Writer Jack Kerouac, “Beat Generation” novelist and poet, author of On the Road, is interviewed on the The Steve Allen Show in 1959. 

Allen introduces Kerouac before Kerouac gets on stage with Allen. Allen is seated at a grand piano and plays tunes throughout. A cover of the novel On the Road is shown. Kerouac walks on stage and sits next to the piano across from Allen.

Allen asks Kerouac if Kerouac is nervous, to which Kerouac offers a blunt “no.” 

Allen tries to warm up to Kerouac by asking him how long it took to write On the Road. “Three weeks,” he replies. He also says that he was actually on the road for 7 years. 

Allen responds by saying that it took him, Allen, 7 years to write about a 3 week experience. Allen then asks Kerouac about his writing process, whether Kerouac actually uses a roll of paper to write on. Kerouac confirms that this is true, he uses teletype paper, which allows him to change his so-called narrative trains of thought. 

Allen lastly asks what Kerouac believes “beat” means. Kerouac sticks a finger in the air, as if he has an idea, but the clip comes to an abrupt end.