The Ernie Kovacs Collection

Ernie performs cartoon gags, relates directly to us through the television set and even does something we'd probably do during the show . . . get a drink of water.

This is a kine from an unknown date during the show's actual run. The TV set bit and others -- now that Ernie's worked things out with the director and crew -- is shot properly.

Ernie was given this nightly prime-time slot as a summer replacement for popular puppet show Kukla, Fran And Ollie on the NBC network.

Ernie was given this nightly prime-time slot as a summer replacement for popular puppet show Kukla, Fran And Ollie on the NBC network.

Ernie was given this network daytime half-hour variety show from January through March of 1952, originating from WPTZ and airing nationally on NBC.

Ernie's daily show for CBS started in a midday slot of 45 minutes and moved to mornings at one hour at the beginning of 1953. Kovacs transplanted his Philly wake-up show to New York City and was now seen by a national audience.

After "Kovacs Unlimited" was canceled, Ernie did a similar program in a late-night slot for the fledgling DuMont network from April 1954 to April 1955, and then landed at NBC that fall.

After "Kovacs Unlimited" was canceled, Ernie did a similar program in a late-night slot for the fledgling DuMont network from April 1954 to April 1955, and then landed at NBC that fall.

After "Kovacs Unlimited" was canceled, Ernie did a similar program in a late-night slot for the fledgling DuMont network from April 1954 to April 1955, and then landed at NBC that fall.

After "Kovacs Unlimited" was canceled, Ernie did a similar program in a late-night slot for the fledgling DuMont network from April 1954 to April 1955, and then landed at NBC that fall.

After "Kovacs Unlimited" was canceled, Ernie did a similar program in a late-night slot for the fledgling DuMont network from April 1954 to April 1955, and then landed at NBC that fall.

This was Ernie's chance to do a full-scale Sid-Caesar-Steve-Allen-high-profile-big-budget-comedy-variety show, and to prove to the network brass he could deliver what he thought they expected while staying true to his own style and humor.

This was Ernie's chance to do a full-scale Sid-Caesar-Steve-Allen-high-profile-big-budget-comedy-variety show, and to prove to the network brass he could deliver what he thought they expected while staying true to his own style and humor.

This was Ernie's chance to do a full-scale Sid-Caesar-Steve-Allen-high-profile-big-budget-comedy-variety show, and to prove to the network brass he could deliver what he thought they expected while staying true to his own style and humor.

Nicknamed The Silent Show, this 30-minute program was a turning point in Kovacs' career and in his television work itself.

Having for the first time the luxury of recording the show on videotape -- and without a studio audience -- Kovacs points his camera eye at his love for music, which Juilliard graduate Edie Adams had deepened over the years.

Airing monthly from April 1961 to January 1962, with a break in the summer, these shows are Kovacs' essence and contain many of his iconic masterpieces of comedy, visuals and love of music.

Airing monthly from April 1961 to January 1962, with a break in the summer, these shows are Kovacs' essence and contain many of his iconic masterpieces of comedy, visuals and love of music.

Airing monthly from April 1961 to January 1962, with a break in the summer, these shows are Kovacs' essence and contain many of his iconic masterpieces of comedy, visuals and love of music.

Airing monthly from April 1961 to January 1962, with a break in the summer, these shows are Kovacs' essence and contain many of his iconic masterpieces of comedy, visuals and love of music.

Airing monthly from April 1961 to January 1962, with a break in the summer, these shows are Kovacs' essence and contain many of his iconic masterpieces of comedy, visuals and love of music.