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Who Was the Late Night Show Host Before Johnny Carson?

Published in Late Night Television History 2 mins read

The period directly preceding Johnny Carson's legendary tenure as host of The Tonight Show was filled by a series of various guest hosts. This transitional phase followed the departure of the show's previous established host, Jack Paar.

The Transitional Period Before Carson

While Jack Paar was the last regularly scheduled host before Johnny Carson, there was an interim period where different individuals took turns hosting the show. This arrangement lasted from April 1962 until Carson officially took over the reins in October 1962.

Here's a breakdown of the hosting lineage leading up to Johnny Carson, based on historical records of The Tonight Show:

Host Start Date
Al "Jazzbo" Collins June 24, 1957
Jack Paar July 29, 1957
Various hosts April 2, 1962
Johnny Carson October 1, 1962

As the table illustrates, the "Various hosts" period directly bridged the gap between Jack Paar's departure and Johnny Carson's debut.

Jack Paar's Impact

Before this transitional phase, Jack Paar was the iconic host of The Tonight Show from July 29, 1957. His charismatic and often emotional style redefined late-night television, making the program a must-watch for millions. Paar's run concluded before April 2, 1962, setting the stage for the temporary guest host format until a permanent successor, Johnny Carson, was found. Carson would then go on to host the show for 30 years, solidifying its place in television history.