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The Unlucky Comics Who Got To Follow The Beatles On Ed Sullivan
I was sad to see that Mitzi McCall died earlier this week. That's probably a name that doesn't ring a bell with a lot of people, but she was part of a comedy team known as Brill & McCall, a male-female duo that always turned up on those old TV variety shows.
But their premiere TV appearance led them to near doom - they were the unlucky act that were forced to follow The Beatles during their historic first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. The kids in the audience had no idea who they were and didn't care - they just wanted to see more of John, Paul, George & Ringo.
Not that either Brill or McCall had any idea of who they were sharing the stage with.
"As they frantically prepared, John Lennon came in their tiny dressing room to get a Coke from the soda machine, then hung out and sketched each of them on napkins.
“All we thought about was, ‘I wish this kid would go so we could work on our act. Get out of here,’” McCall said."
Oh, to have those napkins now.
How The Beatles Ruined Comedian Mitzi McCall’s Big Break
The famous TV Guide listing from Feb. 9, 1964. Notice that McCall & Brill aren't even mentioned. Also notice that the cast of "Oliver" included a performer who took notice of the hysteria and decided he'd one day get the same screams. And he did. His name was Davy Jones, soon to be a member of the Monkees. 
- newsguy1
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Re: The Unlucky Comics Who Got To Follow The Beatles On Ed Sullivan
Just heard on 1010 this morning that Deep Purple will be playing this area (didn't catch where). Their opening act? Yes.
Oh dear.
I don't want to see the aged DP -- one of my all time fave metal bands, let alone whatever will be the remnants of Yes.
But it does remind me of a real-life Spinal Tap experience I had in Vancouver.
Years back a friend of mine took me to see the Vancouver Dome. I hadn't seen it before.from inside
The only way we could get in was to use some comp monster truck show tickets he had.
So we watched some of the monster truck show until the half time.
The half time musical act?
Three Dog Night.
So the marquee read, Monster Truck Show
.... and Three Dog Night.
Reminded me of,
Puppet Show
plus Spinal Tap. Sad
- mace
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Re: The Unlucky Comics Who Got To Follow The Beatles On Ed Sullivan
That TV Guide listing is from the Central Time Zone with the Sullivan show being listed at 7pm. I am guessing the Ch 4 is KRLD [now KDFW] Dallas which was a CBS affilliate until 1995 when it flipped to FOX.
- paterson1
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Re: The Unlucky Comics Who Got To Follow The Beatles On Ed Sullivan
That theme was part of this classic but not overly popular movie by Billy Crystal, Mr. Saturday Night from 1992. The movie follows the long career of comedian Buddy Young Jr. who had years in and out of popularity. He even had his own TV show for a while in the 50's. Falling out for favour for years after the TV show, Buddy's big comeback was to be on the Ed Sullivan Show. He was scheduled to appear right after the Beatles first US appearance on the program. Buddy's performance was a disaster and had to be cut short since the studio audience was paying him no attention and still screaming and talking about the Fab Four. A really great movie if you ever get the chance to see it.