Here's Allen in action in what must be the longest dolly shot in TV history (thanks to Jim Eigo for sending it along)...
Here's Steve Allen in 1953. Listen carefully how he delivers his jokes, making sure the lines don't sound forced or rehearsed...
Here's Allen surprising Judy Garland on her TV show. Compare how at easy and how easily he ad libs compared to Garland, who seems scared to death...
Here's Allen with three all-star trumpeters. Watch how he deftly convinces you that he stinks so his standing is reduced and you'll accept him as one of the quartet without thinking he's a jerk...
Even in 1997, Allen is all charm. Again, catch how he insists he can't play the vibes and then does a decent enough job with Terry Gibbs. A master of lowering the bar so he could exceed expectations...
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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