White said she wasn't going to budge: Evidently through the South at that point it was a very heavy [thing], and I said, Im sorry, but he stays [] Live with it! White said. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. . Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . Following his breakthrough performances on variety shows, Arthur Duncan was invited to be part of Bob Hopes troupe of performers to tour US military bases and was the first African-American to do so. ]); Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. You never call. Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. ', 'What could be better than show business? She didnt have an idea of the extent to which it would enrage her market, yet the collective furor didnt crush her spirit or change her mind. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. Arthur said, "She . In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. aid: '769722', She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. The first TV show I had ever been on, and I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, in television, he said. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. Duncan credits White for starting his career. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . Betty White, whose more than 80-year career included Emmy-winning roles on sitcoms "The Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," died on Dec. 31. on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. If Betty White was able to extend so much love and admiration to everyone shed come across over the years, anyone can do the same. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. I was on the show, and they had some letters out of Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there, the then-83-year-old said. You never call. "I'm ready to go now," he said. In the early 1950s, White faced criticism for featuring Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer and singer, on a few episodes of her variety talk show The Betty White Show.. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. 1. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. He Was Fatally Beaten by Memphis Police Now People Around the World Are Sharing #SunsetsForTyre in His Honor, 41 Daughter Quotes That Will Touch and Melt Your Heart, The Empowering Truth Behind John Cena and Dwayne The Rock Johnsons Feud, Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally Have a Few Things to Say About 20 Years of Marriage and We Should Listen, How the Boy From the Success Kid Meme Helped Raise Over $100,000 to Save His Dads Life, Actress Goes to Pick Up Her Car From Valet Parking Finds an Insulting Note on the Ticket That Mortifies Her, Strangers Spring Into Action to Save a Driver in Crisis on a Busy Road [VIDEO], 8-Year-Old Finds Out His Favorite Waffle House Waiter Is Hiding a Secret Doesnt Hesitate to Raise $64,000 for Him, White Woman Refuses to Listen to Dad After He Forbid Her From Marrying a Black Man 60 Years Later, Theyre Still Together. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. Arthur Duncan was a tap dancer and singer known for his regular appearances on "The Betty White Show" and "The Lawrence Welk Show." Died: January 4, 2023 ( Who else died on January 4? What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. When The Betty White Show was rolled out on TV channels across the US, many stations and viewers in southern US states threatened to boycott the show unless Arthur Duncan was removed owing to the segregation laws and attitudes towards race that were prevalent at the time. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. When Steve Harvey asked Arthur what it was like to see his old friend, he joked, Im ready to go now. But before God could take him, Arthur wanted to catch up with Betty first. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. Still, as the only Black cast member, the show also posed a unique risk to Duncan, according to dance historian Constance Valis Hill: In an era in which blacks and whites did not even hold hands, let alone kiss each other on nationally broadcast television programs, Duncan was often seen standing in the background, trying very hard not to look like he was with any of the women on the program.. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. Unfortunately, the show was canceled the same year, though its hard to say whether it was a direct result of the outcry or if interest was waning in general. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. In the 1950s, representation on television was still a controversial subject, and the gatekeepers of the industry werent even keen on having women run shows. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KLAC-TV (now KCOP-TV) in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. , Facing the threat of boycotts across the South, White famously said, Im sorry but he stays Live with it!. One particular way in which Ms. White refused to bow to systemic racism was by insisting Arthur Duncan, a Black dancer, remain on her 1950s show, The Betty White Show.. Sales Partnership Solutions kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', How Gabriel Prosser Planned What Would Have Been The Largest Slave Rebellion In American History, Meet The Ken And Barbie Killers: Paul Bernardo And Karla Homolka, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. If there is content shared on this platform that you feel infringes on your intellectual property, please email me at Reelblack@mail.com and info@reelblack.com with details and it will be promptly removed. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White's show was canceled shortly after receiving backlash for her refusal to cancel Black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. Are you going to go house to house?. Duncan performed alongside stars like actress Jayne Mansfield, singer Jerry Colonna, comedian Hedda Hopper, and the Les Brown orchestra in places like Pearl Harbor, Korea, Okinawa, and Guam. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. In the documentary, White described that all through the South there was this whole ruckus, they were going to take the show off the air if we didnt get rid of Arthur because he was Black., Added Duncan: People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. INFORMATION Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. NBC first aired in 1954. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. Betty imbued charm, wit, and sincerity at each and every turn, always ready to poke fun at herself and those around her, eager to uncover both the humanity in comedy and the comedy in humanity. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. Television was still a new medium, but White was already a veteran performer of stage and radio, had acted on a sitcom and had co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. subcat: '', BE 100s Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. You never call. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. You never ask me out.. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. It has since been updated. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. Have something to tell us about this article? Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". White made a career playing sweet characters with hidden and hilarious grit, and that quality goes all the way back to her first televised variety show, where, as the host and producer, she defied racist demands to get rid of Duncan because he was Black. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. It was the first award in an entirely new category. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. Tai Saint-Louis January 2, 2022 6442 Arthur Duncan and Betty White, reunited by Steve Harvey As the world mourns actress and comedienne Betty White, who passed away on Dec. 31, many are. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. She even had a regular childrens segment. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. targeting: { Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. See when we celebrated Betty Whites 95th birthday with our 5 fave TV appearances: Steve Harveys Hilarious Version of Ray Charless Georgia on My Mind, 8-Year-Old Girl Tries to Take Steve Harveys Hosting Job, George Lopez Schools Steve Harvey During Celebrity Family Feud. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. page_type: 'article', You never ask me out," per People. Duncan went on to have alustrouscareer inshow business and gained fame for being the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show,according to The Library of Congress. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. And it was never a question at all.. He was 97. 0. After being born in Pasadena, California in September 1933, Arthur Duncan took his first steps in the performing world at the age of just 13 and after a brief spell studying pharmacy, returned to the world of showbusiness in his early 20s. Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' 1 of 2. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. 29K views 1 year ago Arthur Duncan (born September 25, 1933) is an American tap dancer, known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982, which, along with his. After initially becoming a ratings success, a controversy surrounding Arthur Duncan and repeated scheduling changes resulted in The Betty White Shows quiet cancellation by NBC who did not renew the show for more episodes according to WFMU. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. And Duncan had not only managed to build a professional career out of his art but had become so renowned that Francis Ford Coppola cast him in The Cotton Club in 1984. as well as other partner offers and accept our. There's no knowing if her putting her foot down on Duncan staying on had any role in the show being repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before eventually being taken off the air that same year. "I was on the show, and they had some letters out of Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there," said Duncan during an episode of 'Steve Harvey's Little Big Shots: Forever Young' in 2017. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. I was on the show, and they had some letters out of Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there, recalled Duncan. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer Arthur Duncan on her show because he was Black A file photo of Betty White. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. BETTY White has updated fans on her health in rare interview after fans fear for the beloved Golden Girl ahead of 100th birthday.The actress, 99, crep . }); EVENTS Oborfacts What can i say? Now she wants restitution. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Rest well, Betty. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Subscribe to Newsletter When encouraged to take Arthur Duncan off the air, White, then in her 30s, said: "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," per the Post. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . Arthur Duncan (born September 25, 1933) is an American tap dancer, known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982, which, along with his earlier inclusion (despite Southern objections) on the 1954 Betty White Show, made him the first African-American regular on variety television programs.Born in Pasadena, California, Duncan entered show business at age 13, when he was a member of a dance quartet that performed at McKinley Junior High School in Pasadena, California.He later entered Pasadena City College to study pharmacy, but left to pursue a career in show business, touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and The Betty White Show. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on, Justin Timberlake posts sweet birthday message for 'dream of a partner' Jessica Biel, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works'. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. Betty White served as both host and producer. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. We wouldnt have been the same. "I did something a little. But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. "I'm. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. Her response: "I'm sorry. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. env: 'prod', 2. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. And there was Duncan. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. R.I.P. However, it was during an appearance on Steve Harveys show Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017 that Duncan felt truly blessed when Betty White surprised him onstage. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. } Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. targeting: { Betty White, The Golden Girls and Hot in Cleveland Star, Dead at 99 During the Little Big Shots episode, Harvey surprised Duncan by bringing White on the show to catch up with her old. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. He told her, I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over. And without missing a beat, Betty replied, Oh, I hope so. You never ask me out." }); !function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" His reply to her that they would be performing at local hospitals and orphanages was as wholesome as the beloved actress and entertainer, who died this week at 99. tude.cmd.push(function() { So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. . Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', At one point, the network threatened to take her off the air for having a Black man repeatedly appear on the show, but she wouldnt budge. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on TV, even though the color of his skin was a real problem for some people. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. Her show was canceled soon after. About CNN . Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young., Here are some of her greatest career moments, Athletes, sports celebrities recall 'national treasure' Betty White, Robert Redford shares his affection for Betty White, 'I had a crush on her, too! Arthur Duncan, whose exuberant tap dancing carried him from the streets of Pasadena to Betty White's variety shows in the 1950s as one of the first Black regulars performing on television,. At the time, she faced criticism for including African-American actor Arthur Duncan in the series, and refused to remove him from the show despite a loss in ratings. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. Betty White In Person (1987). (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=289be4dd-5b1f-48bc-990f-ec567999e080'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "289be4dd-5b1f-48bc-990f-ec567999e080" }).render("8791f6495fab447280f16fc61516a837"); }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; } It's been claimed that Duncan's fixed role on "The Betty White Show" as a singer and dancer meant he was the first Black American to have a regular appearance on a TV variety show. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. He typically performed one solo routine per episode, scored by the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, but also frequently danced with peers Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel. Her response: "I'm sorry. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. cat: 'entertainment', But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949.
Cherokee Town And Country Club Initiation Fee, St Joseph Mercy Health System Human Resources, Red Carpet Wardrobe Fails, Child Abduction Near Illinois, Shooting On Cicero Ave Today, Articles B