Ernie Kovacs: Tele-visionary at 100
The Archive concludes its Ernie Kovacs Centennial celebration with an appropriately idiosyncratic evening of television curios illuminating but a few of the innumerous aspects and talents of the legendary entertainer. Born in Trenton, New Jersey in 1919, Kovacs rose from obscurity in local radio in the 1940s to pioneering the television morning show format on NBC’s Philadelphia affiliate WPTZ by the early 1950s. By the end of that decade, Kovacs had costarred in several major motion pictures and boasted a credit list that included television series (of varying formats and time slots, including a game show) on every major network. The start of the 1960s brought more roles in features as well as the pinnacle of his artistic achievements, his remarkably innovative swan song, The Ernie Kovacs Show on ABC-TV. Tragically killed in a car accident in the prime of his creativity, Kovacs remains a highly-influential, true original who defies simple categorization: surrealist, postmodernist, broadcaster, video artist, comedian, and more.
In addition to the programs listed below, the evening includes a specially curated reel of outtakes and video rarities.
Program curated and notes written by Mark Quigley, John H. Mitchell Television Archivist.
This event is co-presented by the Hammer Museum at UCLA and the UCLA Film & Television Archive.
Event Date: Friday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Hammer Museum
Price: Archive tickets are $9 general admission and free for UCLA students. Advance tickets are available on the Film & Television Archive website. Please review the Archive's ticketing policy.
The Hammer is located at the corner of Westwood and Wilshire boulevards in Westwood Village, three blocks east of the 405 freeway’s Wilshire exit.
Parking is available under the museum.
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