Exploring the Real Story of Netflix’s Ed Sullivan Documentary Sunday Best
Netflix premiered Sunday Best on July 21, a documentary that delves into the groundbreaking impact of The Ed Sullivan Show—a pioneer in featuring Black American performers during a time of prevalent discrimination in the 1950s and 1960s.
Even after the legal strides made with desegregation and civil rights legislation, racism persisted, and The Ed Sullivan Show played a vital role in bringing Black talent to the forefront of mainstream entertainment. With an impressive viewership of 35 to 50 million each week, the show provided a platform for iconic artists like Harry Belafonte, Stevie Wonder, and The Jackson 5 to showcase their talents.
The documentary features insights from entertainment legends like Belafonte, Smokey Robinson, and The Temptations’ Otis Williams, who highlight how Ed Sullivan served as a catalyst for Black artists to be seen and appreciated on a national scale. Sullivan’s modern views, likely influenced by his upbringing in a diverse, discriminated-against community in Harlem, set the stage for an inclusive and progressive era in television.
From Sullivan’s early journalism career, where he advocated against racial discrimination in sports, to his powerful messages on his variety TV show urging unity and brotherhood, his impact on integrating Black artists into mainstream media was profound. Belafonte’s personal anecdotes of how Sullivan fought for his appearance on the show despite pushback due to his political views underscore the host’s commitment to showcasing diverse voices.
The Jackson 5, Nat King Cole, and even a young Stevie Wonder found fame and acceptance on The Ed Sullivan Show, solidifying its status as a cultural touchstone for American entertainment. The doc captures Motown Records founder Berry Gordy’s sentiment that Sullivan had a knack for spotlighting the hottest acts of the time.
While Ed Sullivan may have passed away in 1974, his legacy lives on through the music that continues to break barriers and bring people together. As Smokey Robinson aptly puts it, “Music is the international language. It’s the barrier breaker.” Sunday Best celebrates Sullivan’s impact on inclusivity and representation in the entertainment industry, reminding us of the power of art to transcend social divides.
