 - In what is considered the most successful road trip to date, Leno brings the
May 3 - show to Chicago to tape out of the Rosemont Theatre. Chicago celebrities Michael Jordan and Oprah Winfrey welcome the show with open arms.
July 22 - The show goes on -- Leno does a nightly monologue during NBC’s
Aug. 2 - coverage of the Olympics.
Aug. - “Saturday Night Live” alums Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon are the exclusive “Tonight Show” political correspondents covering the 1996 Republican and Democratic National Convention.
Sept. 20 - “Kaptain” Robbie Knievel, son of legendary daredevil Evel Knievel, makes a death-defying 150-foot motorcycle jump during an appearance on the show.
Sept. 30 - Elizabeth Dole, wife of former GOP presidential candidate Bob Dole, makes her first late-night talk show appearance and hops a ride on the back of Leno’s motorcycle for her entrance.
Oct. 31 - Supermodel Cindy Crawford surprises Jay by appearing as Marilyn Monroe. “Tonight Show” announcer Edd Hall dresses up in drag-for the second time.
Dec. 10 - Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, appears with Jay.
Dec. 16 - Former GOP presidential candidate Bob Dole holds up a mock headline proclaiming him the winner of the Electoral College.
Dec. 31 - “Miss Piggy” is the show correspondent from New York’s Times Square. Jay and his wife, Mavis toast the New Year live.
1997
Jan. 30 - During Rod Stewart’s third appearance, Leno and guest Pierce Brosnan join the singer in an impromptu performance of his classic “Maggie May.”
Feb. 3-7 - The third road trip to Las Vegas features such guests as Heather Locklear, Wayne Newton, Cirque du Soliel and Dennis Rodman.
1998
Sept. 22 - Leno proves he’s tough when he lies on a bed of nails and hot molten lead. The late night host then walks across broken glass!
Oct. 2 - Excitable Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. takes off his suit pants and jacket and tosses them into the audience! Much to the delight of his female fans he does the remainder of his interview in his underwear.
Nov 4 - From Burbank, Leno and guest Senator John Glenn interview the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery from space.
1999
April 26 - The program makes history in April 1999 becoming the first television series to be broadcast nightly in HDTV (high-definition television).
2000
Feb. 16 - Leno wrestles a Sumo wrestler.
March 13 - New York Giants cornerback Jason Sehorn proposes to his girlfriend (and “Law & Order” star) Angie Harmon during one of her appearances on the “The Tonight Show”
Dec. 14 - The always-opinionated “Fruitcake Lady,” Marie Rudisill, makes her first appearance with actor Mel Gibson.
2001
May 3 - Model Heidi Klum teaches Leno a thing or two about being a girl when she waxes his legs.
June 21 - In response to the California Energy Crisis and the regional rolling blackouts the show broadcasts “The Tonight Show: Unplugged.” The entire episode is done with no studio lights, instead the audience holds battery-operated flashlights.
Oct. 17 - The first of many celebrity signed items raises big money for charity when a celebrity signed Harley is auctioned off, raising $360, 200 for The Twin Towers Fund.
Nov. 22 - A special Thanksgiving show was broadcast live on Armed Forces Radio and Television Services to entertain U.S. military personnel stationed worldwide. This marks the beginning of a tradition as each year “The Tonight Show” welcomes a special military audience to their Thanksgiving shows.
Dec. 13 - Russell Crowe, Leno and musical guest Sting are among the first in America to test-drive the new Segway scooters with a spin around the set.
2002
Jan.. 18 - While promoting The Hours, the film that won her the Best Actress Oscar, Nicole Kidman delivers an even bolder performance, taking over “The Tonight Show.” The Aussie actress changes places with Leno and interviews actor Ryan Phillippe.
March 15 - Tom Green accidentally breaks an ostrich egg during a segment with SeaWorld Animal Expert Julie Scardina. Not wanting to waste it Green drinks the raw egg!
July 15 - Showing off his Indiana Jones-like skills Harrison Ford cracks his whip and mistakenly breaks the glass on Jay Leno’s desk.
Dec. 10 - New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani appears and in spite of his long history fighting the mob as a U.S. Attorney, he hums the theme to “The Godfather” theme and does a Marlon Brando impression.
2003
Aug. 6 - Arnold Schwarzenegger surprises “Tonight Show” viewers and news media from around the world when he announces his run for Governor of California.
May 12 - Katie Couric and Leno take on different day parts when they switch jobs for the day. “The Tonight Show” had fun with the switch providing Couric with a desk that would show off her legs. This marks the only time Leno has not hosted the show in his long tenure.
Oct. 14 - Victoria’s Secret model Heidi Klum breaks her 11-million-dollar bra when she inhales to yodel.
2004
March 29 - Longtime Howard Stern sidekick John Melendez joins “The Tonight Show” as its new announcer.
May 6 - The show celebrates the end of “Friends” by taping on the famous set with the entire.
June 17 - Terry Bradshaw celebrates his 25th appearance on “The Tonight Show” by starting a cake fight with Leno.
Sept. 4 - The Teuteuls, from “American Chopper”, present seven-time tour de France winner Lance Armstrong with a customized yellow motorcycle named “The Lance Bike” on the show.
Sept. 27 - In 2004 “The Tonight Show” celebrates its 50th Anniversary with tributes to all of its former hosts, Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson.
Oct. 1 - Skateboard hero, Tony Hawk, shows off his moves in the midway at NBC Studios in Burbank.
2005
Feb. 3 - $808, 100 is raised for Tsunami relief when the show auctioned off another celebrity signed Harley.
March 4-10 - As a witness in the Michael Jackson trial Leno was ordered not to tell jokes about the issue during his nightly monologue. To get around the gag order “The Tonight Show” brings in stand-in comedians to tell the jokes for him. Among the comedians assisting: Dennis Miller, Brad Garrett and Roseanne Barr.
March 10 - Leno and “Star Wars” star Ewan McGregor revert to childhood when they engage in a water gun fight.
March 24 - Cameron Diaz sends the audience into roaring lAug.hter when she claims, “I love talking about poop.”
April 8 - 80year-old actor and racing enthusiast Paul Newman challenges Jay Leno to a go-cart race around the NBC Studios in Burbank. Newman wins!
June 9 - Sideways star Paul Giamatti gets more than he bargained for when one of the exotic bugs featured on the show jumps into his crotch!
Sept. 27 - Jennifer Garner accidentally lets slip the sex of her baby with actor Ben Affleck slip sending the celebrity media into a frenzy.
Sept. 29 - $505,100 is raised for the Red Cross Katrina Fund, with another star-signed Harley to benefit The Red Cross Katrina fund.
2006
May 18 - “Lost” actress Evangeline Lilly does 10 knuckle push-ups while an all-military audience cheers her on.
June 28 - Leno stretches his muscles when he tries some yoga moves with “Entourage” star Jeremy Piven.
Nov 9 - “Domestic Diva” Martha Stewart tries to teach “Borat” (Sacha Baron Cohen) to make a bed. The fictional reporter from Kazakhstan returns the favor by jumping into bed and removing his underwear in hopes for some “sexytime.”
2007
Jan. 2 - Maria Lark, the child actress from NBC’s “Medium,” puts George Clooney in his place when she announces that she prefers Orlando Bloom to him!
Jan. 24 - Sienna Miller challenges Leno to a competition to see how many grapes they can fit into their mouths.
May 25 - Leno celebrates 15-years of hosting “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
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