The Ed Sullivan Show backdrop
The Ed Sullivan Show poster
Comedy
Talk

The Best Episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show Season 15

Every episode of The Ed Sullivan Show Season 15 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show Season 15!

The Best Episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show Season 15

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971,...
  1. Background image for Henry Fonda & Olivia de Havilland / Maureen O'Hara
    5.8/10(13 votes)

    #1 - Henry Fonda & Olivia de Havilland / Maureen O'Hara

    S15:E26

    Guests (St. Patrick's Day show): --Henry Fonda & Olivia de Havilland (actors) - scene from ""Gift of Time"" set on cruise ship. A doting wife tries to care for her fatally ill husband. --Maureen O'Hara (actress) - sings ""Come Back to Erin"" & ""If I Loved You"" --Rosemary Clooney (singer) - ""Cabin in the Sky"" & ""Give Me the Simple Life"" --Pat Rooney, Maureen O'Hara, Rosemary Clooney and Ed Sullivan - ""Great Day for the Irish"" & ""Danny Boy"" --Pat Rooney (82-year-old song-and-dance man) - sings ""The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady"" and tap dances --Bobby Rydell - ""Mammy"" --Pat Buttram (stand-up comedy) --The Three Houcs (juggling act from Germany) - a father & his daughters juggle pins --Folias de Espana (Argentine dance & singing troupe) - (1) Flamenco dancers - ""Los Tres Caballos"" (2) Later in show, sings, dances and plays the guitar. --Audience bows: NY Senator Jack Javits & wife --Hugh Lambert Dancers (modern dancers) - ""Where Did You Get That Hat?""

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  2. Background image for First show of the 15th Season
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #2 - First show of the 15th Season

    S15:E1

    Scheduled guests: --Gordon and Sheila MacRae (musical comedy performers) --Bert Lahr and Nancy Walker (comedians) - reprise their sketch about a married couple who are not speaking to each other --Corbett Monica (comedian) --Teddy Randazzo (singer) --The Wanderers (singing quartet) --The Mayo Brothers (a tap-dancing duo) --Richiardi (illusionist)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  3. Background image for From Las Vegas: Danny Thomas; Della Reese; Crosby Brothers
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #3 - From Las Vegas: Danny Thomas; Della Reese; Crosby Brothers

    S15:E2

    Taped in Las Vegas (at the Desert Inn & at the Stardust) Guests: --Della Reese - ""In The Still Of The Night"" & ""Summertime"" --The Crosby Trio (Bing's sons Philip, Lindsay and Dennis Crosby) - ""Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams"" and ""We Ought To Dance"" --Danny Thomas (stand-up comedy) - talks about his show, tells jokes and sings ""I Will Stay Younger Than Spring"" (this segment was taped in Hollywood) --The Kim Sisters (3 Korean sisters who sing and play musical instruments) - ""Shanty In Old Shanty Town"" and ""The Steel Guitar Rag"" (sisters playing drums, accordion & string instruments) --Rudy Cardenas (juggler) --Michele Sander Winters & Michael Larry Rubin (daredevil couple, performing stunts from a helicopter) --Powers and Park (ice skaters perform with non-skating dancers)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  4. Background image for Phil Silvers / Brigitte Bardot (filmed interview) / Peter Nero / McGuire Sisters
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #4 - Phil Silvers / Brigitte Bardot (filmed interview) / Peter Nero / McGuire Sisters

    S15:E3

    Scheduled guests: --Phil Silvers, Nancy Dussault and John Readon who appeared together in the Broadway musical ""Do Re Mi"" --Nancy Dussault and John Readon sing ""Make Someone Happy"" --Peter Nero (piano soloist) - ""Mountain Greenery"" --The McGuire Sisters (singers) - ""Run, Run, Run"" and ""Just Because"" --Audience bow: Tom Zachary (former Washington Senators pitcher who threw the pitch that Babe Ruth hit for home run no. 60 in 1927) On Film: Film clips of Sullivan's recent trip around the world: --Sullivan interviews Brigitte Bardot in Paris. --In London, Ed talks with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby about their new ""Road"" picture ""The Road to Hong Hong."" --Jackie Gleason and Gene Kelly are seen on the set of their new movie (probably ""Gigot"" which Kelly directed). --Also: a Little League game in Japan; a tour of Hong Kong's harbor, a festival in Rome, and a puppet show in Berlin.

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  5. Background image for Taped in West Berlin: Louis Armstrong; Connie Francis; Van Cliburn
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #5 - Taped in West Berlin: Louis Armstrong; Connie Francis; Van Cliburn

    S15:E4

    Taped at West Berlin's Sportspalast: --Louis Armstrong & his orchestra - ""Sleepy Time Down South,"" ""Royal Garden Blues,"" ""Hussar Gussar"" & ""When the Saints Go Marching In"" --Maureen O'Hara - ""Hello, Young Lovers"" --Van Cliburn - ""Polonaise"" by Chopin --Connie Francis - medley: ""Stupid Cupid,"" ""Among My Souvenirs,"" ""Lipstick on Your Collar,"" ""Who's Sorry Now"" and ""Everybody's Somebody's Fool"" --Connie Francis - ""Where the Boys Are"" (sings to soldiers in audience) and ""Schöner Fremder Mann"" (in German) --Rowan & Martin (comedy team, Martin as an American tourist in Germany interviewed by Rowan) --Bob Lewis (comic magician) --Enrique del Rey (juggler) --The Bluebell Girls (chorus line, ""Can Can Dance"" live from Paris, France) Audience bows: Generals Albert Watson & Fred Hartel

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  6. Background image for 2nd Berlin show: Louis Armstrong; Sid Caesar; Shari Lewis
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #6 - 2nd Berlin show: Louis Armstrong; Sid Caesar; Shari Lewis

    S15:E5

    Guests (second of two shows taped in West Berlin): --Louis Armstrong (jazz musician, performing at the McNair Barracks) --Sid Caesar (comedian, performing at the Berlin Command Headquarters Theater) --Roberta Peters (soprano, performing at the West Berlin Sportpalast) --Shari Lewis (puppeteer, entertaining children at the Thomas A. Roberts School of the Berlin Command) --Janet Blair (singer) --On film: a tour of the Oktoberfest beer festival --Peter Kraus (German singer, performing at the American Youth Center) --The Trio Ariston (comedy acrobats)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show

    READ
  8. Background image for Chubby Checker / Phil Silvers / Nancy Walker
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Chubby Checker / Phil Silvers / Nancy Walker

    S15:E6

    Guests: --Chubby Checker - ""The Twist"" (with the ""Do-Re-Mi"" dancers) and ""The Fly"" --Matt Monro - ""My Kind of Gal"" --Wayne and Shuster (comedy team, doing skit about ""The Twilight Zone"") --Phil Silvers & Nancy Walker - nightclub scene from ""Do-Re-Mi"" --Phil Silvers & Nancy Walker - bedroom scene From Do-Re-Mi --Phil Silvers - Soda Fountain skit about a jukebox (from ""Do-Re-Mi"") --Audience bow: Evelyn Silvers (Mrs. Phil Silvers)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  9. Background image for scheduled: Everly Brothers; Robert Goulet; George Gobel
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #8 - scheduled: Everly Brothers; Robert Goulet; George Gobel

    S15:E7

    Scheduled guests: --The Everly Brothers - ""Don't Blame Me"" --The Ritz Brothers (comedians) --Robert Goulet (musical-comedy star) sings ""Maria"" and a medley of songs made famous by Fred Astaire. --George Gobel (comedian) --Dorothy Loudon (singer-comedian) --Bertha and her trained elephants (circus act)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  10. Background image for scheduled: Jimmy Dean; Art Carney; Al Hirt; Julius LaRosa
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #9 - scheduled: Jimmy Dean; Art Carney; Al Hirt; Julius LaRosa

    S15:E8

    Scheduled: --Jimmy Dean sings ""Big Bad John"" --Art Carney (comedian) --Al Hirt and his jazz quintet --Julius LaRosa --Sheila MacRae (musical-comedy star) --Blossom Seeley (vaudevillian)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  11. Background image for Pearl Bailey / Brenda Lee / Ames Brothers / Frank Gorshin / Myron Cohen
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #10 - Pearl Bailey / Brenda Lee / Ames Brothers / Frank Gorshin / Myron Cohen

    S15:E9

    Guests: --Pearl Bailey (singer) - ""Ma, He's Making Eyes at Me"" & ""I'm Glad There Is You"" --Brenda Lee (singer) - ""Fool #1"" & ""Learning About Love"" --Ames Brothers (vocal group) - ""Yes Indeed"" --Frank Gorshin (comedian & impressionist) --Myron Cohen (comedian) --Jan Peerce sings ""Serenade"" (from ""The Student Prince"") --George Young Revue (jazz combo) - ""Come Back to Sorrento"" (and ""When You're Smiling"") --See Hee Family (3-man acrobat team)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  12. Background image for Steve Lawrence / Jerry Lewis / Dorothy Louden / Martha Perez
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #11 - Steve Lawrence / Jerry Lewis / Dorothy Louden / Martha Perez

    S15:E10

    Guests: --Jerry Lewis (comedian) - ""What Kind of Fool Am I?"" --Steve Lawrence (singer) - ""Begin the Beguine"" & ""If I Ever Would Leave You"" (or ""If Ever I Would Leave You"") --Dorothy Loudon (singer-comedian) --Martha Perez (mezzo soprano, opera singer from Cuba) - ""Cecelia Valdez"" --The Arnaut Brothers (comedy team, Vaudevillians doing bird whistles) --The Tunisian Dancers (or Tanezian Folk Dancers) --Francis Brunn (juggler) Scheduled guests (probably did not appear): --Ray Charles (blues singer) --Eydie Gorme --Jackie Mason (comedian)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  13. Background image for scheduled: Richard Boone; Jackie Mason; Sophie Tucker
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #12 - scheduled: Richard Boone; Jackie Mason; Sophie Tucker

    S15:E11

    Scheduled guests: --Richard Boone (actor) --Jackie Mason (comedian) --Sophie Tucker (singer) --Gloria Lynn (singer) --Deedy and Bill (novelty singers)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  14. Background image for scheduled: Sid Caesar; Connie Francis; Joan Sutherland
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #13 - scheduled: Sid Caesar; Connie Francis; Joan Sutherland

    S15:E12

    Scheduled guests: --Sid Caesar (comedian) --Connie Francis (singer) --Joan Sutherland (opera singer) sings a selection from ""Ilucia di Lammermoor"" --Mike Clifford (singer) --Earl Grant (singer-organist) --Braman and Leonard (comedy instrumentalists) --Ferdonio (acrobat)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  15. Background image for scheduled: Sarah Vaughan; Al Hirt; Vic Damone; Gary Morton; Edgar Bergen
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #14 - scheduled: Sarah Vaughan; Al Hirt; Vic Damone; Gary Morton; Edgar Bergen

    S15:E13

    Scheduled guests: --Al Hirt (trumpet player) --Sarah Vaughan --Edgar Bergen (ventriloquist) --Vic Damone (singer) --Gary Morton (comedian) --Rip Taylor (comedian) --Nina and Frederik (singers) --Anden's Poodles (a trained animal act)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  16. Background image for Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington / Paul Anka
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #15 - Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington / Paul Anka

    S15:E14

    --Paul Anka - ""Jingle Bells"" (jazzy version) --Barbara Cook - ""Magic Moment"" (from the Broadway musical ""The Gay Life"") --Elizabeth Allen & Walter Chiari - ""Madga, The Gypsy"" (a scene from the show ""The Gay Life"") --Duke Ellington & Louis Armstrong - ""Duke's Place"" (their 1st performance together in 30 years) Louis on trumpet, Duke on piano --Paul Anka - medley: ""Diana,"" ""Tonight My Love,"" ""Tonight,"" ""Dance On Little Girl,"" ""Put Your Head On My Shoulder,"" ""You Are My Destiny,"" ""Lonely Boy"" and ""My Home Town."" --Wayne and Shuster (comedy team) - do a routine about Hood & Friar Tuck --Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington - ""In A Mellow Mood"" --Louis Armstrong - ""Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen"" --Paul Anka - ""Down by the River Side"" (with the Hugh Lambert Dancers) --Corbett Monica (stand-up comedian) - tells jokes about Christmas & travel

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  17. Background image for Linda Scott / Shari Lewis / The Baird Puppets
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Linda Scott / Shari Lewis / The Baird Puppets

    S15:E15

    Guests (Christmas Show): --Linda Scott - ""How I Wish (You'd Be With Me On Christmas Day)"" --Shari Lewis (ventriloquist) with Lamb Chop (dressed as Santa), Charlie Horse sings ""Jingle Bells."" --The Baird Puppets (Bill Baird puppets) - puppets doing a Davy Jones locker routine --Pompoff & Thedy (comedy team) --Burger's Animals (trained animal act with ponies, dogs, & chimp) --Korean Orphan Choir sings ""Jingle Bells"" (in Korean & English) and ""Silent Night"" --Bob Hammond's Birds (animal act with cockatoos) --The Meteors (acrobats dressed as Martians do stunts, 1950's spaceship & space suits) --Karrol Fox (comic magician) --The Bizarro Brothers (3 Men & a woman wearing bells play ""Rock Around The Clock"") --The Seven Staneks (acrobats doing flips onto each other's shoulders)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  18. Background image for scheduled: Slappy White; Matt Monro; Smith & Dale
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #17 - scheduled: Slappy White; Matt Monro; Smith & Dale

    S15:E16

    Scheduled guests: --Slappy White (comedian) --Matt Monro (singer) --Sandy Stewart (singer) --The Barry Sisters (singing group) --Smith and Dale (comedy team) --Saverio Saridis (policeman-turned-singer) --The Hi-Lads (singing group) --The Estelle Alfonso Dancers --The Shirleys (balloon act)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  19. Background image for Jimmy Durante / Rosemary Clooney / Bob Newhart / Gary Morton
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Jimmy Durante / Rosemary Clooney / Bob Newhart / Gary Morton

    S15:E17

    Broadcast live from the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Hollywood. Guests: --Rosemary Clooney - ""Everything's Coming Up Roses,"" ""Bye Bye Blackbird"" & ""Show Me"" --Bob Newhart (stand-up comedy) - routine: convincing people on ledges not to jump --Jimmy Durante - ""Inka-Dinka-Do,"" ""I Could Have Danced All Night,"" ""What A Day,"" ""My All Girl Band"" & ""The Twist"" --Jimmy Durante - ""Love You, Love You"" (with Sonny King) & ""Young At Heart"" --Jimmy Durante with sidekicks Eddie Jackson & Sonny King - ""Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey?"" --Gary Morton (comedian) - stand up routine --Bessie Griffin and the Gospel Pearls - ""Bye and Bye""

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  20. Background image for Mickey Rooney / Timi Yuro / Rip Taylor / Ken Murray
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Mickey Rooney / Timi Yuro / Rip Taylor / Ken Murray

    S15:E18

    Broadcast live from the Stardust night club in Las Vegas Guests: --Mickey Rooney and Joey Forman - do a Candid Camera sketch. --Timi Yuro (singer) - ""Let Me Call You Sweetheart"" --Patti Page - ""Just in Time,"" ""The Boll Weevil Song"" (plays guitar) & ""Come On Home"" --Rip Taylor (comedian) - tells sob stories and sings ""Make Someone Happy"" --Rickie Layne & Velvel (ventriloquist act) - Velvel in prospector gear. --Louis Bellson (drummer)  - plays ""Manteca"" --Leo Diamond (comedian) - plays the ""Soundmonica"" --Ken Murray (comedian) - tells the ""Turtle Story"" --Two unidentified comedians lip-synch to Louis Prima & Keely Smith recording ""I'm Confessin'"" --Pamela and Mary Jane Murray (Ken Murray's daughters) - lip synch to a Louis Prima & Keely Smith recording. --The Amin Brothers (acrobats from Egypt) - balancing act --Phillipine Dancers - native dance with bamboo poles and, later in show, dancers with coconut castanets & bamboo poles. Audience bows

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  21. Background image for Jackie Wilson / Robert Goulet / Kate Smith / Wayne & Shuster
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Jackie Wilson / Robert Goulet / Kate Smith / Wayne & Shuster

    S15:E19

    --Opening titles --The Marquis Chimps - chimp smokes cigarette and tumbles --Lon Purdy (pantomime act) --Jackie Wilson - ""That's Why"" --Jackie Wilson - ""The Greatest Hurt"" --Rob Murray (juggler from Britain) --Kate Smith - medley (""When the Moon Comes over the Mountain,"" ""Did You Ever See a Dream Walking,"" ""Just One of Those Things,"" ""Last Time I Saw Paris"" ""Now Is the Hour,"" ""Thinking of You,"" ""Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer"" and ""God Bless America"") --Wayne and Shuster (comedy team) - does a sketch about Professor Van Gartner, interior decorator --Robert Goulet (singer) - ""What Is This Thing Called Love,"" ""I Get a Kick Out of You"" and ""You Do Something to Me"" --Robert Goulet - ""One Life"" --Audience bow: Paul Anka

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  22. Background image for Sid Caesar / Connie Francis / Frank Gorshin / Franco Corelli
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Sid Caesar / Connie Francis / Frank Gorshin / Franco Corelli

    S15:E20

    Guests: --Sid Caesar (comedian) - does a silent movie sketch (Sid might have also been the guest host on this show.) --Connie Francis (singer) - ""Does Broadway Ever Sleep,"" ""Oh, Susanna,"" ""Careless Love,"" She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain"" & ""Don't Break the Heart"" --Frank Gorshin (comedian) - does impressions of movie stars --Franco Corelli (tenor) - sings an aria   --Buddy Greco (singer-pianist) - ""Come Rain or Come Shine"" --Dick Ruedebusch and his Underprivileged Five - ""Panama"" --Lilly Yokoi (cyclist, Bicycle acrobatics) --Joy Kay (pantomime artist) - man unpacks folded girl from suitcase.

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  23. Background image for scheduled: Brook Benton; Pearl Bailey; George Gobel; Bobby Rydell
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #22 - scheduled: Brook Benton; Pearl Bailey; George Gobel; Bobby Rydell

    S15:E21

    Scheduled guests: --Brook Benton - ""Shadrack"" --Pearl Bailey --George Gobel --Bobby Rydell - ""Mammy"" and ""Somebody Loves Me"" --Ford and Reynolds (comedians) --The two Frauensteins (jugglers)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  24. Background image for scheduled: Carl Sandburg; Paul Anka; Shelley Berman; McGuire Sisters
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #23 - scheduled: Carl Sandburg; Paul Anka; Shelley Berman; McGuire Sisters

    S15:E22

    --Shelley Berman (comedian) - ""Right Girls"" (a song from his Broadway musical ""A Family Affair."") Other guests (scheduled to appear): --Carl Sandburg (poet) --Paul Anka (singer) --The McGuire Sisters --George Carl (comedian) --Hanna Ahroni (singer) --Cal Claude (juggler)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  25. Background image for The Everly Brothers / Timi Yuro / Al Hirt
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #24 - The Everly Brothers / Timi Yuro / Al Hirt

    S15:E23

    First of two shows broadcast from Miami Beach. --The Everly Brothers - ""Crying in the Rain"" & ""Jezebel"" (The Everly Brothers are wearing U.S. Marine uniforms) --Al Hirt (trumpeter) - ""Night and Day,"" ""I Can't Get Started,"" ""When the Saints Come Marching In"" --Timi Yuro - ""Come Rain Or Come Shine"" & ""Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams"" --George Jessel (comedian, sings ""April Showers"") --George Kirby (comedian, impressionist) --a Dolphin act (from the Seaquarium)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  26. Background image for scheduled: Lloyd Bridges; Damita Jo; The Crosby Brothers; Jan Murray
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #25 - scheduled: Lloyd Bridges; Damita Jo; The Crosby Brothers; Jan Murray

    S15:E24

    Second of two shows broadcast from Miami Beach Scheduled guests: --Lloyd Bridges (appears in a water sequence) --Damita Jo sings ""You're Nobody Until Somebody Loves You"" --The Crosby Brothers (Bing's sons) - sing and also appear in a dance number with Ed called ""We Oughta Dance"" --Jan Murray (comedian) --Patrice Munsel (opera singer) --Brascia and Tybee (dance team) --The Gimma Brothers (acrobats)

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A

Season 15 Ratings Summary

"Henry Fonda & Olivia de Havilland / Maureen O'Hara" is the best rated episode of "The Ed Sullivan Show" season 15. It scored 5.8/10 based on 13 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 3/11/1962. This episode is rated NaN points higher than the second-best, "First show of the 15th Season".