"You realize that, being in that position, you're on the ground floor for a lot of good things that happen to people you know."

    About This Interview

    In his over four-hour interview, Vince Calandra (1934-2025) talks about working his way up from the mailroom at CBS to working in production and handling the cue cards for The Ed Sullivan Show. He describes his promotion to talent coordinator for the series and mentions some of the guests he booked, including Jim Henson, Jackie Mason, Alan King, Irving Berlin and Bob Dylan. He also speaks in detail about one of the show's historical highlights: the first American television appearance of The Beatles. Calandra discusses his later work as a talent executive on the syndicated Mike Douglas Show, and later, on The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers. He speaks of his current projects, including working as a talent executive for AFI specials and the American Teacher Awards. B-roll consists of photos highlighting his years on The Ed Sullivan Show (including The Beatles' rehearsal where Calandra stood in for George Harrison), favorite guests, including Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra, and a photo from The Mike Douglas Show. Jeff Abraham conducted the interview on December 4, 2003 in Woodland Hills, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Vince Calandra

    Vince Calandra on doing cue cards for The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:30
    Thumbnail of Vince Calandra

    Vince Calandra on how he booked the Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964

    10:51
    Thumbnail of Vince Calandra

    Vince Calandra on the Beatles' historic performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:35
    Thumbnail of Vince Calandra

    Vince Calandra on controversy over Jim Morrison not changing his lyrics for a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:48
    Thumbnail of Vince Calandra

    Vince Calandra on his uneasy relationship with Mike Douglas during his time on The Mike Douglas Show

    03:26
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his childhood and early influences; on being raised by his grandparents and getting drafted by the New York Giants (baseball)

    16:41

    On returning from the service and working his way up from the mailroom at CBS; on handling CBS' syndication vaults; on transferring to The Ed Sullivan Show to handle cue cards

    11:19

    Chapter 2

    On working on cue cards on The Ed Sullivan Show; on working for the CBS film department; on Ed Sullivan's son-in-law Bob Precht taking over production of The Ed Sullivan Show and Calandra doing cue cards again

    13:51

    On Ed Sullivan selecting talent for The Ed Sullivan Show; on Sullivan's skill set and learning from him; on getting African-American talent on The Ed Sullivan Show

    12:08

    On his responsibilities as a production coordinator under Bob Precht on The Ed Sullivan Show

    02:12

    Chapter 3

    On a typical work week on The Ed Sullivan Show; on determining the order of acts

    06:02

    On the reason Ed Sullivan continued to bring old Vaudevillian acts on The Ed Sullivan Show; on Ed Sullivan and Jimmy Durante doing performances for soldiers returning from war

    10:56

    On Ed Sullivan's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and putting African-Americans on television; on moving from production into talent coordinating on The Ed Sullivan Show

    11:33

    Chapter 4

    On being promoted to talent coordinator for The Ed Sullivan Show; on how he scouted talent; on booking meetings and pay scales for The Ed Sullivan Show

    12:58

    On the backstory of The Beatles' first American television appearance (on The Ed Sullivan Show); on security for the Beatles' appearance

    14:47

    Chapter 5

    On first meeting The Beatles; on The Beatles' historic first performance on The E d Sullivan Show

    23:06

    On controversial performances by The Rolling Stones, The Doors, and Bob Dylan on The E d Sullivan Show

    04:54

    Chapter 6

    On Jackie Mason giving Ed Sullivan "the finger" on The Ed Sullivan Show and the subsequent lawsuit

    07:12

    On some of the comics and guests on the show: Alan King, John Byne, Topo Gigio, Senor Wences, Alan King, Fred Astaire, and more

    19:44

    On the cancellation of The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:22

    Chapter 7

    On the cancellation of The Ed Sullivan Show

    08:31

    On working with Billy Joel; on becoming a talent executive for The Mike Douglas Show; on some of the show's guests and working with Mike Douglas

    19:12

    On his work with AFI

    01:01

    Chapter 8

    On consulting as a talent executive for John Davidson's talk show and Alan Thicke's talk show; on his talent contacts

    06:57

    On consulting as a talent executive for Joan Rivers', and Vicki Lawrence's talk shows

    20:54

    On his work booking talent for the American Teacher Awards

    01:17

    Chapter 9

    On working on Entertainment Tonight; on booking an interview with Frank Sinatra for the show

    17:58

    On his work with the American Film Institute

    03:36

    On highlights from his career; on talent he was not able to book; on advice to aspiring talent executives

    07:10

    Chapter 10

    On his mentors and his longevity; on how he would like to be remembered

    05:07

    B-roll of photos from his career

    04:18

    Brady Bunch, The

    Vince Calandra on coming up with the idea to make a Brady Bunch record

    00:27

    Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

    Vince Calandra on getting hired to handle cue cards for The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:00

    Vince Calandra on who he did cue cards for on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:45

    Vince Calandra on doing cue cards for The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:30

    Vince Calandra on how his social scene changed when he started working on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:11

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's son-in-law Bob Precht taking over production of The Ed Sullivan Show and Calandra doing cue cards again

    07:49

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan selecting talent for The Ed Sullivan Show; on Sullivan's skill set and learning from him 

    08:39

    Vince Calandra on getting African-American talent on The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:29

    Vince Calandra on his responsibilities as a production coordinator under Bob Precht on The Ed Sullivan Show

    02:12

    Vince Calandra on a typical work week and dress rehearsal on The Ed Sullivan Show

    59:59

    Vince Calandra on determining the order of acts on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:31

    Vince Calandra on the reason Ed Sullivan continued to bring old Vaudevillian acts on The Ed Sullivan Show

    06:08

    Vince Calandra on moving from production into talent coordinating on The Ed Sullivan Show

    08:42

    Vince Calandra on how he booked the Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964

    10:51

    Vince Calandra on security for the Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964

    02:35

    Vince Calandra on the Beatles' arrival in America for their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964

    01:21

    Vince Calandra on being promoted to talent coordinator and how he scouted talent for The Ed Sullivan Show

    02:51

    Vince Calandra on booking talent for The Ed Sullivan Show and bribes/perks he was offered

    02:35

    Vince Calandra on booking meetings for The Ed Sullivan Show

    04:25

    Vince Calandra on how pay scales for talk shows compared to that of The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:39

    Vince Calandra on acts that were banished from The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:33

    Vince Calandra on how his relationship with Ed Sullivan changed when he became talent coordinator for The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:51

    Vince Calandra on first meeting the Beatles' at rehearsal the day before their historic performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    10:09

    Vince Calandra on the Beatles' dress rehearsal the day of their historic performance on The Ed Sullivan Show (February 9, 1964) and celebrities wanting to meet the group

    03:51

    Vince Calandra on the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein not being pleased with a couple things the day of the Beatles' historic first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show (February 9, 1964)

    02:20

    Vince Calandra on the excitement and response to the Beatles' historic first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    02:37

    Vince Calandra on his thoughts on the Beatles' historic first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    04:04

    Vince Calandra on controversy over a Rolling Stones performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:54

    Vince Calandra on controversy over Jim Morrison not changing his lyrics for a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:48

    Vince Calandra on controversy over a Bob Dylan performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:42

    Vince Calandra on trying to get Jimi Hendrex to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:50

    Vince Calandra on problems with Jackie Mason on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:40

    Vince Calandra on Jackie Mason getting cut off by President Johnson on The Ed Sullivan Show; how the "fickle finger" came about

    07:12

    Vince Calandra on comics that appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show

    02:06

    Vince Calandra on the popularity of Topo Gigio on The Ed Sullivan Show

    02:17

    Vince Calandra on The Muppets' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:54

    Vince Calandra on Senor Wences on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:54

    Vince Calandra on Victor the Bear on The Ed Sullivan Show

    02:27

    Vince Calandra on animal mishaps on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:31

    Vince Calandra on memorable guests on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:12

    Vince Calandra on his favorite and least favorite guests on The Ed Sullivan Show

    04:39

    Vince Calandra on a rehearsal with comic Jackie Leonard for The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:44

    Vince Calandra on the cancellation of The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:22

    Vince Calandra on the cancellation of The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:18

    Vince Calandra on a photo of the Beatles' rehearsal the day before their first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:30

    Vince Calandra on a photo of Ed Sullivan and staff on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:29

    Vince Calandra on a photo of him standing in for George Harrison for the Beatles' first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:26

    Vince Calandra on a photo of Topo Gigio on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:12

    Entertainment Tonight

    Vince Calandra on booking interviews for Entertainment Tonight

    17:57

    Mike Douglas Show, The

    Vince Calandra on how he got an offer to work for The Mike Douglas Show

    03:22

    Vince Calandra on his work schedule on The Mike Douglas Show

    03:07

    Vince Calandra on the challenges of booking talent for a daytime program, The Mike Douglas Show

    01:45

    Vince Calandra on why The Mike Douglas Show moved from Cleveland to Philadelphia

    00:57

    Vince Calandra on talent he booked on The Mike Douglas Show

    00:18

    Vince Calandra on Woody Fraser's antics on The Mike Douglas Show

    04:36

    Vince Calandra on his uneasy relationship with Mike Douglas during his time on The Mike Douglas Show

    03:26

    Vince Calandra on the end of The Mike Douglas Show and consulting for The John Davidson Show

    02:47

    Vince Calandra on working with producer Brad Lachman and how Lachman was mistreated on The Mike Douglas Show

    02:09

    Vince Calandra on a photo with Gerald Ford from The Mike Douglas Show

    00:18

    Pat Sajak Show, The

    Vince Calandra on consulting as a talent executive for The Pat Sajak Show

    01:07

    Solid Gold

    Vince Calandra on going to work for producer Brad Lachman on Solid Gold

    02:11

    Advice

    Vince Calandra on advice to aspiring talent executives - return phone calls and don't book through email

    03:11

    Censorship / Standards & Practices

    Vince Calandra on controversy over a Rolling Stones performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:54

    Vince Calandra on controversy over Jim Morrison not changing his lyrics for a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:48

    Creative Influences and Inspiration

    Vince Calandra on his mentors and his longevity

    04:44

    First Big Break

    Vince Calandra on his big break into entertainment - getting a job in the CBS mailroom without having an Ivy League degree

    02:22

    Historic Events and Social Change

    Vince Calandra on getting African-American talent on The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:24

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and putting African-Americans on television

    02:51

    Memorable Moments on Television

    Vince Calandra on the Beatles' arrival in America for their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964

    01:21

    Vince Calandra on security for the Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964

    02:35

    Vince Calandra on how he booked the Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964

    10:51

    Vince Calandra on the Beatles' historic performance on The Ed Sullivan Show and the backstage scene, getting them through the crowd into the studio

    23:06

    Pivotal Career Moments

    Vince Calandra on his big break into entertainment - getting a job in the CBS mailroom without having an Ivy League degree

    02:22

    Vince Calandra on his mentors and his longevity

    04:44

    Representation on Television

    Vince Calandra on getting African-American talent on The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:24

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and putting African-Americans on television

    02:51

    Television Industry

    Vince Calandra on controversy over a Rolling Stones performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:54

    Vince Calandra on controversy over Jim Morrison not changing his lyrics for a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:48

    Vince Calandra on advice to aspiring talent executives - return phone calls and don't book through email

    03:11

    Underrepresented Voices

    Vince Calandra on getting African-American talent on The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:24

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and putting African-Americans on television

    02:51

    Talent Coordinator

    Vince Calandra on moving from production into talent coordinating on The Ed Sullivan Show

    08:42

    Vince Calandra on advice to aspiring talent executives - return phone calls and don't book through email

    03:11

    Talent Professionals

    Vince Calandra on moving from production into talent coordinating on The Ed Sullivan Show

    08:42

    Vince Calandra on advice to aspiring talent executives - return phone calls and don't book through email

    03:11

    Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

    Vince Calandra on getting hired to handle cue cards for The Ed Sullivan Show

    04:45

    Vince Calandra on doing cue cards and being production coordinator on The Ed Sullivan Show

    28:11

    Vince Calandra on moving from production into talent coordinating on The Ed Sullivan Show

    28:44

    Vince Calandra on being promoted to talent coordinator for The Ed Sullivan Show; on how he scouted talent; on booking meetings and pay scales for The Ed Sullivan Show; on how he booked the Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964

    27:45

    Vince Calandra on first meeting The Beatles; on The Beatles' historic first performance on The E d Sullivan Sh; on controversial performances on The Ed Sullivan Show

    28:00

    Vince Calandra on some of the comics and guests on the show: Alan King, John Byne, Topo Gigio, Senor Wences, Alan King, Fred Astaire, and more; on the cancellation of the show

    28:18

    Vince Calandra on the cancellation of The Ed Sullivan Show

    08:31

    Vince Calandra on becoming a talent executive for The Mike Douglas Show; on some of the show's guests and working with Mike Douglas

    17:32

    Talk Shows

    Vince Calandra on consulting as a talent executive for John Davidson's, Alan Thicke's, Joan Rivers', Vicki Lawrence's, and Pat Sajak's talk shows

    27:51

    Louis Armstrong

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and putting African-Americans on television

    01:03

    Fred Astaire

    Vince Calandra on one of his favorite guests on The Michael Douglas Show - Fred Astaire

    00:12

    Vince Calandra on a photo of Fred Astaire

    00:19

    George Burns

    Vince Calandra on his favorite guests on The Ed Sullivan Show - George Burns

    00:22

    John Byner

    Vince Calandra on John Byner's imitation of Ed Sullivan on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:38

    Johnny Carson

    Vince Calandra on his work booking talent for the American Teacher Awards

    00:38

    Ray Charles

    Vince Calandra on Woody Fraser's antics on The Mike Douglas Show

    00:30

    John Davidson

    Vince Calandra on the end of The Mike Douglas Show and consulting as a talent executive for The John Davidson Show

    02:47

    Mike Douglas

    Vince Calandra on Mike Douglas not being a part of the Philadelphia community during The Mike Douglas Show

    01:56

    Vince Calandra on his uneasy relationship with Mike Douglas during his time on The Mike Douglas Show

    03:26

    Jimmy Durante

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan and Jimmy Durante doing performances for soldiers returning from war

    04:48

    Gerald Ford

    Vince Calandra on a photo with Gerald Ford from The Mike Douglas Show

    00:18

    Woody Fraser

    Vince Calandra on a "Planet of the Apes" sketch on The Mike Douglas Show

    02:07

    Vince Calandra on Woody Fraser's antics on The Mike Douglas Show

    02:05

    Jackie Gleason

    Vince Calandra on Jackie Gleason co-hosting The Mike Douglas Show

    00:24

    Berry Gordy

    Vince Calandra on getting African-American talent on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:07

    Jim Henson

    Vince Calandra on The Muppets' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:54

    Charlton Heston

    Vince Calandra on a "Planet of the Apes" sketch on The Mike Douglas Show

    02:07

    Billy Joel

    Vince Calandra on working with Billy Joel

    01:12

    Alan King

    Vince Calandra on comics that appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:20

    Brad Lachman

    Vince Calandra on working with producer Brad Lachman and how Lachman was mistreated on The Mike Douglas Show

    04:20

    Vince Calandra on booking interviews for Entertainment Tonight

    03:16

    Vicki Lawrence

    Vince Calandra on consulting as a talent executive for the pilot of Vicki Lawrence's talk show

    01:06

    Vince Calandra on a his reunion with Paul McCartney on Vicki Lawrence's talk show

    05:18

    Lee Marvin

    Vince Calandra on his least favorite guests on The Ed Sullivan Show - Lee Marvin

    02:06

    Jackie Mason with Emerson College

    Vince Calandra on problems with Jackie Mason on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:40

    Vince Calandra on Jackie Mason giving Ed Sullivan "the finger" on The Ed Sullivan Show

    07:12

    Peter O'Toole

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's duet with Peter O'Toole

    00:56

    Frank Oz

    Vince Calandra on The Muppets' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:54

    Robert Precht

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's son-in-law Bob Precht taking over production of The Ed Sullivan Show and Calandra doing cue cards again

    07:49

    Vince Calandra on determining the order of acts on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:31

    Vince Calandra on moving from production into talent coordinating on The Ed Sullivan Show

    05:56

    Vince Calandra on how his relationship with Ed Sullivan changed when he became talent coordinator for The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:51

    Vince Calandra on the lawsuit that resulted from Jackie Mason giving Ed Sullivan "the finger" on The Ed Sullivan Show

    07:12

    Vince Calandra on his mentors and his longevity

    02:01

    Burt Reynolds

    Vince Calandra on Woody Fraser's antics on The Mike Douglas Show

    01:35

    Joan Rivers

    Vince Calandra on consulting as a talent executive for Joan Rivers' talk show

    01:53

    Vince Calandra on trouble booking talent for Joan Rivers' talk show and his relationship with Rivers

    01:50

    Vince Calandra on getting fired from Joan Rivers' talk show

    05:25

    Pat Sajak

    Vince Calandra on consulting as a talent executive for The Pat Sajak Show

    01:07

    Fred Silverman

    Vince Calandra on Alan Thicke and Fred Silverman not getting along

    02:41

    Frank Sinatra

    Vince Calandra on his favorite guests on The Ed Sullivan Show - Frank Sinatra

    00:27

    Vince Calandra on booking an interview with Frank Sinatra for Entertainment Tonight

    14:41

    Vince Calandra on a letter from Frank Sinatra

    00:23

    Jimmy Stewart

    Vince Calandra on booking Jimmy Stewart 

    00:54

    Vince Calandra on a photo with Jimmy Stewart

    00:17

    Ed Sullivan

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan taking a liking to him and going out to eat together

    01:05

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's use of cue cards on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:51

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's use of a teleprompter and cue cards on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:01

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's son-in-law Bob Precht taking over production of The Ed Sullivan Show

    02:33

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan selecting talent for The Ed Sullivan Show; on Sullivan's skill set and learning from him 

    08:39

    Vince Calandra on getting African-American talent on The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:29

    Vince Calandra on a typical work week and dress rehearsal on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:48

    Vince Calandra on determining the order of acts on The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:31

    Vince Calandra on the reason Ed Sullivan continued to bring old Vaudevillian acts on The Ed Sullivan Show

    06:08

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan and Jimmy Durante doing performances for soldiers returning from war

    04:48

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and putting African-Americans on television

    02:34

    Vince Calandra on how his relationship with Ed Sullivan changed when he became talent coordinator for The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:51

    Vince Calandra on how he booked the Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964

    07:26

    Vince Calandra on the Beatles' historic performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:35

    Vince Calandra on the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein not being pleased with a couple things the day of the Beatles' historic first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show (February 9, 1964)

    02:20

    Vince Calandra on Jackie Mason giving Ed Sullivan "the finger" on The Ed Sullivan Show

    07:12

    Vince Calandra on Victor the Bear on The Ed Sullivan Show

    02:27

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's duet with Peter O'Toole

    00:56

    Vince Calandra on a rehearsal with comic Jackie Leonard for The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:10

    Vince Calandra on the cancellation of The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:22

    Vince Calandra on the cancellation of The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:18

    Vince Calandra on the naming of the Ed Sullivan theater and Sullivan's emotional side; on Mrs. Sullivan

    03:50

    Vince Calandra on Ed Sullivan's routine after a Sunday show and Sullivan's poor business sense

    03:22

    Vince Calandra on his mentors

    02:01

    Vince Calandra on a photo of Ed Sullivan and staff on The Ed Sullivan Show

    00:29

    Alan Thicke

    Vince Calandra on consulting as a talent executive for Alan Thicke's talk show

    02:51

    Robert D. Wood

    Vince Calandra on the cancellation of The Ed Sullivan Show

    01:22

    All Interviews

    Loading Interviews...