Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to a behind-the-scenes look at one of the
most iconic shows in American television history.
For over two decades, The Ed Sullivan Show brought music, comedy, and entertainment into
the living rooms of millions of viewers across the country.
But as we'll soon discover, behind the polished performances and dazzling smiles, there were
secrets, mistakes, and scandals that rocked the showbiz world.
So get cozy, grab your favorite beverage, and get ready to delve into the juicy details
of The Ed Sullivan Show, as we uncover the untold stories that have been hidden away
for decades!
FactsVerse Presents: The Ed Sullivan Show Tried to Hide His Mistake from Viewers
A Message From The King
Legend has it that after The Beatles' historic performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, they
received a surprise telegram from none other than the King himself, Elvis Presley.
However, upon closer inspection, it turns out that the telegram was actually sent by
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis' shrewd manager.
And it seems that behind the scenes, there was some tension between the two biggest acts
of the time, with rumors of jealousy and competition swirling around.
When George Harrison was informed of the telegram's origins, he reportedly quipped, 'Elvis who?'
- a cheeky response that might have concealed some underlying animosity.
Perhaps Colonel Tom was hoping to poach some of The Beatles' fans, or maybe he was just
trying to stir the pot.
Either way, the story of the telegram adds another fascinating layer to the complex relationship
between two of music's biggest icons.
The Beatles Got Paid
While many performers on The Ed Sullivan Show were happy to take the stage for the priceless
exposure it offered, The Beatles were wise enough to negotiate a fee for their appearance.
It was a rare move that set them apart from their peers and gave them a financial boost
at a crucial time in their careers.
Of course, not everyone agrees that exposure is a fair substitute for payment.
As the saying goes, 'you can't pay the rent with exposure.'
Still, there are always exceptions to the rule, and for some artists, the value of exposure
might be worth the temporary sacrifice.
But for The Beatles, who were already on their way to becoming global superstars, getting
paid for their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was a savvy move that paid off in more
ways than one.
Bob Dylan Wasn’t Feeling It
On a fateful day in 1963, Bob Dylan was given the opportunity to perform on one of the biggest
stages in America via The Ed Sullivan Show.
It was a chance for him to reach a massive audience and showcase his unique brand of
folk music to the world.
However, when he arrived at the rehearsal, things quickly took a turn.
CBS executives had requested that he perform a different song than the one he had planned,
"Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues."
For Dylan, who was known for his uncompromising artistic vision, this was unacceptable.
Without hesitation, he made a bold move: he simply walked out and quit the show.
It was a moment that would become legendary in the annals of music history, a testament
to Dylan's unwavering dedication to his art and his refusal to be censored or controlled
by outside forces.
Though he may have missed out on the chance to perform on national television, Dylan's
act of defiance would inspire countless artists to follow their own creative instincts, no
matter the cost.
Jim Morrison’s Act Of Rebellion
When The Doors performed their hit song 'Light My Fire' on The Ed Sullivan Show, they received
an unusual request from the show's producers: to change a line in the lyrics from 'girl
we couldn't get much higher' to 'girl we couldn't get much better.'
Lead singer Jim Morrison, never one to back down from a challenge, refused to alter the
line and even emphasized it during the performance.
This bold move may have closed the door on future appearances for the band on the show,
but it also cemented their reputation as a rebellious force in the music industry.
And while Morrison's defiant stance may have ruffled some feathers at the time, it pales
in comparison to the infamous incident at a later concert in New Haven, where he was
arrested on stage for indecent exposure and lewd and lascivious behavior.
In retrospect, perhaps the minor controversy on The Ed Sullivan Show was just a taste of
the wild and unpredictable ride that The Doors would take audiences on in the years to come.
The Rolling Stones Rolled Over
Jim Morrison stood his ground with unwavering conviction, while The Rolling Stones took
a markedly different approach when they were asked to change the title of their song "Let's
Spend the Night Together" for their January 15, 1967 appearance on the show.
The band ultimately caved, but not without a hint of rebellion - Mick Jagger and bassist
Bill Wyman couldn't help rolling their eyes whenever they reached the changed refrain
of "Let's spend some time together."
Mick had also previously rubbed Sullivan the wrong way by refusing to wear a jacket during
their first appearance on the show in 1964.
However, the band eventually acquiesced and donned jackets for their subsequent 1965 appearances,
going on to perform on "The Ed Sullivan Show" a total of six times.
Sullivan Wasn’t Sure About Elvis
When Elvis Presley first burst onto the scene, Ed Sullivan had some reservations about featuring
him on his show.
He found Elvis' infamous hip gyrations to be too vulgar and inappropriate for prime-time
television.
However, when Steve Allen booked Elvis on his own show and beat Sullivan in the ratings,
the pressure was on.
Suddenly, Ed realized that he couldn't afford to miss out on the massive audience that Elvis
was attracting, so he relented, booking The King for his own show.
In the end, it was a lesson in the power of popularity and the importance of ratings in
the entertainment industry.
As the saying goes, 'money talks,' and in the cutthroat world of television, even the
most prudish of hosts can be swayed by the allure of big audiences.
So, the next time you see a performer doing something controversial on live television,
remember: in the end, it's all about the numbers.
Ed’s Memory Wasn’t The Best
Ed Sullivan was known for his legendary showmanship and his ability to showcase the biggest names
in entertainment.
However, when it came to remembering names, he often fell short.
In one memorable instance, he introduced The Three Stooges as "The Ritz Brothers," a gaffe
that drew laughter from the audience and surely left the Stooges scratching their heads.
After all, their slapstick humor was a far cry from the sophistication of "Puttin' on
the Ritz."
Never Cross Ed
While Ed Sullivan was undoubtedly a master showman, he also had a reputation for being
a bit of a grudge-holder.
If you ever crossed him, you might find yourself in hot water.
After all, the show was originally called "Toast of the Town," and if you weren't careful,
you could end up being the toast yourself!
Ed’s Beef With Buddy
There were certain artists that Ed Sullivan simply did not care for, and he made sure
they never appeared on his show.
One such example was his notorious feud with Buddy Holly and his band, The Crickets.
Ed took issue with the suggestive lyrics of their hit song "Oh Boy" and requested that
they perform an alternative tune instead.
Buddy Holly, however, refused to comply with Sullivan's demand.
As a result, Ed mispronounced Holly's name during the introduction and even went so far
as to turn off his guitar amplifier midway through the performance.
It was a clear display of Sullivan's disdain for certain musicians and his determination
to have things done his way on his show.
A Close-Call That Nearly Ended It All
Ed Sullivan's show was known for its thrilling performances, but sometimes those performances
could be a little too thrilling.
Take, for example, the time when animal trainer Clyde Beatty brought his act to the stage.
With 40 lions and tigers on hand, it was sure to be a wild ride.
But during the live performance, one of the big cats suddenly took a run at Beatty, forcing
the trainer to take drastic measures.
With the audience watching in horror, Beatty had no choice but to fire blank cartridges
at the cat in order to regain control.
Meanwhile, Ed Sullivan tried to keep things moving along by introducing some celebrity
guests, but it was clear that things had gotten out of hand.
Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident, but it was a stark reminder of the dangers
that lurk in the world of live entertainment.
So the next time you see a death-defying stunt on television, just remember: sometimes, the
performers are putting their lives on the line in order to entertain us
Jackie Mason Had A Lot Of Nerve
On October 18, 1964, Jackie Mason purportedly gestured towards Ed with his middle finger
during a live performance.
According to a recording of the incident, Jackie was in the middle of his stand-up comedy
routine when he turned towards Ed, who was apparently indicating that Jackie had only
two minutes remaining on air by holding up two fingers.
Jackie incorporated this into his act and pointed his middle finger towards Ed, slightly
apart from his other fingers.
Ed was reportedly furious and confronted Jackie backstage, resulting in the termination of
their contract.
Jackie denied intentionally making the obscene gesture and filed a libel suit in the New
York Supreme Court, which he ultimately won.
Two years later, Ed publicly apologized to Jackie when he appeared on the show once again,
but after Jackie impersonated Ed, he never was invited back on the program again.
Sullivan’s Stiffness Explained
There’s no denying the fact that Ed Sullivan was a legendary host.
Still, Sullivan's musical guests always outshone him in terms of stage presence, as he often
stumbled over his lines while moving stiffly across the stage with his arms tightly folded.
Comedians frequently poked fun at his wooden style, mimicking his upright posture and his
unusual habit of turning his entire body instead of just his neck when glancing to the side.
It wasn't until much later that it was revealed that Sullivan suffered from ankylosing spondylitis
(AS), an age-old disease that has only recently gained the attention of medical professionals
and researchers.
Unfortunately, we've reached the end of this video.
But don't worry, we have plenty of content just like this for you to sink your teeth
into.
Before you go, take a moment to show us a little support by dropping us a line in the
comments.
Did you know that Jim Morrison of The Doors refused to self-censor the lyrics of his music
while performing on the Ed Sullivan Show and that The Beatles demanded to be paid for their
famous performance despite the fact that most artists only appeared on the show for free
publicity?
Let us know.
And as always, thanks for watching!