America After Dark
A short-lived change of format for the talk show "Tonight Starring Steve Allen". The co-hosts Steve Allen and Ernie Kovacs were dismissed, and the series changed into a news show. Jack Lescoulie and Al "Jazzbo" Collins served as the new hosts, while Hy Gardner conducted the interviews. The news show suffered from low ratings, and several NBC affiliates dropped the show. NBC then changed the format back into a talk show, under the title "Tonight Starring Jack Paar".
Insights
Plot Summary
America After Dark was a nightly news and documentary series that aired on ABC from 1957 to 1961. The program aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of various aspects of American life, culture, and society. It featured a mix of filmed reports, interviews, and on-location segments, often exploring topics of public interest and contemporary issues.
Critical Reception
As a nightly news program, America After Dark was primarily judged on its informational value and its ability to cover a wide range of topics. It was part of the growing landscape of television news and documentary programming in the late 1950s, seeking to inform and engage a national audience. While specific critical reviews from its original run are scarce, its longevity suggests it found a receptive viewership looking for in-depth reporting.
What Reviewers Say
- Provided a broad look at American life during the late 1950s.
- Featured diverse reporting on social and cultural topics.
- A staple of early television news programming.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this historical program is not available.
Fun Fact
The series was notable for its early use of filmed segments that went beyond simple studio reporting, bringing stories from across the United States directly to viewers' homes.
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