The Steve Allen Show is an American late-night talk and variety show hosted by Steve Allen that aired locally in New York City on WNBT from July 27, 1953, to September 24, 1954. The 40-minute program aired from 11:20 p.m. to midnight. Originally titled The Knickerbocker Beer Show after its sponsor, Knickerbocker Beer, it was renamed The Steve Allen Show shortly after its debut. Gene Rayburn was the announcer, Bobby Byrne led the orchestra, and Steve Lawrence, Helen Dixon and Pat Kirby were regular performers.
The program was sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer and featured Allen playing piano, talking with guests and members of the studio audience, and interacting with Rayburn and the show's musical performers. A contemporary review in September 1954 described the local program as the "nucleus" from which NBC's forthcoming Tonight was being built.
Three days after the local program ended, Allen became the host of the national NBC program Tonight, which premiered on September 27, 1954.
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