Jackie Mason – The Ed Sullivan Show
During the 1960s, receiving an invitation to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show had the potential to catapult anyone’s career to remarkable heights. Comedian Jackie Mason was lucky enough to develop a friendship with Sullivan and appeared on the show several times until there was one misunderstanding. During a performance on an episode in 1964, Sullivan discreetly signaled to Mason that there were merely two minutes remaining, indicating that he should conclude his act.
Mason gave a playful gesture back, and Sullivan thought it was the middle finger. Mason was banned from the show until he made an on-air apology years later.