Flip Wilson
Dan has been counting down his Top Ten TV Shows, which got me to thinking about some of the shows my family used to watch together when I was a kid.
Mostly I remember variety shows. Those must've been big in the seventies. The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour was a big favorite, along with The Mac Davis Show, The Carol Burnett Show, Sonny & Cher, Ken Berry's Wow Show, and The Shields and Yarnell Show.
But I think the one that made me laugh the loudest was The Flip Wilson Show. I have no idea why, but characters like Geraldine and Reverend Leroy were absolutely hilarious to my 6-year-old mind.
Flip Wilson had such an easygoing manner when he just came out to tell jokes or talk with the audience. He was most likely the first black person I watched regularly on TV, at a time when TV was still a mostly segregated medium.
Flip didn't find much success after his variety show was canceled in 1974. Too bad, he was an original. Here's a clip of him from The Tonight Show. Watch for Johnny Carson's reaction at the end.
Mostly I remember variety shows. Those must've been big in the seventies. The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour was a big favorite, along with The Mac Davis Show, The Carol Burnett Show, Sonny & Cher, Ken Berry's Wow Show, and The Shields and Yarnell Show.
But I think the one that made me laugh the loudest was The Flip Wilson Show. I have no idea why, but characters like Geraldine and Reverend Leroy were absolutely hilarious to my 6-year-old mind.
Flip Wilson had such an easygoing manner when he just came out to tell jokes or talk with the audience. He was most likely the first black person I watched regularly on TV, at a time when TV was still a mostly segregated medium.
Flip didn't find much success after his variety show was canceled in 1974. Too bad, he was an original. Here's a clip of him from The Tonight Show. Watch for Johnny Carson's reaction at the end.
Permalink posted by Phil at 5:24 PM
12 Comments:
I used to love The Flip Wilson Show.
I, too, grew up with the variety shows of the seventies. Loved the Carol Burnett Show when they would crack themselves up during a skit. That was some good tv!
You have a great blog going on here. You are also my neighbor, I live in MT.
I loved a lot of those old variety shows but I'm not sure I ever caught the Flip Wilson Show.
I've never even heard of it. Are you sure you don't mean Sgt. Bilko? :)
Gosh, we had Knight rider, The A-team, Dallas, The Waltons etc.
I think I mentioned Sha Na Na show, and Donny and Marie Osmond show and Chips.
I don't know any of the shows you mentioned, I suppose it all depended on what SA could buy at that stage.
Hey, didn't Seinfeld steal that routine?
Hey i got a cute monkey. He could use a few bananas now and then at key moments ;)
Brings back memories.
Our family was big on variety shows too. Carol Burnett show still makes me laugh. Maybe I am dating myself but, we also watched "Laugh In" and 'Smothers Brothers' There was special time with my dad and little brother watching "Emergency" and "Adam 12". TV is limited in our house, but when it is on, we are all watching together, creating memories for the boys.
Ah, television back then! Those were the days, weren't they. I wish we still had variety shows (I'm definitely not counting our dancing stars and singing unknowns). I absolutely loved the Carol Burnett Show. Oh, to reminisce!
TV is just so junky right now. I guess back then there were so few choices that you had to make sure what you put on was good. Now it doesn't seem to matter.
I always admired the way he carried himself in an interview. So natural and open with the host. Today, people go onto talk shows to sell themselves. Mr. Wilson's goals were decidedly more audience-focused.
Definitely an era to be cherished.
Flippin' funny! I too heard that routine by someone else recently. I wish I could remember who so I could bust them!
When I was a kid, my family and I were on the same flight as Flip. At the landing gate, cops came through the plane and arrested him. It's kind of nice to see him again.
Mike
Thanks for sharing that! I loved watching Flip too. I was also a big Carol Burnett fan. I sure miss those great shows. Flip was absolutely hysterical as Geraldine. :D
Johnny's reaction is priceless!
Post a Comment
<< Home