Steve Allen (Stephen Valentine Patrick William)
(December 26, 1921 – October 30, 2000)

Writer, actor, and comedian Steve Allen served as the
first host of NBC’s famed late-night program The Tonight
Show. He achieved national attention as a last minute
guest host on Arthur Godfrey‘s Talent Scouts.

Sandy Kozel

Gene Rayburn (Born Eugene Jelyevich in Christopher, Illinois)  
(December 22, 1917 – November 29, 1999)

Radio and television personality Gene Rayburn is best known as the
host of various editions of the popular NBC/CBS television game show
Match Game (1962-1982). Before appearing in television, Rayburn
was a very successful actor and radio performer. He had a popular
morning drive time radio show on WNEW (now WBBR) in New York
City. Gene Rayburn broke into television as the original program
announcer on Steve Allen‘s Tonight on NBC.   

Boris Karloff hosted a weekly children’s radio program over New York’s
WNEW during the early 1950s. He played children’s music and read stories
and riddles. The program,“Karloff’s Treasure Chest”, also became popular
with adults. 

After a successful run on radio, Dragnet became popular enough to move to
NBC television where it debuted as a special preview on "Chesterfield Sound
Off Time". The show began officially on January 3, 1952 and aired until August
23, 1959. 
 

Jack Webb as Joe Friday (L) and Ben Alexander as Frank Smith.