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.