It’s a first for Itzhak Perlman
Daily Comfort ZoneWe’ve been given to understand that tonight’s Lebrecht Interview with the great violinist is the first programme-length conversation he has ever agreed to.
We talk about many things – his boyhood bout of polio, the crackpot Ed Sullivan Show on which he made his US debut, getting concerthalls to instal disability facilities, bringing back unfashionable composers.
Listen tonight at 20.45 on BBC Radio 3.
I don’t understand what “crackpot Ed Sullivan Show” is supposed to mean. Was there something wrong with Itzhak’s appearance on the show?
My wife and I watched the Ed Sullivan Show almost every Sunday night when we were kids. I’m now 89, and she’s about to be 86. It never deserved the appellation ‘crackpot.’ It was a variety show that headlined many classical instrumental and vocal performers as well as pop entertainers. He was a popular newspaper columnist, as well. Why Crackpot? Bah, Humbug!
Thank you for that, Dr. Levin.
Say what anyone will, there is no disputing that the Ed Sullivan Show was far more wholesome in its day than 98% (at least) of what passes as entertainment nowadays.
Thank you. Ed Sullivan introduced America to performing artists of every discipline, creed and color, from Itzhak Perlman to Ella Fitzgerald, from the Ink Spots to the Beatles, opera, classical, popular, jazz, country, and that new thing called rock ‘n’ roll. Ed Sullivan was a visionary.
I agree, “crackpot Ed Sullivan Show” was the first thing that caught my eye. If it’s not explained in the interview itself, I’d sure like Norman to elaborate here. Lots of us old fogies have fond memories of that show.
I think this isn’t quite true. In 1995, for Perlman’s 50th the BBC did a long interview with him ( I think by Bernard Keefe) which was split for broadcast over three days .
There are also two documentary films, about 90 mins each.
That aside, am looking forward to hearing this