 Steve Allen was the first host of "The Tonight Show", which began as a local New York show, being picked up by the NBC network in 1954.It in turn had evolved from his late-night radio talk show in Los Angeles.Allen pioneered the format of late night network TV talk shows, originating such talk show staples as an opening monologue, celebrity interviews, audience participation, and comedy bits in which cameras were taken outside the studio, as well as music, although the series' popularity was cemented by second host Jack Paar, who took over after Allen had left and the show had ceased to exist.