Watch Ernie Kovacs

Ernie Kovacs was a groundbreaking television variety show that aired from 1952 to 1956. The show starred Ernie Kovacs as the host, and featured a rotating cast of guests, musicians and comedians. One notable guest was horror legend Boris Karloff, who appeared on the show multiple times.

Ernie Kovacs was known for his avant-garde approach to television, incorporating absurdist humor, innovative camera techniques, and surreal props and costumes. The show often blurred the line between reality and fantasy, creating a unique and unpredictable viewing experience. Ernie Kovacs was a true pioneer of televised comedy, and his influence can still be seen in modern shows like Saturday Night Live and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

One of the most memorable aspects of Ernie Kovacs was its use of music. The show featured a house band, led by jazz pianist Gene DiNovi, and a variety of musical guests. Ernie Kovacs often used music as a comedic tool, using the band to punctuate jokes or set up gags. In one particularly memorable sketch, Ernie Kovacs pretended to conduct a symphony orchestra made up of musicians playing toy instruments.

Another standout element of Ernie Kovacs was its visual style. The show often used split-screen effects, visual puns, and other innovative techniques to create a unique and visually interesting viewing experience. For example, in one sketch, Ernie Kovacs played two characters at once, using a split-screen effect to show them interacting with each other. In another, he used a forced perspective effect to make it appear as though he was walking up the side of a building.

Throughout its run, Ernie Kovacs was known for its irreverent humor and absurdist sensibility. The show often pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable on television at the time, and included risque jokes and sexual innuendo. One of the most famous recurring bits on the show was a skit called "The Nairobi Trio," which featured three performers dressed in gorilla masks and playing jazzy music on toy instruments. The skit was a favorite of fans and became a signature piece of the show.

Ernie Kovacs was also notable for its use of product placements and sponsorships. The show was sponsored by Dutch Masters cigars, and Kovacs would often incorporate the brand into his sketches. For example, in one skit, he pretended to use a cigar as a telephone. In another, he used a cigar to draw a map of the United States. These product placements were often woven into the fabric of the show, and helped to create a unique and distinct viewing experience.

Overall, Ernie Kovacs was a groundbreaking television show that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the small screen. With its surreal humor, innovative visual style, and memorable musical performances, it remains a cult favorite among fans of classic television. Whether you're a fan of comedy, music, or just great television in general, Ernie Kovacs is definitely worth checking out.

Ernie Kovacs is a series that ran for 2 seasons (29 episodes) between March 7, 1951 and on Shout Factory