The Flip Wilson Show (1970)
The Flip Wilson Show is an hour long variety show that aired in the U.S. on NBC from September 17, 1970 to June 27, 1974. The show starred American comedian Flip Wilson; the program was one of the first American television programs starring a black person in the title role to become highly successful with a white audience. Specifically, it was the first successful network variety series starring an African American. During its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings made it the nation's second most watched show. The show consisted of many skits over an hour. It also broke new ground in American television by using a 'Theatre-in-the-Round' stage format, with the audience seated on all sides of a circular performance area. Wilson was most famous for creating the role of Geraldine Jones, a sassy, modern woman who had a boyfriend named Killer. Flip also created the role of Reverend Leroy, who was the minister of the Church of What's Happening Now!. New parishioners were wary of coming to the church as it was hinted that Reverend Leroy was a con artist. Wilson popularized such catchphrases as "What you see is what you get", and "The devil made me do it!".
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Episode 1 - Buddy Hackett, Ruth Buzzi, Richard Pryor, William Attmore II
Release Date: 1973-09-20Flip tells about Leroy the Terrible and gives his guests a long intro. Child musician William Attmore does several routines with Flip. Flip shares a hospital room with Buddy Hackett with Richard as an agent, Ruth the nurse.
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Episode 2 - The Pointer Sisters, Monty Hall, Sandy Duncan, William Windom
Release Date: 1973-09-27Flip and the Pointer Sisters reminisce with the siblings singing about the good old days. Monty serves up Let's Make A Deal with Windom as announcer and Geraldine a contestant. The Pointers return for a rousing scat number.
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Episode 3 - Richard Pryor, Booby Sandler, Ralph Edwards, Nat Purefoy
Release Date: 1973-10-04Flip tries to impress a lady with outrageous tales but Pryor, as his friend Calvin, starts telling even more outlandish stories. Ralph Edwards hosts a This is Your Life with Flip as Geraldine being the show's focus.
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Episode 4 - Redd Foxx, Joan Rivers
Release Date: 1973-10-11Joan Rivers acts as a superstitious gambler who wants Flip's seat at the blackjack table which he's reluctant to give up. Then Flip becomes a street painter trying to make it big with Redd as his subject. Helen sings.
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Episode 5 - Leonard Nimoy, Tonald Mingo
Release Date: 1973-10-18 -
Episode 6 - Burns & Schreiber, Falumi Prince, Harry Belafonte
Release Date: 1973-10-25Flip is a street tie salesman and enlists Harry Belafonte to bring in customers. Harry then performs a soulful ballad. Flip becomes Geraldine, going on a Caribbean vacation where she engages with Burns and Schreiber.
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Episode 7 - Slappy White, Carol Lawrence, Robert Goulet
Release Date: 1973-11-01Flip does corny vaudeville routines with guests Slappy and Robert then Carol Lawrence does an old time burlesque dance. Carol recreates with Flip, her husband Robert and audience members a Hollywood production number.
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Episode 8 - Lee Grant, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Andrew Johnson, Hank Aaron
Release Date: 1973-11-15Flip explains baseball to Hank Aaron then he directs Lee Grant, a supposedly ordinary housewife, in a TV ad. Hank appears at a BBQ joint run by Flip and Gladys. Gladys and her Pips groove to "Midnight Train to Georgia."
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Episode 9 - Tim Conway, Richard Pryor & Roman K
Release Date: 1973-11-29Flip tells of a man trying to get his mother-in-law to leave. Mental illusionist Romark performs with audience participation. Flip, Tim Conway, and Richard Pryor do improve with one chair as a prop.
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Episode 10 - Tim Conway, Stiller & Meara, Aretha Franklin
Release Date: 1973-12-13Flip opens with a Reverend Freddie story, then deals with Tim as a beserk fast food clown. Jerry Stiller is a dentist with Anne Meara his reluctant patient. Aretha Franklin soulfully croons "Mr. Pain."
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Episode 11 - Burns & Schreiber, The Fifth Dimension
Release Date: 1973-12-20Flip, in his Reverend Leroy persona, visits old friends Burns and Schreiber who are now monks. Flip tries to include himself in a Fifth Dimension number but they perform "Flashback " without him.
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Episode 12 - Anthony Newley, Jack Klugman, Roscoe Lee Brown, Franklin Ajaye
Release Date: 1973-12-27Flip, Anthony, and Roscoe Lee do a bit about mistaken identity at a restaurant. Later Flip is a horse trainer that needs to substitute one horse for another with Roscoe Lee's help.
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Episode 13 - Philip Paley, Ted Knight, Chuck Norris
Release Date: 1974-01-03Chuck Norris's appearance is solely as the karate instructor accompanying a 9 year old black belt who interacts with Flip. Chuck is introduced as his instructor and that is all. Look for quick shot of Michael Jackson (with afro) sitting in audience.
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Episode 14 - Roy Clark, Bobby Sandler, Melba Moore
Release Date: 1974-01-10Roy is a customer at Flip's greasy spoon diner. Then Roy sings two songs including "Rolling in my Sweet Baby's Arms" with the Clark Family Band. Flip tries to romance Melba in a record store then she belts out "Don't Rain On My Parade."
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Episode 15 - Dennis Weaver, O.J. Simpson, Len Glasgow, Ernie Robinson
Release Date: 1974-01-17Flip opens and closes with a heart felt speech. Flip appears Geraldine at a Las Vegas wedding chapel run by Dennis Weaver. OJ is TJ substituting for Killer as the groom.
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Episode 16 - Steve Lawrence, Richard Pryor, Kenny Livingston, Keyy Lester
Release Date: 1974-02-07Flip does a risque routine about ancient Rome and a special berry. Flip helps best friend Richard with relationship problems when he shows up at 3 in the morning. Steve Lawrence joins Flip's carpool because of the energy crisis.
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Episode 17 - Tony Randall, Bob & Ray, Lena Horne
Release Date: 1974-02-21Don Adams depicts a compulsive gambler who asks Flip to hold $2,000 for him and not return it no matter how much he begs. Redd does his stand up then Flip joins him for a Q&A with the audience.
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Episode 18 - Don Adams, Redd Foxx, Mac Davis
Release Date: 1974-02-28Don Adams depicts a compulsive gambler who asks Flip to hold $2,000 for him and not return it no matter how much he begs. Redd does his stand up then Flip joins him for a Q&A with the audience.