1956.03.04 “TV Update 1956”
By Eddie Germano (1924 - 2026)
14.5 x 11, ink on board
Coppola Collection
A native Bostonian, Germano became a full-time cartoonist in 1948, at age 24, after serving in WWII. Among other positions, he worked as the editorial and sports cartoonist for the Brockton Enterprise from 1963-1990.
Germano handled the TV beat for a few years. He (or his editor) was able to get hand-written notes from the featured subjects to integrate into the 3-column Sunday illustrations.
The idea of broadcast television on a finite number of networks at less than 24 hours a day … more and more of anachronistic history. What is coming up on your shows next week? A guy draws a cartoon of this for the Sunday papers. Of course, details about every single one of these is discoverable in seconds with an internet search.
Charles Boyer guest stars on “I Love Lucy” (March 5, 1956).
Sir Cedric Hardwicke plays Ceasar (March 5, 1956).
Bing Crosby, who only likes to appear on tape, on the “Ford Star Jubilee” (March 10, 1956).
Betty Grable as Cleopatra Collins (March 9, 1956).
And “Wide Wide World” presents an unprecedented 3-hour performance of Richard III (March 11, 1956).
TV programming was still highly influenced by the stage and film. That’s one situation comedy, two dramas, and two Shakespeare.
