He was America's first television superstar. His show, which ran from 1948 to 1956, attracted up to 80% of the TV audience. Who was he?

In the earliest days of television, one man was so dominant that he became known as "Mr. Television." That man was Milton Berle, a vaudeville veteran whose wildly energetic and visual style of comedy was perfectly suited for the new medium. Starting in 1948, he hosted the *Texaco Star Theater*, a variety show that quickly became appointment viewing for the entire nation. His slapstick humor, outrageous costumes, and rapid-fire gags made him a weekly fixture in American homes.

Berle's cultural impact was staggering and is difficult to overstate. He is credited with driving the initial boom in television set sales, as families bought the new device specifically so they wouldn't miss "Uncle Miltie," his popular nickname. On Tuesday nights when his show aired, water pressure in cities would reportedly drop during commercial breaks as the entire country used the restroom at once. At its peak, the show captured up to 80% of the total television audience, a market share that is unheard of today.

While his brand of comedy eventually became less popular as television tastes evolved, Berle's legacy as the medium's first true superstar was cemented. He proved that television could be a powerful force in mass entertainment, paving the way for every star who followed.