I loved Flip Wilson! Geraldine is still one of my favorite TV characters of all time. And ,strangely, a fairly attractive woman for a short Black man. In the late 90's I was at the hospital in the wee hours of the morning and saw "The Flip Wilson Show" on a television. There was the sudden realization that so many of his catchphrases had worked their way into my personal lexicon ("Don't touch me, you don't know me that well!") that persists to this day. You're right about his and others influence on rural white Americans to acknowledge, accept, enjoy, and celebrate Blackness. Well, some of us anyway. I had wondered what became of him and just hope through his troubles he could still find some happiness. He deserved that having made so many so happy.
I"m about the same age and had the exact same experience with the Flip Wilson show. Being in rural Texas, it was interesting to me how white people with their overt prejudice against Blacks could laugh and relate so well to Flip Wilson. When Flip Wilson was on, everyone was rolling on the floor. The integration of TV during the 60's had the intended effect. Children were exposed to something different than the insular and narrow-minded prejudice of their parents.
I have to give my parents their due- my mom, in particular, was having no part of the racism that was prevalent in the town where I grew up. But, man, I heard a lot of shit from other people, including school teachers and football coaches. I knew it was wrong, but Flip Wilson really did help clue me in. I was only eight years old! I saw him and his guests at the right time.
One of the few lasting memories of my childhood was lying in a hospital room in May 1973 (I had a congenital thing to fix) and watching Flip Wilson, as I occasionally was allowed to do at home. Never knew what happened, though I figured drugs were to blame. A damn shame. He was so talented.
Great story. Flip was definitely a force. His characters were real in many ways. It’s too bad he had such a tough life, but he brought joy to many of us along the way. Thank you for reminding me of his wonderful talent.
Genius comedian. One of my favorite Wilson skits is a game show with Andy Griffith as host and Roscoe Lee Browne as the opponent. Browne, with his distinguished voice and regal air, insulted Flip, to which Flip responded, “After the revolution, we won’t all be necessary.” Griffith lost it.
That's VERY funny. You have to be able to hear Roscoe Lee Browne's voice in your head to get the impact of the joke. (When I was in L.A. one time, I saw Browne going into a liquor store wearing Bermuda shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals! It was like he didn't realize he was Roscoe Lee Browne!)
That’s amazing. Browne often reminded me of William Marshall—men who sounded like Shakespearean actors and carried themselves like royalty. I think Browne was always in on the joke—it was an act that got him work. Marshall was a serious actor who elevated everything he was in, like the ST episode, The Ultimate Computer. Class acts, all.
When I was a teenager (late 60s) I laughed SO hard at the stand-up stuff he did on TV. And at that (now) non-PC titled LP. Flip Wilson is dead. Long live Flip Wilso !
I loved Flip Wilson! Geraldine is still one of my favorite TV characters of all time. And ,strangely, a fairly attractive woman for a short Black man. In the late 90's I was at the hospital in the wee hours of the morning and saw "The Flip Wilson Show" on a television. There was the sudden realization that so many of his catchphrases had worked their way into my personal lexicon ("Don't touch me, you don't know me that well!") that persists to this day. You're right about his and others influence on rural white Americans to acknowledge, accept, enjoy, and celebrate Blackness. Well, some of us anyway. I had wondered what became of him and just hope through his troubles he could still find some happiness. He deserved that having made so many so happy.
I am coveting your t-shirt.
As a Boomer (b. 1963) I loved Flip Wilson and his alter ego Geraldine, and I agree he hasn’t gotten his historical due. Great comedian.
Thanks a heap. Flip flew high. We could use an encore, or a second coming, or at least a proxy.
I"m about the same age and had the exact same experience with the Flip Wilson show. Being in rural Texas, it was interesting to me how white people with their overt prejudice against Blacks could laugh and relate so well to Flip Wilson. When Flip Wilson was on, everyone was rolling on the floor. The integration of TV during the 60's had the intended effect. Children were exposed to something different than the insular and narrow-minded prejudice of their parents.
I have to give my parents their due- my mom, in particular, was having no part of the racism that was prevalent in the town where I grew up. But, man, I heard a lot of shit from other people, including school teachers and football coaches. I knew it was wrong, but Flip Wilson really did help clue me in. I was only eight years old! I saw him and his guests at the right time.
Same. I was the same age.
One of the few lasting memories of my childhood was lying in a hospital room in May 1973 (I had a congenital thing to fix) and watching Flip Wilson, as I occasionally was allowed to do at home. Never knew what happened, though I figured drugs were to blame. A damn shame. He was so talented.
Great story. As a contemporary, he was “the shit” in those days along with Laugh In. His writing crew was a total Hall of Fame.
I'll probably write about Laugh-In eventually. I used to watch that, too, and can name about eight cast members off the top of my head!
Loved the talent that man exuded.
Great story. Flip was definitely a force. His characters were real in many ways. It’s too bad he had such a tough life, but he brought joy to many of us along the way. Thank you for reminding me of his wonderful talent.
Well done, thanks.
Great subject! You're totally right. He needs to be appreciated more.
We loved Flip at our house. It was sad to see his life’s trajectory. Thanks for bringing him around again!
Genius comedian. One of my favorite Wilson skits is a game show with Andy Griffith as host and Roscoe Lee Browne as the opponent. Browne, with his distinguished voice and regal air, insulted Flip, to which Flip responded, “After the revolution, we won’t all be necessary.” Griffith lost it.
That's VERY funny. You have to be able to hear Roscoe Lee Browne's voice in your head to get the impact of the joke. (When I was in L.A. one time, I saw Browne going into a liquor store wearing Bermuda shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals! It was like he didn't realize he was Roscoe Lee Browne!)
That’s amazing. Browne often reminded me of William Marshall—men who sounded like Shakespearean actors and carried themselves like royalty. I think Browne was always in on the joke—it was an act that got him work. Marshall was a serious actor who elevated everything he was in, like the ST episode, The Ultimate Computer. Class acts, all.
When I was a teenager (late 60s) I laughed SO hard at the stand-up stuff he did on TV. And at that (now) non-PC titled LP. Flip Wilson is dead. Long live Flip Wilso !
My number 1 favorite comedian. Heartbreaking that he couldn’t get out from under his very severe problems. He was the best! ❤️
Well done! Thank you. Love the tee!