“Television: A medium. So called because it's neither rare nor well done.”
-Ernie Kovacs

Ernie Kovacs is perhaps the greatest role model that any comedian can have, especially any comedian who wants to get into television.

Born on January 23rd, 1919 in Trenton, New Jersey, Ernest Edward Kovacs has often been referred to as "Television’s Original Genius." Believe me, folks, this is a moniker that is quite appropriate when used to describe this brilliant man.

While in high school, Ernie was influenced greatly by his drama teacher, Harold Van Kirk. Upon graduation he went to acting school and through a series of bizarre events ended up as a Disc Jockey on Trenton radio station WTTM.

The affable and hysterically funny Ernie quickly became a huge hit with Trentonians and soon had his own newspaper column. This led to a stint starting in 1949-50 at WPTZ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Philadelphia. The medium was brand new, and Ernie was young and brimming with fresh and innovative ideas to bring to this new toy. And in bringing his considerable gifts to the airwaves, he changed the way we view television forever.

He was the first performer to realize how to use television’s intrinsic qualities to make a comedically visual statement. And, he created characters which influenced everyone from SNL to David Letterman and beyond.

On January 12th 1962, a car accident in Los Angeles took Ernie from us, at the height of his popularity. But, his large legend lives forever.