Every Sunday night for almost twenty-three years between 1948 and 1971, millions of Americans tuned in at 8 P.M. to watch a live variety show on CBS. The Ed Sullivan Show, with an assortment of acts ranging from stand-up comics to rock bands to bears riding on bicycles, was the most popular variety show of its time, despite being hosted by a man best known for his awkwardness in front of the camera.

First called Toast of the Town, the show debuted on June 20, 1948, at 9 P.M. It later moved to its familiar, earlier time slot so that children could stay up to watch it. Its name was changed to The Ed Sullivan Show in 1955.

Ed Sullivan shares the stage with Lucille Ball during an episode of The Ed Sullivan Show. Archive Photos. Reproduced by permission.

The show stayed on the air until May...