Timeline

 
Sunday, June 20th, 1948

Toast of the Town

Not many people in June of 1948 even owned a television set, but for those who did, this marked the start of television’s most iconic variety show then called “Toast of the Town.” Every Sunday night at 8pm a man who couldn’t sing, dance or spin plates entertained an average audience of 50 million Americans. His name was Ed Sullivan and he went on to become as much a celebrity as many of the acts who appeared on his show.