On this episode of Our American Stories Ed Sullivan couldn't sing dance act or tell a joke He wasn't even particularly comfortable in front of a camera Yet for more than two decades millions of Americans tuned in every Sunday night to watch him introduce the biggest names in entertainment It was an unlikely destination for a poor kid from Harlem who spent years chasing success as a sportswriter gossip columnist and radio personality James Maguire author of Impresario The Life and Times of Ed Sullivan joins our own Lee Habeeb to share how Sullivan built one of the most [... more]

Ed Sullivan's life and career are a fascinating tale of ambition, fame, and the limits of both. From his humble beginnings as a gossip columnist to his rise as the host of the iconic Ed Sullivan Show, Sullivan's story is a walk through the 20th century. He pioneered black performance, booked Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and became a cultural icon, but ultimately lost his way and died a lonely man. James McGuire's book, Impresario, is a must-read for anyone interested in American culture, television history, and the human condition. [... more]