'Tonight Show' trio

<i>By Whitney Friedlander, Emily Christianson and Jevon Phillips, Los Angeles Times staff writers</i><br> <br> It's rare that "Tonight Show" hosts get together like in this 1986 photo from " <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="ORCRP004494" title="NBC (tv network)" href="/topic/economy-business-finance/media-industry/television-industry/nbc-%28tv-network%29-ORCRP004494.topic">NBC</a>'s 60th Anniversary Celebration" that brought (from left) <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PECLB000087" title="Steve Allen" href="/topic/entertainment/steve-allen-PECLB000087.topic">Steve Allen</a>, <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PECLB000880" title="Johnny Carson" href="/topic/entertainment/johnny-carson-PECLB000880.topic">Johnny Carson</a> and Jack Paar in one room.<br> <br> Allen introduced the format that everyone now knows and follows (the couch, the celebrity guest, comedy bits), Paar helped brand and popularize the show, and Carson (to some) perfected it. Here are a few moments throughout the show's history that stand out.
lat-steveallen_iasi8ekf20100810170221

( UPI )

By Whitney Friedlander, Emily Christianson and Jevon Phillips, Los Angeles Times staff writers

It's rare that "Tonight Show" hosts get together like in this 1986 photo from " NBC's 60th Anniversary Celebration" that brought (from left) Steve Allen, Johnny Carson and Jack Paar in one room.

Allen introduced the format that everyone now knows and follows (the couch, the celebrity guest, comedy bits), Paar helped brand and popularize the show, and Carson (to some) perfected it. Here are a few moments throughout the show's history that stand out.

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