1949-12-04, CBS, 28 min.
January 19th, 1950- February 23th, 1952 (CBS)
Robert Q. Lewis hosted this prime-time talent show, on which talent buyers, agents, producers, and stars dropped by to audition and hire promising young hopefuls.
Note: This was the pilot episode for the series.
Celebrities appearing on this episode: Comedian Will Jordan, bandleader Sammy Kaye who is looking for a girl singer, Sam Glick, (club date booker, President of the Piece Goods Buyer's Association) Lee Goober, (owner of the "Rendezvous Room" in Philadelphia), Lila Hyers, (vocal), Jack Russell, (vocal), Alfredo Salmaggi, (founder of "The Salmaggi Opera Company), "The Three Riffs, Adelaide Bishop, (soprano), Ray Bloch and his orchestra).
Announcer: Art Hannes.
Host: Robert Q. Lewis
1955-06-26, CBS, 7 min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
Guest: Impersonator Will Jordan performs a comic routine: "The Life Of Ed Sullivan, from birth to high school."
1957-05-26, CBS, 10 min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
Guests: Jayne Mansfield and impressionist Will Jordan.
1962-08-12, WCBS, 00 min.
1965-05-25, WCBS, 52 min.
September 25, 1962-June 23, 1970. One of television's most inventive and popular comedians, Red Skelton hosted his own series for twenty years, seven of them in a one-hour format, "The Red Skelton Hour" on CBS. Skelton began his television career on NBC September 30, 1951 with a half-hour filmed variety series lasting until June 21, 1953. He then began his CBS affiliation, and began hosting "The Red Skelton Show," a half-hour variety show broadcast live until October 18, 1960, and subsequently on videotape. This series aired from October 13, 1953, continuing until June 26, 1962. From July 21, 1954 through September 8, 1954, "The Red Skelton Revue" was broadcast live on CBS in a one-hour format. Red Skelton returned to NBC in a half-hour taped format for his final series. "Red" as the show was known, premiered September 14, 1970. The first four broadcasts included introductions by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew (September 14, 1970), Dean Martin (September 21, 1970), Jack Benny (September 28, 1970), and Johnny Carson (October 5, 1970) who got his big break writing for Skelton in the early 1950's. Red Skelton's last first-run regularly scheduled television program aired on March 15, 1971.
1965-10-01, WABC, 52 min.
September 19, 1963-April 1, 1966. In 1963 Dean hosted a prime-time hour variety series on ABC, which lasted three seasons. Regulars included Karen Morrow, Molly Bee, Chuck McCann, the Chuck Cassey Singers and Rowlf the Muppet, the first of the puppet creations of Jim Henson to be featured on national TV.
1968-02-18, WCBS, 52 min.
June 20, 1948-June 6, 1971. Television's longest-running variety show ran on Sunday nights for twenty-three years. Its host, Ed Sullivan.
1968-10-09, WNBC, 42 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
This was the "Alan King at the Movies" broadcast. Alan King ribs the movie industry. Will Jordan mimics movie greats Clark Gable, James Mason and Charles Laughton.
*Ten minutes of audio corrupted and not salvageable.
1969-03-09, WCBS, 52 min.
June 20, 1948-June 6, 1971. Television's longest-running variety show ran on Sunday nights for twenty-three years. Its host, Ed Sullivan.
1969-04-03, WNBC, min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
Dupe of #1977
1969-04-03, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1970-11-11, WNBC, 52 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. This was the pilot for the series "The Kopykats." The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
1970-11-18, WNBC, 52 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. This was the "Law and Disorder Prevail" broadcast. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
1972-02-09, WABC, 52 min.
January 12, 1972-April 5, 1972. Seven segments of this thirteen-week comedy-variety series brought together a group of highly talented impressionists calling themselves The Kopykats: Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, Charlie Callas, Joe Baker and Fred Travalena (last four segments). Those segments were later syndicated under the title "The Kopykats." Guest hosts included Steve Lawrence (January 19), Orson Welles with Ron Moody (January 26), Ed Sullivan with Will Jordan (February 9), Raymond Burr (February 23), Robert Young (March 8), Debbie Reynolds (March 22) and Tony Curtis (April 5).
1978-09-06, WABC, 52 min.
September 20, 1978-December 27, 1978. The only live prime-time entertainment show of the 1978-1979 season, this hour variety series was hosted by Dick Clark. Scheduled are music by Paul Anka, Lou Rawls, Jose Feliciano, Les Paul, Yvonne Elliman, and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr; and comedy by Jack Carter, Robert Klein, and Will Jordan. There's also a touch of nostalgia: film clips recalling the life styles and dance crazes of the '50s and '60s, and reminiscences by Dick, David Soul and Doc Severinsen. Scheduled musical highlights are: "Brought Up In New York" (Paul Anka), "Breezin'" (Jose, Les), and "If I Can't Have You" (Yvonne).
