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. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. tude.cmd.push(function() { The show. Registry of Corporate Directors. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. In 2017, Arthur Duncan was reunited with Betty White on Little Big Shots: Forever Young (pictured above) and later in 2018, contributed to PBSs Betty White: First Lady of Television documentary film. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. It has since been updated. Throughout her life, she lent her support to myriad animal rights organizations, including the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, The Morris Animal Foundation, African Wildlife Foundation, and Actors and Others for Animals. pos: 'right_rail_1', Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) 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,. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . She also starred in and produced The Betty. ]); "I'm. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. Arthur Chester Duncan (September 25, 1925 - January 4, 2023) was an American tap dancer, also called an "Entertainer's Entertainer," known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982. The Betty White Show (TV Series 1954- ) - IMDb "I was on the show and they had letters from Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there," Duncan recalled said in a 2017 interview onSteve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. See, back in 1954 Betty White served as the host and producer of The Betty White Show, a comedic variety show that was geared toward families and entertainment. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. Betty White: 8 Fascinating Things To Know About Her Life And Work 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. 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! Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. At 99 Years Old Betty White Lives In A Luxurious California Mansion env: 'prod', Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. Watch The Betty White Show (November 29th, 1954) 1 Video 3 Photos Family Music Talk-Show Daytime show with Betty White talking to guests, singing with the orchestra, etc. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. 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. She is older than Mickey Mouse. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. cat: 'entertainment', Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. Subscribe to Newsletter Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. 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 . "Her response: 'I'm sorry. aid: '769722', Sales Partnership Solutions Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. Arthur Duncan - "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) - YouTube When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. About . You never call. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Betty White dead updates - Cause of death for Hollywood legend revealed Arthur Duncan, a gifted dancer whose appearance on one of Betty White's early TV shows prompted a showdown between southern censors and White, died January 4. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', White was briefly married to U.S. army pilot Dick Barker in 1945.Two years later, White wed Hollywood agent Lane Allen, whom she divorced in 1949. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Today, many of us dont even comprehend the power she wielded, the significance she carried as the foremost Golden Girl of our zeitgeist, or how she unshakably fought to bring justice and diversity to our screens. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. Privacy Policy The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. }); EVENTS divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', After appearing as a guest on the show, Lawrence Welk offered Duncan a permanent spot as a member of his \"musical family.\"The 1989 film Tap featured Duncan in a cameo appearance with other famous tap dancers.In 2004 Duncan was honored at the annual \"Tap Extravaganza\" in New York City.In 2006, Duncan was honored for his contributions to tap dance at the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Festival.In 2017, Duncan appeared on the series premiere episode of the reality talent series Little Big Shots: Forever Young, where he performed a dance and reunited with actress Betty White.In 2018, Duncan made an appearance on The Talk as part of a surprise for co-host Sheryl Underwood who performed a tap dance routine with Savion Glover as part of the show's New Year's Evolution. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', You never ask me out.. CNN . A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. The show was the first big break for Duncan, then in his early 20s, he said in the 2018 documentary "Betty White, First Lady of Television.". I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com, In the 1950s, Betty White was criticized for having Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan on her variety talk show, The Betty White Show., Image Via Film screenshot/Wikimedia Commons. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { He was 97. Betty White turns 99 this weekend, as former co-stars sing her praises } Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. Stars Betty White George Tibbles Dick Cathcart See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist 2 User reviews Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy 1 nomination total When Harvey asked what Duncan thought about seeing White again, he jokedGod, I think I am ready to go now., Sports world reacts: Athletes, sports celebrities recall 'national treasure' Betty White, Celebrities mourn loss: Robert Redford shares his affection for Betty White, 'I had a crush on her, too! In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. The Controversial Decision That Nearly Ruined Betty White's Career R.I.P. Betty White: Hollywood Pays Tribute to the TV Icon - W Magazine Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. . Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. targeting: { 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. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. . ABOUT Supervising Producer, Yahoo Entertainment, Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of, It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. She even had a regular childrens segment. But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. Was Betty White Slammed for Having Black Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan on 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. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. Whats more intriguing is that this wasnt Bettys sole act of defiance within the show; she interviewed a Black child on the special when it was considered controversial to do so. Arthur Duncan - Wikipedia She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. You never call. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. 1 of 2. B.E. Oborfacts What can i say? Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. 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. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. Fans mourn Betty White on social media - ajc Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). Getty Images. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. env: 'prod', White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. Tell us what you think! tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . 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. 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. White explained the controversy in the documentary, "All through the South there was this whole ruckus, they were going to take the show off the air if we didn't get rid of Arthur because he was Black," said White. Betty White insisted on Black dancer for her 1950s show Tap dancer Arthur Duncan was first introduced to national audiences by Betty White in 1954 before making history as the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. This, along with his earlier inclusion (despite objections) on The Betty White Show in 1954 and with the help of White herself, made him the first African-American regular on a . In a 2018 documentary honoring Bettys illustrious career, Arthur said, I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, in television. Betty herself wasnt blind to the outrage, but she wouldnt let the commotion, or as she said, the ruckus sway her in the least. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. Pen Griffey Jr. on Twitter: "Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White Although The Betty White Show was cancelled within a year due to low ratings due to NBC constantly changing its time slot, Arthur Duncans newfound national exposure led to invaluable new opportunities.