Jack Paar

Jack Harold Paar (May 1, 1918 – January 27, 2004) was an American radio and television talk show host.

Prime time

In 1962 Paar exchanged his late-night slot for a prime-time Friday night show on NBC that lasted for another three years. He made it clear in the last season that he wasn't planning to continue with the show. His last signoff featured him sharing a discussion he had had with his daughter, who insisted on calling his departure a sabbatical. Noting the origins of the term, he said that his own field was, though not completely used up, "a little dry recently." Then he called to his German shepherd from the seats of what was, for once, an empty studio, and walked out. It is generally believed that The Beatles were introduced to American television viewers on the Ed Sullivan Show. But, in fact, they debuted on Paar's prime time hour. The show was significant because of its world view. Besides the Beatles it debuted acts from around the world and also showed films from exotic locations.

Related Topics:
Prime-time - Sabbatical

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