Jack Paar Protests Censorship

With all the focus lately on the battle of the late night TV shows, it’s easy to forget that “The Tonight Show” with Jack Paar was the trailblazer for Johnny Carson, Letterman, Leno and Conan…and Kimmel (sorry, Jimmy—you’re the best and I almost left you out)

With a prevalent belief that much of the so-called “drama” behind the scenes is actually scripted, it’s refreshing to know that in the early days of TV—when programs were carried LIVE, there was a spontaneity that’s largely missing today.

Case in point: Jack Paar’s walking off of the set of “The Tonight Show”—it happened 50 years ago today. Luckily for NBC, the network had recently started taping the show rather than airing it live—and the showman in Paar might never have abandoned a LIVE television program. Not so a half century ago today.

The issue was censorship. Once the show ceased being broadcast live, network censors had the power to edit out segments that were deemed objectionable. Infuriated when a joke about a “water closet” was cut—claiming poor taste, Paar stormed off the set in tears and didn’t return for a month.

I have a soft spot for Paar, in part because he eventually became the owner of what is now 94.9 WHOM and WMTW-TV when both were headquartered in Poland Spring-and both were transmitting from the top of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire (WHOM still does, of course, but Channel 8 has moved to another location in Baldwin, Maine)

Although not the original “Tonight Show” host (that honor belonged to Steve Allen), Paar advanced the show to heights not seen before—and became the inspiration for today’s hosts, who often site Paar as a major influence.

Check out these three short video clips-each showing a different side of the versatile Jack Paar:

1) His interview with Bobby Kennedy in March of 1964—the first public comments from RFK following his brother’s assassination-this interview after leaving his post as “Tonight Show” host
2) His bit with comedian Jonathan Winters—which is just plain silly and
3) An interview where the tables are turned—HE is the subject—and he reveals some insecurities that many in his audience would have been surprised to hear.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01tTeOzPuZQ




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zrhnMUhKzI




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caw2_TsAoBY



Jack Paar left “The Tonight Show” for good in 1962. Several substitutes filled in until a young comedian by the name of Johnny Carson took over later that year.

Regardless of the parade of successors, there will never be another Jack Paar. What you saw was what you got.

And what you got was genuine.
What a concept.

If you’d like my blog in your weekday box, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com