Sunday Best

As I watched this phenomenal documentary I had the sense that Ed Sullivan came to Earth at a very particular time to steer a nation away from the cliff edge it was careening toward.

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A truly decent man, Mr. Sullivan embraced everyone regardless of color or creed showing the country, during some of its most turbulent years, what it means to be an American.

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Ed was born in Harlem, New York, to a poor family with excellent values. He knew that even if certain people talked trash on the street, it didn’t mean they’d turn off their television when real talent was on the screen.

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Ed Sullivan took Americans from the radio as their form of entertainment to black and white television and later to color TV. His variety show, The Ed Sullivan Show ran from 1948-1971 and was responsible for the careers of hundreds of musical acts, comedians and dancers.

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Not only was Ed Sullivan a stand-up gent, he stood behind his principles when white supremacist organizations and corporations tried to force him to make his show whites-only. He was fearless in the face of stupidity.

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Mr. Sullivan was a force for good, whose entire career was built on his ability to embrace change and celebrate differences. He showed how basic human decency can help to heal and influence a nation toward a tolerant and integrated society.

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