The Ed Sullivan Show (1948–1971)
"Toast of the Town" (original title)

The classic prime time variety show most famous for its vaudeville acts and its rock music performances.

Stars:

Ed Sullivan, Johnny Wayne, Frank Shuster

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Ed Sullivan	...	Himself - Host (1054 episodes, 1948-1971)

Storyline

Ed Sullivan's show was straight out of old vaudeville; brief acts of every description, from slapstick comedy to operatic arias. At least once, he showed a film, the only known film of Anna Pavlova (doing her Swan Dance). The Muppets' first TV appearance was on Ed Sullivan. Stiff and expressionless, with a peculiar voice and a talent for mispronunciation, Sullivan was at least as recognizable as Cronkite to early 60's viewers.

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Plot Keywords:

rock music | variety | actor name in title | live audience | singer | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 June 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

You're the Top

Filming Locations:

CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Sullivan Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (1965-1971) Black and White (1948-1965)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

From 1950 until the end of its run in 1971, the show was always telecast in the same time slot, Sunday nights at 8:00 P.M. CBS broadcast it during its entire run.

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Quotes

Bing: You certainly get around.
Bob: I have to, with my kind of act.

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: Brush with Greatness (1991)

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Soundtracks

"Mahna Mahna"
Written by Piero Umiliani
Performed by The Muppets

User Reviews

Red, White, and Blue All Over!!

I watched a video of the Ed Sullivan show. It was entitled "Red, White, and Blue." It was a patriotic compiled tape which everybody in America should own. I was born after the show's cancellation so I never saw the original. But I can tell you after watching this tape, it was probably one of the best television shows of all time. In this tape, they have the great Henry Fonda doing the first Lincoln address. Dame Judith Anderson reciting the Gettysburg Address. Carl Sandburg offers the Lincoln Birthday address and the great Charlton Heston gives the second Lincoln inauguration speech. There are great musical numbers with Dale Evans, the West Point crew, and Kate Smith singing "God Bless America." They also have Joel Grey singing "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Grey's not James Cagney but it's worth seeing. This short video tape is only an hour long from Sofa Entertainment. Now if you are a history teacher, an American patriot, American lover, or just patriotic, this tape is worth the money. I bought 2 copies and gave it to history teachers that I know of. It's also worth buying for your home.