The BEST episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show season 22
Every episode of The Ed Sullivan Show season 22, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show season 22!
From 1949 until its cancelation in 1971, the show ran on CBS every Sunday night from 8–9 p.m. E.T., and is one of the few entertainment shows to have run in the same weekly time slot on the same network for more than two decades. (During its first season, it ran from 9–10 p.m. E.T.) Virtually every type of entertainment appeared on the show; opera singers, popular artists, songwriters, comedians, ballet dancers, dramatic actors performing monologues from plays, and circus acts were regularly featured. The format was essentially the same as vaudeville, and although vaudeville had died a generation earlier, Sullivan presented many ex-vaudevillians on his show. Seasons 1-8 can be found listed under the series "Toast of the Town".
#1 - 5th Dimension / Harold Prince tribute / Herschel Bernardi
Season 22 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/23/1969
Tribute to Harold Prince (theatrical director and producer) Songs from his productions: --Harry Goz sings ""Sunrise Sunset"" (from ""Fiddler on the Roof"") --Anita Gillette, Martin Ross and the ""Cabaret"" Broadway cast - ""Wilkommen"" --Herschel Bernardi - sings ""Life Is"" and performs the ""Mime Dance"" (with the ""Zorba"" cast) Other guests: --Dickie Henderson (comedian) --Audience Bow: US Air Force Col. Joe M. Jackson --Michele Lee - sings ""Steady Steady"" --Audience bows: Buddy Rogers & Bob Thomas --Glenn Yarbrough - ""When the Honey Wind Blows"" & ""Baby, the Rain Must Fall"" --Myron Cohen (comedian) --The Fifth Dimension - medley: ""What the World Needs Now"" & ""All You Need Is Love"" --The Fifth Dimension - ""California Soul""
#2 - Jefferson Airplane / Diana Ross & the Supremes / Red Skelton
Season 22 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/29/1968
Guests include: --Jefferson Airplane - ""Crown of Creation,"" ""Won't You Try"" & ""Saturday Afternoon"" --Diana Ross & the Supremes - ""Funny Girl"" medley and ""Love Child"" --Red Skelton (comedy monologue) --Sergio Franchi & Virna Lisi (actors) - on film, Ed interviews the actors on location in Italy. (Franchi and Lisi were probably on the set of their film ""The Secret of Santa Vittoria"") --The Faraceenees (correct spelling?, acrobats)
#3 - Creedence Clearwater Revival / The Association / Jeannie C. Riley
Season 22 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/9/1969
Guests: --Creedence Clearwater Revival - ""Proud Mary"" & ""Good Golly Miss Molly"" --Jeannie C. Riley - medley: ""Harper Valley PTA"" & ""There Never Was a Time"" --The Association - ""Goodbye Columbus"" --Mickey Mantle (Ed interviews Mantle, who talks about his plans to retire from baseball) --Norm Crosby (comedian) --Greg Morris (actor, from ""Mission Impossible"") - sings/speaks ""For Once In My Life"" --Carol Lawrence - ""Startime"" --Will Jordan (comedian, does celebrity impressions) --Valente & Valente (juggling team) --The American Legion Drill Team from Chicago Audience bows (cameos): Pierre Gallent (author); John Gary
#4 - Sam & Dave / Roslyn Kind / Jackie Mason
Season 22 - Episode 40 - Aired 8/31/1969
Guests: --Sam & Dave - medley: ""Brown Sugar"" & ""That Lucky Ol' Sun"" --Roslyn Kind - ""The Fool On The Hill"" & ""Give Me You"" --Jackie Mason (stand-up comedy) --Pat Cooper (stand up comedy) --Sandler & Young - do ""The French Lesson"" routine and sing ""Come On People (Glory River)"" & ""Let My People Go"" --Anna Moffo - ""Chacun le Sait"" (aria from Donizetti's ""Daughter Of The Regiment"") --Ballet America (""Hill Country"" based on traditional American folk dancing) --Charlie Cairoli (circus clown)
#5 - Janis Joplin / Chet Atkins / Floyd Cramer & Boots Randolph
Season 22 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/16/1969
Guests: --Janis Joplin - ""Raise Your Hand"" & ""Maybe, Maybe, Maybe"" --Boots Randolph (saxophonist) - ""Yakety Sax"" --Floyd Cramer (pianist) - ""On the Rebound"" --Chet Atkins (guitarist) - ""Autumn Leaves"" --Chet Atkins, Floyd Cramer and Boots Randolph - ""Rock a Bye Your Baby (with a Dixie Melody)"" --Ed Ames - ""If I Had A Hammer"" & ""Changing, Changing"" (possible 3rd song: ""Love"") --Honey Ltd. (four female singers) - ""At Long Last Love"" & ""R-E-S-P-E-C-T"" --Scoey Mitchell (stand-up comedian) --The United States Air Force Marching Band --The Carals (juggling-balancing act from Germany) - man with female assistant --Norm Neilson (magic act) --Barbara Joe Rubin (female jockey interviewed by Ed) --Audience bows: Buddy Hackett & his wife Sherry; Jerry Vale; Benny Friedman (University of Michigan 1925 All American star)
#6 - Sly and the Family Stone / Dionne Warwick / George Burns
Season 22 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/23/1969
Guests: --Sly and the Family Stone - ""Love City"" (and possibly ""Stand"") --Dionne Warwick - ""This Girl's in Love with You"" --Mason Williams - ""Classical Gas"" --Lana Cantrell - ""Don't Tell Mama"" (Broadway production number) & ""My Way"" --George Burns (stand-up comedy) --Jack Carter (stand-up comedian) --Phillip Waruinge (boxer from Kenya) --Pompoff & Thedy (comedy skit with bumbling classical musicians) --Joyce Cuoco (child ballet dancer) Audience bows: James Garner; Bill Gargan
#7 - Cast of Hair / Peter Nero / Steve & Eydie
Season 22 - Episode 25 - Aired 3/30/1969
Guests: --The cast of ""Hair"" - ""Aquarius""/""Let the Sun Shine In"" --Peter Nero - ""Mrs. Robinson"" (instrumental) --Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme --The Lennon Sisters - ""On A Clear Day"" --The Muppets --Charlie Callas (stand-up comedian) --Dickie Henderson (stand-up comedian) - does a Frank Sinatra imitation
#8 - Peggy Lee / Tony Bennett / Duke Ellington Band
Season 22 - Episode 26 - Aired 4/6/1969
Guests: --Peggy Lee - ""Spinning Wheel"" & ""Natural Woman"" --Duke Ellington Band - ""Rocking In Rhythm"" --Tony Bennett - ""Love Song,"" ""Solitude,"" ""What The World Needs Now"" & ""People"" (with the Duke Ellington Orchestra) --Rodney Dangerfield (stand-up comedy) --Joan Rivers (comedian) --Eddie Albert (spoken word, talks about Easter) --Shirley Verrett - ""Alleluja"" by Mozart --Edward Villella & Patricia McBride (pas de deux from ""Romeo & Juliet"")
#9 - Chambers Brothers / scheduled: Norm Crosby, Ken Berry
Season 22 - Episode 27 - Aired 4/20/1969
--The Chambers Brothers - ""Wade in the Water"" Other guests (scheduled): --Norm Crosby --Ken Berry - ""I Wanna Be a Dancin' Man"" --Pat Cooper (comedian) --Peter Gennaro (dancer) --Julie Budd (singer) --Grace Markay
#10 - Joe Cocker & the Grease Band / scheduled: Connie Francis, Alan King
Season 22 - Episode 28 - Aired 4/27/1969
--Joe Cocker & the Grease Band - ""Feelin' Alright"" --Connie Francis - ""Those Were The Days"" & ""The House I Live In"" Other guests (scheduled): --Alan King --John Byner (comedian) --Lovelace Watkins (singer) --The Martys (novelty act)
#11 - Richie Havens / scheduled: Joel Grey; Vikki Carr
Season 22 - Episode 29 - Aired 5/4/1969
Richie Havens - ""High Flyin' Bird"" Other guests (scheduled): --Joel Grey --Stiller & Meara --Vicki Carr --Baja M. Band --S. Mitchell --Brascia & Tybee --Peter Gennaro
#12 - Diana Ross & the Supremes / Ed Ames / Lana Cantrell
Season 22 - Episode 30 - Aired 5/11/1969
Guests: --Diana Ross & the Supremes - ""The Impossible Dream,"" ""You're Nobody ‘till Somebody Loves You"" and ""No Matter What Sign You Are"" --Ed Ames - ""Son Of A Travelin' Man"" & ""Windmills Of Your Mind"" --Lana Cantrell - ""Life Is"" & ""Stay"" --The Muppets --David Frye (comedian, doing impressions of celebrities) --Irwin C. Watson (stand-up comedian)
#13 - Fifth Dimension / Liza Minnelli / George Carlin
Season 22 - Episode 31 - Aired 5/18/1969
Guests: --Fifth Dimension - ""Up Up & Away,"" ""Working on a Groovy Thing"" and ""Aquarius""/""Let the Sun Shine In"" --Liza Minnelli - ""You Made Me So Very Happy,"" ""Didn't We?"" (and possibly ""MacArthur Park"") --George Carlin (comedian) - ""The Big 3 News"" sketch with Carlin as a news reporter, commercial announcer and ""Al Sleet"" (the Hippy Dippy Weatherman) --Audience bow: Jacqueline Susann --Joan Rivers --Bill Dana (comedian, as Jose Jimenez) - Ed appears in act, asking Bill questions. --The U. S. Military Academy Glee Club --Vino Venito (sword balancer from ""Circus, Circus"" in Las Vegas) - balances candelabra.
#14 - Mary Hopkin (Goodbye) / Sam & Dave
Season 22 - Episode 32 - Aired 5/25/1969
--Mary Hopkin - ""Goodbye"" --Mary Hopkin - ""Love Is The Sweetest Thing"" (probably the correct date for this song) --Sam & Dave - ""Born Again,"" ""Soul Man"" & ""I Thank You"" --Ernest Montego (juggler on unicycle) --Ron Carey (comedian) - does routine imitating his priest, Father Murphy Other guests (scheduled): --Theodore Bikel --Louis Nye (comedian) --Primo Family (singers)
#15 - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles / Lesley Gore / Mason Williams
Season 22 - Episode 33 - Aired 6/1/1969
Guests: --Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - ""Doggone Right"" & ""Abraham, Martin & John"" --Lesley Gore - medley: ""I Could Have Danced All Night"" & ""A Natural Woman"" --Mason Williams - ""Major Thang"" & ""Greensleeves"" --Gwen Verdon and two other female dancers - ""Mexican Breakfast"" --Alan King (stand-up comedian making his 45th appearance) - tells stories about dogs. Alan said he has just returned back from Israel where he dedicated a new hospital ""Alan King Hospital"". Largest diagnostic room is called ""The Ed Sullivan Room."" --Wayne & Shuster (stand-up comedy; sketch about a student rebellion at a nursery school) --Ace Trucking Company (Improv company parodies commercials & does an obscene phone call sketch) Audience bows: Johnny Longdon (jockey); Jack Waldren; Jack Dempsey; Patricia Jane Berg (golfer); Jean Drapeau (mayor of Quebec); Tom Knowles & Bob Cameron; Diana Ross
#16 - scheduled: Jerry Vale; the Serendipity Singers; Burns & Schreiber
Season 22 - Episode 34 - Aired 6/8/1969
Scheduled guests: --Jerry Vale (singer) --Myron Cohen (comedian) --Burns and Schreiber (comedy team) --The Serendipity Singers --Monique Leyrac (singer) --Kile and Paam (singer)
#17 - The Everly Brothers / Phil Crosby / Marilyn Maye
Season 22 - Episode 35 - Aired 6/15/1969
Guests: --The Everly Brothers - ""Walk Right Back"" & "" Bye Bye Love"" (and possibly ""Bowling Green"" & ""Wake Up Little Susie"") --Phil Crosby (singer) - ""Let There Be Love"" --Marilyn Maye (singer) - ""Misty"" Other guests (scheduled to appear): --Rodney Dangerfield --Stiller & Meara (comedy team) --Peter Gennaro (dancer) - ""Don't Rain on My Parade"" --The Inner Dialogue - ""The Touch"" & ""I Go to Life""
#18 - scheduled: Sonny James; Flip Wilson; Jackie Mason
Season 22 - Episode 36 - Aired 6/22/1969
Scheduled guests: --Sonny James --Flip Wilson --Jackie Mason --Karen Wyman --Hal Frazier --Georgia Tech Glee Club
#19 - Bobby Vinton / Lainie Kazan / The Sugar Shoppe
Season 22 - Episode 37 - Aired 7/6/1969
Guests: --Bobby Vinton - ""Those Were The Days"" and a medley (""Blue Velvet,"" ""Take Good Care of My Baby"" and ""Please Love Me Forever"") --Lainie Kazan (actress-singer) - sings ""Love"" --The Sugar Shoppe (Canadian group) - performs ""Poor Papa"" (1920's song) and ""Save The Country."" --Gordon MacRae - ""America the Beautiful"" (he recites, then sings, the lyrics). --Jackie Vernon (comedian) --Shirley Bassey - ""This is My Life"". --Al Koran (mentalist) Thanks to ""min1"" for helping with this synopsis. Please see ""Recap"" for more details. Additional guest (scheduled to appear): ----Charlie Manna (comedian)
#20 - scheduled: Vikki Carr; Henny Youngman; Clara Ward Gospel Singers
Season 22 - Episode 38 - Aired 7/27/1969
Scheduled guests: --Vikki Carr - ""Where Am I Going?"" & ""The Glory of Love"" --Henny Youngman (comedian) - holds a violin and bow while telling jokes about his wife --Clara Ward Gospel Singers - ""Born Free"" & ""City Called Heaven"" --Gilbert Price - ""I've Gotta be Me"" --The Bob Fournier & Hal Greco dancers
#21 - Steppenwolf / Nancy Ames / Stiller & Meara
Season 22 - Episode 39 - Aired 8/17/1969
Guests: --Steppenwolf - ""It's Never Too Late"" & medley: ""Born To Be Wild""/""Magic Carpet Ride"" --Nancy Ames - medley: ""I Got You, Babe""/""Happy Together"" --Sergio Franchi (singer) - ""Love Finds The Way,"" ""Lonely Is A Man Without Love,"" ""Noche de Ronda,"" ""Serenata"" & ""For Once In My Life"" --Stiller & Meara (stand-up comedy, Stiller plays a shy obscene phone caller) --Peter Gennero (dances to ""Back Roads Of My Mind"") --Van Harris (stand up comedy, jokes about marriage & ""kids today"") --Washington D.C. Festival Chorus (2 Dozen High School students sing patriotic songs) --Charlie & Cairoli (Charlie is dressed as C. Chaplin, while Cairoli plays clarinets) --Erich Brenn (juggler, spins plates & does other tricks)
#22 - The Vogues / Patti Page / Mike Douglas
Season 22 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/22/1968
Guests: --The Vogues - medley (""Turn Around, Look At Me,"" ""You Are My Reason to Live"" & ""Till"") --The Muppets (reindeer discuss Christmas deliveries) --Flip Wilson (stand-up, jokes: Girl Scout cookies & Harold the Boy Scout routine) --Joe Namath & N. Y. Jets football players (celebrate win over Miami Dolphins, with film clips) --Bake Turner (of the New York Jets) - plays guitar & sings -- Stiller & Meara (stand-up routine: an interview with Mrs. Santa Claus) --Patti Page - ""Happy Birthday Little Jesus"" (poem read in child talk) --Mike Douglas & Patti Page - medley: ""It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,"" ""My Cup Runneth Over"" & ""Little Green Apples"" --Mike Douglas - ""The Christmas Song"" --Lovelace Watkins - ""A Portrait Of My Love"" (operatic song) --Peter Gennaro (dancer) - ""Sleigh Ride"" --Marine Major David Althoff (highly decorated Marine)
#23 - scheduled: Dionne Warwick; Tiny Tim; Tony Bennett
Season 22 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/6/1968
Scheduled guests: --Dionne Warwick - ""Impossible Dream"" and ""Promises, Promises"" --Tony Bennett (performing with the Woody Herman Orchestra) --Woody Herman and orchestra --Tiny Tim - ""Hello, Hello,"" ""As Time Goes By"" and ""I Gave Her That"" --Flip Wilson --The Kessler Twins (dancing singers) - ""Lili Marlene"" --Goetchie (unicyclist) --The cast of ""You're A Good Man Charlie Brown"" perform two songs from the play - the title song and ""Happiness""
#24 - The Beach Boys / Richard Pryor / Peter O'Toole
Season 22 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/13/1968
--The Beach Boys - ""Do It Again"" & ""Good Vibrations"" --Start of show, opening titles --Ed talks with jockey Stanley Dancer, with million dollar racing horse Cardigan Bay. --Audience bows (cameos): Irving Rudd; Sugar Ray Robinson --Denny McLain Quartet (baseball player Denny, playing organ, with his combo) - ""Girl From Ipanema"" --Bob Gibson (baseball pitcher playing guitar) & the Denny McLain Quartet - instrumental song, unknown title --Audience bow: Mickey Lolich (1968 World Series pitching hero) --Richard Pryor (stand-up comedy) - re: ""being cool,"" personal grooming & hygene. --Jim Henson's Muppets - Muppets jump in & out of trash cans, scaring little girl. (At end of segment Jim Henson comes out and shakes hands with Ed.) --Sugar Ray Robinson - Ed asks Robinson on stage, asks Robinson his opinion about the greatest boxers. On film: ""Goodbye Mr. Chips"" film clip with Petula Clark & Peter O'Toole. Ed interviews Clark & O'Toole. Ed & O'Toole sing ""When Irish E
#25 - The Fifth Dimension / Steve McQueen (on film) / Joan Rivers
Season 22 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/20/1968
Guests: --The Fifth Dimension - ""Sweet Blindness"" --On film: Steve McQueen shown riding a motorcycle, short interview, clip from ""Bullet"" --David Frye (stand-up, impressions) --Joan Rivers (stand-up comedy) --Lana Cantrell (""Didn't We"") --The Piero Brothers (jugglers) --Sandler & Young (""Gonna Build A Mountain"") --A scene from ""Lovers & Other Strangers"" (with Richard Castelano, Ellen Verbit, and Bobby Alto). --Audience bows (cameos): Ed Ames, Grace Cahn, Martin Wolman, Ed King; Peter Yates, Carmine Santullo