SUNDAY BEST: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ED SULLIVAN 🤩

What a kick it was to watch SUNDAY BEST: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ED SULLIVAN, a documentary filled with a wealth of knowledge and memories. I was thoroughly captivated since I grew up watching Ed on my family’s tiny TV screen every Sunday evening until I left for college. He was the man who introduced 35 to 50 million viewers each week to America’s most talented, current musicians, no matter the color of their skin. 

Sullivan handpicked all the entertainers himself. It was 1100 episodes that brought 10,000 performers to our attention. He was tenacious in making sure everyone had a performing platform. He was fearless and bold. He went against the norm, disregarding the advice of CBS execs and major sponsors. If they said don’t shake a hand or call them over, Sullivan would, and not out of spite. He truly believed everyone deserved their fair shot if they had the goods. He was the first to give Ike and Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Bo Jangles, Harry Belafonte, Diahann Carroll, Aretha, The Supremes, The Temptations, Elvis, The Jackson Five, The Rolling Stones, and of course, The Beatles their moment on his stage. It was fantastic television, and the documentary shared it all through original clips and interviews. 

Ed Sullivan was courageous and outspoken with his thoughts and words. He was not an entertainer. His usual physical stance was stiff. Critics would say he must have had a pipe stuck up his butt, but through lucky breaks, he challenged opinions and prejudices. Thank goodness millions had Ed in their lives. I urge everyone to watch SUNDAY BEST: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ED SULLIVAN. I wish today’s current America knew him. We could use someone who understood what it meant to do the right thing.

It is streaming on Netflix. Don’t miss it.