What is it? The Best of The Ed Sullivan Show, more than seven hours on six discs from Star Vista Entertainment
How much? $59.95
When? Now
Who is Ed Sullivan? The king of Sunday nights. From 1948 to 1971, his series (which started as Toast of the Town before the name change) was appointment television.
Sullivan himself was a former boxer, sports reporter, theater columnist and radio host who was hired to host a weekly variety show on CBS. He wasn't exactly the first person you'd look to as a TV host. He wasn't a comedian and didn't seem to have any special talents (like, say, singing or acting) of his own, but he was genial, warm and able to keep the show moving and put the spotlight on his guests. Offstage, he was stubborn and prickly when it came to who was allowed on.
Episodes included appearances by pop singers, comedians, classical musicians, dancers, circus acts and performances from current Broadway shows. With such diverse lineups, the show was able to attract huge audiences.
With the kind of viewership it got, the show generated a lot of interest and an appearance on Ed Sullivan could make or break a career, or, as in the case of The Beatles' performance in 1964, could launch a full-scale pop culture invasion.
So what's on the set? There are five clip shows and one collection of interviews:
• Unforgettable Performances: Hosted by Carol Burnett, this special includes clips of some of the big appearances over the years, including The Beatles and Elvis Presley, a very young Julie Andrews singing "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady, Ella Fitzgerald scatting with Sammy Davis Jr. and comedy from Flip Wilson and Joan Rivers. There's also a bit of Sullivan's background and interviews with performers.
• 50th Anniversary Special: Very similar to the previous special, although it does have some different clips; this one is hosted by the Smothers Brothers and clocks in at about 45 minutes.
• The All-Star Comedy Special: This 70-minute special is hosted by Mary Tyler Moore and focuses on comic performances by the likes of Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Senor Wences.
• World's Greatest Novelty Acts: An hour of contortionists, jugglers, acrobats, magicians and a man going up a flight of stairs on his head.
• Amazing Animal Acts: Also an hour, it ranges from the sublime (Lipizzaner stallions) to the ridiculous (dancing, costumed dogs and Zippy the roller-skating chimp).
• Bonus Interviews: Nearly two hours long, this disc has extended versions of the interviews used in the various specials. Participants include Joan Rivers, Rich Little, Michelle Phillips and David Crosby.
Most of the clips are only pieces of the performances, but they give viewers a good idea. It's fun to see some legendary performers like Joan Sutherland or the Rolling Stones at the top of their games and others, like Barbra Streisand and Woody Allen, who were just starting to take off.
Of course, it depends on your interests as to whether you'd find the whole set entertaining (not everyone loves dancing bears) but, like the series itself, the set has something for just about everyone.
Are there any other extras? There's a five-minute highlight reel from a 1958 interview with Sullivan and his wife.
New this week: The Abbott and Costello Show, Ultimate Collection; The Facts of Life, Season 6; The Forsyte Saga, mini-series; Hart to Hart, Season 5; The Last Ship, Season 1; Laverne & Shirley, Complete Series; The Odd Couple, Complete Series; Schitt's Creek, Season 1; The Strain, Season 1; Teen Wolf, Season 4.
Next week: The Cosby Show, Seasons 7-8; Lovejoy, Season 6 and Complete Collection; The Newsroom, Season 3; Two and a Half Men, Season 12 and Complete Series.
Style on 06/07/2015