The Steve Allen Show was an American variety show hosted by Steve Allen from June 1956 to June 1960. It was the first in a series of prime time spin-offs from The Tonight Show, all of which were named after the host. The show launched the careers of cast members Don Knotts, Tom Poston, Louis Nye, Pat Harrington, Jr., Tim Conway, Bill Dana, and, near the end of its run, Jim Nabors. Allen drew the largest audience in the history of the show, an estimated 40 million viewers.