Inventing Late Night: Steve Allen and the Original ''Tonight Show''

Finally, proof positive that Allen created the late-night format and many of the routines and characters aped by Carson, Letterman, et al.

Host Spat
When Allen moved to Sundays, Sullivan creamed him in the ratings. One factor, says Alba, was Allen’s anti-death-penalty, antinuke politics.

Laff Line
Woman in audience: ”Do they get this show in Rochester?” Allen: ”Lady, they see this show in Rochester. I don’t think they get it.”

• By Ken Tucker