Ernie Kovacs

Ernie Kovacs (January 23, 1919 - January 13, 1962) was a creative and innovative entertainer from the early days of television. His on-air antics would go on to inspire TV shows like the Uncle Floyd Show, Saturday Night Live and TV hosts like David Letterman.

Related Topics:
January 23 - 1919 - January 13 - 1962 - Television - The Uncle Floyd Show - Saturday Night Live - David Letterman

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Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Kovacs became a pioneer of television comedy as a distinct medium; earlier television comedians mostly continued comedy styles of vaudeville, film, or radio.

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Trenton, New Jersey - Comedy - Comedian - Vaudeville - Film - Radio

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His live shows were unique at the time because of their ad-libbed routines, experimentation with video effects (including superimpositions, reverse polarity, and reverse scanning which flipped images upside down), and a willingness to break the "fourth wall" by allowing viewers to see activity beyond the set - including crew members and, on occasion, outside the studio itself. He would also talk to the off-camera crew.

Related Topics:
Ad-lib - Fourth wall - Set - Studio

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