Your Show of Shows
1950 - 1954
February 25, 1950
25th February 1950Episode 1
In the premiere telecast, guests are actor Burgess Meredith, and comic actress Gertrude Lawrence. Sketches include Imogene Coca in a parody of turn-of-the century star Lilian Russell; Sid Caesar as a psychologist; Lawrence appears in "Live vs. theatre", a take-off on Noel Coward plays; Christopher Columbus; a nervous groom. Songs include "I Don't Know Why" (Lawrence);"Wiffenpoof Song" (Merrill); "Sweet Betsy from Pike" (Fisher, Ross, Hayes); "Smorgasbord" (Coca); "Main Street, U.S.A."(Foss, Fisher and Piazza); "Dangerous Dan McGrew".Season 1, Episode 2
4th March 1950Episode 2
Burgess Meredith is again the emcee for the second show. Highlights: The opening sketch follows a writer at the typewriter, revising a story as he types. Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca (introduced by name) enact the story as the writer revises their breakfast ordeal. Also appearing are Robert Merrill, ventriloquist Clifford Guest, and Marguerite Piazza.Season 1, Episode 3
11th March 1950Episode 3
No overview available.Season 1, Episode 4
18th March 1950Episode 4
No overview available.Season 1, Episode 5
1st April 1950Episode 5
No overview available.Season 1, Episode 6
8th April 1950Episode 6
No overview available.Season 1, Episode 7
15th April 1950Episode 7
No overview available.Season 1, Episode 8
29th April 1950Episode 8
No overview available.Season 1, Episode 9
6th May 1950Episode 9
No overview available.Season 1, Episode 10
13th May 1950Episode 10
No overview available.Season 1, Episode 11
20th May 1950Episode 11
No overview available.Your Show of Shows was a live 90-minute variety show that was broadcast weekly in the United States on NBC, from February 25, 1950, until June 5, 1954, featuring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca.
Other featured performers were Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, Bill Hayes, Judy Johnson, The Hamilton Trio and the soprano Marguerite Piazza. José Ferrer made several guest appearances on the series. The series was telecast from the now-demolished International Theatre at 5 Columbus Circle and the Century Theater, now demolished, in New York.
During 2002, Your Show of Shows was ranked #30 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
