Show cover for The Ed Sullivan Show

The Best Episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show Season 18

Every episode of The Ed Sullivan Show Season 18 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show Season 18!

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,...
Genres:ComedyTalk
Network:CBS

Season 18 Ratings Summary

"Beach Boys / Alan King / Robert Goulet" is the best rated episode of "The Ed Sullivan Show" season 18. It scored 7.3/10 based on 18 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 9/27/1964. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "Louis Armstrong / Sid Caesar / Abbe Lane / Pat Boone".

  • Beach Boys / Alan King / Robert Goulet
    7.3/1018 votes

    #1 - Beach Boys / Alan King / Robert Goulet

    Season 18 Episode 1 - Aired 9/27/1964

    Guests: --The Beach Boys - ""I Get Around"" and ""Wendy"" --Robert Goulet - ""Let There be Love,"" ""Quiet Nights,"" ""This is All I Ask"" and ""My Love Forgive Me (Amore Scusami)"" --Leslie Uggams - ""I Feel Pretty"" & ""The Man I Love"" --Topo Gigio (mouse puppet) - routine might include ""Let's Call The Whole Thing Off"" --Vonda Kay Van Dyke & Curley - ""Wherever We Go, It's Together"" (""There She Is Miss America"" is played as they walk on stage.) --Alan King (stand-up comedian) - routine about ""Dr. Sam,"" Dr. Sam Roth, a doctor in his neighborhood (when he was a kid in the lower East Side of Manhattan) and other medical observances.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Louis Armstrong / Sid Caesar / Abbe Lane / Pat Boone
    6.8/1012 votes

    #2 - Louis Armstrong / Sid Caesar / Abbe Lane / Pat Boone

    Season 18 Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/1964

    Guests: --Louis Armstrong – ""Hello Dolly"" & ""So Long Dearie"" --Sid Caesar (comedian) - 2 skits: (1) Japanese baseball player sketch (2) 1964 election news report sketch --Yogi Berra --Pat Boone - ""My Baby Just Cares for Me,"" ""Beach Girl"" and ""Exodus"" --Abbe Lane - ""I Didn't Know What Time It Was"" & ""I'm In Love with A Wonderful Guy"" --Jim Bouton (of the Yankees) - does a Frank Fontain impression --Tony Lema - golf match with Ken Venturi --The Radugas (Raduga dancers) - Russian Cossack folk dance --Topo Gigio (Italian mouse puppet) - puppet wearing a Beatle wig.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Roy Orbison / Connie Francis / Harlem Globetrotters
    7.0/1012 votes

    #3 - Roy Orbison / Connie Francis / Harlem Globetrotters

    Season 18 Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/1964

    Guests: --Roy Orbison - ""Oh, Pretty Woman"" --Connie Francis - (1) baseball medley: ""Take Me Out to the Ballgame"" (& other baseball songs), ""Meet Me In St. Louis"" (& a song about New York). (2) medley: ""Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone"" and ""After You've Gone Away"" --Connie Francis - ""My Man"" --Juliet Prowse --Harlem Globetrotters --George Kirby (comedian who does impressions, imitates Sammy Davis Jr.) --Allen & Rossi (comedy team) --Jean Paul Vignon (French pop singer) --Jean Carroll (stand-up comedian, tells jokes about her husband & daughter) --The Youngs (circus act, performers do jumps using a teeterboard) CBS repeated this show on July 4, 1965.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Animals / Van Johnson / Jackie Mason
    8.3/1013 votes

    #4 - The Animals / Van Johnson / Jackie Mason

    Season 18 Episode 4 - Aired 10/18/1964

    Guests: --The Animals – ""I'm Crying"" & ""House of the Rising Sun"" --Jackie Mason (stand-up comedian) - routine includes imitation of news reporter Marvin Kalb commenting on LBJ's speech. --Van Johnson - ""I Want to be Happy"" & talks with Ed about his past films --John Byner (comedian) does impersonations of Ed Sullivan, Johnny Mathis & Tony Bennett --Joan Sutherland - ""Ardon gli incensi"" (as Lucia, from ""Lucia di Lammermoor"") --Rita Pavone - ""Sul Cucozzole"" --Totie Fields (stand-up, tells jokes about her weight, banks & safe deposit box) --The Cambridge Circus (British comedy troupe) Cameos: Bob Gibson & Tim McCarver (World Series heroes talk with Ed)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Rolling Stones / Jack Jones / Stiller & Meara
    7.4/1015 votes

    #5 - Rolling Stones / Jack Jones / Stiller & Meara

    Season 18 Episode 5 - Aired 10/25/1964

    The Rolling Stones - ""Around and Around"" and ""Time is on My Side"" Other guests: --Stiller & Meara (comedy team) --Jack Jones - ""Travel On"" & ""Bewitched"" --London Lee (comedian) --Lawrence Harvey --Kim Sisters - ""Joshua"" --Charlie Drake --The Berosini Family (acrobats)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dave Clark Five / Rex Harrison / Alan King
    7.1/1014 votes

    #6 - Dave Clark Five / Rex Harrison / Alan King

    Season 18 Episode 6 - Aired 11/1/1964

    The Dave Clark Five - ""Anyway You Want It"" Other guests: --Rex Harrison (on film?) --Leon Bibb (folk singer) --Alan King (comedian) --Marilyn Michaels (singer-impressionist) --Dolores Gray (singer) --Richard Hearne (British comedian, a.k.a. ""Mr. Pastry"") --Rolando (a balancing artist)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Jimmy Durante / Jean Paul Vignon / Nipsey Russell
    NaN/100 votes

    #7 - Jimmy Durante / Jean Paul Vignon / Nipsey Russell

    Season 18 Episode 7 - Aired 11/8/1964

    Guests: --Jimmy Durante - ""Old Man Time,"" ""Fascination"" & ""Count Your Blessings"" --Sonny King and Jimmy Durante - ""Hey, Look Me Over"" & ""I Ain't Down Yet"" --Eddie Jackson and Jimmy Durante - ""Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?"" --Nipsey Russell (comedian) --Jean Paul Vignon (French pop singer) --Parker and Towers (ice skaters) --The Fabulous Kids from Hong Kong (a vocal-instrumental group) --Jay Nemeth (ventriloquist) --Ginny Tiu and family (a children's variety act) --The Del Rey Brothers (jugglers) Scheduled guests: --Richard Hearne --The Bachelors (music group from London)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Peter and Gordon / Sammy Davis Jr. / Kaye Stevens
    6.8/109 votes

    #8 - Peter and Gordon / Sammy Davis Jr. / Kaye Stevens

    Season 18 Episode 8 - Aired 11/15/1964

    Peter and Gordon – ""I Don't Want to See You Again"" & ""500 Miles"" Other guests: --Sammy Davis Jr. - ""Don't Shut Me Out"" --Kaye Stevens - ""I'll Tell Them All"" --The Kessler Twins (singers) --Jackie Vernon (comedian) --Charlie Drake --Trio Hoganas (high wire balancing act) --Brizio (Italian comic act)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • scheduled: Tony Bennett; Leslie Uggams; Victor Borge
    6.6/1011 votes

    #9 - scheduled: Tony Bennett; Leslie Uggams; Victor Borge

    Season 18 Episode 9 - Aired 11/22/1964

    Scheduled guests: --Tony Bennett --Leslie Uggams --Victor Borge --The Womenfolk (folk singers) - ""Sail Away"" & ""Rock-Em Daddy-O"" --Pat O'Brien (actor) --The Pan Am North Stars (steelband musicians)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • scheduled: Ella Fitzgerald; Gordon and Sheila MacRae
    NaN/100 votes

    #10 - scheduled: Ella Fitzgerald; Gordon and Sheila MacRae

    Season 18 Episode 10 - Aired 11/29/1964

    Scheduled guests: --Ella Fitzgerald --Gordon and Sheila MacRae --Myron Cohen --Corps De Ballet --Obernkirchen Children's Choir

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • scheduled: Piccola Pupa; Mitchell Trio; Sid Caesar
    NaN/100 votes

    #11 - scheduled: Piccola Pupa; Mitchell Trio; Sid Caesar

    Season 18 Episode 11 - Aired 12/6/1964

    Guests: --Sid Caesar --Gary Lewis and the Playboys   --Piccola Pupa --The Mitchell Trio (folk singers) --Sophie Tucker --Allen and Rossi (comedy team) --Betsy Palmer Scheduled guest: --Bob Lewis (comedian)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Julie Harris / Stiller & Meara / Alan King / Robert Preston
    NaN/100 votes

    #12 - Julie Harris / Stiller & Meara / Alan King / Robert Preston

    Season 18 Episode 12 - Aired 12/13/1964

    Guests: --Robert Preston - sings ""Half the Battle is Learning How to Smile"" (in a scene from ""Ben Franklin In Paris"") --Julie Harris --Anita Bryant - ""Fly Me to the Moon"" --Stiller & Meara --Arthur Worsley (British ventriloquist) --Fabulous Hong Kong Hi-De-His --Danielle Barioni --Marquis Chimps --Con Conwally (balancing knife act)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Jack Jones / Allen & Rossi / Charlie Manna
    NaN/100 votes

    #13 - Jack Jones / Allen & Rossi / Charlie Manna

    Season 18 Episode 13 - Aired 12/20/1964

    Guests: --Jack Jones - Christmas medley & ""My Favorite Things."" --Jack Jones (later in show) - ""Somebody Loves Me"" & ""You're Nobody"" medley --Allen & Rossi (comedy team) - James Bond spoof --Steve Rossi sings ""Have You Had Any Fun?"" --Sandu and the Green Mountain Boys (might be Sandu Scott and the Scotties) - sings, does imitations including Ed Sullivan; Carol Channing singing ""Hello Dolly"" --Charlie Manna (comedian) - opera sketch, sings ""Barber of Seville"" --Jesuit Priests led by Father Lawrence Madden - Religious medley --Victor Julian (circus dog act with dogs in costume, one as Santa Claus) --Topo Gigio (mouse puppet) - Topo's homesick during Christmas, gets phone call from Mama --Jim Brown - talks to Ed on stage --Audience bow: Jack Rice (high-school all-American) --George Carl (comic pantomime) --Audience bows: Buddy Hackett & London Lee --The Morlidors (cortortionist act) - man in black mask with 2 female assistants

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Supremes / Serendipity Singers / Leslie Uggams
    NaN/100 votes

    #14 - The Supremes / Serendipity Singers / Leslie Uggams

    Season 18 Episode 14 - Aired 12/27/1964

    Guests: --The Supremes - ""Come See About Me"" --The Serendipity Singers - ""Every Time I Feel the Spirit"" --Leslie Uggams - ""Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo"" & ""Cockeyed Optimist"" --Rip Taylor (comedian) --Jean Carrol (comedian) --Frank Gorshin (impressionist) --Davis and Reese (stand-up comedians)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • scheduled: Liza Minnelli, Jean Paul Vignon, Totie Fields
    NaN/100 votes

    #15 - scheduled: Liza Minnelli, Jean Paul Vignon, Totie Fields

    Season 18 Episode 15 - Aired 1/3/1965

    Scheduled guests: --Liza Minnelli --Jean Paul Vignon --Totie Fields --Marc London (comedian) --Carmen Sevilla --Lew Bassi (juggler) --The Mattison Trio (tap-dancers) --Topo Gigio

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • scheduled: Sid Caesar; Wayne Newton; Betsy Palmer; Shari Lewis
    NaN/100 votes

    #16 - scheduled: Sid Caesar; Wayne Newton; Betsy Palmer; Shari Lewis

    Season 18 Episode 16 - Aired 1/10/1965

    Scheduled guests: --Sid Caesar --Wayne Newton --Betsy Palmer --Shari Lewis (puppeteer) --London Lee (comedian) --The Kim Sisters (singers) --Topo Gigio --The Sophie Maslow Dance Company --Johnny Puleo and his Harmonica Gang

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Rex Harrison, Audrey Hepburn
    NaN/100 votes

    #17 - Rex Harrison, Audrey Hepburn

    Season 18 Episode 17 - Aired 1/17/1965

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Lesley Gore / Burt Lancaster / Mickey Rooney / Miriam Makeba
    7.0/1010 votes

    #18 - Lesley Gore / Burt Lancaster / Mickey Rooney / Miriam Makeba

    Season 18 Episode 18 - Aired 1/31/1965

    Guests: --Lesley Gore - ""The Look of Love"" & ""Hello Young Lovers"" --Burt Lancaster (chats with Ed & film clips) --Mickey Rooney --Roger Williams --Miriam Makeba (South African folk singer, with back up singers) - ""Intoyam"" (African song) --The Agastonios (acrobat team) --Ravic & Babs (roller skaters)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Jimmy Durante / scheduled: Leslie Uggams; Stiller & Meara; Jean Carroll
    NaN/100 votes

    #19 - Jimmy Durante / scheduled: Leslie Uggams; Stiller & Meara; Jean Carroll

    Season 18 Episode 19 - Aired 2/7/1965

    Guests (confirmed): --Jimmy Durante (entertainer, celebrating his 72nd birthday) --Sonny King Additional guests (scheduled to appear): --Leslie Uggams --Stiller & Meara --Rebecca Raz --Jean Carroll --Vaughn Monroe

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dave Clark Five / Rowan & Martin / Steve Lawrence
    7.6/1011 votes

    #20 - Dave Clark Five / Rowan & Martin / Steve Lawrence

    Season 18 Episode 20 - Aired 2/14/1965

    Guests: --The Dave Clark Five - ""Everybody Knows,"" ""Because"" & ""Anyway You Want It"" --Steve Lawrence - ""Hello, Dolly!"" ""People"" & ""Where Can I Go"" --Victor Borge - ""Viennese Waltz"" and a routine about an ""inflationary language"" (in which Tuesday would become Threesday). --Rowan & Martin (comedy team does a spy sketch and a quiz show routine) --The Israeli Ballet - performs some native folk dances --Topo Gigio (Italian mouse puppet) --The Mattison Trio (tap dancers) - ""Malaguena"" --John's balancing act

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • scheduled: Sid Caesar; Roberta Peters; Betsy Palmer; Frank Gorshin
    NaN/100 votes

    #21 - scheduled: Sid Caesar; Roberta Peters; Betsy Palmer; Frank Gorshin

    Season 18 Episode 21 - Aired 2/21/1965

    Scheduled guests: --Sid Caesar --Roberta Peters (Metropolitan Opera soprano) --Jerry Vale (singer) --Betsy Palmer --Frank Gorshin --London Lee (comedian) --Malcolm Powell (ventriloquist) --The Three Kims (acrobats) --Conrad Buckner

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • scheduled: Wayne Newton; Juliet Prowse; Alan King; Bill Dana
    NaN/100 votes

    #22 - scheduled: Wayne Newton; Juliet Prowse; Alan King; Bill Dana

    Season 18 Episode 22 - Aired 2/28/1965

    Scheduled guests (from Florida's Miami Beach Auditorium): --Wayne Newton --Juliet Prowse --Alan King --Bill Dana --The Hurricanes (the University of Miami's Glee Club) --The Cypress Gardens water skiers --The Singing Hialeah Jockey Octet --The Sensational Leighs (aerial act)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Duke Ellington & Ella Fitzgerald / Rita Pavone / Stiller & Meara
    NaN/100 votes

    #23 - Duke Ellington & Ella Fitzgerald / Rita Pavone / Stiller & Meara

    Season 18 Episode 23 - Aired 3/7/1965

    Guests: --Duke Ellington & Ella Fitzgerald (medley of Duke's hits) --Duke Ellington - ""It Don't Mean A Thing"" --Rita Pavone - ""My Eyes"" --Stiller & Meara (comedians) --On film: Film clip from ""The Sound of Music"" with Julie Andrews singing ""My Favorite Things"" --Roy Castle (comedian) --The Clark Brothers (tap dancers) --The Carmenas (balancing act)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Petula Clark / Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem / Nancy Walker & Bert Lahr
    NaN/100 votes

    #24 - Petula Clark / Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem / Nancy Walker & Bert Lahr

    Season 18 Episode 24 - Aired 3/14/1965

    Guests: --Petula Clark – ""Downtown"" and ""I Know a Place"" --Pat O'Brien --Nancy Walker & Bert Lahr --Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem - ""Wild Colonial Boy"" --Allen & Rossi (comedy team) --Steve Rossi - ""I'll Set My Love to Music"" --Jimmy Roselli - ""Femina"" & ""Rock-A-Bye Your Baby"" --Dorothy Donegan (pianist) - ""The Man I Love"" --The Olympiades (body builders)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Gary Lewis & the Playboys / Connie Francis / Tony Bennett / Melinda Marx
    NaN/100 votes

    #25 - Gary Lewis & the Playboys / Connie Francis / Tony Bennett / Melinda Marx

    Season 18 Episode 25 - Aired 3/21/1965

    Guests: --Gary Lewis & the Playboys - ""This Diamond Ring"" & ""Count Me In"" --Tony Bennett (with the Woody Herman Orchestra) - ""Love Scene,"" ""If I Ruled The World,"" ""Lullabye of Broadway"" & ""Who Can I Turn To"" --Connie Francis - ""(Up Above My Head) There's Music in the Air"" (part of Gospel medley?) --Connie Francis - ""For Mama"" and ""Goldfinger"" --Melinda Marx - ""East Side of Town"" (Groucho Marx's daughter) --Woody Herman Orchestra - ""My Favorite Things"" --Pat Buttram (stand-up comedian) - tells stories about his grandparents --Jean Carroll (comedian) - jokes about domestic life & department stores --Ray Bloch & Band - Topo Gigo song --Texas Boys Choir Of Fort Worth - ""Mustang Grey"" --Claus Beckers (unicyclist act) - unicyclist with female assistant balances teapot & cups on tray. --Audience bow: Vic Ghezzi

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A