Here's a gold strike on YouTube: Someone has posted in four parts, a pretty good copy of a 1960 episode of The Steve Allen Plymouth Show. This was another in the long line of Steve Allen programs…and I may be wrong but I think this was the first series he did on videotape as opposed to live. Nevertheless, I'll bet they shot it pretty much as if it was live.
It appears to have been done on Stage 1 at NBC Burbank, which is the studio Johnny Carson used for The Tonight Show years later. The steep rake in that studio (i.e., the way the audience was set up) was reportedly a suggestion/demand of Bob Hope and any time he did something in front of a live audience at NBC Burbank, he insisted on using that stage for it. On most of his specials — at least the later ones — they taped everything except the monologue and the closing across the hall on Stage 3. Then a night or two before the special aired, he'd appear on Mr. Carson's show to plug it and while he was there, they'd fly in a different curtain and Hope would tape his monologue and closing spot for the special using the Tonight Show audience. (Just before tape would roll, he'd make some reference to Carson being his opening act and say, "Thanks for warming them up for me, Johnny.")
The Steve Allen show you're about to see if you click features Tony Bennett as the main guest and the last fourth or so is mostly Bennett performing with Les Brown's orchestra. There are two special treats to look for if you want to scan through the hour. In the second of four parts, there's a very long sketch with Steve Allen as Dr. Frankenstein, Louis Nye as the Monster, Jayne Meadows as the Bride of the Monster and Gabe Dell and Bill Dana in supporting roles. It will remind you somewhat of Young Frankenstein, though I would imagine every variety show that was ever on for more than one season did a sketch that would remind you of Young Frankenstein.
In the third quarter of the episode, Steve does a long (about 10 minutes) segment of just chatting with members of the studio audience and passing out salamis. It's very funny and it's the kind of ad-lib situation that guys like Letterman and Leno would not dare attempt without prepared lines, planned routines and maybe even some advance coaching of the interviewees. If you only have time to watch a little of this, watch that.
As I said, it was uploaded in four parts. They should play one after the other in the player I've embedded below…and you should be able to figure out how to skip ahead to the later chapters if you like. You may also enjoy the Plymouth commercials, especially the one Steverino does. Thanks to Craig Robin for calling this to my attention — and now, enjoy…
