The ‘Tonight’ Show Debuted On NBC-TV 59 Years Ago Tonight [VIDEO]

If you're a night owl, you've probably caught "The Tonight Show" on NBC TV. On this day in 1954, the original late night program that started it all, "Tonight" premiered on NBC. Comic genius Steve Allen was the first host, and in its 59 year history, the show has had a total of five hosts. (actually six as Jay Leno has a host stint twice).

For the record, here are the 5 or 6 "Tonight Show" hosts:

1. Steve Allen 2. Jack Paar (although the show's name was changed to "The Jack Paar Show"),

3. Johnny Carson, 4. Jay Leno , 5. Conan O'Brien (for seven months) and 6. Jay Leno (again).

Over the years, careers were launched on "The Tonight Show" of everyone from Seinfeld to Rodney Dangerfield. And there were hundreds of fill-in hosts from Jerry Lewis, Burt Reynolds and Don Rickles to Joan Rivers and Hugh Downs!

Here's a video clip from the very first "Tonight" show on NBC, 59 years ago tonight! For those of you not familiar with the show's first host, Steve Allen, you're about to see a very funny guy!