betty white 1954 arthur duncan

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. At a time when racial segregation was at boiling point, there were strong calls from different quarters to remove a tap dancer named Arthur Duncan from her show. You never call, responded White. 4. } When asked why she was risking her livelihood to defend a Black man, she said, Im sorry, but he staysLive with it, as per People. subcat: '', Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . page_type: 'article', kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', aid: '769722', And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Betty White was one of a kind, and no incident highlights that better than her refusing to give in to demands for a Black dancer to be removed from her show in the 50s. He is a Black Tap Dancer. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. 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? I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. as well as other partner offers and accept our. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. cat: 'entertainment', White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. As the world mourns actress and comedienneBetty White, who passed away on Dec. 31, many are discovering or being reminded of the way she broke TV barriers with tap dancerArthur Duncan. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. 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, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. You never call. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. 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. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. She pledged her support for same-sex marriage, saying, If a couple has been together all that time and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones I think its fine if they want to get married. Additionally, she didnt understand how some people could be anti-something. She was a proponent of minding her business, standing up for the oppressed, and carving her unique place in the culture through entertainment. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. You never call. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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. . she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. 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. 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. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. page_type: 'article', tude.cmd.push(function() { Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. She also told her critics to "live with it.". [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. Duncan's . (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. 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. According to the 2020 book Betty White on TV, the show failed to attract sponsors and was cancelled on Dec. 31, 1954 despite a desperate plea by White to NBC execs. There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. White, a boundary-breaking television star by 1952, then became the first woman to produce a sitcom, Life with Elizabeth, which she also starred in. Its unclear whether her decision to keep Duncan affected the shows fate, but it was repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before quietly being taken off the air that same year. 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. She hired a Black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, for "The Betty White Show" in 1954, a full three years before the first federal civil-rights legislation since Reconstruction was passed,. Arthur said, 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. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. "Los Angeles was more accessible." NBC first aired in 1954. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she 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.. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. Betty White served as both host and producer. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. Her response: "I'm sorry. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. ABOUT Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. The show. "I did something a little. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. Duncan was already a regular on the show which featured performances by White and others, interviews, skits and even a kids segment before it was added to NBCs national lineup in 1954. Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. 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., Oh, I hope so. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. 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. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. 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. You never call. 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'. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. Be like Betty White. A tap dancer with remarkable skill, Arthur Duncan was the first African American to be hired as a series regular on the variety shows of early television. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. 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. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. Background [ edit] Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. 1 of 2. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Stay up to date with what you want to know. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. 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. He was 97. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. Rest well, Betty. 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. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. Getty Images. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. 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. 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.

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