The Black & White Minstrel Show (09/11/73)

[@Aeonterbor]

This content is hosted here as close to it's original form as possible to act as educational research content so the program can be judged in full with it's content in context. If you would like to learn more about the racial stereotypes this show was based on consider visiting the web page for "The Jim Crow Museum"' for a in depth exploration of the culture of the time and how it affected people's lives. jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/index.htm

[@asa1973100]

Wow! Another fantastic spine-tingler!

[@ElisaMcGowan-t2q]

Thanks for uploading these, great seeing them again!.

[@ianellis-ih3dd]

I have just watched an actor reading an adaptation of George Orwell’s novel 1984, then an old T.V 🎭 drama of 1984. Words which are considered inappropriate are made obsolete, history is rewritten to make it sound acceptable. Classics are rewritten. Sounds familiar. Nobody thought this was offensive when it was first screened, it was regarded as quality T.V. It is colourful, lively and jolly.

[@Ettrick8]

You can find examples of that all through human history.

[@JimJim-kh8rw]

Ha. Imagine this being aired on TV now? 😵😆 Oh-eck

[@QuoPaperPlane]

Starmers oinks would be knocking on your door at 4 in the morning 😅

[@billmago7991]

this show was on TV in Australia in the early seventies......thank dog for rock n roll !

[@Midas-qn6rv]

For anyone who doesn't know, the Civil War arrangements are from "The Blue and the Gray," a 1960 album which is on KZbin but doesn't have George's name in the title. Best Civil War album ever made by far, although as far as I recall I don't think that Dai and Tony are in it - but John is hard to miss.

[@ianhicks619]

Great memories. Tony Mercer, John Boulter, et al.

[@annoldham3018]

The guy at 29 minutes in was sweating profusely. It looked as though his make-up was coming off!😂

[@malachy81]

Lenny Hendry started out on this show.

[@Aeonterbor]

@@malachy81 Actually it was his second appearance, he first appeared on "New Faces"

[@groomys67]

British men blacked up, singing in fake American accents 🤣

[@jackpayne4658]

I was born in 1950, and this show was regularly on TV when I was growing up. I didn't know anything about politics, racism, or the show's origins - but the blackface thing always made me uncomfortable. Even as a young child, I thought it was ridiculing black people - and I couldn't see anything ridiculous about a skin colour.

[@slytheringingerwitch]

You see the talent is fine, the entertainment value did what it said on the tin. There was no need for the face paint at all but it was of it's time and then some. To today's eyes, it makes no sense. The black face is merely a gimic and although it may not have been meant in a negative way, its very strange that they (it was a British show) didn't either perform without the facepaint, or actually have black artists performing at least some of the songs as in Britain we didn't have the same rules as in the US or just perform as they were. Obviously there were American minstrel shows and this was a British version but to me I just think it doesn't make sense. If I am not watching it, as in just listening to it, it sounds good. (I love musicals). In fact more than good, amazing voices but all sadly hidden in plain sight.

[@frombrum]

sunday evening if I remember correctly, but maybe saturday night

[@JulianOrchardfan]

Still more entertaining than Ant and Dec and z listers eating insects.

[@rinkydinkfretboard8737]

True that. And less of an affront to common decency. Which isn’t much of a compliment!

[@Edward-ed1nu]

Yes Ant and Dec are certainly offensive but in a different way

[@Ettrick8]

I remember an episode when the singers didn't wear their make up and i thought it was better than the usual show

[@frombrum]

i think in later years they stopped using the make up but the audience for these shows was going away

[@wjcr1964]

Anyone who finds this offensive..... LEAVE! Simple, if you don't like any aspect of our history, our humour or our values then LEAVE!

[@Aeonterbor]

I disagree, I think all people should be free to study and comment on the show regardless whether they like or dislike it.

[@QuoPaperPlane]

That's true but I think these type of programmes tend to draw in a few commentators who like to have a good moan at anything that doesn't represent their warped and degenerate world view.