A new Netflix documentary, Sunday Best, has unveiled the untold contributions of Ed Sullivan, the legendary television host, to the civil rights movement. While Sullivan is best remembered for his iconic variety show, where he introduced the Beatles to American audiences in 1964, the film delves into his lesser-known role as a civil rights advocate.
The documentary showcases Sullivan’s efforts to push back against the racial barriers of the 1960s. In an era when Black entertainers were rarely featured on television, Sullivan defied these prejudices by giving prominent stage to Black artists. These included Harry Belafonte, Nat King Cole, James Brown, Gladys Knight, and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, among others. His defiance of CBS executives, who pressured him to maintain racial segregation in television programming, made him a target for scrutiny.
One of the most striking examples of Sullivan’s activism is his public confrontation with Herman Talmadge, the segregationist governor of Georgia. Talmadge’s inflammatory remarks about banning Black performers from television were met with Sullivan’s sharp criticism, which the documentary underscores. Despite such bold moves, Sullivan’s career continued to draw controversy, even as his ratings declined in later years.
The documentary also highlights Sullivan’s personal struggles with the constraints imposed by CBS. Executives at the network discouraged him from shaking hands with Black entertainers or showing too much familiarity, but Sullivan largely ignored these instructions. His defiance extended to his personal life, where he was willing to take on the wrath of the Southern establishment for the sake of equality.
While Sullivan’s legacy has often been celebrated for its entertainment value, the documentary suggests he was also a significant figure in the push for civil rights. Although he never sought formal recognition for his efforts, his actions made a lasting impact on the television industry and the broader fight for racial equality. The film serves as a reminder that historical figures often have multifaceted legacies that go beyond the scope of their most widely known achievements.