Netflix usually seems to anticipate success when it comes to their content, but surprisingly, a recently released documentary has caught everyone off guard, including Netflix and its viewers, due to its exceptional performance. This heartfelt film premiered on July 21st and created quite a stir among music and history enthusiasts online, while earning critical acclaim. It’s particularly noteworthy given the current competitive landscape for streaming platforms, with summer blockbusters and conventions dominating headlines.
I wholeheartedly endorse the captivating new documentary from Netflix titled “Sunday Best: The Hidden Tale of Ed Sullivan.” This intriguing piece delves into the significant role that Sullivan’s variety show played in boosting the fame of Motown music, thereby shaping broader societal perceptions about African Americans in the arts and pop culture. The documentary includes enlightening interviews with cultural icons such as Harry Belafonte, Berry Gordy, and Smokey Robinson, who each recount how Sullivan and his team leveraged their influence to foster social and artistic progress.
Audience members are highly appreciative of this 90-minute history tutorial in movie form. Lisa Kennedy from The New York Times commended the film for seamlessly intertwining enjoyable scenes with the poignant reality of witnessing the harsh recent history of American racism laid bare. Robert Daniels of Mashable observed that Sunday Best was “politically uncomplicated,” opting to emphasize the music and leaving viewers to ponder the complexities of the social issues on their own.
On CBS, The Ed Sullivan Show aired every Sunday from 1948 to 1971. It showcased an assortment of artists – musicians, comedians, dancers, circus acts, and actors delivering dramatic readings. Its structure echoed that of vaudeville, and some saw it as the final surviving trace of this form during its TV years.
Sunday Best primarily focuses on the representation of Black artists and its significant influence on popular culture. Sullivan was committed to showcasing emerging Black talents on his program, standing firm against pressures from advertisers, television executives, and home viewers. Consequently, this unwavering stance led to a positive outcome; even in the face of vocal racists, these performances exposed these artists to a nationwide audience, boosting interest in their work and propelling acts such as The Supremes into stardom.
The topics covered in the documentary strongly argue that this nationwide broadcast played a crucial role in shaping American attitudes during subsequent decades. In contemporary times, many reviewers find this argument incredibly motivating, suggesting that ongoing efforts similar to this could potentially influence today’s audience as well.
It’s worth mentioning that the documentary garnered significant attention from viewers this week, following the cancellation of CBS’s late-night show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The show’s cancellation comes amid an escalating wave of political criticism. The Late Show is filmed at The Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City and has been a topic of discussion recently due to its past.
Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan is streaming now on Netflix.
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2025-07-27 19:12