Search
 
  Site Index
  TV Resources
  TV Character Bios
  What's New?
  Our Theme Song
  Archives
  About Us
  Abbreviations
  Acknowledgements
  Contact Us
  On-line Store
 

 
Home > Index > Greetings > Catchphrases > "Tonight, we have a r-e-e-ally..."
       
  Greeting Catchphrases  
     
 

"Tonight, we have a re-e-e-ally BIG SHEW!" - Ed  Sullivan's exaggerated and often improper pronunciation of the English language was a trademark of this former Newspaper columnist turned host of America's favorite Sunday night variety show THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW/CBS/1948-71 (originally called TOAST OF THE TOWN). Weekly he would announce "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have a really Big SHEW!" and "On our stage tonight..." It wasn't unusual for him to introduce a singer like Robert Goulet as Robert Goolitt. Once Ed proclaimed "Let's hear it for the Lord's Prayer!" after Sergio Franchi sang it on the 1965 Christmas show. Sullivan's strange awkward style was imitated by many impressionists, the best being the look-alike Will  Jordan, who made numerous appearances on Sullivan's show. Standing side-by-side they were very close to identical twins. Sullivan, himself cracked up when he heard this other man doing him so accurately. In the 1950s, Ed helped make a parody record called "It's a reeally Big SHEW Tonight!" Another Sullivan catchphrase used was "Stand Up and Take a Bow" when Ed Sullivan recognized notable celebrities each week in his studio audience. During the 1990s, late night talk show host David Letterman, who broadcast his program from refurbished Ed Sullivan Theater, in New York City, resurrected the celebrity in the audience bit and even had the ghost of Ed Sullivan floating about the studio from time to time. 

 
 

 

 
 
Back to Top                                                                            

 

Home  |  Site Map  |  Search  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy  |  Archive




Copyright © TV Acres. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
All photos are the property of their respective companies
.