Really Big Shews to Fill

By Jeff Little

Ed Sullivan's trademark phrase, "A really big shew" may be laughable or almost totally unheard of today.

But for those who remember the former newspaper sportswriter and gossip columnist with his stiff, almost unnerving delivery, his odd pronunciations have become almost as beloved as Ed himself.

From 1948-1971 Mr. Sullivan consistently delivered, as he promised, "A really big shew" (a really big show) to millions every week on CBS Television. And even though Ed's pronunciation may have been slightly off, his selection and presentation of talent was always right on target.

For its first several seasons the weekly variety-fest aired as Toast of the Town but the name was eventually changed.

Due to the viewing public's love of Ed's "regular guy" demeanor and his ever growing popularity CBS decided to capitalize and present the series as The Ed Sullivan Show from 1955-1971.

The Ed Sullivan Show was and is the definitive variety show. On any given week its audience would be treated to most every form of entertainment imaginable. Acts ranging from music to comedy to dancing bears were regularly featured and the public ate it up.

Sullivan's show became a television mainstay that evolved into a star-making juggernaut. An appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show routinely made unknown performers famous and famous performers phenomenally popular.

With an uncanny ability for spotting future trends in entertainment, Sullivan repeatedly shared his talent by introducing America to show business legends in the making.

A roster of acts that appeared on his show reads like a who's who of entertainment from the 50's and 60's (along with impressive appearances in the late 40's and early 70's).

In its 23-year run The Ed Sullivan Show featured (among others) Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, Buddy Holly, The Animals, The Doors, James Brown, Joan Rivers, Kate Smith, George Carlin, Buster Keaton, Henny Youngman, Bob Hope, The Rolling Stones, Richard Pryor, The Temptations and a list that goes on and on.

The Sullivan show even wielded enough power to book some of these and other legends multiple times.

Elvis Presley shared the stage with Ed 3 times. Also appearing on numerous occasions was a British band called The Beatles. And even though Elvis and The Fab Four were obviously destined for greatness, most historians agree that The Ed Sullivan Show not only hurried their success but also multiplied it.

Sadly, no one has ever come close to matching the talent-spotting skill of Ed Sullivan. No show has ever presented quality entertainment as consistently as The Ed Sullivan Show and it is doubtful that one ever will.

Ed Sullivan died in 1974 at the age of 72 and left behind him a body of entertainment discoveries that are still here today for all to enjoy. Ed will never be forgotten.

CBS honored Mr. Sullivan in 1967 by renaming Studio 50 (Ed's television home) The Ed Sullivan Theater and it still hosts a certain amount of variety. Today it plays home to The Late Show with David Letterman.

Go To Rewind the Fifties Home