Ed Sullivan Theatre

As we waited in line to attend a taping of 'the Late Show with Stephen Colbert' it occurred to me that the stage of the Ed Sullivan Theatre has probably hosted more famous people from all walks of life than any other stage in the world.  It first opened in 1927 and was known as the Hammerstein Theatre.  CBS obtained a lease on the theatre in 1936 and used it for radio broadcasts. It was converted for television in 1950 at which time it was renamed CBS-TV Radio 50.  In the 1960s it was one of televisions busiest stages, The Ed Sullivan show was broadcast from here as was the Merv  Griffin Show, The Jackie Gleason Show, and others.  In 1965 it was renovated for colour television and in 1967 CBS renamed the theatre in honour of Ed Sullivan after his 20th anniversary show,  The CBS lease on the building expired in 1981 but in 1993 CBS bought the building and it became the home of the Late Show with David Letterman.  Stephen Colbert assumed the role of host after Letterman left in 2015.