Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz
1 / 15What was the original name of The Ed Sullivan Show when it premiered on CBS in 1948?
About Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz
Give your memory a workout with Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz: 15 multiple-choice questions aimed at mixed difficulty, free to play right in your browser. Every Sunday night for 23 years, Ed Sullivan invited the whole world into America's living room — from plate-spinners to the Beatles, his show defined an era. How well do you remember television's greatest variety hour? Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. What was the original name of The Ed Sullivan Show when it premiered on CBS in 1948?
Answer: Toast of the Town
The show debuted on June 20, 1948 as 'Toast of the Town' and was not renamed 'The Ed Sullivan Show' until 1955, even though Sullivan had been its star from the very first broadcast.
2. Before hosting his television show, Ed Sullivan was best known as what kind of writer?
Answer: Broadway and entertainment columnist
Sullivan wrote a widely-read Broadway and entertainment column for the New York Daily News, and it was those showbiz connections that gave him the rolodex of talent to book his remarkable variety show.
3. On which television network did The Ed Sullivan Show air for its entire 23-year run?
Answer: CBS
The Ed Sullivan Show was a CBS institution from its premiere in 1948 to its final broadcast in 1971, making it one of the longest-running programs in that network's history.
4. What was the date of The Beatles' historic American television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show?
Answer: February 9, 1964
The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, in what became one of the most celebrated television moments of the 20th century and a turning point in American popular music.
5. Approximately how many Americans tuned in to watch The Beatles' first Ed Sullivan Show performance in 1964?
Answer: 73 million
An estimated 73 million Americans — roughly 40 percent of the entire U.S. population at the time — watched The Beatles on February 9, 1964, one of the largest audiences in television history up to that point.
Things you'll learn along the way
- The Ed Sullivan Show aired every Sunday night on CBS at 8 p.m., making Sunday evenings synonymous with Sullivan for an entire generation of American families gathered around the television set.
- On January 6, 1957, CBS directed its cameramen to shoot Elvis only from the waist up, deeming his swiveling hip movements too suggestive for a Sunday-night family audience — making that performance one of the most talked-about in television history.
- Topo Gigio was a small Italian mouse puppet created by Maria Perego who became one of the show's most popular recurring guests, winning American hearts with his gentle humor and sweetly accented English.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz take?
Most players finish Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
What's a good follow-up after Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz?
If you enjoyed this nostalgia trivia quiz, try the Daily Challenge — five rotating questions, refreshed every 24 hours, that count toward your streak. You can also use the Surprise Me button on the homepage to land on a different game type for variety.
Can I print Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz?
Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz fits comfortably in one sitting.
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