EW's GRADE
B

Details Release Date: Apr 30, 2006; Writer: James Maguire; Genres: Biography, Nonfiction; Publisher: Billboard Books

As gossip columnist Sullivan turned Sunday night into a CBS ratings powerhouse with guests like Elvis and the Beatles, Maguire says, he was a ruthless competitor.

Host Spat
When Allen booked Presley first, Sullivan scoffed, ''$5,000 for some youngster known only in the South?''

Laff Line
Even post-TV stardom, Sullivan jabbed at his print rival Walter Winchell: ''He's a dead duck. He couldn't be resuscitated by injections at half-hour intervals.''

Originally posted May 26, 2006 Published in issue #879 Jun 02, 2006 Order article reprints

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.

500 characters remaining
Advertisement