[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO STEVE ALLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 1, 2000

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the late Steve 
Allen, one of the most prolific comedians, actors, and writers in our 
country for the past 50 years. Mr. Allen, the original host of the 
``Tonight Show,'' passed away at his youngest son's home in Encino, 
California, on October 30, 2000.
  Mr. Allen started his show-business career at a radio station in 
Phoenix, Arizona. He was drafted by the Army during World War II, but 
was released shortly thereafter because of his asthma. He then moved to 
Hollywood for a job with a radio station. Mr. Allen transferred his 
radio act to television with ``The Steve Allen Show,'' which debuted on 
Christmas in 1950.
  Mr. Allen's greatest success came with the ``Tonight Show,'' which 
began in New York in 1953. He is credited with establishing almost all 
of the conventions of late-night television--the opening monologue, 
chatting with the bandleader, and relying on a regular lineup of 
characters. His successors, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Jay Leno on 
``Tonight,'' and David Letterman on ``Late Night with David 
Letterman,'' followed suit.
  Mr. Allen's show involved madcap antics and was wholly unpredictable. 
For example, Mr. Allen, who was 6-feet 3-inches tall, plunged into a 
huge bowl of salad for a wrestling match on the show. He once peddled 
hot dogs on the street, dressed as a vendor. He also featured actors 
Bill Dana, Louie Nye, Tom Poston and Don Knotts for a scripted version 
of ``Man on the Street'' interviews. Mr. Allen also did these for real. 
Another recurring routine involved Mr. Allen reading actual angry 
letters to the New York Daily News with all the artificial righteous 
indignation they indicated. The skits were hilarious. Mr. Allen left 
``Tonight'' at the end of the 1956 season. From 1956 through 1961, Mr. 
Allen hosted a reprise of ``The Steve Allen Show,'' which was in the 
time slot against ``The Ed Sullivan Show.''
  Throughout his television career, Mr. Allen showcased improv actors, 
and on-the-edge bookings for the era, including Lenny Bruce and Bob 
Dylan. He also invited jazz musicians to his shows. Mr. Allen showcased 
soloists with the ``Tonight'' band and interviewed legendary musicians 
for a television program called ``Jazz Scene U.S.A.''
  Mr. Allen appeared on other television shows. He created ``Meeting of 
Minds,'' which won an Emmy in 1981 for best informational series. The 
show presented imaginary debates between historical figures such as 
Charles Darwin, Attila the Hun and Marie Antoinette. Mr. Allen also 
appeared in several movies, wrote over 8,000 songs, and wrote numerous 
books on a variety of topics.
  Mr. Allen is survived by his wife, the actress Jayne Meadows, four 
sons, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in paying 
tribute to Mr. Steve Allen for his contribution to the entertainment 
world and for helping each of us laugh.

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