This was the ultimate variety show. Where else could you see comedy, music and animal acts all on one show. Sullivan could see talent and did his best to help promote it and if you made a big impression on Sullivan you were a star overnight (just ask The Beatles). Also, it should be noted that he helped to break a lot of African-American entertainers at a time when network programming wouldn't allow it. This show was a classic.
Review of The Ed Sullivan Show
