Colgate Comedy Hour on NBC

A popular mix of musical acts and sometimes raucous sketch comedy with alternating guest hosts, NBC mounted its own really big show to compete successfully (at least for a few years) against Ed Sullivan on CBS. The series began with Eddie Cantor, Martin and Lewis, and Fred Allen rotating as hosts from week to week. With a hefty budget and heavyweight talent, `The Colgate Comedy Hour' became one of TV's early variety successes.