73 million viewers may not seem all that remarkable in an era when the biggest televised events can attract an audience exceeding a billion. But having more than 140 million eyeballs watching grainy black & white screens was big news in 1964. The attraction was America's first chance to see the Beatles. As marginal as the visual quality of the telecast from the Ed Sullivan Theater was on that Sunday night in February, the sound was just as bad. Rudimentary audio capabilities were only partly to blame; an audience packed with young ladies in a state of hormonal driven hysteria screaming so loud it's a wonder no lungs landed on the stage took care of the rest. UMe plans to release the complete performances John, Paul, George & Ringo turned in for the tuned in masses during appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 AND '65. The May 24, 1964 appearance includes 13 minutes of previously unreleased footage, including Sullivan's interview segment with band members. Whether the remastered 5:1 audio makes the music more audible or just results in the screams shattering your HD screen remains to be seen. The DVD comes out September 7.
USAToday.com TVWeek.com
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