The Ed Sullivan Show was a popular variety television program in the US from 1948 to 1971. It was known for showcasing up-and-coming comedy and musical acts, and many famous musicians owe their early success to the show. Host Ed Sullivan was criticized for his lackluster personality but had a talent for selecting raw talent. The show’s popularity was also due to Sullivan’s conservative attitude and restrictions on performers, such as refusing to show Elvis Presley’s hips and having the Rolling Stones change song lyrics. The show was broadcast from Studio 50, which was renamed the Ed Sullivan Theater in 1967 and is now the location of The Late Show with David Letterman.
The Ed Sullivan Show is known as one of the longest running variety television programs in the history of broadcast television in the United States. The CBS network aired the program for 23 years, from 1948 to 1971. The studio from which it was broadcast, Studio 50, was renamed the Ed Sullivan Theater in 1967. The Late Show with David Letterman currently broadcasts from that location.
Among a plethora of variety shows that were popular in the 1950s and 1960s, Ed Sullivan’s show was unique. Not only did it offer weekly entertainment that appealed to all ages, but it was renowned as the place where up-and-coming comedy and musical acts could gain exposure, often seen as crucial to becoming a star. Just as an appearance on the Johnny Carson show supposedly guaranteed the success of aspiring entertainers in the 1970s, the Ed Sullivan show was generally considered the best break a newcomer could get during these years.
Much of the show’s success has been attributed to Ed Sullivan. A former newspaper sportscaster, his demeanor reflected that of an average kid, who had mass appeal to a huge demographic. Sullivan was often berated for his lackluster personality, but his ability to select raw talent to appear in his show was generally unsurpassed. He was also famous for paying top dollar to virtually unknown artists.
The typical lineup for an Ed Sullivan show included an internationally based group of entertainers. This regularly included stand-up comedians, a recently popular musical artist, a well-known actor, and a juggler, acrobat or magician. Sullivan introduced each act with warmth and an air of support that inspired audiences to embrace them as well.
Some of the most popular musicians in history owe much of their early success to appearances on the Ed Sullivan show. Musical artists and bands who have become icons after appearing on the show include Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and the Jackson 5. BJ Thomas, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Doors have also appeared on the show early in their careers. The Supremes and The Byrds also rose to prominence after appearing on the show.
One aspect of the live broadcast show that increased its popularity was Sullivan’s conservative attitude. He was known for imposing restrictions on the performers of his show. This was generally considered acceptable at the time as it was his show of him, and his wishes were rarely challenged.
A number of Sullivan’s performer instructions have become almost as famous as the artists themselves. For example, he refused to show Elvis Presley from the waist down when he sang because he found the movement of his hips offensive. He had the Rolling Stones change the lyrics to one of their songs, Let’s Spend the Night Together, to Let’s Spend Some Time Together, as he found the original title too sexually charged for public airplay. The Doors were told they had to change the Light My Fire line, “Girl we couldn’t get much higher” to “Girl, we couldn’t get much better.” Though they accepted the change, they sang the original lyrics in the live show, much to Sullivan’s dismay.
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