Ed Sullivan Said Elvis Was ‘Unfit for Family Viewing’: ‘Not My Cup of Tea’

<p id="par-1_65">In 1956, <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/elvis-presley/">Elvis Presley</a> appeared on <em>The Ed Sullivan Present</em> for the primary time. Tens of millions of individuals tuned in to observe his <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/music/">performance</a>, and Elvis would go on to look on the present a number of extra occasions. Regardless of the success of his look, Sullivan initially didn’t need Elvis on his present. When requested if he would enable the younger musician on, Sullivan responded with a convincing no.</p>

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ed-sullivan-did-not-initially-want-elvis-on-his-show">Ed Sullivan didn’t initially need Elvis on his present</h2>

<p id="par-2_46">In 1956, Elvis was on an atmospheric rise to success. He had begun recording with RCA Victor, a deal that introduced him new wealth and alternatives. Songs like “Heartbreak Hotel” have been large hits and he started making tv appearances. Nonetheless, his profession was not with out controversy. </p>

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<p id="par-3_54">Many felt that his <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/elvis-introduced-controversial-dance-moves-audience-see-shaking-quivering-fright.html/">hip-shaking dance strikes</a> have been lewd and needs to be censored. After his dancing on <em>The Milton Berle Present</em> shocked audiences, critics rushed to sentence him. Sullivan was amongst them, saying Elvis was “unfit for family viewing” (through <em>Elvis Presley: The Ed Sullivan Exhibits</em> by Greil Marcus). He vowed to not have him on his program.</p>

<p id="par-4_22">“He is not my cup of tea,” he mentioned, per the guide <em>Final Prepare to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley</em> by Peter Guralnick.</p>

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-his-first-appearance-drew-millions-of-viewers">His first look drew hundreds of thousands of viewers</h2>

<p id="par-5_53">Sullivan rapidly ate his phrases when he noticed what number of viewers his competitor, <em>The Steve Allen Present</em>, received by <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/elvis-presley-said-embarrassing-moment-career-involved-real-hound-dog.html/">having Elvis on the present</a>. After <em>The Steve Allen Present</em> crushed Sullivan in rankings, Sullivan despatched him a telegram: “Steven Presley Allen, NBC TV, New York City. Stinker. Love and kisses. Ed Sullivan,” (through <a href="https://www.edsullivan.com/artists/elvis-presley/" goal="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ed Sullivan Present</a>).</p>

<p id="par-6_65">Sullivan booked Elvis for three appearances on his present and agreed to pay him an unprecedented $50,000. Sullivan was not on the present for Elvis’ first look, nonetheless. A automotive accident left him within the hospital, so visitor host Charles Laughton launched Elvis. Nonetheless, Elvis’ look was a convincing rankings success. Per <a href="https://www.graceland.com/blog/posts/60-years-ago-today-elvis-presley-on-the-ed-sullivan-show" goal="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Graceland</a>, <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/an-astonishing-number-of-people-watched-elvis-presleys-first-performance-on-the-ed-sullivan-show.html/">60 million viewers</a>, or 82.6 p.c of your entire tv viewers, tuned in.</p>

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ed-sullivan-changed-his-opinion-of-elvis">Ed Sullivan modified his opinion of Elvis</h2>

<p id="par-7_58">Clearly, Sullivan’s resolution to have Elvis on his present paid off. He nonetheless obtained offended messages from critics about Elvis’ dance strikes, however he didn’t cancel the performances. As a substitute, the present primarily shot Elvis from the waist up for his third and closing efficiency. This fashion, they might nonetheless draw excessive numbers of viewers with out enraging Elvis’ critics.</p>

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<p id="par-8_31">Sullivan additionally altered his opinion of Elvis after assembly him. Whereas he initially mentioned he was not match for household viewing, he got here to acknowledge that Elvis was well mannered and humble.</p>

<p id="par-9_63">“I wanted to say to Elvis Presley and the country that this is a real decent, fine boy, and wherever you go, Elvis . . . we want to say that we’ve never had a pleasanter experience on our show with a big name than we’ve had with you,” Sullivan mentioned. “So now let’s have a tremendous hand for a very nice person.”</p>

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