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The True Story Behind Netflix’s Ed Sullivan Documentary Sunday Best

BBG News

On the 21st of July, Netflix premiered the documentary titled “Sunday Best” which focuses on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” a long-lasting variety show that holds the record for U.S. television history. The series spotlights its role in showcasing Black American performers during an era when racial discrimination was widespread in the United States, specifically in the 1950s and 1960s.

Despite the U.S. Supreme Court declaring segregated schools unconstitutional in 1954 and the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1968, the documentary underscores the fact that racism persisted rather than vanished. The Ed Sullivan Show, broadcast from 1948 to 1971 with a viewership ranging from 35 to 50 million people every Sunday night, served as one of the early mainstream platforms where Black talent was showcased – a move made by artists who sought increased visibility.

In this documentary, spectators will catch glimpses of past appearances by musical legends such as Harry Belafonte, Stevie Wonder, Nat King Cole, Nina Simone, James Brown, The Jackson 5, and The Supremes on the show. The program also includes discussions about the impact of Sullivan’s show from stars like Belafonte and Smokey Robinson. Additionally, the documentary re-creates Ed Sullivan’s voice and showcases his comments on racial matters throughout the years, using exact quotes from his letters, articles, and columns.

According to Otis Williams, the lead singer of The Temptations, he was a facilitator, particularly for African-American musicians. He opened the door to his platform, allowing artists to perform and gain visibility.

Here’s a glance at how the document delves into Sullivan’s contemporary (for his era) perspective, highlighting the Black entertainers who discuss the significance of appearing on his Sunday evening program.

A progressive streak

On Sunday Best’s viewpoint, one factor that shaped Sullivan’s open-mindedness was growing up impoverished in Harlem during a period when there was a significant Irish and Jewish community residing there. Being exposed to the discrimination faced by the Irish, Sullivan developed a heightened sensitivity towards the plight of African Americans in America.

Growing up as a student in Port Chester, N.Y., I, Sullivan, was an avid baseball player who frequently crossed paths with teams boasting Black players. From my early days on the field, I embraced integration wholeheartedly. As I shared in a television interview, “When we played baseball at Port Chester High School, there were African-American teammates, and some individuals even expressed reluctance to play against them. This stance filled me with deep resentment because I understood the struggles my own Irish ancestors faced when they first arrived…My parents recognized these injustices and were not merely open-minded but wise.

In reality, while working as a journalist for the first time, he strongly criticized New York University’s move to replace a Black athlete during a game against the University of Georgia. He expressed his opinion in an editorial column as sports editor for the New York Evening Graphic.

In a letter written in 1929, he expressed his disgust upon learning about NYU’s decision to bench a black player for the entire game. He lamented the unfortunate state of affairs and stated, “If a New York City university tolerates the establishment of a racial divide on its football field, then it should discontinue its football team permanently.

In 1948, he didn’t mince words when he began hosting a diverse television program. This show was later renamed The Ed Sullivan Show in 1955. He passionately appealed to people, urging them to examine their prejudices and eradicate the innate hatred and fear towards their neighbors. He denounced bigotry, intolerance, racial or religious discrimination as acts of spiritual betrayal. Furthermore, he encouraged Americans to unite in this significant endeavor for unity, stating that a united America is the last remaining beacon of hope for our troubled world.

Door opener

On Sunday Best, singer Dionne Warwick notes that Sullivan aimed to make clear to his audience that there was an abundance of untapped talent waiting to be discovered.

Harry Belafonte, who graced the Ed Sullivan Show a total of ten times, expressed that Sullivan consistently tested the boundaries as much as possible. He recalls an instance in 1953 when CBS executives nearly barred him from his debut performance due to his political leanings towards the left. However, it was Sullivan himself who phoned Belafonte to discuss potentially cancelling the show, only to later persuade the network to allow the broadcast to proceed.

Belafonte says he was provided an opportunity to discuss controversial actions with him. Those who weren’t content with offering us a stage for political discussions…Ed decided to take a risk and see how things unfolded.

In May 1956, Nat King Cole was still a guest on Ed Sullivan’s show, despite having been assaulted in Birmingham, Alabama just a month prior. The young musical prodigy Stevie Wonder made his debut on the same show in 1964 at the tender age of 13. The Jackson 5 later reminisced about their 1969 performance as a significant stepping stone towards their increased popularity.

According to Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, “The Ed Sullivan Show” was the pinnacle for Motown. If an act was popular, Sullivan would book them. In essence, it represented American culture.

Though Sullivan passed away in 1974 at the ripe age of 73, music continues to serve as a universal bond that transcends borders and barriers. To quote Robinson, “Music is the global tongue; it’s the bridge across divides.

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2025-07-22 01:06

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