The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971)

EndedVariety show

From 1949 until its cancelation in 1971, The Ed Sullivan Show ran on CBS every Sunday night from 8–9 p.m. E.T., and is one of the few entertainment shows to have run in the same weekly time slot on the same network for more than two decades. (During its first season, it ran from 9–10 p.m. E.T.) Virtually every type of entertainment appeared on the show; opera singers, popular artists, songwriters, comedians, ballet dancers, dramatic actors performing monologues from plays, and circus acts were regularly featured. The format was essentially the same as vaudeville, and although vaudeville had died a generation earlier, Sullivan presented many ex-vaudevillians on his show.

Network
Scheduleevery Sunday at 20:00 (60 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S24E25Melanie; David Frye; Sandler & YoungMar 28, 1971
S24E24Bernadette Peters / George Hamilton / OliverMar 21, 1971
S24E23Armed Forces Music Festival: Jeannie C. Riley; Teresa GravesMar 7, 1971
S24E22Everly Brothers / George Carlin / Shirley BasseyFeb 28, 1971
S24E21Fifth Dimension / Tiny Tim & Miss Vickie / Connie StevensFeb 21, 1971
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did The Ed Sullivan Show premiere?

The Ed Sullivan Show premiered on June 20, 1948.

Who was the host of The Ed Sullivan Show?

The host of The Ed Sullivan Show was Ed Sullivan himself.

What was the format of The Ed Sullivan Show?

The Ed Sullivan Show featured a variety format, showcasing different acts such as comedy, music, and dance.

Which famous band made their U.S. television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show?

The Beatles made their U.S. television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964.

Who made the most appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show?

Elvis Presley holds the record for the most appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, with a total of three appearances.

What famous ventriloquist regularly appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show?

Edgar Bergen, along with his dummy Charlie McCarthy, was a regular on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Which popular comedy duo frequently performed on The Ed Sullivan Show?

The comedy duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis was a frequent guest on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Who was the first African-American performer to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show?

Nat King Cole was the first African-American performer to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show.

What was the nickname given to The Ed Sullivan Show?

The Ed Sullivan Show was often referred to as "The Toast of the Town."

Which legendary dancer made regular appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show?

Fred Astaire was a regular performer on The Ed Sullivan Show.

What was the duration of each episode of The Ed Sullivan Show?

The duration of each episode of The Ed Sullivan Show was approximately 60 minutes.

Which famous magician performed his illusions on The Ed Sullivan Show?

Harry Houdini performed his famous illusions on The Ed Sullivan Show.

What was the significance of The Ed Sullivan Show in terms of television history?

The Ed Sullivan Show is considered a landmark in television history, as it was one of the longest-running variety shows and showcased many iconic performances.

Which famous comedian made his first television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show?

Jerry Seinfeld made his first television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.

What was the audience size for The Ed Sullivan Show?

The Ed Sullivan Show had a large audience, with millions of viewers tuning in each week.

What other notable performers appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show?

Other notable performers who appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show include The Rolling Stones, The Jackson 5, and The Supremes.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Also known as

  • Toast of the Town

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service
Running

Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service

Restaurateurs who are looking for a quick fix or social media glow-up are in for the surprise of their lives when famed culinary titan Gordon Ramsay trades his signature chef knives for a state-of-the-art surveillance vehicle and cutting-edge spyware in FOX's all-new unscripted series, Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service. In a Gordon Ramsay series first, Chef Ramsay will venture into struggling restaurants under the cover of night. With the help of a secret source on the inside, he'll gather raw, unfiltered evidence and get a 360-degree view of the major issues facing each restaurant. This insider will not only remain a secret to the staff, but will also help Ramsay infiltrate the restaurant after-hours for a dramatic nighttime black light kitchen investigation that reveals more filth and grossness than ever before. By the time Ramsay reveals his identity, it will be too late for staff to cover up their culinary crimes. Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service will be his toughest assignment yet as he takes drastic measures to transform not only the restaurant but also the staff, because Gordon knows he can upgrade the menu and renovate the restaurant, but the most important change has to come from the people. Are the restaurant and staff willing to accept Gordon's mission, or are they too far gone to be saved?

GenreFood
Karen Pirie
Running

Karen Pirie

True to Val McDermid's iconic character, DS Karen Pirie is a young and fearless Scottish investigator with a quick mouth and tenacious desire for the truth.

When teenager Rosie Duff was found brutally murdered in the Scottish university town of St Andrews in 1996, suspicion fell on the three drunken students who were discovered at the scene of the crime, claiming to have found her body. But with a lack of forensic evidence, no charges were brought and the police investigation floundered.

Twenty-five years on, someone appears to be willing to risk everything to keep the secrets surrounding the case hidden. Do the three men know more than they previously revealed? How flawed was the original investigation? And can Karen uncover the truth of what happened to Rosie that fateful night?

GenreDrama, Crime
Grimsburg
Running

Grimsburg

Marvin Flute may be the greatest detective ever to catch a cannibal clown or correctly identify a mid-century modern armoire. But there's one mystery he still can't crack - his family. Now that he's back in Grimsburg, a town where everyone has a secret or three, Flute will follow every lead he's got to redeem himself with the ex-wife he never stopped loving, even if it means hanging out with the son he never bothered to get to know.

Universal Basic Guys
Running

Universal Basic Guys

In Universal Basic Guys brothers Mark and Hank Hoagies suddenly find themselves with no jobs when the Glantontown Hot Dog factory switches over to automation. Lucky for them, the town started a radical Universal Basic Income pilot program, giving all residents of Glantontown $3,000 per month with no strings attached. Now, Mark, Hank and the rest of their local buddies are once again kids in the summertime, overflowing with the perilous combo of free time and stupid ideas. This is a show about men trying to find purpose in a world where they're no longer needed.

GenreComedy
Big Brother
Running

Big Brother

Big Brother follows a group of people living together in a house outfitted with dozens of high-definition cameras and microphones recording their every move, 24 hours a day. Each week, the Houseguests will vote someone out of the house. At the end, the last remaining Houseguest will receive the grand prize of $500,000.