Ed Was No Natural
Just as the variety show itself was a pioneer, so was Ed’s way of hosting. While many TV show hosts have an innate charm and charisma about them, enabling them to easily gain the confidence of their guests and attention of the audience, Ed was not like the rest. He was unnatural in front of the camera and had a stiff demeanor.
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Sullivan was often scolded for his mistakes and made fun of for the awkward lines he would say, like “reeeeeally big shoe.” He’s been famously parodied by a number of comedians, but his uniqueness is what made him entertaining to watch. And it contributed to the show’s longevity. Before his self-titled show, Ed was a sports and entertainment journalist, of all things.