In 1948, Ed Sullivan began hosting a weekly variety series on CBS-TV. His background as a newspaper columnist served him well -- he had an unerring instinct for what people wanted to see, and he used his unique power to become an influential American gatekeeper for most of the 1950s and '60s. We take a look a Sullivan's influence, including "blessing" Elvis Presley and the Beatles by praising them on the air and reassuring anxious parents of teenagers. We also review his feuds with the likes of Steve Allen, Jackie Mason and Buddy Holly.
The Hopalong Cassidy Magical Marketing Machine
The Unsinkable Betty White
The Stormy Success of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour"
Liz and Dick and Lucy and the Ring
Fade to Blacklist: Part 2
Fade to Blacklist: Part 1
The Rise and Fall of "Moonlighting"
The 1960s: How We Played
The 1960s: What We Watched
"The Andy Griffith Show" and How It Grew
James Cagney's Final Act(ing)
The Variety Show Skirmishes of 1963
1952: The 60-Second Election
The Jack Benny-Johnny Carson Connection
The Quiz Show Scandals: "Twenty-One"
The Quiz Show Scandals: "The $64,000 Question"
In Godfrey We Trust
The Rise and Fall of Dragnet
When Maude Findlay Had an Abortion
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Cinema: A to B
I Finally Watched...
Star Wars Escape Pod
Pod Meets World
Pop Culture Happy Hour