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Flip Wilson
Clerow "Flip" Wilson (December 8, 1933 – November 25,1998) was an African-American comedian and actor. His flippant sense of humor earned him his nickname while he was serving in the United States Air Force.
From 1970 to 1974, he hosted the popular television program The Flip Wilson Show. Guest stars such as Ed Sullivan , Ray Charles, Raymond Burr, B.B. King, and many others appeared on his show. As one of the few black men to host his own network television program, Wilson was an influential cultural figure in the 1970s.
He made many guest appearances on other TV comedies and variety shows, and acted in TV and theatrical movies including Uptown Saturday Night and The Fish That Saved PIttsburg.
As a comedian, Wilson was known for creating such characters as "Reverend Leroy" (pastor of "The Church of What's Happenin' Now") and "Geraldine," who was famous for the catch phrase, "The devil made me buy this dress," and "What you see is what you get"—later borrowed by various technology workers to become the term "WYSIWYG".
From1985 to1986, Wilson played the lead role in the sitcom Charlie&Co.. Wilson was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and died of liver cancer in Malibu, California.
The Flip Wilson Show
The Flip Wilson Show was a variety show that aired in the U.S.on NBC from September 17, 1970 to June 27,, 1974. The show starred black 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.
The show consisted of many skits over an hour. Flip Wilson was most famous for creating the role of Geraldine Jones, a sassy,modern woman who had a boyfriend named Killer (who, when he was not in prison, he was at the pool hall). 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.
In addition to the skits, Flip Wilson also signed many popular singers to provide entertainment. African American singers such as The Jackson Five, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, The Pointer Sisters, Charley Pride, and Roberta Flack appeared on the program, as well as many contemporary white entertainers. Usually, the singers also chose to partake in skits with Wilson.
Wilson's clout allowed him to get both the new breakout performers (such as Sandy Duncan,Lily Tomlin, George Carlin, Richard Pryor,Albert Brooks,Lola Falanda and Melba Moore all of whom became very popular during this period) as well as established singers. In late 1971, gospel legend Mahalia JAckson made one of her last public performances on The Flip Wilson Show.
While The Flip Wilson Show first shared a studio with other television series, Wilson's massive popularity allowed for him to get his own set of soundstages, starting in the fall 72 season. As the seasons went on, however, the show's ratings slipped. This, coupled with Wilson's repeated demands for higher raises in his salary, caused the series to become over-budget, and led to its cancellation.