Episode list

The first appearance of the Beatles on American television.

Highlights include Presley singing in three spots, famously in tight shot from the waist up, Carol Burnett shows different types of actresses auditioning, Will Jordon imagines what Ed was like in college, Sugar Ray Robinson does some awkward banter with Ed, Don Budge and Jackie Robinson wave from the audience.

On this show Judy Garland gives spirited performances of "Rockabye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody" and "All By Myself". Sophie Tucker, in her final TV appearance, does a medley of "Give My Regards To Broadway", "Louise" and her signature "Some Of These Days". Tom Jones sings "With These Hands" and "It's Not Unusual".

The Beatles return to program for the second consecutive week, this time performing in Miami Beach, Florida. In the first set, the group performs "She Loves You", "This Boy", and "All My Loving". After Ed Sullivan introduces current heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston and former champ Joe Louis, comedians Marty Allen and Steve Rossi perform a sketch where an unlikely boxing contender (Allen) is quizzed by a persistent interviewer. Mitzi Gaynor performs "It's Too Darn Hot" and a series of blues numbers. Sway Bar Acrobats 'The Nerveless Nocks' perform aerial feats in a segment taped at Hialeh Race Track, followed by Myron Cohen's stand-up comic routine concerning two old ladies who enter the race track by accident. The Beatles wrap up the show with a second set, singing "I Saw Her Standing There", "From Me to You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand".

The Beatles return for their third straight show and perform "Twist and Shout" and "Please Please Me" in their opening set. Cute blonde Gloria Bleezarde trills the comic song "Safety in Numbers", followed by Pinky and Perky's marionettes performing "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" and "Speedy Gonzalez". Morecambe & Wise perform a comedy sketch concerning fragile antique brandy glasses and are succeeded by clarinetist Acker Bilk and the Ed Sullivan Dancers performing "Acker's Lacquer". Gordon and Sheila MacRae spoof 'The Garry Moore Show' with Gordon and Shiela performing "The Sweetest Sounds", followed by Gordon's impressions of Moore and Frank Fontaine and then singing "If Ever I would Leave You". Sandwiched around comedy routines by Dave Barry and Morty Gunty, Cab Calloway sings "St. James Infirmary" and "Ol' Man River". The episode concludes with The Beatles singing "I Want to Hold Your Hand" for the third consecutive week.

Music is the show's keynote, with Met opera star Joan Sutherland, actor-singer Van Johnson, Italian recording star Rita Pavone and Britain's rock 'n' rolling Animals on hand. Comedy impressionist John Byner pokes fun at Ed, comedienne Totie Fields presents a monologue and comic Jackie Mason makes the first of six scheduled appearances. Ed presents Antonio Gades and his Spanish ballet, which recently completed a summer engagement at the World's Fair.