Big Top Clown - One of the first regular circus programs telecast in the 1950s was BIG TOP/CBS/1950-51 with live circus acts originating from the Convention Hall in Camden, New Jersey. The program starred Jack Sterling as the Ringmaster and was the proving ground for a young resident clown later known as Ed McMahon of THE TONIGHT SHOW. The show opened with the camera focused on Ed McMahon's head which read "The Big Top." As he raised his head and faced the camera, his big red nose lit up and flashed "CBS Presents." In his clown act he was the straight man to the poor schlemiels to which everything happened. He wore an emerald green satin opera cape, oversized checkered pants, two different colored shoes with great big toes sticking out, a bald wig fringed with red hair, pair of wire specs to hold on the nose that lit up, big black eyebrows, a painted beard and big white lips. BIG TOP moved from Saturday night to noon and became extremely popular with children.