From left: Jack Paar, Hugh Downs, and band leader Jose Melis

Jack Paar drew millions of viewers every week night while he was host
of the Tonight show (1957-1962. The late night talk show was later
renamed “The Jack Paar Show”. His original announcer was actor
Franklin Pangborn, but he was let go within weeks for not showing
enough enthusiasm. He was replaced by Hugh Downs who stayed
with the show to the final airing on March 30, 1962.

Paar left the show, citing he could no longer handle the strenuous
load of putting on a 105 minute show, five nights a week. A new
host was chosen to replace him, his name was Johnny Carson.

From the first show in 1957