The Flip Wilson Show
7.4IMDb1.1K votes
4.9TMDBThe 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; it was one of the first American television programs featuring a black person in the title role to achieve significant success 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 second most-watched show in the nation. The show consisted of numerous skits over the 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 character of Geraldine Jones, a sassy, modern woman with a boyfriend named Killer. Flip also created the character of Reverend Leroy, who was the minister of the Church of What's Happening Now!. New parishioners were hesitant to attend the church as it was suggested that Reverend Leroy was a con artist. Wilson popularized catchphrases like "What you see is what you get" and "The devil made me do it!".
