Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz

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Instructions: 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?

1.
What was the original name of The Ed Sullivan Show when it premiered on CBS in 1948?
A
The CBS Sunday Showcase
B
Toast of the Town
C
The Ed Sullivan Variety Hour
D
Curtain Up!
2.
Before hosting his television show, Ed Sullivan was best known as what kind of writer?
A
Sports reporter for the New York Times
B
Hollywood film critic for Variety
C
Radio drama scriptwriter
D
Broadway and entertainment columnist
3.
On which television network did The Ed Sullivan Show air for its entire 23-year run?
A
CBS
B
NBC
C
ABC
D
DuMont
4.
What was the date of The Beatles' historic American television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show?
A
January 12, 1964
B
January 26, 1964
C
February 9, 1964
D
February 23, 1964
5.
Approximately how many Americans tuned in to watch The Beatles' first Ed Sullivan Show performance in 1964?
A
40 million
B
73 million
C
55 million
D
95 million
6.
On which night of the week did The Ed Sullivan Show air throughout its 23-year run?
A
Sunday
B
Saturday
C
Monday
D
Friday
7.
During Elvis Presley's third appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in January 1957, CBS camera operators filmed him in an unusual way. What did they do?
A
They used only soft-focus lenses throughout his performance
B
They filmed him exclusively from behind the studio audience
C
They cut away to the audience whenever he moved
D
They showed him only from the waist up
8.
What was the name of the beloved Italian mouse puppet that appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show more than 50 times and charmed millions of viewers?
A
Signor Topo
B
Il Topolino
C
Topo Gigio
D
Piccolo Ratto
9.
The popular Ed Sullivan Show regular known as Señor Wences performed what type of act?
A
Plate spinning
B
Ventriloquism
C
Tightrope walking
D
Sleight-of-hand magic
10.
How many years did The Ed Sullivan Show run on CBS?
A
23 years (1948–1971)
B
18 years (1953–1971)
C
15 years (1956–1971)
D
20 years (1951–1971)
11.
What controversy erupted when rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1955?
A
He arrived too late to rehearse and nearly missed the live broadcast
B
His flashy sequined outfit was considered too gaudy for television
C
He used an unapproved word during the live performance
D
He performed his own song instead of the song Sullivan had requested
12.
Sullivan regularly featured acrobatic troupes from which country as a gesture of cultural goodwill during the Cold War?
A
China
B
East Germany
C
Soviet Union
D
Cuba
13.
In what year was the program officially renamed from 'Toast of the Town' to 'The Ed Sullivan Show'?
A
1955
B
1958
C
1952
D
1962
14.
When the Rolling Stones appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in January 1967, Sullivan insisted they change the lyrics of which song before performing it?
A
Paint It Black
B
Let's Spend the Night Together
C
Jumpin' Jack Flash
D
Ruby Tuesday
15.
Ed Sullivan became famous for his wooden, stiff delivery. Which word did he consistently mispronounce, turning his opening announcement into one of television's most imitated catchphrases?
A
Really
B
Big
C
Tonight
D
Show

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