2. 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. } According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. . Shed been a progressive since day one, and its because of people like her that we were able to delegitimize hateful sentiments that had dominated the country in those years. But this story is true. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. Contact In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer He was a 13-year-old student when he joined the dance quartet at McKinley Junior High School and began studying under renowned choreographer Nick Castle. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . 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. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. In a heartening example of life coming full circle, 55-year-old Arthur Duncan was still tap-dancing when the son of his former mentor approached him with a project. cat: 'entertainment', Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. Now she wants restitution. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. page_type: 'article', "I did something a little. White . } 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. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', The Controversial Decision That Nearly Ruined Betty White's Career He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. The show was canceled soon after. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Arthur Duncan on The Betty White shows why Betty White is 'the First Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. 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 comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it." The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. And it was never a question at all.. When letters started coming from Mississippi and elsewhere demanding Arthurs removal, Betty simply wrote back saying, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. It wasnt a matter of finding a compromise or trying to understand the other sides perspective; she wanted to trust her gut and do the right thing, protest be damned. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. 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. In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. . 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. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . "Los Angeles was more accessible." subcat: '', tude.cmd.push(function() { You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. 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. env: 'prod', pos: 'right_rail_2', ]); (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . Betty White Helped Launch Career of Black Tap Dancer in 1950s - Peoplemag The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer Masthead, Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. Pen Griffey Jr. on Twitter: "Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). 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 . When Bea Arthur left The Golden . This soon led to the show's cancellation. 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. as well as other partner offers and accept our. 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, Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2018 ahead of a surprise TV reunion with White. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. The beloved actress was preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday with a big televised special that will still air despite her passing only a few weeks before the age . Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. After MLKs home was bombed, he refused to back down: This movement will not stop, The brave, forgotten Kansas lunch counter sit-in that helped change America, Sam Howell is the Commanders first-string QB for now, Nationals relievers see benefit in tinkering with new pitches, Kyle Kuzma, Wizards start fast and dont look back in win over Raptors. TIL that, in 1954, Betty White was criticized for having Arthur Duncan B.E. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. env: 'prod', 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. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. Betty White turns 99 this weekend, as former co-stars sing her praises Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. 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. Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. subcat: '', Betty knew she wasnt some prominent politician or royalty she was merely a television actress but she was still extremely self-aware of her influence on the country. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. This article was published more than1 year ago. Live with . 1 of 2. 1. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. 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 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. Are you going to go house to house?. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. 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. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. "In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show," The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center tweeted after her death. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 Championed by Betty White at the start of his career, he became one of the first Black regulars on a TV variety show. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. Not one to waste an opportunity, White immediately set about hiring Duncan to dance on The Betty White Show, which aired on NBC in Los Angeles.
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