The Nat King Cole Show Debut 1956

November 5, 1956, "The Nat King Cole Show" debuted on NBC-TV in America. The Cole program was the first of its kind hosted by an African-American. It was 15 minutes long ...

In the mid-1950s, 15-minute TV shows weren't unusual. Networks usually split an early-evening half hour into two halves - one for news and the other for an entertainment show. In NBC's case, during the 1956-57 season, the 7:45-8:00 pm slot was filled by popular newsmen Huntley and Brinkley, while at 7:30-7:45, viewers saw Eddie Fisher on Wednesday and Friday, Jonathan Winters on Tuesday, Dinah Shore on Thursday, and Nat King Cole on Monday.