The Flip Wilson Show
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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Cast
Seasons
- Ep 1
1.Episode 1
17-09-1970Guests stars David Frost, James Brown and The Muppets.
- Ep 2
2.Episode 2
24-09-1970Guests stars Roy Clark, Bobby Darin, Stanley Myron and Denise Nicholas
- Ep 3
3.Episode 3
01-10-1970Guests stars Lily Tomlin, Redd Foxx, The Tempatations and Roger Miller
- Ep 4
4.Episode 4
08-10-1970Guests stars Perry Como, Charlie Callas, Denise Nicholas and Lola Falana. Flip becomes his Freddie character, trying to juggle simultaneous dates with Lola Falana and Denise Nichol...
- Ep 5
5.Episode 5
15-10-1970Guests stars Raymond Burr, Stanley Myron, The Muppets, Loretta Long and Sunday's Child. Raymond Burr joins host Flip as Colonel Chicken in a comedy bit. Then the muppets join Burr...
- Ep 6
6.Episode 6
22-10-1970Guests stars Louis Armstrong, Charlie Callas, Laura Greene, Pat Morita. Flip brings out Louis Armstrong and shows his administration for the great trumpeter. Then Flip is Reverend...
- Ep 7
7.Episode 7
29-10-1970Guests stars Bill Cosby and Gina Lolabrigida.
- Ep 8
8.Episode 8
06-11-1970Guests stars Robert Goulet, Lola Falana, Robert Klein and Dean Martin. Dean Martin wanders across the hall to chat with Flip. Robert Goulet and Flip debate whether comedians or sin...
- Ep 9
9.Episode 9
13-11-1970Guests stars Moms Mabley, Marcel Marceau, Arte Johnson and Doug Kershaw. Flip and Marcel chat a bit then do a mime competition. Flip as Geraldine is now a beautician, intent on giv...
- Ep 10
10.Episode 10
20-11-1970Guests stars Bobby Darin, Charlie Pride and Ella Fitzgerald. Flip is Reverend Leroy preaching against sin when Bobby Darin as the devil gives an opposing viewpoint. Ella Fitzgerald...
- Ep 11
11.Episode 11
03-12-1970Guests stars Stevie Wonder, Connie Stevens, John Byner and Johnny Brown. Flip and Johnny Brown parodies Holmes and Watson with Connie Stevens and John Byner. Stevie Wonder accompan...
- Ep 12
12.Episode 12
10-12-1970Guests stars Lena Horne and Tony Randall. Flip and Tony Randall are prisoners sharing a cell with Flip annoyed by Tony's fastidious ways. Flip becomes Geraldine as a meter maid try...
- Ep 13
13.Episode 13
17-12-1970Guests stars Sid Caesar, Bobby Darin and B.B. King. Flip welcomes Sid Caesar as a hip saxophonist. Then Sid and Flip are a destitute father and his child in a comedic pantomime. B....
- Ep 14
14.Episode 14
24-12-1970Guests stars Burl Ives, Slim Gaillard and Sha-Na-Na. Sha-Na-Na opens with a rendition of "Blue Moon." Burl Ives recites Twas the Night Before Christmas while Flip does a silent rec...
- Ep 15
15.Episode 15
07-01-1971Guests stars Bing Crosby, The Supremes and David Steinberg. Flip shops for a lady friend's gift at a store staffed by David Steinberg and The Supremes. Flip and Bing duet a comedic...
- Ep 16
16.Episode 16
17-01-1971Guests stars Steve Lawrence, Zero Mostel and Roberta Flack. Zero Mostel is a crazed street artist who paints Flip in an interesting fashion. Flip and Steve Lawrence are prospective...
- Ep 17
17.Episode 17
21-01-1971Guests stars Muhammed Ali, Lily Tomlin and Bobby Darin.
- Ep 18
18.Episode 18
28-01-1971Guests stars Bill Cosby, Nancy Wilson and Claudine Langet.
- Ep 19
19.Episode 19
04-02-1971Guests stars Joe Namath, George Carlin and Johnny Mathis. Flip and Johnny Mathis sing about animals while their dogs steal the show. Flip's Geraldine character breaks up Joe Namath...
- Ep 20
20.Episode 20
11-02-1971Guests stars Art Carney and Barbara Feldon.
- Ep 21
21.Episode 21
18-02-1971Guests stars Aretha Franklin, David Frostand and Charlie Callas. Flip welcomes guest Aretha Franklin who sings "Someday" and "Mixed-up Girl." The comedy David Frost tries to ferret...
- Ep 22
22.Episode 22
25-02-1971Guests stars Don Rickles, Leslie Uggams and Ray Charles.
- Ep 23
23.Episode 23
04-03-1971Guests stars Diahann Carroll, Tim Conway and Robert Klein. Flip and Tim engage in a high stakes poker game, then Flip as Freddie bartender at a society party attended by Diahann an...
- Ep 24
24.Episode 24
11-03-1971Guests stars Lena Horne and George Carlin. Flip sings, then does a Q & A with the audience. Flip and George are hip radio personalities in a sketch. Flip, as Reverend Leroy, visits...
- Ep 25
25.Episode 25
18-03-1971Guests stars Lily Tomlin, Hamid Hamilton Camp and Gaylord & Holiday. Flip invites all his guests to do a little dance at the beginning of the show. Lily Tomlin does her Ernestine t...
- Ep 26
26.Episode 26
01-04-1971Guests stars Tim Conway, Sandy Duncan and Johnny Brown.
- Ep 27
27.Episode 27
08-04-1971Guests stars Tim Conway, Sandy Duncan and Johnny Brown.
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