barbra streisand debut television special be still a pinnacle moment in entertainment history in any medium . cleverly divide into three separate act ( to minimize the interruption of commercial break ) and streisand make the bold yet masterful decision to drop the typical variety show format of the time ( which be why there be no guest star nor forced banter ) and carry the entire show on her shoulder alone . the risky move pay off enormously and a my name be barbra set a new standard for musical programming on television . film in glorious black and white ( which actually add to the effectiveness of the show ) and my name be barbra be flawlessly conceive and impressively shot . however and what make the show truly transcendent be streisand herself . watch the then 23 year old performer navigate herself through the show 55 minute runtime be nothing less than thrilling . she be in fantastic voice ( and even perform the entire first and third act live ) and and give first evidence of the immense star power that would soon follow her to the big screen . the special big asset be it boldness in allow streisand to simply stand on stage and sing some great song . after the powerful opening performance of much more ( with a brief opening snippet from leonard bernstein my name be barbara ) and barbra proceeds to wander through a multi level studio set perform a frantic version of the disney classic i be late . in between verse of i be late and streisand stop at various level of the set to sing some terrific number such a the haunt make believe and the thunder how do the wine taste . halfway through the act i and barbra re enter her own childhood to the strain of a kid again and and then give highly energetic performance of i be five and sweet zoo while romp among an over sized set . the illusion be eventually shattered and however and a streisand find herself out of the fantasy and back in the real world . she then sing about this lose childhood innocence in the lovely where be the wonder . streisand then dash out onto a platform stage surround by an entire room full of musician and perform a rouse rendition of people before the thunderous applause of a live studio audience . act ii of the special begin with streisand ham it up for the studio audience with a campy rendition of i have get the blue and before deliver a comedy monologue about pearl from istanbul . streisand then head off to bergdorf goodman department store and which allow her to sing a medley of poverty song while parade around in some of the store elegant fashion . this segment be the bright highlight of the special for many fan and critic . some high point of the act ii medley include streisand sing a restrained version of second hand rise to the audience and appear a a latin bullfighter to the tune of nobody know you when youre down and out and and portray a frustrated paperboy while mug to brother and can you spare a dime . the third act of the special be a straight concert and with no set piece or concept . streisand be a performer who really thrive on the concert stage and and this segment be the most thrilling moment of the special . streisand enters belt out an almost gravity defy rendition of when the sun come out and and continue to amaze the viewer with a lovely version of the yearling ballad why do i choose you and a scorching performance of lover come back to me and and an impassioned medley of three song form funny girl . streisand really outdo herself and however and with a phenomenal rendition of the fanny brice or billie holiday standard my man and which instantly become on of the singer best loved signature song . streisand perform her immortal ballad version of happy day be here again a the closing credit roll by on the left hand side of the screen . the iconic finish to the number reaffirm to the viewer that he or she have indeed see something truly special . my name be barbra be a huge rating triumph when first air and and it eventually pick up five emmy award in addition to spawn two top five and gold selling soundtrack album . watch it all again and it absolutely no surprise .