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 & Youngmars 28, 1971
S24E24Bernadette Peters / George Hamilton / Olivermars 21, 1971
S24E23Armed Forces Music Festival: Jeannie C. Riley; Teresa Gravesmars 7, 1971
S24E22Everly Brothers / George Carlin / Shirley Basseyfévr. 28, 1971
S24E21Fifth Dimension / Tiny Tim & Miss Vickie / Connie Stevensfévr. 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.
Survivor
Running

Survivor

Eighteen to twenty castaways will compete against each other on Survivor. All castaways will compete to outwit, outplay, outlast and ultimately be crowned Sole Survivor.

The Testaments
Running

The Testaments

The Testaments is based on Margaret Atwood's Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, which was published in 2019 and takes place in the dystopian theocracy of Gilead. Years after the events of The Handmaid's Tale, The Testaments is a coming of age story that finds a new generation of young women in Gilead grappling with the bleak future that awaits them. For these young women, growing up in Gilead is all they have ever known, having no tangible memories of the outside world prior to their indoctrination into this life. Facing the prospect of being married off and living a life of servitude, they will be forced to search for allies, both new and old, to help in their fight for freedom and the life they deserve. 

Criminal Record
Running

Criminal Record

Criminal Record is a powerful, character-driven thriller set in the heart of contemporary London. An anonymous phone call draws two brilliant detectives into a confrontation over an old murder case – one a young woman in the early stages of her career, the other a well-connected man determined to protect his legacy. The series touches on issues of race, institutional failure, and the quest to find common ground in a polarized Britain.

Gold Rush
Running

Gold Rush

Gold Rush follows six men who, in the face of an economic meltdown, risk everything - their families, their dignity, and in some cases, their lives - to strike it rich mining for gold in the wilds of Alaska. Inspired by his father Jack, Todd Hoffman of Sandy, Oregon, leads a group of greenhorn miners to forge a new frontier and save their families from dire straits. While leasing a gold claim in Alaska, Todd and his company of newbies face the grandeur of Alaska as well as its hardships, including an impending winter that will halt operations and the opportunity to strike gold. In an effort to keep the operation running, the team takes fate into their own hands with a make or break venture that will change their lives forever.

Grace
Running

Grace

Grace centers on Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a hard-working police officer who has given his life to the job.