"Reportedly developed and produced by NBC as a ""rival"" to CBS's Ed Sullivan Show (which ran during the same time slot on Sunday nights), The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950-55) was one of the firs t all-star comedy showcases on American television. Producers brought together the crème-de-la-crème of talent: regulars included such giants as Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Bob Hope, Fred Allen, and Jimmy Durante - many of whom appeared during the same seasons. The original format involved incorporating three ""mini"" series into the program: one toplined by Allen, one by Martin and Lewis , and one by Cantor. This box set hones in exclusively on four episodes of the program that starred Martin and Lewis. Special guests include Polly Bergen, Coinnie Russell, Dorothy Dandridge and Helen O'Connell"