From January to March 1956 Elvis appeared in six editions of "The Stage Show". At the time the show was aired on CBS-TV every Saturday between 8:00 pm and 8:30 pm and was presented by Thommy and Jimmy Dorsey.

Production

To bypass the summer break of his own show, in 1954 Jackie Gleason produced a variety program of one hour called "The Stage Show". It was hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, who performed with their own big band and presented other artists. In the fall of 1955 the show became a regular feature and was aired every Saturday between 8:00 pm and 8:30 pm. The budget was narrow and "The Stage Show" never had a chance against the popular "The Perry Como Show" that NBC aired at the same time. In the spring of 1956 Gleason substituted the Dorseys with Jack Carter, a well known singer, actor and comidian. But as the ratings continued to be low, CBS cancelled the show on September 18, 1956.

The contract between Jackie Gleason and Elvis Presley was signed on December 19, 1955 and was a win-win situation. "The Stage Show" focused on music of the swing and big band era, was quite old fashioned and suffered of low ratings. The new RCA recording artist was a chance to update the program. Besides that he was relatively unknown and therefore affordable. For Elvis it was an opportunity to be introduced to a bigger audience and to be seen nationwide. Colonel Parker dealt out a contract of four performances to be paid with $1,250 each with an option of two additional performances for $1,500 apiece. Gleason quickly realized that the young singer was one of the very few highlights of "The Stage Show" and drew the option right after his second appearance.

Unlike the producer the hosts were not too keen of having Elvis in the show and asked to cancel his contract after each performance. Even though they liked him as a person, they didn't appreciate his music, his movements and the way he dressed. To the Dorseys this kid represented everything they didn't want to see on television.

After his contract ran out Elvis never returned to "The Stage Show". It was not because of Jimmy and Thommy Dorsey (they would be replaced a few weeks later anyway), but because of an offer from Milton Berle. His show had a far bigger audience and he paid twice as much as Jackie Gleason. With "Heartbreak Hotel" and the album "Elvis Presley" reaching the top of the charts the singer had outgrown "The Stage Show" within two months.

January 28, 1956

The show is opened by the June Taylor Dancers, followed by The Dorsey Big Band and the singer Sarah Vaughan. Then the popular DJ Bill Randle appears and announces a newcomer named Elvis Presley. He sings a medley of "Shake, Rattle And Roll" and "Flip, Flop And Fly" and performes Ray Charles' "I Got A Woman". Elvis announces the tune as "I got a woman way across town" and does it in a way, that leaves no doubt which part of the town is meant. The show ends with some nice words from the Dorseys about the young singer and of course they also mention that he'll be back on the programme next week.

February 04, 1956

The characteristic opening is followed by two chimpanzees named Tippy and Cobin, after that the comedian Joe E. Brown performes his act. Once again the newcomer is presented at the finale of the show. Obviously there are more teenagers than usual in the audience, because this time the announcement of Elvis is met with applause. Even though "Heartbreak Hotel" was already announced as the singer's first RCA Victor release, he performs "Baby, Let's Play House" and "Tutti Frutti". When Elvis' movements are met with sreeches, he reacts and gives the girls some more. The singer also displays a touch of irony when he describes the hedged sexuality of "Tutti Frutty" as "a little song that really tells a story, really makes a lot of sense". Once again the Dorsey brothers find some nice words about their guest, who pretents to thrust Joe E. Brown aside during the curtain call. The comedian joins in and both men seem to enjoy the little joke.

February 11, 1956

This edition of "The Stage Show" offers a real star: Ella Fitzgerald! Right after the big band opening she performs two songs. The newcomer follows with "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Heartbreak Hotel". The last mentioned song also includes the Dorsey's jazz orchestra, but it sounds very much out of place and it's quite obvious that Thommy and Jimmy have no access to this new kind of music. It's also noticable that Elvis moves much less than during his last performance and the audience is much more quiet. I am sure they all came to see Ella and didn't care for this strange young singer at all.

February 18, 1956

This time Elvis opens the show, he performs "Tutti Frutti" and "I Was The One". It's the first time he sings a ballad on tv and it's also the first time he presents himself with a group of harmony singers. They are the show's own vocalists, I guess the budget was too tight to hire The Jordanaires. By now the young singer has worked out his act. He gives the impression of being more confident and his movements appear to be calculated. The audience is also louder, there are obviously more teenagers in the studio than the previous week. Elvis is followed by two comedians, Henny Youngman and Morey Amsterdam.

March 17, 1956

To overcome the low viewing figures Jackie Gleason stages a St. Patricks Day-special (in which all guests are announced with fake irish names a' la Elvis O' Presley) at 8:30 pm. Tommy Dorsey presents Elvis as "an entertainer whose provocative style has kicked up a storm all around the country" and the audience goes wild when he mentiones his name. Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" is performed the usual way, but this time the big band doesn't perform on "Heartbreak Hotel". Maybe the Dorseys had realized that it just didn't fit. After Elvis had done his two numbers, the comedian Henny Youngman performed, followed by organist Glenn Derringer.

March 24, 1956

Before Elvis opens the show with "Money Honey" and "Heartbreak Hotel" Jimmy Dorsey announces, that the singer is going to do a screen test in Hollywood. By now Elvis uses less hair gel and his coiffure looks a tad more conservative. He has worked out his movements, his whole act appears to be more professional and calculated. Without doubt the "Stage Show" was his apprenticeship for prensenting himself on television. Elvis was followed by Glenn Derringer and a tap dance performance by Condos & Brandow.

Elvis performing "Tutti Frutti" on February 2, 1956