Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz
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?
AThe CBS Sunday ShowcaseBToast of the TownCThe Ed Sullivan Variety HourDCurtain Up! - 2.
Before hosting his television show, Ed Sullivan was best known as what kind of writer?
ASports reporter for the New York TimesBHollywood film critic for VarietyCRadio drama scriptwriterDBroadway and entertainment columnist - 3.
On which television network did The Ed Sullivan Show air for its entire 23-year run?
ACBSBNBCCABCDDuMont - 4.
What was the date of The Beatles' historic American television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show?
AJanuary 12, 1964BJanuary 26, 1964CFebruary 9, 1964DFebruary 23, 1964 - 5.
Approximately how many Americans tuned in to watch The Beatles' first Ed Sullivan Show performance in 1964?
A40 millionB73 millionC55 millionD95 million - 6.
On which night of the week did The Ed Sullivan Show air throughout its 23-year run?
ASundayBSaturdayCMondayDFriday - 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?
AThey used only soft-focus lenses throughout his performanceBThey filmed him exclusively from behind the studio audienceCThey cut away to the audience whenever he movedDThey 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?
ASignor TopoBIl TopolinoCTopo GigioDPiccolo Ratto - 9.
The popular Ed Sullivan Show regular known as Señor Wences performed what type of act?
APlate spinningBVentriloquismCTightrope walkingDSleight-of-hand magic - 10.
How many years did The Ed Sullivan Show run on CBS?
A23 years (1948–1971)B18 years (1953–1971)C15 years (1956–1971)D20 years (1951–1971) - 11.
What controversy erupted when rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1955?
AHe arrived too late to rehearse and nearly missed the live broadcastBHis flashy sequined outfit was considered too gaudy for televisionCHe used an unapproved word during the live performanceDHe 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?
AChinaBEast GermanyCSoviet UnionDCuba - 13.
In what year was the program officially renamed from 'Toast of the Town' to 'The Ed Sullivan Show'?
A1955B1958C1952D1962 - 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?
APaint It BlackBLet's Spend the Night TogetherCJumpin' Jack FlashDRuby 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?
AReallyBBigCTonightDShow
Answer Key
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Señor Wences (born Wenceslao Moreno in Spain) was a ventriloquist famous for 'Johnny,' a face drawn on his hand, and 'Pedro,' a tiny head in a box, along with his signature catchphrase 'S'allright? S'allright!'
The show premiered on June 20, 1948 as 'Toast of the Town' and aired its final episode on June 6, 1971 — an extraordinary 23-year run that made it one of the longest-running variety programs in television history.
Sullivan had asked Bo Diddley to cover 'Sixteen Tons,' a Tennessee Ernie Ford hit, but Diddley instead played his self-titled song 'Bo Diddley,' reportedly so infuriating Sullivan that he barred Diddley from the show for years afterward.
Ed Sullivan famously brought Soviet acrobats, circus performers, and other artists before American audiences at the height of the Cold War, believing that shared entertainment could build understanding between the two superpowers.
Though Sullivan had been the undisputed star since the premiere, CBS officially retitled the program 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in 1955, finally giving the host the credit that audiences already accorded him.
Sullivan required the Stones to replace 'Let's Spend the Night Together' with 'let's spend some time together' — and cameras caught Mick Jagger pointedly rolling his eyes at the camera as he sang the sanitized version.
Sullivan famously pronounced 'show' as 'shew,' giving America his beloved opening line 'We have a really big shew tonight!' — a phrase so distinctive that generations of comedians made it the centerpiece of their Sullivan impressions.